Having raised the ire of a local false prophet, I soon learned that he was not alone, that by stating God’s Word publically I had offended another “minister of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:15), a pastor of THE church who invited me to attend his church so that I could hear the REAL truth. I humbly declined. Having been delivered from Satan’s religious web I was not interested in returning to that sow’s mire where I would hear the dog vomit proclaimed by it (2 Pet. 2:22). Incidentally, THE two churches involved in trying to get me saved were of different denominations (divisions–1 Cor. 1:10). Ironically, each one claimed to be THE voice of God to the nations–the only church proclaiming THE truth. If the situation was not so tragic it would be comical.

In order to “fall from grace” one must have been converted, meaning that the believer in question has at some point completed a 180 degree reversal in moral direction and had maintained that spiritual course since conversion (Mat. 10:22). Matthew 7:13,14 tells us that only a few God seekers will do that and be truly converted. Therefore only a few have walked with the Lord and then have “fallen from grace”–separated themselves from Him through disobedience (Isa. 59:2). However, Matthew 25 presents a symbolic example of truly converted believers who have done so–the five foolish “virgins.” All 10 virgins had been converted and been given lamps, oil, wicks, etc.–everything needed to acquire salvation. All 10 knew that upon the arrival of the Bridegroom they would marry Him. However, over time 5 of them had “fallen from grace.” They could “fall” away from the Lord because they had at one time been “with” Him. But Satan had enticed them to let their “oil” supply run out–stop obeying His Word. Note what Jesus will say to such people on the Day of Judgment: “I DO NOT KNOW YOU,” (Mat. 12:25). He had AT ONE TIME known them; they had at one time been truly converted and had “walked with Him” (1 Jn. 2:6). However, as He said, He will not know them on Judgment Day because their sin had separated them from Him (Isa. 59:2)–they had “fallen from grace.”

Compare the words Jesus will say to such believers to what He will tell the rebellious, unconverted church people who will, on Judgment Day, call Him “Lord, Lord” and remind Him of how they had eaten in His presence, had cast out demons and done “many wonderful works in Your name.” To them He will say: “I NEVER KNEW YOU” (Mat. 7:23). Because they will have never been converted, the Lord will have NEVER known them. Due to their spiritual condition they could not have “fallen from grace.” Having never heard God’s Truth, and having been told that they were already “saved,” these unwitting souls will have never known His Truth. Therefore the Lord will have never known them. L.J.