A Serious Threat?

Deuteronomy 7-8; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 12:1

 

If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God. – Deuteronomy 8:19-20

 

This was a serious threat for OT believers.

 

But is it still a serious threat now?

 

Two major theological positions exist, and they grapple with a certain question in different ways. The question is this: “If someone puts his faith in Jesus Christ, but then dies living a blatantly rebellious and sinful life, is that person saved?”

 

One theological branch responds: “Probably not. He may have had faith in Jesus Christ, but by rebelliously turning his back on Jesus this person lost his salvation.”

 

Another theological branch says: “If his faith was actually in Jesus, then he is saved. True saints will persevere to the end and be redeemed in spite of their sins. But it is very possible that this person merely deceived himself and others into thinking he had put his faith in Jesus. If he was living such a rebellious, sinful life, he probably never put his faith in Jesus. He was probably never saved.”

 

Moral of the story? Both sides look at those who forget God and rebel against Him as people who will probably be sent to hell for their rebellion. One side thinks he may have once experienced salvation; the other side says he could never have experienced salvation. But both sides agree that those without faith in the Lord will be judged and destroyed in hell for their disobedience.

 

So, is Deuteronomy 8:19-20 a serious threat for the people who fill our churches today? You tell me.