Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 6/26/2010

Question
QUESTION: Cooper,

I read your comment on security of salvation, namely that you assert it is impossible for one to lose salvation.  I too used to teach that as I discipled others; however, one day I realized I was working rather hard to dismiss all of God's warnings through the various paradigms (e.g. "true believer", etc.), none of which were in the Word of God.  I then decided to simply accept what the Word says and it suddenly was harmonic in all aspects.  

My question to you is how do you dismiss all of God's warnings addressing loss of salvation and yet accept those portions you like?  God gave me an assigment to "master the issue of security of salvation" which I did and the results are viewable at www.securityofsalvation.org; perhaps you might enjoy it as I analyze the entire spectrum of every argument and evidence supporting such on both sides of the aisle - Calvanism and Arminianism (I prefer "once saved always saved" vs. you can lose your savlation).  Truth doesn't have to present half truths to support itself; accordingly, if your position is correct, it should be supported with all of the Word, not just small portions as I have confirmed is the case with Calvanism/"once saved always saved."

The paper is written through the eyes and mind of a former trial attorney (myself) who, when trying cases, "mastered" the law as it pertained to my clients' interests.  I would welcome a civil discourse with you on this as clearly the doctrines on this matter are diametrically opposed - one must by necessity be false whereas the other, true.  Perhaps we should look to see what God says on the matter in deciding which is false or true?  It would seem this is fundamental if we are to "accurately handle the Word of God" as 2 Tim 2:15 speaks of.  

In the end, those who promote false doctrine will account for it before the Almighty.  That's a certainty.  As for me, I never found peace or comfort in my former "once saved always saved" perspective as I read conditional warning after warning in the Word.  Why not just accept what God says?  Finally, your assertion that Arminian based Churches preach salvation by works is an untrue statement (falsehood is an abomination to the Lord if you're willing to accept what He has to say about it).  They teach salvation by faith as the Word teaches.  They also teach the warnings just as the Word teaches; rather than dismissing them due to an apparent conflict with the man-made doctrine of "once saved always saved."

In the end analysis, we all stand before the Almighty.  May that day be a cause for celebration and joy instead of eternally regretted remorse.  Brothers and Sisters of the Lord should not be so seperated on an issue of so great an importance and for which there is so much clear instruction in the Bible addressing the matter.  I'm reminded that the modus operandi of the devil, from the very first mention of him in the Word, was to directly contradict God's warnings to Adam and Eve. Perhaps we should take God's warnings seriously?

I hope to hear back from you and wish you the best.  We do apparently bow to the same God.  We are told to contend for the faith and help one another out.  May the Spirit of God, the Teacher, clarify for all who love the Lord with all their souls, what the truth is on security of salvtion!

In Christ,

Larry Parks

ANSWER: Dear Larry,
  As a former trial attorney I think you know you cannot defend something until you are given the position of the other side to defend. I think it is called "discovery."   What warnings that one can lose salvation are you referring to. My article explains the biblical position as the scriptures state, but I am at a lost to know what you are referring to. I suspect you are misinterpreting passages that refer to God rebuking sinning believers or to the unsaved. I cannot respond to a general criticism, but will respond to specifics.

  Thank you.
Cooper Abrams

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Cooper,

The warnings I refer to are laid out in detail in the paper I previously referenced for you at www.securityofsalvation.org.  If you want to see a fairly exhaustive listing (old and new covenants), please look at the paper.  I provide a sample here for you to consider on passages apparently stating salvation can be lost.

One interesting facet on these scriptures is at least three passages, Hebrews 6:4–6, Hebrews 10:26–31, and 2 Peter 2:20-22, are written such that it is logically impossible to deny believers can lose their salvation. Christians must be diligent to make sure their “interpretations” are supported, not contradicted, by the Bible. Anyone contradicting God’s warnings share a similarity with the snake in the Garden of Eden who also contradicted God’s death warnings to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-5).

Here’s the logic: there are only two basic types of folk according to God’s Word – believers and non-believers, or put another way, the saved and the unsaved. People who assert these three passages do not apply to believers are by default asserting they apply to non-believers. If this is accurate, then the passages should make sense applying to non-believers. “Interpreting” them as such produces the following illogical results:

1. Non-believers “have once been enlightened,” “have tasted of the heavenly gift,” “have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,” and “have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come.” (Hebrews 6:4 – 6)

2. Non-believers “received the knowledge of the truth,” and also received “the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:26 – 31)

3. Non-believers “have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” and “have known the way of righteousness.” (2 Peter 2:20 – 22)

As you can see, claiming these passages apply to non-believers renders the passages illogical. This is so because non-believers do not possess the qualities noted above, only believers do. Where in the Bible are non-believers with these attributes described? They are not.

The controlling “interpretation” rule for the Bible should be that we interpret man made doctrine in light of what scripture has to say, rather than interpret scripture through the perspective of man made doctrine (Calvanism, etc). For those who want to sit on the fence and claim the passages apply to both, then the same analysis produces the same results. Ergo, to the extent non-believers are addressed, the absurd results noted above are evident. To the extent believers are addressed, salvation can be lost as the passages clearly so state.

Finally, I must mention that there are preachers and teachers who, while acknowledging these passages apply to believers who continue on “sinning willfully,” nonetheless assert the only risk of loss is one’s “rewards” and experiencing a negative impact on one’s quality of life. They say salvation is never at risk. In doing so, they specifically contradict Rev chaps 2&3 (Christ's warnings to the churches) and Hebrews 10:26-27 which states “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES” (author’s emphasis). Why would they ignore the warning of loss of the sacrifice for sins (Jesus), judgment (without Jesus we are judged for our sins) and resultant lake of fire? They are either intentionally deceiving or are themselves victims of self-deception. Misleading people with Biblical contradictions is a very serious matter with the Author. Hell is described as a lake of fire where all of God’s enemies are thrown (Revelation 20:11-15). As you can see for yourself, “loss of rewards” or “quality of life” is not mentioned at all in these passages; rather, loss of a sacrifice for sins, followed by a fire which will consume the adversaries.

Cooper, on a similar note, in Rev 3:1-6 the Lord speaks to "the angel of the church in Sardis" and warns some of the members of the church to "repent" and "overcome" and "I will not erase his name from the book of life."  Folk should not ignore the obvious in this passage that if they (Sardis church people) failed to repent, their names would be "erased" from the book of life.  To preach and assert salvation can't be lost, that one's name cannot be erased from the book of life, is tantamount to calling the Lord a liar - a position I find absurd for those claiming to follow Him as Lord and King of their life.  

Again, there are tons of passages, old and new covenant, addressing loss of salvation; however, there are relatively very few upon which Calvanism is based (see the paper comments on predistination noted under Ephesians 1:1-14 and Romans 8:29 – 39 passages) all of which can be easily interpreted in light of the rest of the Bible without violating principles of hermeneutics.  In conclusion, it appears there is an overwhelming volume of passages that repeatedly state the same principles - that unrepentent willful rebellion will land anyone (including those who claim to be Christians) in the lake of fire.

I appreciate you're responding to my email.  I hope to get another reponse after you've actually read the paper (it was a direct order of God for me to do it; perhaps there's a reason for it for others?).  

In Christ,

Larry Parks

ANSWER: Hi Larry,
  The "enlightened" of Hebrews 6:4 are saved people who heard the Gospel and believed. However, Hebrews 6:4- 6, is presenting a hypothetical situation....not one that in reality could happen. God is clearly teaching that IF were possible to be saved and then to be lost it would all so be impossible for them to be restored.  This verse states that "if" it were possible to lose one's salvation then it would be impossible to restore them again to salvation.  The point the paasage is making is that if a person could be lost then Christ would have to suffer, died and be resurrected again.  Contextually the Hebrew believers were waning in their faith because they were looking for the Messiah to return and set up His kingdom.  They were beginning to doubt and the writer of Hebrews is writing to encourage them and show them their faith was not in vain.  Part of their doubting was of the assurance of their salvation.  You have to consider the historical context of the writing of the Book to interpret it properly in its context.  The principle of this verse then can be be stated,

  "IF ONCE SAVED AND LOST THEN FOREVER LOST!" The point the passage is making with this hypothetical statement is that it is impossible to lose what God freely gave you and can be correctly stated "ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED."   Jesus will not go back to the cross and suffer and die again....nor will He have to because salvation is eternal.

   Interestingly, all those who teach that you lose your salvation also teach you can saved again. They teach that by repentance and good works one can saved again....and again....and again. Thus one can fall out of grace, be returned by good works, fall out again and be restored again...by good works, etc. That false teaching directly contradicts God's word as stated here because this passage emphatically states that if one could lose their salvation it would be impossible to restore them again. Those that use this to teach that salvation can be lost distort and ignore the meaning of the passage. Also, these false teachers who teach you can lose your salvation never address how much sin one must commit to lose eternal life. Thus their members flounder in a sea of doubt never being sure if they are accepted by God or not. Others who believe this heresy take pride in their keeping themselves saved by their good works...meaning living a godly life.

         The teaching of Hebrews 6:11-12 is clearly stated.... "We desire that every one you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of the "hope unto the end." Anyone who would use the passage to teach salvation can be lost is being dishonest or ignoring what the passage actually says.   Only a superficial reading of the passage would lead one to conclude the passage is teaching one can lose their salvation.    The passage is teaching assurance of salvation, not losing one's salvation. The writer of the Book of Hebrews, encourages believers and desires to show them the absolute hope of the full assurance the believer has in his salvation. Verse 11 establishes the reason for verses 1-10.

         Let me labor the point..... God is not saying that it is possible for a person to be saved and lose their salvation, but saying that "IF" it were possible then Christ would have to be crucified all over again. It is not saying it is possible to be saved and then lost, but showing WHY it would be impossible to lose salvation. The passage is establishing the fact that it is impossible to be lost once Christ has saved the believer, forgiven all his sins and given him eternal life.  Why, because that would mean that Christ would have to be crucified again in order for a person to be saved again if they were lost. Christ was crucified once for all as Hebrews 10:10 says, "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Note in Verse 12 the word, "slothful" which comes from a derivative of word "illegitimate" as an illegitimate son, or of uncertain origin. He is saying, "Do not act like an illegitimate son (lost person), because as you know you are a child of God, do not be lazy or uncertain."

         Note that Verses 17-18 state that God has made an oath concerning our salvation and  "made solemn promise." This is God solemn oath is that all that trust in Jesus Christ are eternally one saved. He up lifts us with the assurance..."We might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the "hope" set before us..."

         Verses 19-20 say, "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." Clearly these two verses absolutely assure the Christian who has truly put his faith in Jesus Christ that he is eternally saved.

         The point in understand this passage is to ask the question, "What is the basis of God's accepting a person and forgiving him?" Clearly, the scripture says it is based upon what Jesus Christ did on the cross. If a person by faith believes and receives Christ as their Savior...they receive eternal life and if it is eternal it cannot be lost. A person is not saved by any work or works they do and salvation is purely an act of God's grace in giving the "gift" of salvation to those who will believe and accept it. A gift is not something one earns or merits.  Plainly, if one cannot be saved by works or meriting salvation...they cannot keep themselves saved by works either. This clearly means a person does not keep himself saved by any act of his own, nor can he lose what is freely and unconditionally given by God.

         Ephesians 2:1-10 states:

         "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:1-10)

         Romans 5:17-19 states the basis, "For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

         Hebrews 9:14, "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

         1 John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. "

         Ephesians 2:16 "And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: "

         God's offer of salvation is total, complete and final. It was promised on the basis of the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross as he suffered and shed His blood for man. Man's salvation is not based on his good works. How could a man by good works, keep a salvation that he was not able to work for or earn for himself in the first place?

         Note who God says keeps us saved.....

         "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5)

    The basis problem with your conclusions are that they are based on a superficial reading of Scripture and ignores a vital hermeneuticial rule that one must interpret God's word in the analogy of the faith.  That means God cannot contradict Himself.   If God says in Romans 8, 1 Peter 1:3-5 that the believer is not under condemnation and  "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:5) plus many other passages stating the same truth....then that is God's truth and if we read passage that seems to say otherwise then we are misunderstanding the passage.  God cannot say He gives the believer eternal or everlasting life in one passage and say it is not eternal in another.

     I have an article http://bible-truth.org/Principles.htm "Biblical Principles for
Interpreting God's Word" that would be of great help to you.   I am absolutely sure you are sincere in your efforts to correctly interpret God's word, but to be correct we must properly interpret what God has said.
     I also have an article at http://bible-truth.org/election.htm "Is Calvinism or Arminianism Biblical? A Biblical Explanation of the Doctrine of Election"  that would I believe also but helpful to you.
     Thanks for you comments and I hope I have helped.
    
Cooper P Abrams III
Romans 12:1-2
http://bible-truth.org
     "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity"  (1 Corinthians 16:13-14 )

For a clear explanation of God's plan of salvation please go to: http://bible-truth.org/gospel.html



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Cooper,

You reference hermeutics as something that I've failed to grasp; and yet, you ignored my question to you on Christ's warning to the Church of Sardis in Revelations 3:1-6 where the possibility of having one's name stricken from the Book of Life due to unrepentant behaviour is specifically addressed by Christ.  This appears a tad hyprocrital on your behalf.  Applying hermeneutics would include this (Rev. 3:1-6, and all the other passages stating the same) on such a serious subject as security of salvation.  I find therefore, you violate the principle of hermeneutics in a gross fashion. For the sake of convenience, I am pasting the question to see if you'll actually address it.  It is as follows:

"Cooper, on a similar note, in Rev 3:1-6 the Lord speaks to "the angel of the church in Sardis" and warns some of the members of the church to "repent" and "overcome" and "I will not erase his name from the book of life."  Folk should not ignore the obvious in this passage that if they (Sardis church people) failed to repent, their names would be "erased" from the book of life.  To preach and assert salvation can't be lost, that one's name cannot be erased from the book of life, is tantamount to calling the Lord a liar - a position I find absurd for those claiming to follow Him as Lord and King of their life."

On a different note, you seem to feel rather free to engage in insulting those, like me, who take God's repetitive warnings seriously when you say, "Also, these false teachers who teach you can lose your salvation never address how much sin one must commit to lose eternal life. Thus their members flounder in a sea of doubt never being sure if they are accepted by God or not. Others who believe this heresy take pride in their keeping themselves saved by their good works...meaning living a godly life."  So, I guess by your written opinion, I'm a "false teacher" who teaches "heresy" and yet you fail to address the passage where Christ specifically states He'll strike unrepentant Sardis Church folk from the Book of Life!  Interesting.  Rather than return the insult, I'll simply assert what Christ also said about brotherly love among his children - John 13:34-35 ("A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.") and hope you repent of the insult.  I'm sure you would not want that done to you (you know, the 2nd most important commandment in all the Bible, to do onto others the way you want them to do onto you).

Please allow me to make one final point in the error of your assertions.  When you assert that folk claiming salvation can be lost: 1. never answer how much sin is requried for the loss to occur, the reason is because the Bible does not say how much.  To add to what the Bible is silent on is a bad thing for those who actually have "ears to hear" what the Spirit says.  If you actually wanted to receive the entire message God gives in His Word, you'd know that the relationship between believers and God is one of adoption as sons and daughters through the shed blood of Christ by faith.  The idea the adopted sons and/or daughters would want to "push the envelope", i.e. engage in sin up to the max before losing salvation, demonstrates a wicked perspective of wanting to violate as much as possible without losing the plus of salvation (this is a direct application of Galatians 6:7; see also Numbers 15:30).  Scripture is silent on how much sin is allowed before loss of salvtion because adpoted sons/daughters who "love" the Lord will seek to "follow Him" at all cost in spite of the fact they will fall short of the mark.  The bottom line on this is believers are supposed to strive to get as close to God as possible via obedience, even though they'll fall short, versus asking how much disobedience is allowed before losing the prize!  Ask youself which of these two perspectives is most pleasing to the Almighty.  Hopefully this contrast is clear.

The second erroneous assertion you make regarding teachers teaching salvation can be lost, "Thus their members flounder in a sea of doubt never being sure if they are accepted by God or not" fails to address God's Word on this such as in John 10:27,28 ("My shep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand").  The security of salvation, for those who actually receive all of God's Word on this, is that to "follow" Christ is the catalyst that gives security.  John Calvin's doctrine, of course, contradicts that.  So, contrary to your assertion, I and others who receive all of God's Word, do not "flounder in a sea of doubt never being sure if they are accepted by God or not" but rather take comfort in knowing that as long as we "follow" the Lord as our King and Saviour, it's all good.  

The final erroneous assertion you make, "Others who believe this heresy take pride in their keeping themselves saved by their good works...meaning living a godly life" mischaracterizes those who strive to honor God in their daily decision making.  You see these folk as prideful, whereas James sees them as having a faith that is alive (James 2:14-26).  When James says, "For just as the body without the sprit is dead, so faith without works is dead" (James 2:26) are you contradicting him too?

Cooper, I feel you are not willing to even consider all of the Word of God, only those portions that support John Calvin's doctrine.  If so, you do not have "ears to hear" nor do you have "eyes to see" and I sincerly hope you consider ALL of God's Word on the issue of security of salvtion.  It is a rather big topic and has eternal conseqences for those who blow it.  

If you would be open to a debate or verbal discussion, I'd be more than happy to oblige.  Or, perhaps you might want to spend a few hours checking out my paper God assigned me to accomplish on this subject at www.securityofsalvation.org.  One thing I hope is that you repent from is slandering folk like me as such is a patent violation of the Lord's commnadment to love one another.  I realize this discourse has enlarged and in order to keep it somewhat simple, perhaps you'd at least respond to Christ's assertion in Revelations 3:1-6 and my original question you dodged?  In conclusion, Truth doesn't need partial presentation to maintain its truth, but false doctrine lives on the partial truth to maintain its falsehood.  Why not receive all the warnings and blessings of the Word?  It's much better.  I had to let go of the absurd Calvinistic dogma years ago due to the repetitive conflict it presents with the Word of God.  

In Christ,

Larry Parks

P.S. I'm serious about the debate or verbal discussion offer.

Answer
Larry,
 I would be helpful for you to read the passage before you offer your opinion of what you think it says.   "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." (Revelation 3:5)
 Like using Hebrews 6, you have taken a verse to prove your point that actually does not say what you contend and plainly says the opposite.   Jesus said to the Sardis church that those who overcame, meaning who believed in Jesus Christ alone which is the only why to overcome, that they would be saved and not blotted out of the book of life which is what happens to those who do not believe and are not saved.   Yes, he is telling these sinning believers to repent, which you find throughout God's word.    Have you ever read 1 John 1:8-10?   Have you ever read Hebrews 12:6-13, or 1 Corinthians 11:27-31, or 1 Corinthians 3:9-15.  
Sir, Christians have the old carnal nature and will sin as God says, and 1 John 1:9 says we are to confess our sins and he will cleanse us...take away bent to sin, from us.
  Sir you have a presupposition that you have made and you impose it on any verse you read  ignoring the actual words and what the verse states.  You are not using true grammatical hermeneutics at all.  
   You are very critical of me stating I do not know God's word.  I admit even after 30 years I have much to learn.  But I suppose my problem as you see it is that I completely believe God's actual literal word.  When God says that He gives eternal or everlasting life and repeatedly says He does not forsake His children and has sealed them until the day of redemption(2 Cor. 1:12, Eph. 1:13, 4:30)....you know...I believe God is completely able to express Himself and use the correct words to convey what He means.   Obviously, you do not because you say salvation is not eternal and can be lost.  Can't you see a problem with your view in light of God's word?
  I do not need a long discourse, but if salvation is not eternal and can be lost please explain how it can be lost?  Specfically what does one have to do to lose salvation?

  The following is from my yet unpublished commentary on Revelation:

  "Some try to use this verse to teach that salvation is by works. It is worth noting that all the cults interpret this verse this way.   In other words they teach that a  person in his own strength "overcomes" will be saved.   Ephesians 2:8-10 emphatically refutes this false idea.   "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."    We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and once saved God has appointed us to live godly lives.   Nowhere in God's word does God say that a man is saved by his own righteous or good works.  Jesus says that he that "overcometh" is he who is victorious.  The overcomer is the one who by faith has believed and been forgiven of their sins.    1 John 5:4-5 explains who are the ones who overcome, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"  Even in the midst of such deadness as was in this congregation the power of the Gospel remains and will redeem all who trust Christ by faith.   The one who seeks Christ; the heart who loves truth; the one who bows himself to Christ; the one who believes and trust Christ will overcome.

   Jesus promised that those that repented would not have their names not blotted out of the book of life.  This verse is teaching assurance of salvation. The "book of life" here appears to be a list of the names of all believers who are alive.   Being blotted out of the book of life means because of their rebellion and sin God chastens some who continue unrepentant in sin unto death.   John refers to this as sin unto death.  "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it" (1Jo 5:16)   A believer can blatantly and willfully sin against God and in time after God's longsuffering is tried God will take the believer's life in order to stop him from going further. (See Heb 12:6-11)

    Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 11:28-30, "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."   There were some in the Corinthian church who had been saved and had returned to sin and were not "discerning" the body of Christ, therefore the Lord had chastened them making some sick and taking the life of others.   Their sin of not discerning the body of Christ was that they willingly and blatantly continued in sin knowing fully that their sin caused Christ suffering on the Cross.  Their actions show they had no regard for Christ's sufferings and therefore God took their lives to end their sinful ways.    They did not lose their salvation, but their physical lives.   As 1Co 3:15 teaches they also lose all reward at the BEMA judgment of all believers.

   The believer has two natures.   He has the old carnal nature he was born with which causes a man to sin.  He also has a spiritual nature (born again) that the Lord gives when a person by faith accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior.    This biblical truth shows that a Christian can exercise his will to serve the Lord or to sin.   Eph 5:18 instructs the child of God to "Be not drunk with wine which is access, but be filled with the Spirit."   Christians are not robots programmed by the Lord, but free agents who can either chose to sin or not.   1 Corinthians 10:13 says that God provides a means of escape at the point a believer is tempted, thus giving the Christian choice.   Most Christians seek to honor the Lord in their lives and live godly lives, but anyone can fall into sin."

Cooper Abrams