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Many people struggle with the thought that they can somehow lose their salvation once they believe and obtain it. Salvation, for them, seems too good to be true so they add to the equation, creating difficulties and hoops to jump through that the Lord never put in their way. Can salvation be as simple as believing on the Lord? Is it simply a heart condition, a personal relationship or is there more to this journey? Fortunately for us, God was plain and clear. It is our own distrust of the world that gets in the way. It’s too big a gift for our minds to comprehend sometimes but hopefully, in this lesson you will come to peace with not only what salvation really is, but your own eternal peace as well.
All, Never, and Eternal, are words that prove that once you are saved, you are always saved. Jesus paid the price for all sin, past present and future. There isn’t something that you can do or not do, that can overcome what the Lord did at the cross. Your salvation isn’t based on what you do. It is a gift from the Lord. It is what HE did. He is perfect, He is the creator, He is the truth, the life, and the way. Taking care of 1,000 orphans won’t save your soul. Saying please and thank you your whole life won’t save your soul.
And likewise, there isn’t a sin that YOU can do that can take away what the LORD did on the cross. Moses killed an Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. (Exodus 2:12) Paul imprisoned Christians and sent others to their deaths. (Acts 22:4) Do you think that Jesus’ work on the cross is not able to overcome murder or theft or adultery or lying? Even after you are saved, what you do does not overcome what Jesus did. Salvation isn’t about you! It’s about him and believing in him and what he did and who he is. ALL sin was overcome at the cross. It’s what Jesus meant when he said, “it is finished,” while on the cross. (John 19:30) Now it is simply a matter of if you believe that or not. Was Jesus who he said he was? Is Jesus God? That personal relationship with God is what saves your soul.
You will never be good enough to earn salvation by your works. Your works are proof that you have been saved, not the reason for salvation. That’s taking focus off of the Lord if what you did saved your own soul. Remember, the Lord doesn’t share His glory with anyone.
Salvation is brought about by the Lord’s perfect sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection three days later. He found victory over death and Hell itself, bringing a hope to those that might seek after Him. Being a good person just isn’t good enough to enter into Heaven, mainly because there is none that are good, none that seek after God.
(Romans 3: 10-12) “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
Your salvation is secured by the blood of the Lamb and that is something that cannot be taken away. Your name, once you believe on the Lord, is written down in Heaven in something called the “Book of Life.” (Rev 3:5)
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
So you might ask, “How does one “overcometh”? The answer is found in 1 John 5: 1-5
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”
You overcome by believing in Jesus Christ and loving him. You become a child of God, literally born again into a family of like believers. You cannot lose this heritage anymore than you can stop being the child of your earthly parents. No matter what you might do, you will never stop being your parent’s child. You might stop talking to them, you might move away, but you will forever be their child.
Another comforting verse is found in 2 Timothy 1:12 where Paul writes:
“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
It is not you yourself that keeps holding onto your faith, it is the Lord. Only HE is able. He holds the faith. He chose us even more than we chose him. Praise God that He is faithful to what we committed to him.
Here are some verses to consider when asking the question if you can ever lose your salvation.
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Colossians 2: 13,14
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
John 10:28,29
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father’s hand.
John 6:35
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
John 11:25,26
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Hebrews 13:5
[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Matthew 25:46
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
John 3:15
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Isaiah 32:17
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.
God saves us from sin. It is a gift that cannot be overcome or taken away once it is accepted. The question is, have you accepted that gift and will you live for Him?
Mary Ellen Nissley
Troy Day, let’s start with a clear understanding… is this what you believe?
Nelson Banuchi
1. “Your salvation is secured by the blood of the Lamb and that is something that cannot be taken away.”
That it is “secured by the blood,” it does not necessarily follow that one may cease to believe and, as a consequence, forfeit salvation.
That it is “something that cannot be taken away,” it does not necessarily follow that it cannot be voluntarily rejected at any point in one’s life, thereby, forfeiting salvation.
The Cross was not meant to be an absolute certainty but absolutely reliable. And faith is not a past act that brings about an infallible, certain, and inevitable – that is, an automatic – end but a living walk of upward progression that embraces and maintains the promises of God, which brings about the desired end of both parties.
What is assured is not future salvation but present salvation; and if present salvation is assured, than the assurance of future salvation is irrelevant.
2. The scriptures cited do not support an automatic salvation. Just one, for example, Jn 5:1: “the most literal rendering would be, “Every one believing (present tense participle, ὁ πιστεύων, emphasizing both the on-going action as well as the individuality of saving faith, “each believing person”) that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God (a perfect passive verb, γεγέννηται, “has been born by the agency of God”)…The one believing that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. If a person is now believing that Jesus is the Christ in a true and saving fashion, they are now doing so because, as a completed action in the past, they were born again through the work and agency of God (287-88; emphasis original).”
http://evangelicalarminians.org/brian-abasciano-a-reply-to-james-white-on-1-john-51-and-the-order-of-faith-and-regeneration/
David M. Hinsen
Joey Felts
Louise Cummings
I don’t believe in once saved always saved unless you live it.
Louise Cummings
Nor do believe inPredestination. If I had time I’m sure I could prove both is not Scriptural.
Louise Cummings
If you could get saved and go back in the same life style. Sinning like you always. Then why did Jesus die on the cross. Read in Romans.
Kevin Clark
For me Hebrews 6 covers both beliefs and says you can lose but i don’t believe easily.
James Arthur white
i know your comment has been a while ago. But Hebrews 6 is not about losing salvation but a warning. Jews were being told to deny Jesus. Indeed, the Priest would kill an sau, a pig then and then have the blood flow where the temple was into the street. In the street they would have the people or the Jewish person spit in the blood and say this blood is as able to save as the blood of Jesus. So, it was mockery of the blood of Jesus and denial of it…So that this what was going on andthe purpose of the Hebrews 6. So anyone who would do that . well there is no possible way they were truly saved anyway…..But the is full of words like if, meaning if…..It is not possible for a true believer to turn back.
Louise Cummings
I’m with you there. God does eat let us go easy. The Bible says He chastens those that He loves. You are right we don’t have to be afraid we will wake up some morning and lost our Salvation. He says He will go with us all the way even till the end. He won’t let us go. It’s us when we get so rebellious and we let Him go.
Mary Ellen Nissley
If we are walking in the fear of God, and struggling to overcome sin, he has much patience with us.
But those who think they can be lukewarm and slide past his awesome holiness, have no fear of God. And they will be the ones spewed out.
In Sept of 2012, I was still a Mennonite, and wore the covering, cape dress, etc. The whole nine yards. It was my heritage. My comfort zone.
I had been baptized in the Holy Ghost when I was in my 20’s back in the early 90’s. But when my husband left us, I went back to the Mennonites for help to raise my kids.
Mary Ellen Nissley
Oops posted too early…
Mary Ellen Nissley
I’m trying and trying to shorten this story… I just can’t seem to.
I had made the choice to shut down spiritually, because I had to, to shut up.
They believe strongly that women MUST be absolutely silent in the assembly. After all, that’s what it says, right? But I had a fire inside that wouldn’t shut up.
So I chose to close the intake. I damped my fire, to survive.
God showed me in a dream I was NOT right with Him, and would face hell fire if I didn’t obey Him.
And that’s why I’m COG now. It has cost me my entire family, and my financial safety net.
Varnel Watson
Mary Ellen Nissley What are you refering to with “this” your question?
Mary Ellen Nissley
Just wondering if you were going to defend the stance this article takes… OSAS?
Varnel Watson
Mary Ellen Nissley How can I defend the Pentecostal doctrine of entire sanctification and be OSAS at the same time. Just think about it! http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/fore-chosen-pre-destined-pre-doomed-ourcog/
Mary Ellen Nissley
Troy Day, there’s all kinds of strange doctrine mixtures out there. I take nothing for granted anymore, especially on Facebook. lol
Nelson Banuchi
You had me worried there, Troy Day…
Ricky Grimsley
Obviously its once saved always saved because he that endures to the end will be saved.
Nelson Banuchi
Ricky Grimsley It’s not that obvious…the point is one must persevere to the end of this present life…that does not suggest final salvation as automatic and infallibly certain.
Mary Ellen Nissley
Ricky Grimsley You are craftily correct, sir! My hat’s off to you!
Nelson Banuchi, Ricky Grimsley is correct, because the verse he quoted defines salvation as completed only at the end. None of us are actually completely saved yet. It’s only he who has already endured, who is actually completely saved.
Of course, there are many scriptures that prove this.
Terry Wiles
When I was young they used the term converted. The word “saved” was reserved for when you slid into home plate. Then you were fully safe!
Mary Ellen Nissley
And “home plate” was heaven?
Terry Wiles
Mary Ellen Nissley yes
Nelson Banuchi
Terry Wiles Unless you lost, then it was…
Terry Wiles
Nelson Banuchi the bad part is one never had an assurance of salvation with that form of Arminianism. Everyone was getting saved again every week
Nelson Banuchi
Terry Wiles I thought we were talking about baseball…
Terry Wiles
Nelson Banuchi 🙂
Varnel Watson
FORE-CHOSEN, PRE-DESTINED, PRE-DOOMED
“That moment when you’re accidentally orthodox” Henry Volk http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/fore-chosen-pre-destined-pre-doomed-ourcog/
Henry Volk
http://moltmanniac.com/predestination-karl-barths-doctrine-of-the-election-of-grace-audio-video-notes-from-moltmanns-kbc2015-lecture/
Varnel Watson
Henry Volk Was Barth universalist ??? Yes he was: Karl Barth: “I am not a universalist.” (Quoted in Lewis Smedes, My God and I: A Spiritual Memoir (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003), 99.) So Barth is not really relevant in this discussion right? http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/was-karl-barth-a-universalist/
Henry Volk
I don’t think Barth was a universalist.
Varnel Watson
That’s nice of you 🙂 Yet BARTH said he was universalist – Karl Barth: “I am not a universalist.” (Quoted in Lewis Smedes, My God and I: A Spiritual Memoir (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003), 99.) http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/was-karl-barth-a-universalist/
Kaluba Chibesakunda
Kaluba Chibesakunda liked this on Facebook.
Brent Welke
The issue is not once saved, always saved. It is if saved, always saved, because real saints do what it takes to stay saved. He predestinates those who are conforming themselves “to the image of his son”. The rest predestinate themselves–to the down elevator.
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Varnel Watson
Hardly… Peter Christian
Charles Page
if you are the one who obtained your salvation you can certainly loose it but if your salvation is a gift from God you can’t resist it – can’t hide from it and can’t loose it.
Charles Page
if you believed and obtained it then you must credit yourself for working for it. You have to take credit away from God by relative degrees.
Charles Page
Actually the credit for OSAS is not so much a John Calvin belief as it is a theological construction of Andrew Fuller who provided the impetus for William Carey to exercise a human means (well meant offer/ free will) to obtain salvation and thus he could freely go to the heathen with the gospel. John Calvin would have no part of this.
David Lewayne Porter
I fully agree with OSAS.
IF we live in the way that allows us to stay saved, in our personal daily walk.
Peter Christian
“IF we live in the way that allows us to stay saved, in our personal daily walk.” — the IF makes it Once Saved Always Saved void.
David Lewayne Porter
OSAS absolutely.
(conditional),
conditional on us doing our part.
(Peter), you are so observant.
You caught that, yes you did.
Peter Christian
If it is conditional then it is no longer OSAS.
David Lewayne Porter
LoL
Exactly
Jesus said this of Judas
John 17:9-12
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Judas was given to Jesus by God the Father.
And Jesus declared he was lost.
Peter Christian
But yes, OSAS. It is because it was God who saved you not yourself nor your decision.
David Lewayne Porter
Nor our decision?
So
You believe that God forces people to accept salvation?
There is a difference between God convicting us, drawing us, wooing us
and Him forcing, coercing, or deciding for us.
Peter Christian
He does not force us to accept salvation. Salvation is not an offer. It is a free pardoning gift of the sins to whom it was given to.
Best example I can give you is this:
Say you are before the court guilty of a crime. The judge tells you you are not guilty anymore because someone paid your penalty on your behalf which was accepted by the court.
You see? not up to you to say yes or no. It was out of your control or knowledge. It was just simply done. And the person who did for you did it out of mercy and grace.
So salvation is not an offer. It was a gift which needed not your permission or acceptance. And if you are one of the ones of which the gift was intended for, even if you say you want to go to hell, you cannot. You are innocent now before the court of God. You have no merit to get to hell anymore.
Varnel Watson
I am yet to meet a person saved NOT by their decision
Peter Christian
Well now you met one. me.
David Lewayne Porter
Brother,
You just trashed and destroyed Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,,,
Romans 10:9-10
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Salvation is to be applied and sin not to be imputed to those who accept and ask for it.
It is not just paying a penalty.
It is the removal of the sin that causes the penalty.
You are correct that the penalty has been dealt with by Christ (but the origin cause for that penalty remains until it is confessed and released by the guilty party).
Using your example
YOU come before the judge because YOU realize that there is a case against YOU and YOU realize that YOU are under the authority of the court and judge. YOU agree that YOU are under the ruling of the court (good or bad).
YOU also have to agree to the representative of the court or YOU can get another one.
YOU also can continue the case deferring the judgment to a later date.
The lawyer can’t approach the judge until he is agreed to by the defendant. That goes for the charges to be (plea bargained) and any settlement of those charges.
You did simply overlook that (it REQUIRES the Participation of the Defendant). The only way a judge and court can allow another to pay your penalty is if it is agreed to by all parties involved (court personal – prosecution, defense, judge), plantiff, and The Defendant.
The judge can’t render a verdict until the charges are addressed by the defendant, or their chosen/agreed to representative.
A court and judge can not and will not force you to accept help and freedom resulting from an outside party wanting to intervene on your behalf (trust me, my family members have had their share and more of court cases and appearing before the judge).
You can actually refuse the outside help. (I will not debate why one would right now, but it does happen).
Peter Christian
Can you also include acts 13:48 pls.
Daniel Blaylock
Peter, the term salvation has a much larger pool of meaning in the New Testament than forgiveness. Justification is part of the ordo salutis, but not the total. And faith is not simply a one time act of believing; it is an ongoing persevering in faith until the end that makes our calling and election sure.
Peter Christian
Yet faith is not in man to possess is it? For no man has faith says the Word.
David Lewayne Porter
Peter Christian
The Bible does not say that no man has faith…..
It says 2 Thessalonians 3:2 KJV
And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Another translation says
2 Thessalonians 3:2 NAS
and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for all have not faith.
Not everyone believes.
Rightly divide that with
Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
You see,
God in order to be just gives every man faith (the ability to believe),
But it is up to the individual to use that faith making it a personal belief system that leads to salvation.
That is why we are told four times in the Bible that
The just shall live by faith.
Peter Christian
David the verses you brought forth says man have not faith. Man has no faith. That is why God applies faith to them. Even you said so at then of your message. So you contradicted yourself.
David Lewayne Porter
You said “No man” Has Faith.
You misquote scripture.
Habakkuk 2:4b
but the just shall live by his faith.
his faith.
Varnel Watson
David Lewayne Porter I very much doubt you fully agree with OSAS. Do you believe Jesus died for the whole world or only for the saved elect?
David Lewayne Porter
I believe He died for the whole world.
The whole world as defined as Everyone that has lived in the past, is living now, and will live in the future. Man, woman, boy, girl regardless of age, or race or other boundaries/limitations
And yes, I believe OSAS (conditional).
Varnel Watson
Well you dont fully agree with OSAS
David Lewayne Porter
Varnel Watson
David Lewayne Porter Even Charles Page was saved by his own human choice and will and only later changed to OSAS mutation
Street Preacherz
What about “the falling away” what about the Laodiceans? What about no dogs, liars, murders etc. in heaven with Jesus. Sorry I don’t think he’s going to like that to much….
David Lewayne Porter
Let’s make it simple and easy,
What about the fearful
Revelation of John 21:7-8
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Simply being fearful….
Street Preacherz
That’s a lot of troubles.
But Jesus bore them all.
Street Preacherz
I was preaching to some outlaws this summer I was fearful. I got a pass, but for those few moments it took to examine my commitment and find a little courage I was fearful!!! LOL