Eternal Salvation – From the Perspective of Life

[FreeGrace]

10 minutes ago, Mike Mclees said:

  DeighAnn said: 

I UNDERSTAND eternal salvation.  I UNDERSTAND that for those who follow and obey because THEY have been made a NEW creature, born of the SPIRIT  who follow the commands as Christians, will never perish.

Well spoken Deighann 

Actually, not so well.  Jesus never said this.  What He did say in John 10:28 is this:  "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish".  

Which is quite DIFFERENT than what she said above.  So she doesn't understand.

We know who the "them" are in v.28 because in v.27 Jesus describes the POLICY of what His "sheep" do, which is to hear and follow.  There is nothing in either v.27 or v.28 that makes "hearing and following" criteria for being given eternal life.

So, where do we find a verse that does tell us the criteria for possessing eternal life?

John 5:24 - “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

This is quite unambiguous.  "whoever hears and believes...HAS (possesses) eternal life".  

iow, the MOMENT one believes, they ARE a "believer" and therefore possess eternal life.

So this verse establishes WHEN a person possesses eternal life;  WHEN they believe.

There is nothing about following as a requirement for receiving eternal life.

This is how Paul explained how to receive eternal life:

1 Tim 1:16 - But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

This verse affirms John 5:24.  Believe and receive.  

So, from the MOMENT of saving faith in Christ, before ANY works are done, the believer possesses eternal life and "shall never perish" according to Jesus.

So, any notion of loss of salvation is contradictory to what Jesus taught.

[Mike Mclees]

1 hour ago, FreeGrace said:

Actually, not so well.  Jesus never said this.  What He did say in John 10:28 is this:  "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish".  

Which is quite DIFFERENT than what she said above.  So she doesn't understand.

We know who the "them" are in v.28 because in v.27 Jesus describes the POLICY of what His "sheep" do, which is to hear and follow.  There is nothing in either v.27 or v.28 that makes "hearing and following" criteria for being given eternal life.

So, where do we find a verse that does tell us the criteria for possessing eternal life?

John 5:24 - “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

This is quite unambiguous.  "whoever hears and believes...HAS (possesses) eternal life".  

iow, the MOMENT one believes, they ARE a "believer" and therefore possess eternal life.

So this verse establishes WHEN a person possesses eternal life;  WHEN they believe.

There is nothing about following as a requirement for receiving eternal life.

This is how Paul explained how to receive eternal life:

1 Tim 1:16 - But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

This verse affirms John 5:24.  Believe and receive.  

So, from the MOMENT of saving faith in Christ, before ANY works are done, the believer possesses eternal life and "shall never perish" according to Jesus.

So, any notion of loss of salvation is contradictory to what Jesus taught.

One has all of the promises as long as he believes and remains in it. If any turns back from his faith and belief, will not enter into Heaven. One must confess his sin and repent! You need to repent! 

Edited August 25, 2023 by Mike Mclees

[NConly]

50 minutes ago, Mike Mclees said:

One has all of the promises as long as he believes and remains in it. If any turns back from his faith and belief, will not enter into Heaven. One must confess his sin and repent! You need to repent! 

Matthew 7:21-23 - "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

[Mike Mclees]

1st Peter 5:8 

Brother and sisters, Be Sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

There are many false teachers in Christianity in these last days. Don't be a victim.

[farouk]

On 8/24/2023 at 12:43 AM, Vine Abider said:

Thanks. So are you in Christ and is He in you? And if so, was it something you did or did someone else put you there? 

@Vine Abider "He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1.6).

[Vine Abider]

1 hour ago, Mike Mclees said:

One has all of the promises as long as he believes and remains in it. If any turns back from his faith and belief, will not enter into Heaven. One must confess his sin and repent! You need to repent! 

That puts a lot on the believer!  We have a part, but birthing ourselves into the new life isn't really on us (birthed babies are helpless).

[farouk]

5 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

That puts a lot on the believer!  We have a part, but birthing ourselves into the new life isn't really on us (birthed babies are helpless).

@Vine Abider

'Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king" '

[Mike Mclees]

3 minutes ago, farouk said:

@Vine Abider

'Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king" '

Scripture warns of wolves in sheep's clothing. 

[farouk]

2 minutes ago, Mike Mclees said:

Scripture warns of wolves in sheep's clothing. 

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11.3: "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."

[FreeGrace]

2 hours ago, Mike Mclees said:

One has all of the promises as long as he believes and remains in it.

Please provide a verse that unambiguously says that.  Your statement places your own faithfulness and obedience to believe as the ultimate Savior.  Maybe you hadn't thought about it.

2 hours ago, Mike Mclees said:

If any turns back from his faith and belief, will not enter into Heaven.

Again, please provide a verse that unambiguously says that.

2 hours ago, Mike Mclees said:

One must confess his sin and repent! You need to repent! 

What verse says salvation is through confession of sin and repentance?

Thanks.