Religion & Spirituality
2 Peter 2:21 – It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. There have always been some people who appear to receive Christ, but later walk away from him. But what about the young man who comes to Christ right out of high school, and makes a good start. Then he goes off to college, and he no longer prays, reads his Bible, or goes to church. Is he still going to heaven? Was he ever really saved? Believing family and friends may hope for their salvation, but these words are not encouraging. Even so, scripture does tell us that whoever comes to Christ can never be lost. Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish” (John 10:28). The reason Judas walked away from Christ is because he never truly believed. But then, Peter denied Jesus three times with a curse, so is there a way to tell the difference between a “Peter” and a “Judas”? Not really. The status of those who fall away can’t be known, unless or until they return to Christ. Either they’ve temporarily lapsed, or they’ve renounced faith in Jesus. If they ever truly believed, however, they will return—even with their dying breath.