You mentioned I said “True, believer” or something similar. This is a big topic. While a person has faith in Jesus, they are saved. But the reality is that a person who has received the Holy Spirit can fall to such an extent that they become lost eternally (Hebrews 6:4-7, Rev 3:16, 2 Peter 2:20-22). But this is not a simple process, it is a persistent, willful rejection of God’s word. When a person sins, they can become blinded by it and controlled by it:
Rom_6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
Heb_3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "TODAY," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Joh 8:34-36 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
This blindness can become so severe that a person falls from grace, and lives in sin, even encouraging others to do so.
2Pe 2:19-22 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A DOG RETURNS TO HIS OWN VOMIT," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."
Note the attitude of these false teachers, they still teach “Christ,” but a version that allows lewdness. So the question has to be asked, what of forgiveness? Where does that fit in the equation?
The Bible tells us:
Gal_6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
The goal of the Christian leader is to gently restore a sinner to Christ, not to their sin, but to freedom from it. But note, some people will not listen.
Tit 3:10-11 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
But God wants us to restore people to both right standing and right living. This can occur at any point that the believer is still alive, because the cross covers a lifetime of sins.
1Jn_5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.
Heb 9:27-28 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.
But we should warn Christians to repent of sin, not live in it, not excuse it in any way.
2Pe 2:4-5 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;
