Once Saved Always Saved

This topic has led to many heated arguements and contraversy in Christianity. Although there are many websites on this topic I find they fall short on completing it. Some compile many verses comfirming the security of our salvation, while others include a couple verses stating the opposite. Then there is the topic of when judgement occurs; on the day we are saved, or at the end of our lives. Others present a specalling of verses throughout the Bible dabbling into various points either for or against this doctrine. My goal is to create the most extensive complete discussion on this topic including a thurough discussion of every point of contraversy. Here are the sections in the order they will be presented. Most sections should bring enough clarity on their own, so it is not necissary to read through the entire page. However if you find you are still unconvinced after reading one section, please continue reading the others.

• Do you truely believe you are saved?

• A breakdown of the different views.

• The pillars of Once Saved

• What do the Parables teach us?

• Paul expound on the parables

• Following/Abiding/Running the race with Jesus

• Judgement[under construction]

• Important Points to Ponder

• The Destiny of Saved Theology

 

The Big Question

Many Christians are adamant that they are justified by believing that Jesus died and rose again. They look at others who are insecure about their salvation as unenlightened. Are they right? Or do they need to carefully examine what the Bible teaches on this topic?

This entire discussion comes down to one big question...

Do you truely believe you are saved now or will be at the judgement?

The questions in this section are not designed to condemn you, but to help you look at yourself. I can neither tell you if you have geniune confidence that you are or will be saved, or a form of confidence that comes from being convinced or told you are saved. So if there is any condemnation, it will be you bringing it upon yourself as you reflect upon your relationship with God. Because as the following verses reveal, deep down you do know whether you are saved.

1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He is revealed, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him in His coming.

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

To help you ponder this, here is a true story to help you answer this question. A few years ago in China, a group of Christians were held captive and forced by a commanding officer to line up and spit at a painting of Jesus. If they did not do so they would be shot to death. One by one they each spat on the painting until it was a little girls turn. Rather than spitting on it, she pulled out a cloth and began cleaning the spit off the paining. After she was done she closed her eyes in anticipation of being shot. But her courage moved the commander who decided to spare her life and ordered his men to execute the Christians who had spit on the painting.

What does this story reveal?

Q: Why did these Christians spit at the painting?
A: They were afraid to lose their lives, and did not have faith that God would spair them from death

Q: Why were they afraid to lose their lives?
A: They valued their earthly life more than their eternal life

Q: Why did they value this life more than the next?
A: There is only one possible answer for this: They simply did not believe their eternal destiny was secure. And ironically they who desired to save their lives, lost them.

 

All Christians today claim they believe they are saved. But the question is, do you truely know you are saved? Read these verses again.

1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He is revealed, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him in His coming.

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you truely confident and at peace that if you died now, the next thing you would see is Jesus?

Do you have this genuine confidence that the Bible is talking about or does your confidence come from your pastor or friends who tell you that you can't lose your salvation? An earthly example to illustrate how this works is marriage. How does a husband know he loves his wife? Because his parents tell him so? Perhaps her friends are so impressed with all he does for her, and assure him how he loves her. Perhaps he has read a book that explains what love is, and feels he is living up to that definition, and on and on... But the truth is that when you truely love someone, you just know, and no one needs to convince you. And even more, no one can convince you that you are not in love.

So, do you truely love God?

____________________________________________________________________

Mat 10:32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
33. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

OK, so how do you know where you stand with God? Did the previous scenario bring you any clarity? Or were you unable to know foresure?

If you are still unsure, here is another test which may reveal to you whether you are saved...

Q: Are you biased towards believing in Once Saved, Allways Saved?

In all study we need to remain open minded. If you are biased towards believing that you are not only saved and cannot lose your salvation, ask yourself why this is? If you truely have "confidence before Him" and "peace with God," why would we even care whethere we can lose our salvation or not? Do straight A students feel insecure when they see F students drop out? And on the flip side, how truely confident is an athlete who tries to cheat or bribe the judges so that cannot lose?

Is your only source of confidence in your salvation in believing that you can't lose it? Or can you be confident knowing that God judges everyone without partiality whether they are Christian or not?

17. And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay herein fear;

And finally there is one last question for you to ponder...

Q: Are you eagerly looking forward to the return of Jesus, and being tranlated to heaven? or

Q: Are you hoping Jesus does not return in your lifetime as you don't want to miss out on what this earth has to offer?

If you answered "Yes" to the second question, stop and ask yourself why. Is it because deep down you are uncertain that you are definately going to heaven? or is it because you are not truely tasting anything of God now, that dwarfs anything this earth has to offer?

If your answers put you on the side of a doubtful Christian, I hope this will lead you to procede through the rest of this page with an open mind, eager to discover what the Bible teaches on this subject.

 

Before we move on lets take this one step farther. Perhaps you read through these questions and confidently concluded that you geniunely believe you are saved and feel no need to read the remainder of this page. Well before you do so, answer this general question:

Is it possible to be completely convinced you are saved, while you are not?

For this answer we will parallel a parable and the church of Laodacea. First we start with the 2nd half of hte parable of the wedding feast:

Mat 22:8 Then he said to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they who were invited were not worthy.
9. Therefore go into the exits of the highways, and as many as you shall find, invite them to the marriage.
10. So the servants went out into the highways and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. And the wedding was filled with reclining guests.
11. And the king coming in to look over the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.
12. And he said to him, Friend, how did you come in here without having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13. Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14. For many are called, but few chosen.

Notice that what all these guests shared in common was that they accepted the invitation to the wedding feast. Q: What was the precise difference between the guest that was cast into outer darkness? A: He did not put on the wedding garment.

Now lets looks at what went wrong with the Christians at Laodicea:

Rev 3:14 And to the angel of the church of the Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Head of the creation of God, says these things:
15. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot.
16. So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
17. Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
18. I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see.
19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent.

Notice that just like the guest who was not wearing the wedding garment, the Laodiceans were not clothed in "white clothing" but were "naked." Also notice that neither of these groups had any idea there was anything wrong with their condition. The guest was completely dumbfounded at the reaction of his Host. The Laodicea thought they were in "need of nothing"

Now do you see the problem with the wrong kind of confidence in your salvation? It leads to complacency, or thinking you are "in need of nothing." Or like the undressed guest, who looked around, saw everyone else properly dressed, but was convinced that

3 Schools of Thought

1) Once Saved Allways Saved
When you accept Jesus into your life, you are justified by the cross, which guarantees your salvation. If you are truely sincere in your acceptance of Jesus sacrifice and believe Jesus died and rose again, you will never fall away. Those who do fall away do so because they werer never truely converted in the first place.

2) Free Choice
When we make a covenant or commit to God through the act of baptism, we become betrothed or engaged with God. When Jesus returns to judge the world, those who remained commited to Him will be a part of the marriage supper of a lamb, and become married to God. In the mean time we have the freedom to walk away. Walking away from God follows the same pattern as it would in a relationship between a man and a women. If one person in a relationship sins against the otherr, they have 2 choices. Repent and repair the separation the offense created, or continue in sin causing the separation to continue until the two eventually separate.

3) Yo-Yo Salvation
This is similar to Free Choice, except that rather than us following a path away or towards God, we are in a lost state everytime we sin, until we repent. We are essentially lost and saved throuhgout the day. This belief is what has lead many to gravitate to once saved always saved as they reject the tormented insecurity of this belief.

The Pillars of Once Saved Always Saved Theology

• Jesus accomplished it all at the cross, paying the price for sins past present and future. Any works we do are the result of salvation or out of a insecure desire to earn our salvation.

• Salvation is a free gift which cannot be earned, and therefore cannot be lost.

• God does not require us to follow the Ten Commandments, therefore anyone who is keeping them must be doing so with will power. And keeping the law with willpower is trying to be saved by works.

• Because it was done at the cross, and sin or breaking God's Law cannot effect your salvation, repenting is a way of earning your salvation, and therefore not necessary.

Parables to Ponder

Now ask yourself this.. Why did Jesus teach in parables? What were their purpose? Did they have a common theme and what was it?

The parables share a common theme of helping us grasp the truth of salvation. The reason Jesus used them is because this topic is impossible to grasp for the human mind. We are completely dependant upon the Holy Spirit to guide us and bring us to the truth. And as we come to the truth the parables, which stick in our mind, guide us along. As we grow to understand how salvation works, the parables make more sense. Now we will go through them and discover what they are meant to teach us. We will also deal with some difficult questions which you need to ponder prayerfully.

The first question we will deal with is this one:
I feel absolutely certain about my salvation today, why should I be concerned?

First, read this parable of the wise and foolish man and ask yourself what the point is of this parable.

Mat 7:24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock.
25. And the rain came down, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house. And it did not fall, for it was founded on a rock.
26. And everyone who hears these sayings of Mine and does not do them shall be compared to a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
27. And the rain came down, and the floods came, and the wind blew and beat on that house. And it fell, and great was its fall.

Now what do we see here?

2 categories are described, both are hit by a storm. Why didn't Jesus include a 3rd category for those who have nothing but good weather? Because there isn't one. This means for each one of us storms will come. The warning of this parable is against finding security in our current condition just because the weather is pleasant. But rather it reveals the nessecity of building upon the rock right now so that when our character is tested, it is God's character that comes through, causing the water to merely splash off the rock. As it is said, trials do not test our character, they reveal our character. In order for trials to bounce like water off stone, we must be hearing God and doing what He says so He can continually build our character. Why? Because in 2 months from now a level 4 hurricane may be on its way, and your foundation is only strong enough to withstand a level 2. The weather is sunny today, and there is not a cloud in site. But are you urgently strengthening your foundation for what is on its way? Or are you content with the security you feel right now?

Examples in the Bible not only indicates worldly consequences for not being ready for these storms, but reveals that eternal consequenses are at stake aswell. Our generation has been warned that before Jesus returns there will be a great deception. Notice how this passage goes hand in hand with the parable above.

2Th 2:3 Let not anyone deceive you by any means. For that Day shall not come unless there first comes a falling away, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition,
8. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming,
9. whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10. and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, so that they might be saved.
11. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie,
12. so that all those who do not believe the truth, but delight in unrighteousness, might be condemned.

The "great fall" by the foolish man who heard the sayings but did not do them, is a paralell to "a falling away" by those who "did not receive the love of the truth," or "believe the truth." Do not make the mistake of thinking this category is the secular world. This parable was aimed at the religious body who "heard" the truth. Also understand that although this verse describes a specific even at the end of times, Christians throughout the last 2000 years have consistantly been faced with similar trials as warned about in this passage.

Now ask yourself the following questions:

• How do you know for certain that you have built upon the rock?
• How can you build upon the rock today?

There are 2 ways in which people build upon sand.
1) By relying upon their own willpower to obey God's words. Ellen White best described this as making ropes of sand.
2) By lacking faith that God can give them the power to obey His words, and thus make it an optional priority.

And ofcourse there is one way to build upon the Rock. By obeying God's word through faith alone.

The next parable we will deal with is the parable of the sower.

3. "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.
4. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it.
5. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth.
6. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.
7. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.
8. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
. . . . . . .
13. And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
14. The sower sows the word.
15. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17. and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.
18. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,
19. and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."

So here we have 4 distinct groups compaired. Ask yourself this question:

• How do these 4 groups fit into "saved" theology?

Keep in mind that saved theology believes once you are saved, you cannot lose your salvation unless you were not truely saved in the first place. So ponder which of these groups were truely saved, and which were not sincere? Well this is a simple answer according to saved theology. All who turn away from God must not have been sincere in the first place. Why? because saved theology does not accept the possibility that a sincerely saved person can lose their salvation. This means that groups 1-3 were never saved in the first place.

But wait, what does "immediately received it with gladness," mean then? Is it possible for sincerely converted Christians to stumble when tribulation comes? Or to become distracted by the cares of this world and become unfruitful? The sad truth is that category 2 and 3 describe most Christians today. And what's very concerning is that category 2 and 3 have become so plentiful that they are now mainstream. And now because of the comfort in numbers, it is seen as OK to be in these groups, and exceptional to be in group 4. As in church leaders should be in group 4 while its ok for the members to be in group 2 and 3.

So here are some big questions for you to pray over:

• Will those in group 2 and 3 be saved?
• Do you know for certainty that you are in group 4?

Well, what was your answer? The parable itself did not make it very clear whether group 2 and 3 were saved. So can you think of any other verses that help to answer this question? How about this one in reference to group 2?

Mat 10:32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
33. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

If we deny Jesus when persecution comes, He denies us to the Father. And what about group 3, any verses coming to mind?

Mat 6:24 No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Next we have a parable illustrating the importance of being ready for the Lord's return. A strong warning is given to those who are not ready even stating that they will be lost with the unbelievers. Both the importance of being ready and the concept of being lost for not being ready are completely incompatible with once save theology.

Luk 12:39 And know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be dug through.
40. Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man comes at an hour when you think not.
41. And Peter said to Him, Lord, do You speak this parable to us or also to all?
42. And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward whom his lord shall set over his houseservants, to give them their portion of food in season?
43. Blessed is that servant when his lord comes and finds him so doing.
44. Truly I say to you that he will set him over all his possessions.
45. But if that servant says in his heart, My lord delays his coming, and shall begin to beat the male servants and women servants, and to eat and drink and to be drunk,
46. the lord of that servant will come in a day when he does not expect, and at an hour when he does not know. And he will cut him apart, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

More is revealed on this theme of being ready in the parable of the 10 foolish and wise virgins. Here we see that having a greater protion of God's Spirit is the determining factor between the saved and the lost. Just like the foolish man who built his house upon the sand, meaning he had some sort of relationship with God, these foolish virgins had the spirit of God dwelling in them, but not enough to where they had gotten to know God. Again we see this warning that merely having the Holy Spirit in you is not a guarantee that it will always remain. We must build upon the rock and get to know our God or we will either leave God when trials come, or not be ready for our final judgement.

Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3. The foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them.
4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go out to meet him.
7. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
8. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps have gone out.
9. But the wise answered, saying, No, lest there be not enough for us and you. But rather go to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.
10. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came. And they who were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.
11. Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12. But he answered and said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you.
13. Therefore watch, for you do not know either the day or the hour in which the Son of Man comes.

In conclusion these parables have answered some difficult questions in a simple manor. It leads us to conclude that Jesus knew the various misunderstandings that would arise as humans minds attempted to grasp spiritual truth, and that Satan would attempt to deceive His people. These simple illustrations are so powerful that if understood correctly, confound even the father of lies.

The Lesson of the Parables repeated by Paul

As the disciple, Paul and all the early Christians were guided by these teachings of Jesus, we would expect to see their actions and writings mirror the truths of these parables.

Lets start by looking at what Paul expected from average Christians of the day...

35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36. As it is written: "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER."
37. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Rom 8 _____________________________________________________________________

10. But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
11. persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
13. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15. and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2Ti 3

Did Paul believe it was optional to carefully follow doctrine, desire to live godly, know the Holy Scriptures, continue in what you've learned and endure persecution? His example and instruction for his church was a living example of these parables.

3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4. who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
6. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation 2Co1

These verses are very blunt in that we must be willing to share in sufferings if we want to partake in the consolation which refers to salvation.

Continual Abiding/Following/Running the Race, and Fighting the Good Fight

 

The Bible refers to us having the assurance of salvation, or the promise of eternal life, but this is not promised without condition. Everytime our salvation is promised, there is meantion of our need of some sort of continual obedience to God. Once saved always saved negates the nessesity to continualy follow or obey God. If the Bible teaches that we must continually obey God in order to recieve salvation, this creates a major problem for saved theology which nashes its teeth at this concept.

24. Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
25. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. 1Jn 2

Here we see that the promise of eternal life is conditional upon abiding in what you've heard.

17. The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. Isa 32

This verse describes how we experience this promise. When you abide in God, spending time with Him, making Him a first priority, choosing to live a pure life as God changes your nature, heaven becomes real. So real that it becomes a reality that drastically changes how you feel. For example, If you are stuck in traffic for an hour, does this matter as much knowing you will live for eternity in heaven? If you lose your house, is this as devastated knowing God is preparing a mansion in heaven for you? Crisis and the fear of crisis just can't effect us the same when we have the assurance of salvation. And on the flip side, if these things are effecting us, then we might ask ourselves how sure we are of our salvation. You see, without truly believing you are saved, you cannot have the gifts of the spirit: peace, love, joy.

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation, because having been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Here we see that the promise is conditional upon enduring temptation.

27. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. Joh 10

Strangely verse 28 is used as a proof text endorsing once saved always saved. But as we know the word of God cannot contradict itself, and if you read the verse prior you see this verse is in harmony with this condition of hearing God's voice and continually following it.

Heb 5:9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

Here again is a reference to salvation being for those who Obey God.

Now if you are starting to see the truth about salvation more clearly, I encourage you to read the entire Book of Hebrews. When you do, you will see that this book was specifically written to warn and correct Christians who Paul felt were in danger of losing their salvation because they were falling into the trap of false security. For now, I will share with you one passage. Although it is a bit long, it is well worth the read as it offers incredible clarity on this point...

Heb 10:16 "THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, . . . . .
22. let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25. not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
26. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27. but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
28. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
29. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
30. For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE."
31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32. But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:
33. partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;
34. for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
35. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
36. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
37. "FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY.
38. NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; BUT IF ANYONE DRAWS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM."
39. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Heb 10

In this passage we see an incredible amount of support for the need of cotinual obedience in order that we might receive the promise. This passage also makes it very difficult to accept the idea that we cannot lose our salvation. "Hold fast. . . without wavering" for the "promise." In verse 26 we see that although "it was done" and finished at the cross, if we continue to choose sin, Jesus' sacrifice cannot cover us. Does this mean we must live perfect sinless lives? Of course not, but what about Christians who compile a list of sins they think are non-salvational vs salvational, and feel they are justified continueing in various sins. Is it any wonder why deep down they feel insecure about their salvation?

In verse 29, we see that it is worse to sin in the new covenant than it was to sin or break the book of the law in the old covenant times. Again in verse 36 we see that we need "endurance" in "doing the will of God" to "receive the promise." In verse 39, Paul gives us a serious warning not to "draw back" and that "anyone" can do so. Yes that means anyone, including you or me can "draw back to perdition." Does this make me insecure in the promise knowing that I can lose it? Absolutely not. Keep in mind that receiving the promise is not something that we just decide to believe in, but a gift from God for doing His will.

 

Judgement [under construction]

So here's the Big Question:

Q: When does Judgement occure?

- On the Day we are saved? or
- When Jesus returns?
- A third and confusing variable suggests that God Judges us at the end, but because He knows the end from the beginning, insures us we are saved now, and that our names are written in the book of life from the foundation of the earth.

The first 2 questions can be answered fairly easily..

Joh 12:46 I have come as a Light into the world, so that whoever believes on Me should not remain in darkness.
Joh 12:47 And if any one hears My Words and does not believe, I do not judge him, for I do not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
Joh 12:48 He who rejects Me and does not receive My Words has one who judges him; the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
___________________________________________________

Act 17:30 Truly, then, God overlooking the times of ignorance, now He strictly commands all men everywhere to repent,
Act 17:31 because He has appointed a day in which He is going to judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He appointed, having given proof to all by raising Him from the dead.
___________________________________________________

2Ti 4:1 Therefore I solemnly witness before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is going to judge the living and the dead according to His appearance and His kingdom,

These are a few of many verses that put the Judgement as occuring as an event at the end of time.

So is the judgement for the lost only? Are we as Christians sealed for judgement now?

 

1Pe 1:17 And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to the work of each one, pass the time of your earthly residence in fear,
18. knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers,

 

 

Important Points to Ponder

Heb 5:9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

It is sad and revealing that consistantly it is the same Christians who promote Saved theology who believe that it is not necessary to "obey Him" by keeping His Law. The definition of legalism has become blurred to mean anyone who keeps the 10 Commandments. It is assumed that they must be doing it with willpower, and not the power of God alone. Just like like Cain, who rebelled against How God desires to be worshipped they trivialize the 4rth commandment and assume that God is pleased with any form of worship.

So how DO we know we love God and are walking, running, abiding etc,?

3. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1Jn 5

Notice how this verse indicates that not only are we to keep God's commandments, but that they must not be burdensome. In other words, just as the new covenant promised, the Law must be written on our hearts. Are you experiencing any of the commandments as a "burden?" King David who was a man after God's own heart explaimed:

Psa 40:8 I delight to do Your will, O My God; and Your Law is within My heart.

Salvation a Free Gift

The Bible clearly does say that salvation is a gift. The question is is there anything that is actually required by us if salvation is a "free" gift. Here we see another parable bringing us clarity on the topic of salvation.

30. Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?
31. It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth;
32. but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade." Mar 4

This parable illustrates that just as a tiny mustard seed becomes the greatest herb, our faith is rewarded by us becoming Kings and rulers in heaven. Just as the seed could not grow without the life it is given from its Creator, we cannot grow spiritually without the God's power of the Holy Spirit working in us. The example of the tiny mustard seed compared with the large plant it becomes is an example of how our small amount of faith is rewarded by so much more than we deserve. Over and over this principle is repeated throughout the Bible, as in every single miracle Jesus performed while on this earth or up in heaven, was conditional upon a mustard seed of faith from the believer.

 

Writings vs. Living Example

If I told you that I found some quotes from Gandhi promoting violence, what would you think? You might think its very strange, because that was not how he lived his life.

The same can be said for how mainstream Christians who believe in Once saved always saved, interpret the New Testament. They claim that people like Paul, And Peter teach us not to inconvenience ourselves too much for truth's sake. Yet Paul was imprisoned because he refused to stop preaching the Gospel and eventually paid with his life, and Peter was crucified upside down. And following their teachings and example, believers continued to "pick up their cross" and suffer everything imaginable for the next 2000 years. On the contrary if God's people believed as mainstream Christians do today, our history books would be drastically different. Infact, we might not even have a Bible today for these 3 reason: First there never would have been any stories of people who put their lives on the line to follow God. No Abraham, Moses, Noah, Joseph, etc. Secondly Christianity would not have survived the first years of persecution after Jesus died. Would not have survived the dark ages where approximately 50 million Christians were martyred while Bibles were burned. And thirdly, no one would have been close enough to God to hear his voice clearly enough to write the books of the Bible in the first place. I know this sounds fairly judgemental, but I truely wish this wasn't the case.

Subconsciously Christians today believe that those writtent about in the Bible the were elect who achieved a relationship with God that will only be reached by rare individuals who God has chosen. How wrong this is! The stories in the Bible are examples of what God wants to do in our lives.

Yet howmany claim that Paul taught us we can get away with living like the world, and that we cannot lose our salvation. Can you imagine what Paul would say to Christians if He was alive today? Christians would quote his very words to label him a legalist for preaching as he did.

 

The Devil?

To the once saved allways saved believer, I ask you "what is the Devil doing today?'

Is he focussing all his attention on the lost to prevent them from accepting Jesus knowing that once they do, he can do nothing to them?

1Pe 5:8 Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour;

If this is what you believe I do sympathise with you in wishing that was true, but unfortunately this is not what the Bible teaches. This verse in particulal was written to Christian to warn them against being devoured by the devil. And of course we have already dealt with this topic in the verses covering persecution and the lure of the cares of the world. The are the precise tools the Devil uses to snatch away God's sheep.