I Timothy 4:1-3 NKJV
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
I’m sure for most of us, this scripture has been taught that a person has left the faith entirely. But when you look at the next two versers after the first verse. It’s say people will give heed to demons, to forbid marriage and to abstain from certain foods. We see this in some catholic fellowships, where the leaders forbid to marry, and many people these days, including Christians are abstaining from certain foods out of fear. I believe that departing from the faith is not losing salvation. But rather departing from faith alone in Christ to also trusting in your works and being deceived by doctrine from demons that’s not true. The Apostle Paul says that he kept the faith. And what I believe he meant by that was that he kept the faith of trusting in the righteousness of Christ and not his own (Philippians 3:9). Paul departed from faith alone in Romans 7 and a had a sin revival in his life. Paul learned from this mistake and never departed from the faith again.
rickavesselmalone 