The Truth about "Once Saved, Always Saved"...[sorry, this was the original title]...
I now see how harmful this doctrine is because it is a “stepping stone” to the “Doctrine of Inclusion”, which is damnable. This doctrine here makes it very easy to receive the “Inclusion” beliefs.
Some people seem to want a salvation plan, which consists of all privileges, with no responsibility. Privileges without responsibilities produces spoiled children, and that is not what the Lord is doing. He said … “Make disciples…Matthew 28:19-20. Before Christ, we had no choice, we were slaves to sin…Romans 6: 1-6, but now IN Christ, we are responsible for our choices…James 4:17.
First, I would like to say that I do not believe that you can do anything to earn your salvation, it is by grace that we are saved, it is a gift of God…Ephesians 2:8-9, but this is not about receiving salvation, this is about the maintenance of that salvation you have received.
I believe that we have to do, or live a certain, disciplined lifestyle, once we are saved. Just because Jesus Christ died for our sins, and grace is free, we seem to think that we are not accountable to have to do anything once we are Christians.
Others would say, “we don’t have to concern ourselves with sin because Jesus died for past sin, present sin, and future sin…true! He died once and for all, He is also the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world and that did not change the scenarios in Genesis chapters 3-6. We must remember there are three to salvation, and repentance is one of them, [seeing our sin as God does, and turning from sin to God]. First repentance must be applied, then the blood…Luke 13:3.
Yes, Jesus died to wash away all of our sins, but that forgiveness is predicated upon repentance, which does not mean just being sorry for your sins, (that is just the first step), but turning from your behavior, and turning to the Lord, and His ways, (this is our part). I also believe one can reach sinless perfection, but it will not be without some effort on our part.
We need to look at the original definition for grace, which is not unmerited favor, (which we have been taught), but actually: “the Divine influence on the heart, and It’s reflection in the life”. Grace is not to cover our sin, (the blood of Jesus did that at the cross), but to give us the power not to sin. That same grace that saved us, gives us power over sin in our lives.
How can we believe the Spirit of the Lord has power to work miracles, to provide, to heal, and then believe he does not have power over the sin in our lives? The problem is our belief system, because no matter what Jesus can and will do, if we don’t believe it, He cannot do it for US! (Matt 13: 58).
How do we believe that the Lord is concerned when we don’t tithe, but not concern when we are not holy? “Grace” can cover our sin, but not our lack of tithing? (Don’t get me wrong, I do tithe, and give, it just seems sort of hypocritical that’s all). We believe the Lord will deliver us from poverty, lack, even sickness, but not from practicing the sin for which He died to achieve victory over, [and what separates us from God’s holiness, lack, poverty, and/or sickness will not keep you from inheriting the Kingdom of God]. We exercise our faith for material gain, but will not exercise it to believe we can live holy, [exercise hurts the most in the weakest areas].
I believe that whatever we focus on, we will hit, [this is why we set goals in life]. If we focus on the statement, “no one is perfect, and never will be”, then this is what we will achieve. If we look through scripture and say I want to be like Enoch…Hebrews 11:5, or Joshua 24: 15, or better yet, Jesus…John 8:29, we will eventually achieve that also. Instead we want to focus on the failures of Abraham, and David so we can excuse our weak, [or wicked], behavior and behavior we excuse, we never change! Don’t get me wrong, I thank God that He saw fit to include those He loved in spite of their failures in scripture, this helps me to press pass my own failures and try again. I just don’t think the Lord wanted us to make them our goal, standard, or excuse!!! [I Cor. 10:1-11, also verse 12 does not stand independently, but refers to the preceding verses, stating that we should not be presumptuous in our living, thinking that because we have done all these things in verses 1-4, that you can do verses 6-10, and still make it in, your “standing” is not that secure].
[Also, I would like to say this, I have tried on numerous occasions to talk to Christians who believe this doctrine regarding these very scriptures, but each time, (except once), I was refused and the these scriptures were not addressed. I was not approaching them to argue, my reasoning was that if I am wrong regarding this doctrine, then I needed to change my stance. Since almost all of them refuse to address these scriptures, I have come to believe that their doctrine is built on the wrong foundation. The one man who was willing to review the scriptures and get back to me, called with repentance saying the word of God is right and he realized I was only concerned for his soul].
Now, we can talk about what we believe, or don’t believe, or what we think, but our opinions matter little if they are not supported by the word of God, so let’s look in the scriptures.
There are so many scriptures that have to be considered when researching this doctrine, so I have divided them into sections. (Also keep in mind that after the book of Acts, the remainder of scripture was written to the “church”, not to sinners. These were letters to the church, telling “us” how to live):
1)The Conditions for Eternal Security – Hebrews 5:9
a)Isaiah 1: 18-20…if you are willing and obedient.
b)John 14: 15, 21…love, obedience, manifestation.
c)John 15: 6-8…His words must abide in you.
d)Romans 2:13/James 1:22…the doers of the word are justified before God, not the hearers.
e)Romans 10: 13-16…once one calls on His name, they have to obey His voice.
f)I Peter 1: 13-17…grace as obedient children, being holy as he is holy. (Would the Lord ask something of us that was impossible for us to do)?
2)Stipulations:
a)Isaiah 59: 1-3…sin separates one from the Lord.
b)Ezekiel 3: 20-21/33: 12-13, 17…even before Christ, the Lord said the righteous does not sinned.
c)Luke 6: 46-49…what are you building on? If you are not doing what the Lord says, then you are building without a foundation.
d)John 15: 1-8…Abide in Him, let His word abide in us…
e)Acts 10: 35…to be accepted by Him, you must work righteousness.
f)Romans chapter 6…shall we continue in sin that grace may increase, God forbid…we should no longer be slaves to sin…Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal bodies…whoever you obey, you are slaves to…(read the whole chapter, in fact, read the whole book of Romans).
g)Romans 8: 1…no condemnation to those who do not walk according to the flesh…
h)Exodus 32: 33/Revelations 3:5…if you do not overcome, your name can be blotted out of the Book of Life.
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Grace, and Peace...
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Originally Posted by The Parson
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