Fallen from Grace

These are words found in the book of Galatians, words written by the Apostle Paul concerning those who had received the spirit by the hearing of faith (3:2-3), but were being charmed (“bewitched” NKJ) into thinking justification was not by faith alone in Christ, but required the addition of keeping certain rituals of the law, especially the rite of circumcision.  

Some may argue the issue in Galatians is not justification but practical sanctification, but it’s both, because the error being promoted is that justification is not complete by faith alone, but requires the sanctification that comes through the Law to secure justification.

Paul reminds his readers that “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” and “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.” (3.6-7)  Paul warns them that if they become circumcised, “Christ will profit you nothing” and “I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law…You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law: you have fallen from grace.” (5.2-4)  

If they believe their salvation is not complete by faith alone, but requiring fulfilling certain requirements of the Law, then they will not have the “profit” that comes from Christ for a righteous life-walk.  The shift of confidence will result in their unprofitableness in their testimony to Christ alone for salvation, as it will put the focus and confidence in one’s flesh.

 

The words “fallen from grace” seem to get used for those who fall away in the sense that they were once believers who have become agnostics or atheists.  I believe that is not an appropriate application of these words.  That is another issue not addressed here.  These words are used with reference to those who still believe in Jesus as the Christ, but they have fallen from grace in the sense that they have departed from ‘faith alone’ for justification before God.  It's not about believers losing their salvation or never having been saved because of some supposed false faith.  It’s about believers who have been charmed by teachers into believing salvation is not by faith alone in Christ alone. 

This same kind of issue is addressed in the book of Hebrews in Chapters 6 and 10 concerning believers who are being persuaded to go back to observing the Law of Moses for salvation, though they started out by believing in Christ alone for salvation.  Hebrews 6.4-6 speaks about these believers having been “enlightened,” tasting the “heavenly gift,” being “partakers of the “Holy Spirit” (compare with Galatians 3.2-3: having received the spirit by faith), and “have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come.”  Then the author of Hebrews says, and ”they fall away…[then it is impossible] to renew them unto repentance.”  If they go this route, if they “cast away” their “confidence”(10.35) in Christ, then they have devalued the death of Christ for sins (6.6; 10.29), and the affect on their conscience will be such that a future change of mind will be impossible.  

It’s not speaking here about them becoming agnostics or atheists, but a change of mind about the value of the death of Christ alone for salvation.  If they do this, then they become unprofitable for Christ and can expect divine consequences:  “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?   For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." (10:29-30)  To avoid this route, the author exhorts his readers to hold fast to their confession of hope without wavering, and this is helped by the assembling of believers to stir one-another up (10.23-25).  The author reminds these believers to “recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:   partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;   for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.  Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.   For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”  (10:32-36)

 

It was maybe more of a struggle in the time of the early church period to continue in the teaching of faith alone in Christ alone for justification before God apart from keeping the law of Moses.  To depart from that belief would result in a legalistic life that would be unfruitful for God and bring one under Divine judgment.  To depart would be to fall from Grace.  The problem today is that justification by faith alone is not proclaimed or taught from the beginning.  Some, maybe undiscerningly, include things along with what they believe to be “faith alone.”  Some don’t discern the contradiction in what they are saying, if they say we are saved by faith alone, but they include other requirements for salvation.  They may not require circumcision, which seems totally out of the picture as a requirement, but they require other things that seem necessary for salvation to take place.  Maybe its water baptism, or maybe its some degree of moral reformation.  But these things can become the confidence of one’s salvation just like circumcision was for the early church. If they put these other things as necessary for salvation, they have departed from justification by faith alone.  If one comes to this view after they have believed in Christ for salvation, then they have “fallen from grace.”