Once saved, always saved?

[BibleGirl02]

Is once saved, always saved, also known as eternal security, true or not? I believe it is true.

[slightlypuzzled]

An Admin warning here: please make all following discussion Christian and Biblical. This is a hotly debated topic, and we need to respect our Christian bonds of love and peace...thank you.

I believe it is not. One example is Paul's command in Phil. 2

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out[c] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

In context, the word 'therefore' ties this paragraph back to the preceding discussion, which had to do with humility and serving others, Paul then talks of 'fear and trembling' (reverence), obedience, helping others etc. We do this because God is still working in us to achieve His purpose. For Paul, salvation has that 'still in progress' side that starts with the finished work of Christ, and works it's way into our lives to make us shine with God's glory...

[BibleGirl02]

Personally, I do believe in once saved always saved. My belief is based upon these passages from Scripture and some others:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
(1 Peter 1:3-5 TNIV)

I see how it says an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade and believe that this means that we can never lose our inheritance of salvation.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
(John 10:27-29 TNIV)

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
(Ephesians 4:30 TNIV)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38-39 TNIV)

I believe that all of these verses testify to the fact that we cannot lose our salvation.

[BibleGirl02]

Also, here are some good links that answer the question about once saved always saved:

http://www.gotquestions.org/once-sav...ays-saved.html

http://www.gotquestions.org/Christia...salvation.html

http://www.gotquestions.org/eternal-security.html

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-t006.html

God Bless,
BibleGirl02

[andrew_no_one]

This is a hotly debated topic with intellectual arguments from both sides. With words, men “prove” their cause to themselves and others and I fear that the truth may be cast aside. Hopefully, we can move from stating “What I think:” and asking “What do you think?” and instead search out, seek and find out what our Lord has said. May we prayerfully examine the words of Jesus below?

John 15:1-6
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

[Jake]

Personally, I do believe in once saved always saved. My belief is based upon these passages from Scripture and some others:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
(1 Peter 1:3-5 TNIV)

This scripture is talking about the inheritance never perishing, it's not speaking of salvation.

[BibleGirl02]

This scripture is talking about the inheritance never perishing, it's not speaking of salvation.

I'm sorry but I will have to respectfully disagree.

[Amos_with_goats]

I think the discussion is the result of a misunderstanding of time.... and a man-centered focus.

There IS an accountability to abide in Christ (see Post #5) and there IS nothing able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ. (Romans).

The reason I am not a fan of this type of 'man made' division is that both sides seem
to want to heap up scripture, and pit them against each other...

The Lord is not of two minds, and the only right doctrine is one that aligns with ALL of His Word.

Maybe what would be more productive would be for each side to simply list the scripture they do not agree with.

[amazzin]

I'm sorry but I will have to respectfully disagree.

Admin note:

This type of response does not promote discussions. Please use supporting scripture to support your beliefs or else refrain from such comments

[notuptome]

I'm wondering...what part of redemptions plan did Jesus fail to finish? My bible says that Jesus said it is finished not I am finished. What part did Jesus leave undone? Did God give us a gift that is incomplete?

Now did Paul write to the Ephesians that we are saved by grace through faith and not of works only to correct himself when he wrote to the Phillippians that they must work out their salvation? Or must the work out phrase in Philippians be seen in the same context as James where he teaches that faith without works is a dead faith?

It seems a general observation that how a person is saved determines if they believe they can lose their salvation or not. I say this because my salvation experience was such that I cannot doubt the Christ made me a new creature and the old man passed away behold all things are new. 2 Cor 5:17 My salvation was an event while my sanctification is a continuing process. New life in Christ now working out in the body of flesh till this body of flesh be remade like His glorified body. Even so come quickly Lord Jesus.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

[Nyamache Josh]

This is not true. From what i know once you are saved you need to maintain your faith by reading the word of God and be persistent in prayers. When you are saved you receive the Holy Spirit of God, if you misuse the powers you are no longer a disciple in Christ.

[Treasured]

I have been saved by faith...that faith being a gift from God, the Author and Perfector of my faith. He has adopted me as His child...and He thought to do so from before the foundations of the earth...and He is not inclined to 'change His mind'. He has placed the seal of His Holy Spirit upon me, marking me as His own. Paul exhorted the Galatians not to fall into works to 'retain' their standing before God...but rather to remain in Him through the faith that He had bestowed upon them. Having begun in the Spirit, he urged them to remain, by faith, in the Spirit...dearly beloved adopted children and chosen of God.

I love because He first loved me...and yes that love will draw me to pray in communion with my Abba Father and will draw me to work out my salvation however I am led to do so...bringing all aspects of my life into alignment with His perfect will, into alignment with His plans and purposes for me which are all good...He is my good Shepherd and as His sheep I know His voice and I willingly follow Him. I am increasingly Spirit-led as I learn to love and trust Him and to recognise His beloved voice. Spirit-led 'works' that bring glory and blessing to the One we love are worlds apart however from flesh-led works that struggle and strive to 'earn' a place in heaven.

God is my Father...not my Judge...and so it's not about my performance...it's about our love-filled, love-inspired relationship.

The story of the prodigal son tells us that the son 'came to his senses' and returned to his father...I can't help wondering how anyone can run away from a loving heavenly Father, who is not in some way 'out of their senses'...in which case I believe that the grace of God covers a multitude of sins including but not limited to 'senselessness'...

[Withoutfcf]

When you speak of once saved always saved...Meaning we have excepted Christ and nothing we do can make us Not go to Heaven?
IF so Then..

This is wrong...Mainly because You are just using Jesus as a whipping boy...or getting a "License to sin"..Using Jesus as an excuse to do whatever you want.
Jesus died to set us free from sin..not so we can sin and still get to go to heaven.

Now if this is not what you mean't then please clarify.

Oh but if you follow God but Slip up some times (as everyone does) it still requires repentance as when you were first saved...But If you are truly repentful in your heart then you are forgiven...But you're not truly repentful if you do it constantly and have no regrets..so you say 3 magic words to make it all better -.-

[glad4mercy]

This is wrong...Mainly because You are just using Jesus as a whipping boy...or getting a "License to sin"..Using Jesus as an excuse to do whatever you want.
Jesus died to set us free from sin..not so we can sin and still get to go to heaven.

By "once saved always saved", do you mean the teaching of eternal security. I am not entirely convinced of the teaching that one can never lose their salvation, but the teaching of "eternal security" or the preservation of the saints is not a license to sin. I know of many christians who, from what I can see are loving, fruitful, obedient Christians who believe in eternal security. Eternal Security teaches that our salvation is not dependant on us, it is dependant on the faithfulness of God's promise. If our salvation or our perserverance depends on how well we "perform", that is extremely shaky ground. We need to be kept by the power of God, through faith.

I think that when we base our salvation on how faithful we are to pray, read the Bible, go to church, be fruitful in good works, etc., we fall into a works salvation trap. We need to do these things to grow and abide in Christ, but at the same time we realize that these things in themselves do not save us, it is the blood of Christ and His Resurrection that saves us, through faith. When we fall into a works salvation, either for initial salvation or to continue in salvation, we are in danger of two snares. One is putting too much confidence in our own flesh, the other is boasting. We need to constantly remember that we are saved by Grace through faith, not by works. We are also kept by faith through the power of God, not our own strength.

At the same time our works demonstrate that we are saved. A good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit. Secondly, we need to abide in Christ, for there is always a danger of drifting away. Thirdly, we need to be careful to maintain faith and good works of love. These things we do in the motive of love not fear of falling. As long as we continue in faith, we are secure in Christ, who upholds us with His right hand.

[ReigningKing]

I believe that if you sincerely ask Christ into your heart, and believe that He is the Son of God, and that He is the ONLY way to Heaven, then you are saved. No exceptions. No "good works" can get you into Heaven, and it is by His grace and mercy that we are saved. Works are to show that we are saved, and to show our freedom in Christ.

So, yes. If you are saved, you are saved, and you can't lose it.