You Might Be a Reprobate, If…
It is very rare to read about the biblical doctrine of reprobation from Christian authors, today. The fact that reprobation does not fit the average Christian’s narrative, leads to pastoral avoidance of the doctrine, which leaves the people stuck in a cycle of ignorance. It is dangerous to live without the knowledge of God’s reprobation. It also is not honest, nor fair, for Christian preachers to deceive people by omission. We must preach the whole counsel of God, including reprobation.
Our task in this article is to consider some marks of the reprobate. Before we begin our list, it is crucial to understand that salvation belongs to God (Ps 3:8; Jon 2:9; Rev 19:1), and no one can know who is elect and who is reprobate except God. The only thing we can do is consider some of the elements of reprobation, and then let each man examine himself to see if he is in the faith or not. Also, no one can become the other: elect souls remain elect, and the reprobate remain reprobate, by God’s eternal will and decree.
First, you might be a reprobate, if you do not follow Jesus (Jn 10:26–30). Reprobates have little or no interest in Christ, finding Christianity to be foolishness (1 Cor 1:23). They are ashamed when a Christian friend becomes bold with the Gospel (Rom 1:16).
Second, you might be a reprobate, if you cannot see the Gospel (2 Cor 4:4). Satan keeps reprobates blind to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Reprobates are blind to spiritual things of God (1 Cor 2:14). They may pretend to be religious or spiritual, but they are exposed by truth, which they reject when confronted with it.
Third, you might be a reprobate, if you cannot hear Jesus’ voice in the preaching of God’s Word, the Bible. Reprobates cannot hear, which is why they do not understand the Gospel (Jn 8:43). The Word of Christ is grace to the ears of those who can hear, and grace is granted further when God gives faith to His elect (Rom 10:17; 12:3; Gal 3:22; Phil 1:29; Heb 12:2).
Fourth, you might be a reprobate, if you actively work to suppress the truth (Rom 1:18). Reprobates hate the Word of truth, including the truth about God’s reprobation (Rom 9:22). They work to distort Gospel truth through their diligent labors of spreading heresy.
Fifth, you might be a reprobate, if you do not seek God (Rom 3:11). Without grace, no one wills to know God, nor do they have the ability to seek and follow Christ (Rom 8:7). Reprobates love the world and the things of the world (1 Jn 2:15–17). They do not have the mind of Christ that focuses their thoughts on God (1 Cor 2:16).
Sixth, you might be a reprobate, if you refuse to acknowledge sin as sin. All people, including Christians, sin all day, every day, but Christians understand that every breach of God’s holy Law is a sin (1 Jn 3:4). The Christian claims, “I am a sinner saved by God’s grace, alone.” Reprobates deny sin and claim they are good people. They say, “I am not perfect, but I am earnestly trying to be good, by the works I am doing.”
In conclusion, we admit there are probably more marks of the reprobate, but a person either has the Son of God, that is, the indwelling Holy Spirit of God in him, or he does not have the Son of God (Jn 3:36; Rom 8:9, 11; 1 Jn 5:12). All things will be revealed, including election and reprobation, but not until the final day of judgment and the resurrection of the dead (Jn 5:28–29). Thus, we continue to preach the Gospel to believers and unbelievers, for the sake of the elect (2 Tim 2:10).
Telling the truth about God’s eternal purpose (Eph 3:11) in reprobation, serves as a litmus test for one to examine his current status. God’s children humbly accept the doctrine of reprobation, by faith. Election is a pride crusher for the true believer, who knows there is no good thing in his flesh, and apart from Christ, he, too, would be marked for reprobation (Jn 15:5; Rom 9:22).
In contrast, the reprobate denies reprobation, and in pride, he judges God to be unfair and a divine despot. He hates God (Rom 1:30), and He hates God’s Son (Jn 7:7; 15:18–19), which only serves to support the biblical case for the doctrine of God’s eternal reprobation. The reprobate does not see the Gospel; nor does he hear the voice of Christ; nor does he love the truth; nor does he follow Jesus; but he continues in sin, seeking the world, for he is a vessel of God’s wrath, prepared for destruction (Rom 9:22). These are the marks of the reprobate.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
September 13, 2021
