When does any particular sin(s) become backsliding, apostasy, or "falling away?"

[Paulomycin]

Will some sins get you there faster than others? If so, which ones? How many times do you sin, confess, sin, confess, sin, confess, etc., before you wake up and realize you're simply nothing more than a hypocrite/apostate?

 

[Mark Quayle]

Will some sins get you there faster than others? If so, which ones? How many times do you sin, confess, sin, confess, sin, confess, etc., before you wake up and realize you're simply nothing more than a hypocrite/apostate?

It's all in God's hands. Thank God for his mercy.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Will some sins get you there faster than others? If so, which ones? How many times do you sin, confess, sin, confess, sin, confess, etc., before you wake up and realize you're simply nothing more than a hypocrite/apostate?

Shall we sin, that grace may abound? NO! --but we do and it does...

 

[Bible Highlighter]

It's all in God's hands. Thank God for his mercy.

Actually, we are told:

“...We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” (Hebrews 3:13-14).

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:21).

"...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10).​

We are also told to:

1. Continue in the grace of God (Acts of the Apostles 13:43).
   
   
2. Continue in the faith (Acts of the Apostles 14:22) (Colossians 1:23).
   
   
3. Continue in his goodness, otherwise we can be cut off (just like the Jews were cut off) (Romans 11:21-22).

So no. It's not in His hands alone (according to the verses above). We have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

 

[Mark Quayle]

Actually, we are told:

“...We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” (Hebrews 3:13-14).

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:21).

"...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10).​

We are also told to:

1. Continue in the grace of God (Acts of the Apostles 13:43).
   
   
2. Continue in the faith (Acts of the Apostles 14:22) (Colossians 1:23).
   
   
3. Continue in his goodness, otherwise we can be cut off (just like the Jews were cut off) (Romans 11:21-22).

So no. It's not in His hands alone (according to the verses above). We have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

I said "it is in his hands alone"? Are you for real? If we do not work, our faith is dead.

But you apparently missed the point of my response to the OP. It is not, in the end, our judgement that counts in the matter, but God's.

Why not respond to the OP? I think you like to point out anything you can to counter Reformed Theology, yet you keep adopting false representations of what we believe.

 

[Sophrosyne]

I backslid as a child and I think it started when I thought less and less about God then I went on to doubt God (as I knew of him) existed at all. People who backslide often have either an inaccurate picture of God or want God to be to their liking. There is a point to where you are totally satisfied with the world and God is put in a box in the closet like a worn out pair of shoes. Some people later decide that they liked those shoes and want to wear them again others in time... completely throw them out.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Will some sins get you there faster than others? If so, which ones? How many times do you sin, confess, sin, confess, sin, confess, etc., before you wake up and realize you're simply nothing more than a hypocrite/apostate?

All sin. That's why we are called to a life of repentance. We are all hypocrites.

One becomes apostate when they apostatize by denying and leaving and rejecting their faith. Apostasy doesn't happen by a life of constant struggle--that struggle is part of what the Christian life as simul iustus et peccator (both saint and sinner). The struggle between the old man and the new. Drowning the old Adam in repentance, our new man renewed by faith from the precious fountain of God's word. Dying to the world, living in Christ.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Jeshu]

How many times do you sin, confess, sin, confess, sin, confess, etc., before you wake up and realize you're simply nothing more than a hypocrite/apostate?

1 John 1:8-10
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

 

[Sabertooth]

When does any particular sin(s) become backsliding, apostasy, or "falling away?"

We do not know. It may not even be the same "point of no return" for each person.

All that we can ascertain from Scripture is that when a person DOES reach that point, they will have no desire to repent and will be unfazed by the likelihood of going to Hell when they die. Those are both functions of the Holy Spirit Who will have left at that point. Hebrews 6:4-6 makes it clear that that condition does not apply to

• unbelievers,
• new believers or
• those with OCD;

but to mature believers who have made a deliberate, informed & protracted decision.

"For it is impossible for those who

• were once enlightened, and
• have tasted the heavenly gift, and
• have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and
• have tasted the good word of God and
• [have tasted] the powers of the age to come,

if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance,
since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God,
and put Him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:4-6 NKJV

 

[coffee4u]

Will some sins get you there faster than others? If so, which ones? How many times do you sin, confess, sin, confess, sin, confess, etc., before you wake up and realize you're simply nothing more than a hypocrite/apostate?

I would say when there is no remorse and no acknowledgment that it is sinful even after it has been pointed out from scripture to be sinful.

 

[disciple Clint]

Will some sins get you there faster than others? If so, which ones? How many times do you sin, confess, sin, confess, sin, confess, etc., before you wake up and realize you're simply nothing more than a hypocrite/apostate?

I do not think there is a relationship between the number of times we sin and becoming a hypocrite/apostate. As Paul said,
Romans 7:15-20

New International Version

15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.a]">[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

 

[ozso]

Backsliding is often a result of complacency. It starts out small and gradually gets bigger. Usually it gets to a certain point to where a believer becomes aware of it and repents.

Sometimes backsliding is a result of rebellion. Where the believer decides to "sow some wild oats". This again usually gets to a certain point and then the believer repents.

Apostasy or turning away is when one formally decides they are no longer a believer. Backsliding can lead to apostasy.

The best way to avoid this is to maintain daily prayer and Bible reading, to keep yourself spiritually fit.

 

[Paulomycin]

Actually, we are told:

“...We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” (Hebrews 3:13-14).

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:21).

"...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10).​

We are also told to:

1. Continue in the grace of God (Acts of the Apostles 13:43).
   
   
2. Continue in the faith (Acts of the Apostles 14:22) (Colossians 1:23).
   
   
3. Continue in his goodness, otherwise we can be cut off (just like the Jews were cut off) (Romans 11:21-22).

So no. It's not in His hands alone (according to the verses above). We have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

Perfectly? I'm sure if one could do so perfectly, then they could claim they are without sin.

 

[Nova2216]

Will some sins get you there faster than others? If so, which ones? How many times do you sin, confess, sin, confess, sin, confess, etc., before you wake up and realize you're simply nothing more than a hypocrite/apostate?

Simon in (Acts 8:12-24) became a Christian and then soon fell from grace according to an inspired man.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

1Jo 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 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. 8 ¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 ¶ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

(Luke 15) The whole chapter.

 

[klutedavid]

Will some sins get you there faster than others? If so, which ones? How many times do you sin, confess, sin, confess, sin, confess, etc., before you wake up and realize you're simply nothing more than a hypocrite/apostate?

Takes a while to see through yourself. Sometimes we cannot admit to ourselves who we really are.

Thank God, that Jesus intervened and took the quest for salvation out of our hands. He established the reconciliation to God on behalf of us.

Romans 5:11
And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:18
Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

We do not earn salvation through sinless perfection. Salvation is a free gift given to those who believe in Jesus.

Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

 

[Nova2216]

2Co 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men..

Sounds like we have work to do if we want to be accepted by the Lord.

 

[AK1982]

.

 

[Saint Steven]

Will some sins get you there faster than others? If so, which ones? How many times do you sin, confess, sin, confess, sin, confess, etc., before you wake up and realize you're simply nothing more than a hypocrite/apostate?

As @Mark Quayle wrote, "It's all in God's hands. Thank God for his mercy."

I would add... We cannot undo, by an act of our own will, what only God can do in the first place.

And Jesus left the ninety-nine to go after the one.

 

[Saint Steven]

We do not know. It may not even be the same "point of no return" for each person.

All that we can ascertain from Scripture is that when a person DOES reach that point, they will have no desire to repent and will be unfazed by the likelihood of going to Hell when they die. Those are both functions of the Holy Spirit Who will have left at that point. Hebrews 6:4-6 makes it clear that that condition does not apply to

• unbelievers,
• new believers or
• those with OCD;

but to mature believers who have made a deliberate, informed & protracted decision.

"For it is impossible for those who

• were once enlightened, and
• have tasted the heavenly gift, and
• have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and
• have tasted the good word of God and
• [have tasted] the powers of the age to come,

if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance,
since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God,
and put Him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:4-6 NKJV

It is interesting how many personal testimonies there are that are in complete violation of that scripture in Hebrews. What's up with that?

 

[Sabertooth]

It is interesting how many personal testimonies there are that are in complete violation of that scripture in Hebrews. What's up with that?

As long as they are convicted to repent,
they are not too far gone,
nor have they actually crossed that line.