Once Saved, Always Saved?

A few months ago I exchanged emails with a man who originally contacted me about something he didn't agree with in one of my videos. Eventually I found out this man believed in “once saved, always saved.” Not long afterward, my roommate heard someone at a Bible study teaching the same thing. Let’s examine this belief in the light of Scripture.

Salvation is a gift based on our beliefs, not upon our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once a man is born again, it’s up to him how much he will grow as a Christian. Philippians 2:12 says, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Notice this verse does not say, "work for your salvation". The works referred to are works of belief, not of things done.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 warns, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” Notice this passage does not describe sinners but those departing from the faith. Because man has a free will, a Christian can choose to leave the Lord.

When I was 17, I asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart and briefly attended a Bible study. But because of a strong love for secular music, I soon backed away from the things of God and sought a career in the music business. I could have chosen to go on with God’s plan for my life. Unfortunately, I didn't stay "connected to the vine" and let the world draw me away from Him. Fortunately I recognized my need for the Lord and recommitted my life to Him ten years later.

However, a Christian can progress in his relationship with the Lord to where there’s no turning back if he makes a willful decision to renounce Him. Hebrews 6:4-6 says, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame." This passage of Scripture doesn't apply to "baby Christians" but mature believers who for whatever reason turn away from the Lord.

In Revelation 3:5 Jesus said, "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." In Deuteronomy 9:14, God talked about "blotting out" the names of the rebellious Israelites from under heaven. When Moses interceded for them in Exodus 32:32, he told the Lord, "Yet now, if You will forgive their sin - but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written."

Consider this passage from Deuteronomy 29:19-20 (NLT)...

“Those who hear the warnings of this curse should not congratulate themselves, thinking, ‘I am safe, even though I am following the desires of my own stubborn heart.’ This would lead to utter ruin! The Lord will never pardon such people. Instead his anger and jealousy will burn against them. All the curses written in this book will come down on them, and the Lord will erase their names from under heaven."

Once again, works do not save us. But Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15) Suppose a man becomes a Christian but later backslides and gets involved in an adulterous relationship. A friend who finds out about it confronts the adulterer with the Seventh Commandment, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery.'" If the adulterer were to reply, "I don't believe in that Jesus stuff anymore", then he would no longer be saved. 2 Timothy 2:12 says, "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us." However, if the adulterer repents, then he remains in fellowship with the Lord. As 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

We all need correction from time to time. So the next time you encounter someone living in sin that believes, “once saved, always saved”, be bold enough to speak the truth in love to him. You might help save a deceived believer from losing his salvation.

“If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.” - 1 Timothy 4:6

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe...
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of ...
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Hallowee...
Read more