Quote:
Originally Posted by Costeon
By "unrepentant" do you simply mean that period of time from a sin (whatever it might be) till it is confessed to God, or do you mean someone who is flagrantly sinning with no real concern for God's Word? I understand you to mean the former but I wanted to clarify.
It seems you're saying that God will not allow a sincere Christian who has sinned to die before they have had a chance to repent--in other words, God would not actually allow a sincere Christian to face the eternal consequence of having sinned or stumbled. Is this what you're saying?
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I think God is long suffering and will try to draw us back to Him. I believe God gives people 2nd and 3rd chances.
I have a relative who walked closely with God for 20 years, but now she rarely comes to church, her priorities are worldly entertainment and fun. But God is still working on her, drawing her. When she does come to church she prays and feels the presence of God. I know that God has not given up on her and is drawing her back to himself.
How many of us know backsliders that we are praying that God will convict them and bring them home, like the parable of the lost sheep, coin, son
Luke 15
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
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I also think that if a Christian makes a mistake, God will convict them and draw them to repentance if they have a heart for God.
David was a man after God's heart. when he fell into sin, God sent Nathan the prophet to convict David to repentance.
The price he paid for his sin was horrible, Tamar raped, Amnon murdered, Absalom betraying him and killed, on and on the sorrow went.
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There also comes a time when people cant find the place of repentance, like Essau or Judas, and they lose out with God.
You can't play with God. If you mess up and can't find a place of repentance, you will face destruction.
ok, now the theologians/elders can sort this out.
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