Rom 1:7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I have written many times over these past 12 years about how God’s Word makes it plain that a RASN (reviler, abuser, sociopath, or narcissist) simply cannot be a Christian. They are not born again. If they look like a Christian, it is a pure charade which will slip if you watch carefully.
1Jn 2:9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
Remember, when we are speaking about RASN’s, we are not talking about someone who on occasion sins. If that were true we would all be in this category. No, the kind of evil we mean is that which is ongoing, unrepented of, habitual, and characteristic. The very mindset is one of entitlement, superiority, a vacuum of empathy, and a non-existent conscience.
Listen to this comment on Romans 1:7 (quoted above) by Robert Haldane, writing back in the 1700’s –
All believers are saints, and in one sense all of them are equally sanctified (ie, set apart for God). They are equally separated or consecrated to God, and equally justified, but they are not all equally holy. The work of sanctification in them is progressive. There are babes, young men, and fathers in Christ. Some are weak in faith, and some are strong; but none of them are yet perfect, neither have they attained to that measure of holiness at which it is their duty constantly to aim (see Phil 3:12).
They are therefore to forget those things which are behind, and to reach forth to those things which are before, and are commanded to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more until the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18)
From these premises the conclusion follows, that no one truly associates themselves with the faithful (Christ’s true people), who do not place a certain degree of confidence in the Lord’s kindness to them; although being undeserving and wretched sinners, being called by His goodness, they aspire to holiness. ‘For He has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness.’ [MacDonald Publishing Company, An Exposition of Romans, Robert Haldane]
Now, think on these things carefully. Does an abuser (who claims to be a Christian) constantly aim at growing in true holiness? Does such an abuser have a heart filled with thanksgiving to the Lord for His kindness shown in Christ? You know the answer to these questions.
Listen, the only reason local churches and your average professing Christian insists that your abuser is a Christian, is because your abuser says he is. Most of what people believe about the domestic abuser comes from….the abuser. But God’s Word very clearly and plainly declares that a person who is defined by “abuser” (or another letter in RASN) is not a saint, is not called by God to salvation, nor is he/she beloved by God.
I think that one of the most freeing and helpful truths we can come to see with clarity is that a RASN is NOT a Christian anymore than the devil is. They are in fact, children of the devil and evidence his evil character every moment of every day.