Eternal Security

[Matt714]

What do you think about the "once saved-always saved" doctrine that seems to give license to immorality and a virtual slap on the spiritual wrist? Does Matt7:14 have another meaning? How about the words: strive, contend, lay hold? Do these words portray a "one-shot deal" or do they imply an on-going process...? M't:10:22: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. If we must "endure" it doesn't sound like a pleasant journey, sounds like an on-going walk.

By the way, I'm new here. Just passing through. Greetings in the name of the master, Jesus! The above topic has become quite explosive. I have a link to a brother who addresses this issue in great depth :Evangelical Outreach.org

What are your views...? Visit TheNarrowWay.net

[Guest]

Welcome Matt714,

I am not one who subscribes to the once saved always saved theory. Yet I have found that many who believed such are just as anchored in their convictions as I.

Though I have reasoned this thoroughly with many, only those in person have I had any influence in their persuasion. Those on the net are virtually unmovable.

Three passages of  scriptures I submit for my stance are listed below.

Again, welcome my friend (as one once stated here) to WorthyLand

• Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
  
  2 Peter 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
  
  Rev 22: 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
  

BlindSeeker

[whatsitmean]

Hello Matt714, I have to say I am undecided on this.  Could both views be right, or partly right and partly wrong?  The topic has similarities to the predestination question.  God is sovereign, but He has given sovereignty to man as well.

It seems they belong to the secret things of God.

[JohnS]

William,

    How can you have peace if your salvation is not secure? Is it up to me to keep what God has freely given? This debate always sounds wrong for this very reason-

What do you think about the "once saved-always saved" doctrine that seems to give license to immorality and a virtual slap on the spiritual wrist?

What does Paul say? Me Genoito! It's a love affair with my Redeemer and nothing can separate me from that love.

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

There is no fine print in those verses. How can you be justified and then unjustified?

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

God gave His Son to redeem us, will He give less to keep us? Or did He make a mistake in His choosing?

33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Are Christ's prayers answered?

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. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That covers pretty much everything!

[WISDOM]

Sadly....I believe it is a subject that has been beat to death by Christians.

It has caused more infighting within the Body of CHRIST (not from "outsiders") than any other subject I've ever discussed...

My thoughts?  All judgement belongs to CHRIST.  If someone isn't HIS (John 10:25-30), HE knows and accountability to HIM by that individual will be made in due time.

[angels4u]

I serve a God who is able to keep me until the end and who keeps His promises.

What could would it do if you can lose your Salvation? You will never have real peace, if you are born again you WANT to live a life pleasing to God, because of all He did for you.

For the ones who believe you can lose your Salvation, when do you lose it?

My sins are forgiven and when I sin I ask God to forgive me and He will.

If you think you can keep sinning examine your self to see if you are really born again. If you love the Lord, you will not like to sin.

Love in Christ, Angels and I rest in Jesus saving work for me, He died on the cross so I can go to heaven  and I will see Him soon?

(by the way this world is going...)

For He that is in me is greater then He who is in the world,Amen

[Adstar]

Hello All

From what I have read eternal security means

[OneAccord]

Hello Matt714, I have to say I am undecided on this.

[Guest]

William,

[wordsower]

I know if you entrust your whole life to Jesus, believe that He is the Son of God ask Him to come into your life He will do whatever necessary from that point on to keep you from the evil one.  John 10 tells us that His sheep know His voice and no other will they follow and He is able to keep us from being snatched away.  The point is letting go of pride and anything else that separates us from the fact that He alone is able to save us.  When we feel we can do something about our salvation we lose sight of Jesus and our focus turns to ourselves.  I know since being saved I can not do what I used to do, I am a new creature, far from perfect, but growing everyday.  My husband, on the other hand, got "saved" the same time I did and while I'm not judging him, I see little change or conviction of anything in his life.  At this point he follows the world for the most part.  Jesus is able to keep him if that is what he truly desires, but I see a definate lack of submission there.  Maybe the parable of the soils applies in his case of hearing and the world taking the seed away.  We are hearers and then doers of the world by the power of the Holy Spirit in us, not our own fortitude, but we have to be willing to humble ourselves before God and let Him use us.  If we are truly committed to Christ I don't see any way we can lose our salvation.  It's just like a magnetic force pulls us to Him and we can't go anywhere else--we don't WANT to!!

I think there are plenty of people out there who think they are saved and still go about their sinful lives in a false sense of security.  In my own experience, if you're truly saved, you can't go on in your same path, you just can't.