The Possibility of Apostasy (4)

(2 Peter 1:5-11)

Mike Johnson

Many passages in the Scriptures teach that a child of God can fall from grace.  Advocates of the doctrine of the impossibility of apostasy often approach these passages in one of two ways.  First, they say that a particular passage speaks about Christians, but it is not saying they are actually lost.  Or, they say the passage has lost people under consideration, but these people never truly became Christians.

When approaching these verses, it would be incorrect to say that they do not apply to Christians.  For example, in 2 Peter, the writer speaks “to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of God and Savior Jesus Christ” (1:1).  He says further they had received all things which pertain unto life and godliness “through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (1:3).  He elaborates further in verse 4 by saying, “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Verse 5 starts by saying, “But also for this very reason.” This phase shows a connection to the previous verses.  He is saying because they had received “exceeding great and precious promises” that allowed them to be “partakers of the divine nature,” and they had “escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust,” they should be motivated to add the various traits listed in verses 6-8.  So Christians are to do (10), or add (5), “these things.”

Also, verse 8 says, “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Someone described as “barren” and “unfruitful” is undoubtedly in a lost state.  (Note John 15:1-6.)

Those who lack “these things” are also described (1:9) as “shortsighted” to the point of “blindness.” They are blind in the sense of being “spiritually blind,” unable to see as they should spiritually, i.e., to have the spiritual and moral perception they should.  They can only see things near — those things of an earthly nature.  The person would also have forgotten that “he was purged from his old sins.” Isn’t this sad?  He would forget the most glorious event that had ever happened to him.  He may remember his conversion but has forgotten its value and importance.  He is in a state of spiritual ruin.

Verse 10 says, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.” If there is no way saved people can be lost, what is the point of telling them to make their calling and election sure?  How can it be made sure any more than it already is?  Also, it says if a person does these things, he “shall never fall.”  What if a person does not do those things, i.e., add the virtues?  He would, of course, fall.  Thayer, in his Greek Lexicon, describes the word translated “fall” (ptaio) to mean.  “b.  To fall into misery, become wretched . . . of the loss of salvation, 2 Pet.  i.  10).”

Typically, those who believe in the impossibility of apostasy will argue that these verses, although speaking of a Christian, are not saying the person who fails to follow the instructions would be actually lost.  In the Thrasher-Garrett Debate, Garrett said, regarding this passage,

That is, they shall not fall from their steadfastness nor lose that clear sight and assurance which they now are experiencing, namely, as being partakers of the divine nature and purged from their old sins, which those neglects might put out of their sight; and so lose them the sense and comfort of their salvation.

He is not speaking only of the “comfort” of their salvation in these verses—instead, the passage talks about their actual salvation.  If a person does not add “these things,” he is described as barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ, shortsighted and unable to see afar off, and as one who has forgotten about being purged from his old sins.  He has not made his calling and election sure and has done the opposite of what a person must do to keep from falling.  Does this sound like a saved person­­—someone headed to heaven?  It does not!

Verse 11 also makes it clear he is not merely talking about the “comfort” of their salvation.  Instead, it says, “for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Without a doubt, 2 Peter 1:5-11 teaches that children of God can fall from grace if they do not follow the instructions of adding these virtues to their faith.