Divine Faith is Given as a Gift to G-ds' Elect. (Ephesians 2:8,9) The Elect are Justified by this Faith; made Righteous in other words. It also, however, can be experienced by the Reprobate, but is not Rooted. G-d does this in His Time and for His Purposes. The Elect are Given it and it takes True Root in them, but the non-elect or Reprobates lose it by and by. Though Reprobates may strive, they do not attain unto Salvation at last. Let us look at some examples.
PARABLE OF THE SOWER
In the Parable of the Sower, some seed falls where it is choked before it can bring forth True Fruit, and some falls on stony ground where it does not attain depth of earth and withers away after awhile, and these are clearly said to believe for a time.
SIMON MAGUS
Simon Magus is said to have believed, and yet later proves his unbelief. (Acts 8:13-18). He was not pretending this Faith, but truly believed he was witnessing something that actually existed and did have Faith. He sought after it and was called by His Name. He was awed by the Gospel and its' Power, and desired to be associated with it even more.
None of this was Saving Faith however. Because a reverence may be paid to G-ds' Word, Jesus Christ or the Church, does not mean it is True Piety or Adoption. Because they have not been openly contemptuous, they may think or be taught they are safe to assume they are among His Elect.[2]
Here is shown how some can be so initially excited and carried away by the Power of the Gospel and do appear for a time to show the Fruits of True Salvation. This closeness to G-ds' Blessings will produce this effect in many. They do appear to be Saved, but they cannot bring forth True Divine Production, on the contrary, they cannot hide their wicked works, and at some point will become discouraged and eventually fall away.
In others, they may not perceive they are unregenerate still, but continue in the association with His people for its' "positive effects", "family or cultural values"; their hearts nonetheless deceiving them completely. These substitute "human good" or works for their own satisfaction that they are among His Elect.
This group can include Ministers and high Officials of the Church, who while appearing "outwardly good" and experiencing G-ds' Goodness by association, are still Reprobates tangled in self-deception.[1] They always misunderstand Grace and Election, and assign Salvation to their own efforts or "independant willing", or that their "good works outweigh their bad". "Religious" Reprobates who hold Arminian doctrines usually feel most comfortable in this group.
PHAROAH AND G-DS' GRACE
It is true that G-ds' Grace and Mercy is shown toward His Elect Everlastingly. It is likewise true that His Mercy is shown toward the Reprobate in that He causes His rain to fall upon the Just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). Even as He Blessed Egypt to become the greatest nation on earth in its' time, He raised up Pharoah in Grace and Mercy only to show forth His Power in Judging its' "gods" and delivering His people. G-d raised up Egypt to destroy their gods by delivering the children of Israel through Moishe (Moses) the Man of G-d. This is the Pesach (Passover) Feast celebrated still yearly on the eve of 14 Nisan.
Receiving Grace and Mercy or Deliverances from G-d can, but does not necessarily mean one is Elect. The previous Mercies shown to Pharoah were all later removed, and Egypt was Judged.
WHAT ABOUT LOVE?
Divine Love is planted securely in the hearts of G-ds' Elect, but the Reprobate may also experience the sense of its Goodness, again by association, and be greatly moved. Experiencing it and even extolling the Goodness of Love or any other Virtue does not make one Elect, however.
The Reprobate only has "human love" to return to and although they can experience Divine Love by association it is not rooted in them and eventually they will fall away.
GRAFTED IN TO ISRAEL
The Distinguishing Mark that identifies the Elect from the Reprobate is the Spirit of Adoption. The Reprobate does not receive it. Only the Elect are Grafted in to True Israel by the Gift of Saving Faith.
The Reprobate does very much resemble, or even may appear to be superior or even wiser than the Elect at times, but only G-ds' Elect have the Full Assurance when they cry, Abba, Father of His Salvation.
The Reprobate never has a clear understanding of G-ds' Grace. He pursues the shadow and misses the substance. They do recognize His Grace, can define it, and make mention and a show of Repentance, but always include som act of human endeavour or "will" that they say "secures it". They also never come to complete and total Repentance unto the Saving of their souls (going back to Pharoah) because G-d did not Fully Implant His Incorruptible Seed in Pharoah or them. These are also the ones that still remain in their lusts and iniquities. They are also anxious that they "not be Judged" by anyone or anything, and can have a distaste for G-ds' Law because it reveals them still to be in their sins. I John 3:4. They may reverence His Law, but do not fully or correctly apply it to themselves.[3]
The Elect individual truly seeks to Judge his lusts, but the Reprobate makes room for and excuses them, which he may say is "harmless fun". Go HERE for more on the subject.
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FOOTNOTES
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Though they may come into contact with Divine Faith or Divine Love or hear the concepts preached, because it is not rooted in them, they are unable to truly and continually apply it and will eventually also fall away.
The "Religious Reprobate" also can misunderstand here regarding Salvation. They are taught and believe that Salvation is based upon some "human act" on their part toward an unsaved person. Since in their view, Salvation is based on human effort, (they may want to do the "Saving" because that one that is "Saved by them" more or less can become their "property" or become they can be their "spirituall daddy"), they are taught it can be brought about by something they "do" toward someone else. "If you had just acted this or that way toward so-and-so, they would be Saved today, and it is all your fault!" sort of mixed-up attitude. They are never relaxed, but are always "busy working their way to heaven". "There is no rest for the wicked."
While we are Commanded to Preach the Gospel, it works through G-ds' Holy Spirit rooted in the hearts of his Elect and has nothing to do with "our own human efforts". Philippians 2:13.
Luther, Martin. The Bondage of the Will.
