Ever since God has had a people of His own on this earth, they have been troubled by the presence of those who profess to be of them, but were not. Beginning under the very gate of Eden, this state of things will continue until "the Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity... then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matt. 13:41-43).
Scripture plainly tells of this mingling of tares and wheat of mere professors among true believers. Yet this greatly confuses many Bible students, who apply the warnings meant only for the self-deceived or hypocritical to the children of God. Such admixture is abundantly recognized in the Scriptures. (See Gen. 4:3-5; Ex. 12:38; Num. 11:4-6; Neh. 7:63-65; 13:1-3; Matt. 13:24-30, 37-43; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Gal. 2:4; and 2 Peter 2:1-2.)
It is impossible, in a brief Bible reading, to refer to all the passages which distinguish true believers from mere formalists, hypocrites, and deceived legalists who are working for their own salvation instead of working out a salvation already received as a free gift (Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 2:8-9). The following, however, will sufficiently indicate the line of demarcation:
True Believers Are Saved
"He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee" (Luke 7:50).
"My sheep hear My voice, and I Know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand" (John 10:27-28).
"All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).
"I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine" (John 10:14).
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His" (2 Tim. 2:19).
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47).
"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24).
Mere Professors Are Lost
"But Peter said unto him... Thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God" (Acts 8:20-21).
"They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" (1 John 2:19).
"But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him. And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father. From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him" (John 6:64-66).
"Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity... Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" (Matt. 23:28,33).
"Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name, and in Thy name have cast out devils, and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:22-23).
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance" (Heb. 6:4).
"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Heb. 10:38).
Closing Thoughts
Some texts are not free from difficulty, but with prayer, careful study, and never using a doubtful or obscure passage to contradict a clear and positive one, light will surely come. Do not use an if passage, such as Heb. 6:6, to contradict a verily one, such as John 5:24.
The cases of Judas Iscariot and of Peter should present no difficulty. Judas was never a believer, as John 6:68-71 points out. Peter never ceased to be one, as Luke 22:31-32 clearly indicate.
Finally, remember that these principles are to guide us only in rightly dividing the Word of Truth, but are never to be applied to professors. The judgment of professors is not committed to us, but is reserved to the Son of Man (Matt. 13:28-29; 1 Cor. 4:5).