[Antonello]

There is no such thing as a former Christian.

Are you claiming that I, for instance, didn't used to be a Christian, when for many years I had a devout belief in Him? Or are you claiming that I am still one even though I no longer hold that belief?

[CindyDawg]

I'm not claiming anything. I don't know your heart. A Christian however does not loose their belief. They might backslide but they always know who they belong to.

[Texas2step]

Are you claiming that I, for instance, didn't used to be a Christian, when for many years I had a devout belief in Him?

The claim is that you were never a Christian. A Christian is someone who has met Christ, personally, and has a real and personal relationship with someone. It would be pretty hard to do that if you current profess a belief that you don't believe. Kind of like saying your mother never existed, or your first high school girlfriend, even.

Christianity isn't simply claiming to have a "devote belief", it's knowing, believing beyond all doubt. It's personally having a real relationship with the Christ.

Since your "devote belief" evidently didn't include that, you couldn't have been a Christian. You were just playing one.

[rdb3]

Are you claiming that I, for instance, didn't used to be a Christian, when for many years I had a devout belief in Him? Or are you claiming that I am still one even though I no longer hold that belief?

Luke 8:13 describes your situation.

[confederate_infidel]

Well apparently you didn't believe in Him too much, if you don't now. A REAL Christian believes in his or her faith FOREVER, not just a little while. That isn't a true belief.

[Anita1]

Once you really have an true encounter with Jesus - you will never be the same. Being a Christian isn't about knowing the law or just going to church - it is a relationship with Jesus. Once you come to know Him - it is like the song says: No turning back!

Heb.10:35
Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. "For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And a righteous person will live by faith.

But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away."

But we are not like those who turn their backs on God and seal their fate. We have faith that assures our salvation.

[Raycpa]

I had a devout belief in Him?

You truly believed that you were a sinner and that Christ died for your sins? You may not have truly believed that then, otherwise its not possible to later deny His deity.

[frgoff]

It's simply a way of justifying the doctrine of eternal security in the face of people who were obviously devout at some point in the past and lost/abandoned/discarded their faith.

It's basically an exercise in circular logic. Christians cannot lose their salvation. Therefore when we see somoene who appears to have lost their salvation, they never had salvation because Christians can't lose their salvation.