This truth should get our attention. Regardless of how you understand the issue of
eternal security of the soul, we must hear what this verse says. The fact of the matter is, if righteous
people turn away from the Lord and live lives of sin, they will die in their
sins. Whether or not one’s previous
righteousness will still get them into heaven only the Lord really knows. He alone knows those who are worthy to be
with Him throughout eternity.
Can righteous people turn to sinful ways and act
like other sinners? This verse seems to
suggest they can. We cannot go beyond
what the Scripture says. We know that
there are those amongst the righteous who do turn away from God and go their
own way. There are those who end up
denying the faith and live sinful lives.
Were they ever saved? Only the
Lord knows the answer to that. All I
know is what the Word proclaims.
This verse tells us that all the previous
goodness of the righteous who turn from God will be forgotten. It’s a hard truth to digest. Other people can debate what it means. Should we make a distinction between a
person’s righteousness and his goodness (see Ezekiel 33:13)? All I know is that God
says what He means and means what He says.
Does the fact that we live under grace and not the law change this
truth? I am not smart enough to give an
absolute answer to that one. We are told
that their previous goodness will be forgotten and they will die for their
sins.
One thing is for certain. I do not want to die for my sins. In order for us to avoid this, we must strive
to live righteously at all times. When
we are living submissively to Christ, this is a non-issue for us. The Lord blesses and rewards those who live
godly lives. When we live righteously
before God and die in our righteousness, we will be ushered into heaven when we
die. There is no debating the destiny of
those who do not wander away from God.
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