Win so if children are not fallen how do they become fallen?
They knowingly and willingly sin as shown in the story of the prodigal son. He knowingly and willingly left his father's house and entered into a life of sin. The parable then said he joined himself to a citizen of that far country, this represents Satan and becoming a child of the devil. But he came to himself (no magical regeneration was required) and returned home to his father. His father saw him a great way off, this is foreknowledge. When the boy returned he confessed his sin. His father put a new coat on him representing the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, he put a ring on his finger showing our adoption and sonship, and he put new shoes on his feet representing our new walk as Christians. Then twice Jesus said the boy was ALIVE AGAIN. Jesus knows doctrine better than Augustine and Calvin, we could not be said to be ALIVE AGAIN if we were born in sin separated from God. The boy didn't start out separated from his father, he lived at home with his father. He left of his own free will choice.
This is not a story of a backslider, the three parables in Luke 15 are one, and they are all talking about a person being lost in sin, repenting and being born again.
Luke 15
1 .) Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 .) And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 .) And he spake
this parable unto them, saying,
4 .) What man of you,
having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 .) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 .) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found
my sheep which was lost.
7 .)
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8 .) Either what woman
having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 .) And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 .)
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11 .) And he said, A certain man
had two sons:
12 .) And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 .) And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 .) And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 .)
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 .) And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 .) And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 .) I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 .) And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 .) And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 .) And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 .) But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 .) And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 .)
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 .) Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 .) And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 .) And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 .) And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 .) And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 .) But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 .) And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 .) It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad:
for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
If you apply a little thought you will figure out who the elder son who was ALWAYS with the father, and whom everything belonged to, and who is the brother of the prodigal son. You can figure it out.
