Can the Born Again Believer Be Lost?

What more compelling reason could we have for living a holy life than to bring honor to the holy name we bear - the name of Jesus? Every believer wants to live a life that will bring honor to Jesus. No sincere person would deny that living a holy life is right. However, the danger is that while some teach holy living is "important", most of God's own children have been taught that if they have been born again, they can never be lost, regardless of the sin they commit after coming to Christ. What about it friend... can the born again believer be lost? If a person has "taken the name of Jesus", are they secure if they should commit sin afterwards? This question is one of great importance, for it is a matter of eternal consequence.

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain". How does one "take the name of the Lord in vain"? It has been said that to "take the name of the Lord in vain" means to use the word "God" in a profane expression. Certainly, to use the word "God" in an irreverent manner is not good; however, that is not what is intended by the biblical phrase, "taking the name of the Lord in vain". The true meaning of that phrase is made clear if we substitute "bear" for the word, "take". We would then have this for our scripture from Exodus 20:7: "Thou shalt not bear the name of the Lord in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who bears His name in vain."

After Moses led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, he took her to Mount Sinai, to enter into a covenant with the Lord. First, though, the Lord sent Moses down from the mountain to deliver His proposal to Israel: "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people, for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Ex.19:4-6)

The prospective bride accepted His proposal (v.8), and the date was set for the ceremony: "Be ready against the third day, for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai" (Ex.19:11).

When a man and a woman are united in a covenant of marriage, they become, "one flesh" (Gen.2:24). And this "one flesh" bears one name. For example, when a woman marries, she takes the name of the husband. If she is faithful, and is a blessing to her husband, she brings honor to the husband's name. But if she is unfaithful, or causes financial difficulty, or been in any other way a hindrance in Christ, the purpose for being married cannot be achieved with honor and dignity. She would have taken the husband's name in vain, for nothing. Similarly, when we enter into covenant with God, we become one with Him in Spirit (1Cor.6:17), and in so doing, we take His holy name. From that time, everything we do or say reflects on the name we bear. We may bear it honorably or dishonorably, faithfully or unfaithfully.

God insisted that Israel bear His name honorably. He chose Israel to be the vehicle for His divine light, and by obeying His Law she would shine, and draw other nations to God. Aware of the risk that Israel would bring disgrace upon His holy name, God gave the warning, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord your God in vain". Unfortunately, Israel did not heed the warning given.

After demonstrating great patience and mercy on His unfaithful spouse, God finally announced that He would no longer recognize that first covenant. In other words, He divorced Israel. Jesus told the leaders of Israel, "the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Mt.21:43). The prophets often likened Israel to a vineyard which produced bitter fruit instead of sweet grapes. Isaiah (5:7) says, "The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant. And he looked for [justice], but behold oppression, for righteousness, but behold a cry [from the oppressed poor]." "I planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed, " lamented the Lord through Jeremiah, "how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?" (Jer.2:21). Israel became "an empty vine" (Hos.10:1). Israel took the name of Jehovah upon herself, but then was unfaithful to His commandments and walked not in His ways. Unfruitful in righteousness, she took His name for nothing, in vain.

Faithfulness, and, so, fruitfulness is required of all who are in covenant with God (cp.Rom.7:4). Israel was given the Law to guide her into the lifestyle that would result in fruitfulness, and Israel's only hope of being fruitful was to obey it, but she did not. The body of Christ has been given the Spirit to guide her, and the body's only hope of bearing fruit acceptable with God is to obey the Spirit, and she has not. Without the anointing of the Spirit there can be no acceptable worship, no right doctrine, no profitable labor, and no holy relationships, and it is tragic beyond words that the Holy Ghost baptism is considered by many in the congregation to be an optional experience. If Israel erred, and was condemned, for not heeding the Law, then can the body of Christ be less guilty if we ignore, or relegate to a secondary position, the greater Guide? Paul underscores this by saying, "For as many as are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God" (Rom.8:14).

Those who are led of the Spirit do not live in sin (Gal.6:16), because there is no sin in Him (1Jn.1:5). Spirit-led believers bear holy fruits of the Spirit, which are these: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. To these we might add Peter's list in 2Pet.1:5-7, with his comment that, "if these be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." We can bear God's name honorably only as we walk in the new life of the Spirit of God. A believer who is not obedient to the Spirit has received that Spirit for nothing, and is bearing God's name disgracefully, fruitlessly - in vain. May God, in His great mercy, help us all to take full advantage of the precious opportunity to live and worship in the Spirit and in the truth, for therein lies our only hope of bearing God's name in a manner which will produce the fruit He requires of His people.

The apostles understood the importance of holy living. They knew that unbelievers are influenced by the conduct of those who are called by the name of the Lord, either to reverence or disdain him. They were adamant that the saints live so "that the name of our God and his doctrine be not blasphemed" (1Tim.6:1). Jesus demonstrated this same concern when he said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Mt.5:16).

Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that, because of the manner of some believers, the unconverted hold a low opinion of the Lord. Speaking of the Lord's Old Testament people who were evil, Paul wrote, "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you" (Rom.2:24; Isa.52:5). What a sad commentary on their lives! Yet, even those well known for their devotion to God have, by stumbling into a transgression, sometimes brought shame upon the holy name they bore. It is imperative, for the sake of Christ Jesus and for the souls of men, that we "give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully" (1Tim.5:14). If anyone refuses to serve the Lord Jesus, it is important that the reason they refuse to serve him not be that one of Jesus' followers has mistreated him! In every circumstance, our highest priority should always be to bring glory to God.

Israel was cut off because of disobedience. To the body of Christ, God gave this same prudent, sobering warning to those who will not honor the name of Jesus: "Boast not thyself against the branches [Jews].... Thou wilt say then, the branches were broken off, that I [Gentiles] might be grafted in. Well, because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God. On them which fell, severity. But toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness. Otherwise, THOU ALSO SHALT BE CUT OFF" (Rom.11:18-22).

Isn't Paul's point clear? God will cast out of His vineyard, which is the body of Christ, all who do not "continue in his goodness". Isn't this exactly what Jesus was teaching when he said, "...the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Mt.24:12-13)? This, eternal salvation, is the promise ONLY to the OBEDIENT child of God. On the other hand, horrible as it seems, at the final judgment every one of God's precious, but unfaithful, children will be cast into the lake of fire to be "tormented day and night for ever and ever."

Dear friend, soon this little life will be ended. Let us be "followers of God, as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints, neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which is not convenient, but rather giving of thanks."

Genuine thankfulness for being forgiven is demonstrated by consecrated living. Nothing declares the goodness of God to the world any more clearly or forcefully than does an honest, holy life. Let us all determine not to take the name of our Lord in vain. On the contrary, by the simplicity and sincerity of godliness let us "show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1Pet. 2:9). Can a born again believer be lost? The answer to that question is very clear: If we bear the name of the Lord in vain, we WILL be lost for, "without holiness, no one shall see the Lord".

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