Rocky Soil and Falling From Grace
The New Testament abounds with warnings about falling from grace. Although many believe that it is impossible for a child of God to fall from grace, the Scriptures teach otherwise.
On the occasion of Luke chapter 8, Jesus gave the “Parable of the Sower.” In this powerful parable, the Lord told of a sower who went forth sowing seed. Later, Jesus explained that the “seed” is God’s Word (Luke 8:11). The sower, therefore, represents one who goes forth teaching the Word. The different types of soil—wayside, thorny, rocky, and good ground—represent different reactions of people to the teaching of God’s Word.
Some of the seed fell on rocky soil. Jesus stated: “And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture” (Luke 8:6). Notice that the plant of which Jesus spoke “sprung up,” but later “withered away.” The seed produced a real, living plant that “sprung up.” The problem is that the plant “withered away.” These words show that the one under consideration received the Word, was saved, but later fell away. Only living plants can wither away. Dead plants have no life. A living plant that withers away is the Lord’s description of one who was saved, but who later fell away.
After Jesus gave the parable, He later explained it. Consider His explanation of the seed that fell upon the rocky soil: “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away” (Luke 8:13). Notice carefully that the rocky soil represents those who receive the Word; believe for a while; but, fall away.
Some might argue that the rocky soil represents those who only “appear” to believe. However, Jesus did not say that the rocky-soil hearers “appeared” to believe. Rather, Jesus said that such hearers “believe” for a while and then “fall away.” The hearers do not “pretend” to believe. They actually believe, but later fall away. Yes, a child of God can fall away!
Yet, despite the clear teachings of Jesus, some still maintain, “Once saved, always saved.” Preachers sometimes judge deceased persons as saved, when the deceased may have lived in open rebellion to God for decades prior to death. And what evidence do such preachers have to support their judgements? The evidence is often that someone said the deceased prayed “The Sinner’s Prayer” forty years before death. Armed with such “evidence,” some preachers offer reassurance to families of the deceased. However, the words of a preacher do not change the life one has lived, nor do they change the teachings of Jesus. This is very sad, but true.
God forbid that I become a rocky-soil hearer and turn away from God, but if I were to make that choice I would not want a preacher to attempt to preach me into heaven. Heaven is promised to the faithful, not to those who fall away. Obey the Lord and be faithful to Him!
