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Larry Ray Hafley
2 John 9 affirms that, "Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the
doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he
hath both the Father and the Son." Is it possible for a child of God to go
beyond and not abide in the doctrine of Christ? Surely, it is. "Some shall
depart from the faith" (1 Tim. 4:1). Others "will not endure sound doctrine" and
"shall turn away their ears from the truth" (2 Tim. 4:3, 4). "Brethren" in the
Lord can "err from the truth" (Jas. 5:19). One who has "known the way of
righteousness" can "turn from the holy commandment" (2 Pet. 2:21). A Christian
may let the word of God "slip" away, and he may neglect it (Heb. 2:1-3). He may
turn "unto another gospel" (Gal. 1:6).
Again, what is the result of "whosoever" does so? The Spirit says that when
they do so, they have "not God" (2 Jn. 9). By necessary implication, they have
not Christ, either. When one abides in the doctrine of Christ, "he hath both the
Father and the Son." Consequently, when he does not abide in the doctrine of
Christ, he hath neither the Father nor the Son (Cf. Jn. 14:21-23).
When this occurs, what is the spiritual condition of such a person? Is he
saved or lost? As we have shown, one who does not abide in the doctrine of
Christ "hath not God." Neither does he have Christ. What is the position of one
who "hath not God"? Ephesians 2:12 teaches that one who is "without God" has "no
hope". What of one who is without Christ? What is his status? "God hath given to
us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life;
and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (1 Jn. 5:11, 12). Thus, when
a child of God does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, he has neither the
Father nor the Son, "and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." What
"life"? "Eternal life" (1 Jn. 5:11). He does not have "eternal life". Hence, it
is possible for a child of God to suffer the loss of "eternal life".
Therefore, the Baptist doctrine of "once saved, always saved" is shown to be
false.
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