Can A Christian Fall From Grace?

Richard Thetford

The question asked is a valid question. There are many in the Lord’s church who must believe that a child of God cannot fall from grace as evidenced by the life they live after becoming a Christian. The Bible is very clear as to what we must do to be saved AFTER becoming a Christian. In Revelation 2:10 it says “....Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Obviously then, if we are not faithful, we will NOT receive the crown of life. If one believes that a Christian cannot fall from grace, then why has God warned against it? The Hebrew writer said: “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Heb 3:12; see also 1 Corinthians 10:12; Hebrews 4:1; 6:4-6).

The Bible teaches Christians to avoid things that may cause one to fall from grace (James 5:12). Peter writes: “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked” (2 Pet 3:17). It is clear that Christians can and sometimes do fall from grace; if this is not possible, then why does the Bible teach that when one does fall, that they need to repent in order to return to God? Repentance would never have to take place if we can never fall from Grace. Notice what is written in Revelation 2:5: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-- unless you repent.”

Yes, the Christian CAN fall from God’s grace and that is why the Christian is instructed to develop the appropriate character in their life in order to keep one from falling (2 Peter 1:4-10). When we do not attempt to live our lives FOR Christ then we fall in the same category as those Galatians that the apostle Paul wrote: “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Gal 5:4). May we all strive to take hold of God’s grace and never let go as we journey through this life looking for the blessed hope of eternity with Jesus!