Can a Christian fall into deep sin, die, and still be saved?

What happens when a professing believer commits a grievous sin and dies? Was that person truly a Christian, and will he be saved? From our online event Made in the Image of God, Sinclair Ferguson responds to difficult questions like these.

[shawnkim]

I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of the living God. Amen!

[EXJehovahsWitnessesTestimonies]

*The way God the Holy Spirit has explained it to me is this; A true born-again Christian will never remain in perpetual sin. Yes, sometimes it may take years but they will not remain there. And every time they sin they will feel utterly horrible and miserable. They will cry out to Christ with all their being in repentance. But there is a big difference here. The born-again sinner will actually feel cut to the heart like Peter did and his whole being will be in pain. Then there's the Christian who believes they've been "born-again" and lives in sin all his life yet attends Church on Sunday and congregates.*

*Living in sin means continually sinning without regard or sincere repentance. We repent but in word only. Sincere repentance means it cuts through you like a sharp blade and your whole being feels it. God is never wrong with a habitual true born-again Christian. Wrong in the sense that they will one day listen to the urging of the Spirit and turn their life around permanently. Judas Iscariot sinned deliberately and willfully. He dined with Christ after scheming with his enemies. Peter did not. With Peter it was an impulsive decision which he regretted bitterly almost immediately. Judas had days to think of his betrayal and still yet went through with it.*

[bryandiel]

I really do miss R.C. Sproul Sr. but I do appreciate Sinclair Ferguson as a humble primary teacher of Ligonier.

[xCA-]

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
(Jude 1:24)

[christiandehlinger]

Sinclair is spot on. I will say this: Before Christ I flattered myself and justified my sin; I was a fool. Since Christ, my praise is for God, He has taken sparking sin and deadened it, killed it; of what I know is my sin, I cannot stand it and bring it to Him continually and secretly. I love our God.

[tomw]

Sinclair Ferguson is a great blessing. I really appreciate his answer.

[thenatebone]

I’m in deep sin, please pray for me, brothers and sisters.

[WalkerOwsley]

I had to watch given the recent developments about Ravi. I pray that God was stirring in his heart in his last moments.

[hulk]

I think there's a major difference in committing "a" grievous sin and going back from following the Lord and "living" in continuous willful sin.

[erichenry]

Such clear, precise and humble answer

[Thwarptide]

Having been educated in an Armenian doctrines church (Assemblies of God) when I accepted the Lord, I did eventually fall into deep sinful lifestyle for years and years. Over those years the Lord would chime in "when are you coming back? Soon Lord." Day he yelled at me "repent NOW!" What a fearful thing. Starting attending a diff assembly when one day I was reading a scripture that at the moment convinced I could not come back into the fold. I was sooo terrified. I didn't sleep or eat for who knows how long. Talked to the pastor, he sure didn't know what the scripture meant (he should not have been a pastor). Heb 10:36 terrified me. I was a basket case. The experience traumatized me to this day! Determined, I looked in the scriptures for examples of this problem. Never did find it so I determined that one day the lord would bring it to me. Over the years I waited, fell into sin no thanks to a life long friend who was a great influencer and fake believer (I eventually dissolved the relationship). One day they hired a new guy at work. Good fellow. We talked just barely but I we understood both of us were believers. One night I went home to bed and as soon as I hit the sheets I was alone with my sins. Horrid, wretched wicked sins. Gut wrenching tears and sobs ALL NIGHT. He saw the weight all over me. After work we talked and he easily explained the scripture. It made sooo much sense. It didn't really apply to me. God kept me, not allowing me to go over that cliff of unbelief. I remember I clung to several scriptures through all the years of waiting and depression, mental torment. "Who so ever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved". I never gave up my faith. I've met the Lord. Worshiped and adored. I have known him. There's no way anyone could get me to deny his very existence. So either this scripture is true or he's a liar. (we know he's not). "All those that the Father has given me are mine, NO MAN can pluck them out of my hand"! Can I pluck myself out? (no man). Can my sin? Can you? Can the devil? (all he can do is wreck your life). However, Like I said, I've been traumatized so whenever This subject comes up, like this video, I get a bit scared. It's my understanding that when the Bible tells us that theres a danger in this, the danger is "are you sure you've accepted The work of the Lord, heard his voice, known him? When he knocked on your door, did you let him in or did you just accept him in the mudroom and said" yeah I'm eternally Let's hit the bars. Are you absolutely certain you let him in your heart?

[MrMarkovka]

James actually addresses this very issue in his epistle:

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:19‭-‬20

May we equip ourselves to walk in the light and never forget that if we stumble, the blood of Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness when we repent!

[JesusIsGod]

Its important to remember: It was while we were all still sinners that Christ died for us! Dont give up. If you sin...even a major sin..DO NOT GIVE UP ! Dont listen to the devil..he wants you to believe your sin is to big and bad for God to forgive!! Dont you dare believe it! Pray, pray, pray...and repent and get back up and keep going! Thats what we do. We have Jesus on our side..we are all together in this! You are not alone! God bless you

[Albert-]

Wow!! That’s heavy and I appreciate what you said. I didn’t come to this channel by accident I don’t believe but I needed to hear this.🙏🏼✌🏼

[ctlcimagecastro]

Praise the Lord God forever, we shall never turn our back from him

[truthbyjesus]

Assurance of Salvation while Sinning is NOT Salvation, it is DECEPTION.
@

[JOHNROBERTCRUZ]

This channel is a great service to Christians...Thank you...

[rs]

I have just sinned and here I am watching this video 😔. Why does Christ even love me when I am useless? Why does he care for my heart when he doesn’t need me? Why did he save me? I feel empty; I just hope I’ll make it to heaven.

Anyone out there, please, pray for me.

[daddyDA]

Amen. Very true. Our Focus must be Jesus and we should know that it is through Grace that we are saved. We must not take God’s Grace for granted and indeed we must fight the battle against sin just as Jesus himself fought that battle knowing that it is through him and him alone that we will gain the victory over sin in our lives second by second.

[tomw]

I love Sinclair Fergusson. He is a great blessing to me and I pray to as many as the Lord wills.