Challenge Books, 2007), 147-148.
if they agree on earth about anything they ask for, it will be done for them made by my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 18:18, 19). The context shows that our Lord here is not speaking of "binding Satan" nor of the general statement, but rather referring to the issue of sin and the forgiveness among Christians (cf. v. 21ss.). The verb tenses in the verse 18 signifies literally 'whatever you bind on earth will have been' bound in heaven; and whatever they loose on earth will have been unleashed in the sky," so our Lord is saying that he himself works personally in the disciplinary process: "Because where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them
Hence, the process of discipline in the church, when it is followed properly, answers all of Dr. Ryrie's questions. How much time Can a person continue in sin before we "conclude that had never really been saved"? For as long as it lasts discipline process. Once the matter has been communicated to the church, if the person still refuses to repent, we have instructions of the Lord himself considering the sinner as a 'gentile or tax collector'.
The process of discipline in the church that our Lord explained in Matthew 18 is based on the doctrine of perseverance. Recidivist sinners only demonstrate their lack of true faith, but those who respond to the repentance and returning to the Lord provide the best possible evidence that their salvation is genuine and you can be sure that if your faith is real they will persevere until the end, because God himself guarantees it.
Being convinced of this: that he who began the good work in you, He will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6); "For this reason I suffer these things, but I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to keep my deposit for that day" (2 Tim. 1:12).
1. John Murray, The Redemption: Completed and Applied (Grand Rapids, MI: Challenge Books, 2007), 147-148.
2.Anthony A. Hoekema, Saved by Grace (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1989), 234.
3.Zane Hodges,The Gospel Under Siege(Dallas: Redención Viva, 1981), 113. Published in Spanish as The Gospel Under Siege, transl. Thomas