Who Does God Forgive?

[Spockrates]

I'm asking because I want to know what someone has to do to be forgiven. A place to start might be these words of Peter:

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out... ."

(Acts 3:19)

But no one need limit an answer to that one scripture. I'm thinking God forgives those who repent and believe, so these two actions are required to receive God's forgiveness. If you are interested in hanging out with me awhile, please tell me what you think.

 

[B-A-C]

I think God forgives anyone who is truly repentant.
Sometimes, it takes time for us to realize that we aren't quite as repentant as we want to be.
Dear God, I want to quit doing ____(fill in the blank)____, I really really want to quit, so you will forgive me.
We pray that prayer on Jan 1st, but we mess up, so we pray again on Jan 2nd, and the 3rd, and the 4th.. and so on.
We keep "messing up" over and over again. I think after a while God doesn't think we are truly repentant. (He may know before we even pray
our first prayer, but we don't know). But after a year of not changing, I think it should be obvious to ourselves and other people wo know us well,
that we haven't truly repented. Now every sin isn't going to keep us out of heaven. And many sins aren't addictive lifestyles. If I get cut off in traffic
and something comes out of my mouth I shouldn't have said. Well I hope there's grace for that. I believe there is more grace than any of us know or can
even comprehend. Perhaps some day our sins (even the ones we didn't realize were sin or forgot about) will be revealed to us, and it will amaze us how
much grace Jesus gives. On the other hand, some sins are addictive lifestyles that people are going to quit "someday". They say they want to quit
now, but it's been 5 years now, and they still haven't stopped.

1 Cor 6:9; Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
1 Cor 6:10; nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

I don't think this verse is saying is you've stolen anything, or ever had sex outside of marriage, or ever been drunk you can't go to heaven.
I believe it's talking about people who continue doing these things for an extended period of time, and never really repent.

Gal 5:19; Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20; idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21; envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

It seems there is a difference between making the occasional sin, and practicing sin. I believe God knows the difference and he forgives those who repent.

Rev 2:21; 'I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.

 

[RJ]

I think God forgives anyone who is truly repentant.
Sometimes, it takes time for us to realize that we aren't quite as repentant as we want to be.
Dear God, I want to quit doing ____(fill in the blank)____, I really really want to quit, so you will forgive me.
We pray that prayer on Jan 1st, but we mess up, so we pray again on Jan 2nd, and the 3rd, and the 4th.. and so on.
We keep "messing up" over and over again. I think after a while God doesn't think we are truly repentant. (He may know before we even pray
our first prayer, but we don't know). But after a year of not changing, I think it should be obvious to ourselves and other people wo know us well,
that we haven't truly repented. Now every sin isn't going to keep us out of heaven. And many sins aren't addictive lifestyles. If I get cut off in traffic
and something comes out of my mouth I shouldn't have said. Well I hope there's grace for that. I believe there is more grace than any of us know or can
even comprehend. Perhaps some day our sins (even the ones we didn't realize were sin or forgot about) will be revealed to us, and it will amaze us how
much grace Jesus gives. On the other hand, some sins are addictive lifestyles that people are going to quit "someday". They say they want to quit
now, but it's been 5 years now, and they still haven't stopped.

1 Cor 6:9; Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
1 Cor 6:10; nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

I don't think this verse is saying is you've stolen anything, or ever had sex outside of marriage, or ever been drunk you can't go to heaven.
I believe it's talking about people who continue doing these things for an extended period of time, and never really repent.

Gal 5:19; Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20; idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21; envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

It seems there is a difference between making the occasional sin, and practicing sin. I believe God knows the difference and he forgives those who repent.

Rev 2:21; 'I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.

It seems there is a difference between making the occasional sin, and practicing sin. I believe God knows the difference and he forgives those who repent.

I am hoping you mean that there is probably some sin that we miss but God forgives those who have a repentant heart and don't practice sin!.....Amen to that!

 

[Taylor Barrett]

The teachings of Jesus Christ seem to indicate that forgiveness is =

1) for those who have given their entire life to Him in discipleship.
2) for those who believe in HIm
3) for those who love Him
4) for those who repent, and are baptized.
5) for those who are 'born again'


God says= "I will have mercy on who I have mercy"


"He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world"




I dont know.... I can only go by what the Bible says. And I dont understand entirely exactly what the Bible says on the issue. But it seems to me that only those who deny themselves, turn away from sin, and fully place their life and their trust for salvation in the atoning work of our Messiah-Redeemer.

 

[Travis]

All who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation are forgiven.

All unbelievers remain in unforgiveness, the wrath of God abides on them.

 

[RJ]

Who ever recieves his free gift of Grace. Ephesians 2:8-9

 

[Taylor Barrett]

All who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation are forgiven.

All unbelievers remain in unforgiveness, the wrath of God abides on them.

ALL believers?

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness!'" (Mathew 7:21-23)

 

[Travis]

ALL believers?

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness!'" (Mathew 7:21-23)

Not everyone who says they believe really believes? ...

Matthew 13
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear."​

Matthew 7:21-23 is misused quite a lot.

 

[Brad Huber]

God will forgive whomever He is pleased to forgive, but a person must be truly repentant before He will forgive them. It would be a better question to ask whom will He not forgive, and He will not forgive in Jesus's age or the age to come (our time) anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit or its works among his people. He mentioned this when the pharisees said he cast out demons, but that he did it by the prince of demons. If you testify that some good work or good miracle promoted by the Holy Spirit is of the devil, you will NOT be forgiven. Be wary of how you find fault with those who show good fruit from the Spirit.

 

[B-A-C]

It would be a better question to ask whom will He not forgive, and He will not forgive in Jesus's age or the age to come (our time) anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit or its works among his people.

This is the "unforgivable" sin. ( Matt 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-29; ) However it seems there are conditions to being forgiven for other sins as well.

Matt 6:15; "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Matt 18:34; "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.
Matt 18:35; "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."

1 Jn 1:9; If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 Jn 1:10; If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

Rom 2:4; Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Rom 2:5; But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Rom 2:6; who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:

Luke 13:2; And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate?
Luke 13:3; "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Luke 13:4; "Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?
Luke 13:5; "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

Acts 3:19 "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Acts 17:30; "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,
Acts 17:31; because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."

Rev 2:21; 'I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.
Rev 2:22; 'Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.

Jer 15:7; "I will winnow them with a winnowing fork At the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy My people; They did not repent of their ways.

Whether we like it or not.. the message of Jesus was...

Matt 4:17; From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Mark 1:15; and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

That last verse seems to indicate that believing alone isn't enough. You have to repent also.

Mark 4:12; so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT REPENT AND BE FORGIVEN."

 

[B-A-C]

Matthew 7:21-23 is misused quite a lot.

Just curious, what context should it be taken in? There are many other similar verses. ( Luke 13:23-27; 2 Pet 2:20-22; Heb 6:4-6; Heb 10:29; etc.. )
Luke 8:13; "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.

 

[Taylor Barrett]

Just curious, what context should it be taken in? There are many other similar verses. ( Luke 13:23-27; 2 Pet 2:20-22; Heb 6:4-6; Heb 10:29; etc.. )
Luke 8:13; "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.

I was just having this conversation with someone else. People do not want to accept the fact that not everyone who believes will enter heaven; there is a human doctrine of "once saved always saved", and that faith alone is sufficient for salvation. While we are indeed saved by faith; even demons believe and tremble. We must demonstrate our faith by living it out: sincere repentance and good works. Certainly those people who cast out demons in Jesus name did in fact truly believe in Him, but accepting the mere facts is not enough. The fact that Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God, that he was crucified for the forgiveness of sins, that he is resurected and seated at the right hand of the Father... acknowledging that fact does not mean you love God, and have given your life to Him, and are born-again and saved. Acknowledging that fact is acknowledging that 1+1=2. Even demons believe, and tremble.

 

[Travis]

I was just having this conversation with someone else. People do not want to accept the fact that not everyone who believes will enter heaven; there is a human doctrine of "once saved always saved", and that faith alone is sufficient for salvation. While we are indeed saved by faith; even demons believe and tremble. We must demonstrate our faith by living it out: sincere repentance and good works. Certainly those people who cast out demons in Jesus name did in fact truly believe in Him, but accepting the mere facts is not enough. The fact that Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God, that he was crucified for the forgiveness of sins, that he is resurected and seated at the right hand of the Father... acknowledging that fact does not mean you love God, and have given your life to Him, and are born-again and saved. Acknowledging that fact is acknowledging that 1+1=2. Even demons believe, and tremble.

Not every place in the scriptures where it uses the word believe is it talking about saving faith. Quoting one verse hardly ever proves anything absolutely. We need to consider the whole council of God.

I think this one is pretty easy personally, I see no reason to make it harder than necessary:

John 6
26 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 30 So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." 41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42 They said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" 43 Jesus answered them, "Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me-- 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.​

In this case, when Jesus is using the word believe, he is talking about true saving faith, not just the common meaning of the word believe. We choose to believe many things that we know deep down are not true, like that our government has our best interest at hand, or that our votes in the national elections actually make a difference, etc, etc. This is the common meaning of the word believe. There are places in the scriptures that are speaking very practically which use this meaning. But here, Jesus is redefining what it means to believe (to have faith). No one who has real faith accomplished this on their own. It is a supernatural work of God.

True saving faith (believing) always manifests itself in tangible works, without exception. Works are evidence that a person truly has faith, but they are not the source of that faith. Instead, faith is the source of those works.

Beleiving in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior is not easy to do, it takes a supernatural work of God. We should not downplay faith by assuming it's common as dirt and something we can fickly decide to exercise however we please, in whomever we please. No one can come to the Son unless the Father draws them, there are no exceptions to this.

So, if we are talking about common belief, what we as humans choose to believe at any given time, then yes one can stop believing in Jesus to save them. If we are talking about how the bible redefines the word, then all who believe in Jesus Christ to save them will be saved by him, without exception. One can certainly be deceived into thinking they are a believer when they are not, I would never disagree with this. This is what is behind the error of what is labelled as OSAS. Praying a little prayer when everyone has their eyes closed is not a free pass to heaven, God must regenerate a mans heart, they must be born again. God does not beckon to little parlor tricks and soulish devices.

We should never downplay saving faith though. IMO

Grace to you,

Travis

 

[Travis]

Just curious, what context should it be taken in?

Personally, I believe the key to these verses lies in the preceding verses:

Matthew 7
15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'​

The immediate context is False Prophets. Just because someone says, "Lord, Lord," doesn't mean we should assume they are a Christian. Just because someone can perform miracles and awesome feats, doesn't mean we should assume they are Christians. We need to look for the real fruit in their life, the evidence of the Holy Spirit working, bearing the fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
​

I've never met a False Prophet who thought he was a False Prophet. They always think they are truly serving God, despite how far off from the truth they are. They are deceived and deceiving others. We need to examine peoples fruit, not just their words, or even some of their deeds.

No one who knows the Lord, and is known by him (in the biblical meaning of that word), will be cast out on judgement day.

Grace to you,

Travis

 

[B-A-C]

We need to look for the real fruit in their life, the evidence of the Holy Spirit working, bearing the fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

I've never met a False Prophet who thought he was a False Prophet. They always think they are truly serving God, despite how far off from the truth they are. They are deceived and deceiving others. We need to examine peoples fruit, not just their words, or even some of their deeds.

No one who knows the Lord, and is known by him (in the biblical meaning of that word), will be cast out on judgement day.

There is good fruit, and bad fruit. ( Matt 7:17; Matt 12:33; etc.. ) The fruit of Spirit you mentioned in Gal 5 is good fruit.
The fruit of the flesh (which is also in Gal 5) is bad fruit. Not only do you have to have good fruit, but you have to NOT have bad fruit.

Gal 5:19; Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20; idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21; envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

It doesn't matter if they believe in Jesus or not. Even Satan and the demons believe in Jesus. ( Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; Jas 2:19; )

 

[Travis]

There is good fruit, and bad fruit. ( Matt 7:17; Matt 12:33; etc.. ) The fruit of Spirit you mentioned in Gal 5 is good fruit.
The fruit of the flesh (which is also in Gal 5) is bad fruit. Not only do you have to have good fruit, but you have to NOT have bad fruit.

Gal 5:19; Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20; idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21; envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

It doesn't matter if they believe in Jesus or not. Even Satan and the demons believe in Jesus. ( Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; Jas 2:19; )

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. A person is either bearing good fruit or bad fruit, never a combination. One is either a good tree or a bad tree.

Until we come to agreement upon a definition of what it means to believe/be a believer, we really can't pursue discussing this subject any further and have it be of any use, IMO.

Travis

 

[B-A-C]

2 Pet 2:20; For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
2 Pet 2:21; For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.
2 Pet 2:22; It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT," and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire."

Can a non-believer escape the defilements of the world on their own? Can they "return" to something they never left in the place?

Heb 6:4; For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
Heb 6:5; and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
Heb 6:6; and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

Can a non-believer be enlightened and have been made a partaker of the Holy Spirit? Can you have repentance "again" if you never had it in the first place?

Heb 10:26; For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27; but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.
Heb 10:28; Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Heb 10:29; How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
Heb 10:30; For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE."
Heb 10:31; It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Can a non-believer be sanctified by the blood of the covenant?

Luke 8:13; "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.

Can a non-believer "believe for a while"?

Matt 7:21; "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
Matt 7:22; "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
Matt 7:23; "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

Can a non-believer call Jesus "Lord"? (1 Cor 12:3; ) Can a non-believer do miracles in Jesus name? Can a non-believer cast out demons on their own power? ( Acts 19:13-16; )

1 Tim 4:1; But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

Can an un-believer fall away from a faith they never had in the first place?

Jas 2:20; But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Jas 2:24; You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Jas 2:14; What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

In the parable of the 10 virgins ( Matt 25:1-12; ) what was the difference between the 5 foolish and the 5 prudent?
Did the 5 foolish never have oil to begin with? Or did they run out at some point?

 

[Travis]

[/B]In the parable of the 10 virgins ( Matt 25:1-12; ) what was the difference between the 5 foolish and the 5 prudent?
Did the 5 foolish never have oil to begin with? Or did they run out at some point?

I've got a question for you. Do you believe that the five foolish virgins were born again, that they had the Holy Spirit dwelling in their spirit?

Not that the five foolish virgins actually represent five real individual people, but humor me on this one.

 

[B-A-C]

I've got a question for you. Do you believe that the five foolish virgins were born again, that they had the Holy Spirit dwelling in their spirit?

Not that the five foolish virgins actually represent five real individual people, but humor me on this one.

Yes I do. Whether or not they are 5 actual people or not does not change the purpose of the parable.
The same goes for Hebrews 10:29; I think those people were saved because they were "sanctified" (by the blood of the covenant).
The same goes for Hebrews 6:4; I think these people were saved because they were "partakers of the Holy Spirit".
The same goes for 2 Pet 2:20; I think these people were saved because they "escaped the defilement of the world" (through the knowledge of Christ).

The Holy Spirit can be insulted ( Heb 10:29; ) some Bibles say spurned or rejected.
The Holy Spirit can be resisted ( Acts 7:51; )
The Holy Spirit can be taken away from us. ( Psa 51:11; )
The Holy Spirit can be ignored ( Heb 12:25; )
You can even try to to lie to Holy Spirit ( Acts 5:3; ) although this may not be the wisest thing to do.
People can still do foolish things even after they receive the Holy Spirit, in fact every time we sin it's a foolish thing.
The Holy Spirit is our "helper" ( John 14:26; John 15:26; ) Not the enforcer. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman who doesn't force us to do anything.

Some say we are "sealed" by the Holy Spirit, ( Eph 4:30; ) of course that same verse says we can grieve the Holy Spirit as well.
What is the purpose of a wax seal on a letter? To keep you from opening it? Or to verify who sent the letter and make sure no one else opened it?
In other words verify the authenticity of it.

 

[Travis]

I've got a question for you. Do you believe that the five foolish virgins were born again, that they had the Holy Spirit dwelling in their spirit?

Yes I do. Whether or not they are 5 actual people or not does not change the purpose of the parable.

I thought you might,

2 Corinthians 1:22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
2 Corinthians 5:5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
Ephesians 1:14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.​

ἀρραβών
guarantee
An earnest
Money which in purchases is given as a pledge or downpayment that the full amount will subsequently be paid.

When someone is born again, they receive the Holy Spirit, as a seal, as the earnest of their salvation. This is a term that had to do with such things as real estate in the culture at that time, and still to this day bears much of the same meaning. When someone gave the earnest payment it was to assure the owner that they would indeed come later with the full amount. If the person who gave that earnest money decided they did not want to follow through with the deal, then they had to leave the earnest money with the owner, they could not take it back. Putting down an earnest is a Big deal.

Jesus seals those who are his own with the Holy Spirit, the down payment on the deal, to assure them of their future hope and salvation that awaits. If he were to back out of the deal, he would leave his Holy Spirit with them. He's not going to back out of the deal. This kind of language is used so that we can understand that we have assurance of salvation. The only real question is, are you truly born again?

Matthew 25
10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.'​

Jesus does not know these people. They are not sheep, they are not His sheep. Jesus knows all his sheep by name. All who are born again are sheep, and he knows them all by name. Jesus does not know these people because they do not belong to him, he never met them and covenanted with them and gave them his Holy Spirit as the guarantee of their salvation. These people were never at any point in time sealed with the Holy Spirit.