Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 9/5/2005

Question
hi,

i have a friend who was born a buddhist then converted to christianity because he believed. but because his mom forced him to be buddhist again so he returned to his buddhist roots for years. but now his mom died so he wanted to be christian again. is it too late?

i heard somewhere in the bible God said if you have tasted the truth and fall back to apostasy then there is no more redemption left. does this means its too late for my friend because he onced had the truth but returned to his buddhist roots? can my friend get another chance?

thank you and take care,

zhenxing

Answer
Hi Zhenxing,

Thanks for this great question!  It is never too late to become a Christian as long as two things are happening:
1.  You must still be alive.
2.  You must be willing to turn from your false religion and turn to Christ.  Notice that GOd says that He is waiting for you to do so...if you do...then He turns and comes to meet you on your way to Him!

Zechariah 1:3
3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 10:13
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Acts 16:30-31
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

It is that simple!

THe passage that you refered to in the begining of your letter was about someone not wanting to come to Christ... it sounds like your friend wants to come to Christ...and Christ is waiting for him with open arms!

Revelation 3:20
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don