The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 70-13, titled "Bible Questions and Answers."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. Copyright 1992 by John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.

Question

I have a question from Matthew 8:12. It says, “the sons of the kingdom should be cast into outer darkness, where there’s weeping and gnashing of teeth.” I came from an organization where they teach that there are born-again Christians who, because they don’t live a holy, godly, Christian life, can forfeit the kingdom and wind up in this place of outer darkness. Do you believe in this? Or do you believe that all Christians will get into the kingdom, no matter how they live?

Answer

First of all, I don’t believe that kind of stuff, that Christians are going to wind up cast out of the kingdom, weeping, with gnashing of teeth. Jesus said, “All that the Father gives to Me will come to Me, and I have lost none of them,” John 6. None of them are going to be lost--none of them. Paul said, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Paul said, “What shall separate you from the love of God? Nothing. Life, death, principalities, powers--nothing,” Roman 8, “shall separate you.” Nothing. And, you’re saved because you were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, that you might become like Jesus Christ. That is not going to be interrupted.

Now, you can’t lose your salvation. That’s clear as it can be in scripture. Second point: a Christian, by very nature, and by very desire, longs to live a holy life. That’s not the perfection of His life, but that’s the direction of it. So, a Christian--a true Christian--isn’t going to choose to live like that, or he’s not a true Christian. Right? Because a true Christian loves God, hates sin, and desires to obey. Doesn’t love God as fully as he should, doesn’t hate sin as much as he should, doesn’t obey as often as he should, but that’s the desire of his heart or her heart. If you’re truly saved, you’re going to pursue the right thing, you’re going to pursue the things of God, and you can’t lose your salvation.

Question (continued)

Just one more question? Who are the “sons of the kingdom” there in Matthew 8:12--who’s that talking about?

Answer (continued)

Jews. Jews, who had every right by birth into the line of Israel to inherit the kingdom promised to Israel, but they were going to wind up cast out of the very kingdom which was their inheritance and their birthright because they rejected the Messiah. They rejected Jesus Christ.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
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