Current murderers and adulterers can become God’s people if they repent. David admitted his sin before Nathan. God forgave David because he trusted in the grace of God. (2 Samuel 12:13, Ephesians 2:8-9).
(KJV 1 John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Wicked murderers and adulterers are not God’s people and they will perish. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Revelation 21:8)
The Bible teaches conditional security. Many of the promises of God are conditional. It is possible for a Christian to fall away, as the scriptures demonstrate. Eternal security is a false doctrine.
Hebrews 10:10 describes these believers as being sanctified through the Lord Jesus Christ.
(KJV Hebrews 10:10) “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
The sanctified believers are described as being “perfected forever.” (Hebrews 10:14) They could have “full assurance of faith” through Jesus their High Priest according to Hebrews 10:22.
(KJV Hebrews 10:23) “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)” We are instructed to “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.” This implies it was possible for them to let go of their profession of faith.
(KJV Hebrews 10:26-27) “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” This implies that it was possible for these believers to return to willful sin and be subject to damnation.
Hebrews 3:12 warns of the peril of unbelief. (KJV Hebrews 3:12) “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
(KJV Hebrews 3:14) “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;” We are made partakers of Christ if we hold our original confidence firm to the end. This is a condition Christians must meet.
Saul (1 Samuel 10:10-12, 1 Samuel 28:16, 1 Samuel 31:4) Solomon, (1 Kings 11:4-10) Demas (2 Timothy 4:10) and Judas (Acts 1:25) are examples of believers who fell away from the faith.
The book of John speaks of disciples that fell away from the faith. (KJV John 6:66) "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him."
Jesus speaks about the conditional security of the believer in the book of Matthew. (KJV Matthew 6:14-15) "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." God will forgive the believer who has forgiven others. However, God will not forgive those who refuse to forgive others.
Other scriptures that show conditional security include Luke 12:45-46, John 15:2-6, 2 John 1:9, Romans 11:21-22, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 9:27, 1 Corinthians 10:12, 1Corinthians 15:2, Colossians 1:23, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 1 Timothy 3:6-7, 1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Timothy 5:12,, 1 Timothy 5:15, Hebrews 3:12-14, Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 12:15-17, James 5:19-20, 2 Peter 2:20-22, Revelation 2:5, Revelation 3:16, Revelation 22:19.
