This is not the only thing Paul wrote, either. You can't just isolate a text or several texts and present that as the whole. Any doctrine must fit with the whole of the revealed Word. Yes, it is possible to lose one's salvation, IF one WALKS AWAY from it deliberately. Slipping up and committing a sin doesn't fit into that catagory. If one is walking with the Lord, actively pursuing His will, praying, reading the Word, that person is not turning his back on God, and this scripture wouldn't apply. Or are you telling me that one can do all that, but one inadvertant sin negates it all?
There is a difference between accidental sin and deliberate sin, where one not only sins and knows it, but then actively pursues it. THAT is a deliberate turning from God. That is what Paul is talking about here. But you want to stretch it to cover every sin, every time, all the time. Have you ever accidentally sinned? Meaning that you did it in the heat of the moment, not with deliberate planning to do so? Go back and read all of Romans, and all of Galatians. Realize that as true Christians, we are IN CHRIST, dead to sin, and alive to God. We still inhabit bodies that are capable of sin, because they haven't been redeemed yet. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God. Now in the sweet by and by, but right now! Today! As I write this! My sins are covered, every one of them. I do my best to obey His Word, to live for Him, to walk worthy of the calling, but I don't do it under my own power, I do it through Christ, who strengthens me. If I stumble, He is there to hold me up, not to slap me down.
You guys are way too hung up on "saying the right words", and railing against the evils of sin to people who are already saved. I got saved without "saying the words" (the sinner's prayer). Let me tell you how it happend: For some time before, God had been drawing me to Him, making me aware of His love for me. When it happened, I had walked into a Catholic Chapel on the Kent State campus (Newman Chapel, I believe)with some friends. As I stood at the end of the main aisle, up over the altar was a life-size, full color, detailed Crucifix. The sight of that was as if I was seeing the real thing, and it affected me so deeply that as I reached the front, I dropped to my knees and couldn't even speak. All I could see was that Crucifix, and be aware of what Jesus had done for me. I didn't "say the words" out loud, or in my mind either, but when I was finally able to stand again, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus had entered my heart, washed me and cleansed me from my sins, and placed the love of God in my heart. I was a changed man from that day forward. Yes, I have stumbled, and I have even backslid, but I have never lost that memory of that moment, and it is what always brings me back. I have never doubted for a minute that God loves me, He keeps me, and that He will not let me be lost. it is not up to me, it's up to Him. Even when I was backslidden, I knew that God had His hand on my life. He was so patient with me, so loving and tender with my hurting heart. The reasons for my backsliding aren't important, the fact that He brought me back is.
Thank you for your testimony. Can you believe some folks still question why we display Crucifixes?
SD
NBF, since God apparently used a Catholic Church and crucifix to call you to him, are you now a Catholic? If not, why not?