One of the most frequently asked questions among Christians is whether someone who once professed faith can truly abandon it forever. Can a believer become a “used-to-be” Christian? This question touches on core issues of salvation, repentance, and restoration. In the discussion that follows, we’ll look at scriptural insights on whether a Christian can permanently walk away from the faith, whether it’s possible to fall away for a season and return, and how certain sins—especially those involving leaders—carry lasting consequences.
Is there any such thing as a “Used-To-Be” Christian?
Can someone walk away from the Christian faith permanently? The short answer is “No.”
1 John 2:19-23 (NASB) says:
“They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also”.
Can someone walk away from their faith for a period of time and return later? Yes, this is possible.
For example, some pastor’s children step away from their faith due to negative experiences within the church, such as how their parents were treated. Likewise, a pastor who falls into adultery or a Christian who engages in financial dishonesty—whether in a business or even within the church—may stray from their faith for a time. However, true believers who repent and seek God’s forgiveness can be restored in their relationship with Him.
However, those who are truly saved will ask God for forgiveness and repent (turn away) from the pattern of sin).
The Irreversible Consequences of Sin in Leadership
Not everyone can be restored to their former position in life. Any pastor who commits adultery or fornication is permanently barred from restoration to the pulpit.
The prime requirement of a church leader is that he must be above reproach.
Biblical Standards for Church Leadership
1 Timothy 3:2-7 (NASB) says:
“An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
1 Timothy 3:10 (NASB) says:
“These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”
Titus 1:7-9 (NASB) says:
“For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”
The Weight of Sexual Sin and Leadership Disqualification
The Apostle Paul clearly intended sexual immorality when he made reference to his body. He refers to it as a sin against one’s own body in 1 Corinthians 6:18; sexual sin is a separate category. Because a man permanently loses his impeccable reputation as a one-woman man, it undoubtedly disqualifies a man from church leadership.
Proverbs 6:33 (NASB) says:
“Wounds and disgrace he will find, And his reproach will not be blotted out.”
Misconceptions About Restoration to Leadership
Where did we get the notion that someone who has ruined his reputation and betrayed people’s trust can be brought back to honesty and integrity with a year off and some counseling? And then be restored to leadership within the church? That notion did not come from the Bible.
Common Questions About Faith and Salvation
- Can Someone Lose Their Salvation? A true Christian cannot lose his or her salvation. Learn more by clicking here.
- How To Know If You Are Saved or Not: Click here for a checklist.
- Why Self-Help Books Don’t Really Help. Learn more by clicking here.
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