Expert: Marsha I. - 10/23/2008

Question
The sin unto death is described as something not to be prayed for.

God said "Whoever defiles the flesh, him He will destroy."
The prodigal son was "dead (was he in the sin unto death)and is now alive, lost but now found."

In relation to the scriptures written above, regarding born-again Christians, what does it mean to "wash the robes" as described in revelation?

I guess what I'm trying to understand is, sin is no good for anyone.  Once someone has found his state, they feel miserable and they want to come back to God again.  We as Christians sometimes know we shouldn't but we still sin (such as cursing and gossiping). Can God give up on people even after greivous sins?   After reading Hebrews, Thessalonians, Jude,  and Revelation, in my heart, I know the answer. Can a nominal born again Christian be dead while living? I use the term nominal because they are no longer acceptable to God. Such as: the "Just and the Unjust" or having "a certain fearful expectation of judment that will destroy His adversaries."

I would like your scholarly opinion.  

Answer

I'm not sure that the verse in revelation necessarily relates to the scriptures cited above.  The verse in revelation is referring to saints who had been through great trials and as a result were purified (robes washed) by the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:14 Re 7:14



--  These are they which came out &c. These persons were very lately in a state of great afflictions, and suffering for the sake of their faith and constancy; but, having kept the faith, they have received the blessings which Christ obtained by his blood, for his church and faithful people; they are now cleansed from all impurity, adorned with all perfection, and advanced to this state of glory and happiness, in which they now appear. Lowman.
Revelation 7:14 Re 7:14


Great tribulation; distressing trials which they endured on account of their religion. Made them white in the blood of the Lamb; cleansed from sin and made righteous, through faith in the atoning blood and perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. Family Bible Notes


>>I guess what I'm trying to understand is, sin is no good for >>anyone.  Once someone has found his state, they feel miserable and >>they want to come back to God again.  We as Christians sometimes >>know we shouldn't but we still sin (such as cursing and gossiping). >>Can God give up on people even after greivous sins?   After reading >>Hebrews, Thessalonians, Jude,  and Revelation, in my heart, I know >>the answer. Can a nominal born again Christian be dead while >>living? I use the term nominal because they are no longer >>acceptable to God. Such as: the "Just and the Unjust" or having "a >>certain fearful expectation of judment that will destroy His >>adversaries."


First off it needs to be pointed out that once God saves a person, he will not turn His back on him. John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
(KJV)

Secondly, those that God saves, God will do His work in them and He will finish it. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Thirdly, Christians will stumble and sin from time to time.  The Apostle Paul addresses this. Romans 7:14 ¶ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
(KJV)

Fourthly, a true Christian will not persist in habitual sin. 1John 1:8 ¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jo 2:1 ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1Jo 3:4 ¶ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Fifthly, A “Christian” who persists unrepentantly in sin needs to take stock of whether or not he/she truly was saved to begin with. 1John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
I believe this verse is speaking of living a life of habitual unrepentant sin as it would be inconsistent with the rest of scripture if it meant sinless perfection.

In conclusion, I don’t believe God ever “gives up” on His own.  If they sin, He will bring them back and correct them.  Perhaps it will take some time, perhaps not, but God will discipline them and they will eventually return to fellowship with Him.  If they don’t, then perhaps they never were saved to begin with. I don’t believe there is any such thing as a “nominal Christian”.  One is either saved or they are not…either a Christian or they are not.  There is not room for fence sitting. You either are one of God’s children or you are a child of the Devil.


I hope this helps.
Marsha