How much can a Christian sin and still be saved?

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Ahwatukee

Senior Member
Mar 12, 2015
11,159
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#41
A well known preacher in my denomination was found to have been cheating on his wife for the last two years. He has already been permanently removed from his ministry and the only question now is: Can he still be saved? Is it possible "to renew him again to repentance "? (Heb 6:4)
Yes, he can be forgiven, if he truly repents and confesses his sin. The problem would be if he willfully continued in it, refusing to repent and died in that state. We are saved by grace through faith. Not a one time confession of faith, but from faith first to last.

"But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence—if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard,
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#42
I believe he can be saved, but I don't think it will be easy. He kept lying to his wife and to the whole church for at least two years, for he always claimed that the power of his preaching came from the Holy Spirit.
So you can cast stones? I assume you consider yourself sinless?
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#43
>King David is a murderer and an adulterer. Yet he is the only man in the Bible to be later described as "a man after God's own heart."
He was described as that earlier not later,
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#44
In this regard I think my church is right: to prevent scandal after scandal after scandal they permanently remove from office ministers who are caught committing adultery.
Now this i can agree with,
 

Marcelo

Senior Member
Feb 4, 2016
2,359
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#45
Marcelo said:
I believe he can be saved, but I don't think it will be easy. He kept lying to his wife and to the whole church for at least two years, for he always claimed that the power of his preaching came from the Holy Spirit.

So you can cast stones? I assume you consider yourself sinless?
Again: All Christians are sinners, but not all Christians are adulterers. My original question on this thread was: How much can a Christian sin and still be saved? My intention is to learn, not to cast stones. Some people think they can live in adultery -- and preach -- for decades and still be saved by saying just once: "Oh Lord, forgive me!" I doubt it can work!
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#46
Marcelo said:
I believe he can be saved, but I don't think it will be easy. He kept lying to his wife and to the whole church for at least two years, for he always claimed that the power of his preaching came from the Holy Spirit.



Again: All Christians are sinners, but not all Christians are adulterers. My original question on this thread was: How much can a Christian sin and still be saved? My intention is to learn, not to cast stones. Some people think they can live in adultery -- and preach -- for decades and still be saved by saying just once: "Oh Lord, forgive me!" I doubt it can work!
It does not matter what sin you commit, one sin causes one to earn condemnation

To say he will not be forgiven, but you are even though you sin just as much, is not correct.

What he did was wrong, and your church did right, but we have no right to judge his salvation, he is no more worthy of condemnation than we are, we all would die if not for grace
 

FlyingDove

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2017
1,267
432
83
#47
A well known preacher in my denomination was found to have been cheating on his wife for the last two years. He has already been permanently removed from his ministry and the only question now is: Can he still be saved?
The Law of gravity is always at work. However, it can be superseded by the law of lift.

The Law of sin and death are always at work. However, they "Have Been" superseded by the Law of Faith (Rom 3:27)

A believer CAN NOT sin away their salvation

No believer will never be condemned/judged for sin (Rom 8:1) Christ became sin & took upon Himself every believers due punishment requried for sin (DEATH).

The believers Sins have been removed: As far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12)

Of course sin has consequence. The consequence from sinning could manifest itself, in many different ways. A health issue, a broken relationship, disease, lost rewards earned etc.

Rejecting God's grace, found in Christ's redemptive sin atoning death, burial & resurrection. Alway's offfered via the Holy Spirit. And remaining in UNBELIEF til life's end (we all die) is the only unforgivable sin.

1 Cor 3:
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
(NOTE: Every work good & bad will be tested)

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
(NOTE: Good works done in Christ's name will receive a reward)

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
(NOTE: Hay, wood & stubble deeds, will burn-up, bringing shame & loss = OF REWARDS not SALVATION)

Rereading verse 15: He "Will SUFFER LOSS", though he "HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED"

Matthew 10:
41 Jesus said; He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward

42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
(NOTE: Even a drink of water given in Christ's name will receive a reward)

The believers works will be tested "NOT THIER SALVATION" The believers salvation foundation is belief the finished (REDEMPTIVE) work of Jesus Christ.

Unworthy deeds/works: Hay, wood & stubble will be burned up. Also, earned rewards can be lost (see parable of the talent Matt). But, the believers soul still be saved. God will not cast off a believing soul for any failure of sin. All your sins were PAID FOR IN FULL at Calvary. MOO! My Opinion Only
 
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obedienttogod

Guest
#49
I believe he can be saved, but I don't think it will be easy. He kept lying to his wife and to the whole church for at least two years, for he always claimed that the power of his preaching came from the Holy Spirit.


Just because he was committing Adultery does not remove the Calling God has on His life. This in many ways can be good if the man truly repents and God directs him elsewhere.
 

Marcelo

Senior Member
Feb 4, 2016
2,359
859
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#50
Just because he was committing Adultery does not remove the Calling God has on His life. This in many ways can be good if the man truly repents and God directs him elsewhere.
That's what I'm hoping for. If he truly repents God will not forsake him. Sadly, most members of our denomination think he is beyond forgiveness because he persisted in a serious sin for a long time. The day before I started this thread I was talking with one of the ex-preacher's best friends and this guy's attitude was no different from that of the majority: he thinks the ex-preacher is lost forever. Then I asked the guy: "What would you do if you were in XXXXX's shoes? Would you let go of all efforts to seek forgiveness and hand yourself into the hands of Satan?" His answer was: "I don't know ".
 

breno785au

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2013
6,002
767
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Australia
#51
I once knew a guy who was a leader who slept with a woman in the congregation. Yes, he was removed from ministry, years later, God has done such a work in his heart, he is doing amazing things with God around Australia and beyond.

Let us not judge any person in one moment in time, God's thoughts and plans are far beyond that.
 

CharliRenee

Member
Staff member
Nov 4, 2014
6,693
7,176
113
#52
I will leave that up to the Lord, and pray He is sincerely repentant and that the congregation, his wife, himself, and anyone concerned are able to forgive Him as we are called. I am not sure, though, if Him in leadership is sound. I think it might cause others to stumble. Plus, He tells us what is expected as a leader in Church. Regardless, I pray we all can forgive with all our hearts.
 
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obedienttogod

Guest
#53
That's what I'm hoping for. If he truly repents God will not forsake him. Sadly, most members of our denomination think he is beyond forgiveness because he persisted in a serious sin for a long time. The day before I started this thread I was talking with one of the ex-preacher's best friends and this guy's attitude was no different from that of the majority: he thinks the ex-preacher is lost forever. Then I asked the guy: "What would you do if you were in XXXXX's shoes? Would you let go of all efforts to seek forgiveness and hand yourself into the hands of Satan?" His answer was: "I don't know ".


After reading that ^, I conclude that the preachers (preacher friend) does not know God very well. And if he believes this adulterous sin is reason for this condemned preacher to just give himself over to the Adversary. The man is insane and a stain upon those claiming to know who our God is. His license should be revoked and his credentials sent to the department of "shut that moron up!!"
 
Apr 15, 2017
2,867
653
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#54
A well known preacher in my denomination was found to have been cheating on his wife for the last two years. He has already been permanently removed from his ministry and the only question now is: Can he still be saved? Is it possible "to renew him again to repentance "? (Heb 6:4)
While I believe we should allow the Spirit to lead us, and abstain from sins, for a Spirit led life will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, for they have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, and show the ways of the Spirit, and not the flesh, he did not fall away, but only sinned which he can be forgiven.

All he has to do is repent, and not want the sin, and mean it, for God knows the heart, and he is forgiven, it is as easy as that for anyone of us that claims Jesus as Lord and Savior, and a personal God.

Hebrews 6:4 is not speaking of falling away due to sins, which that is the interpretation I get from it.

Committing sins is not falling away, although we should get rid of them and allow the Spirit to lead us.

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

When we first confess Christ, and are saved, we are on the milk of the word of God learning about the principles of Christ, and then we go on to the meat, and learn more about the word of God.

Such things as confessing Christ, having faith, repenting of our sins to not follow dead works of the flesh, but works of the Spirit, of baptism, and of the power of the Spirit to heal people, of eternal life, and judgment.

After we learn them, and understand them, we leave those principles, although they are still part of us, and we know them, but we have it down in understanding, and we move on to understanding the meat of the word of God, and perfecting ourselves in holiness to be like Christ.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Now some people will not agree with this for they think that all it takes is to have faith, and then they cannot fall, but this is speaking of people that leave the truth for an alternate reality whether another religion, or being an atheist, and then they believe again realizing they made a mistake and they want to be saved again.

Which the Bible says it is impossible for them to do that for then they have to do all the principles of Christ again, having faith, confessing Christ, repenting of their sins, and baptism, and the such as is the principles of Christ, which God will not allow them to do that so they lost out in salvation.

So this has nothing to do with committing sins, and all sin can be forgiven, and is not falling away, but it has to do with someone believing the truth, and then not believing the truth, and living like that for a while claiming that as truth such as Buddhism, or another religion, or being an atheist, and then they decide they made a mistake, and believe again, but God said they cannot be saved.

When they first came to Christ they repented of their sins they committed while in the world, and if they stop believing the truth that Jesus is Lord and Savior, then they went back to the world, and repentance is forfeited, but if they believe again then they have to repent coming out of the world again, but God will not allow them to do that.

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
1Ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1Ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

This is an example right here of someone leaving the truth, for an alternate reality, for they departed from the faith, so they once did believe, but they took heed to the new age movement interpretation of the Bible where Jesus is not Lord and Savior, but a good teacher in spiritual enlightenment, and evolution, and honor the God of forces, or the power of nature as their higher power, which they believe that their spirituality comes from nature to be given in the future.

And many will leave the truth of the Bible, and give heed to the new age movement, and if they believe again realizing they made a mistake, and believe Jesus is Lord and Savior, and a personal God, He said they cannot be saved for He will not allow their belief of the principles of Christ to go through that procedure again to be effective in their life.

Please don't ever believe anything other than Jesus is Lord and Savior, and the God of Israel, but committing sins is not falling away, and all sin can be forgiven, for the person did not abandon Jesus, and God.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.

Here is another example of falling away although it is not talking about the Church, but the condition of the world in response to the Gospel, that they stop the preaching of it as international law, and the time that they will not want to endure sound doctrine, but give heed to the new age movement, and turn their ears from the truth, and be turned unto fables, but it still is a falling away because they are rejecting the truth that Jesus is Lord and Savior, and a personal God.

Which they will not permit it to be preached in the world, where in times past it was allowed to be preached.

So the preacher did not fall away for he believes Jesus is Lord and Savior, and the God of Israel, but has committed a sin by cheating on his wife, and if he repents of it, and means it, then it can be forgiven, which she may not forgive, and the congregation might not forgive, but God will forgive.

It does not matter if he sinned for 2 years it can still be forgiven him, but the problem of holding unto sins is you do not want to die with unrepentant sins.