Do You Believe in "Once Saved, Always Saved"

[zecha51]

Believers MESS UP and MESS UP BAD. It has nothing to do with them losing salvation. Salvation cannot be lost once you truly have it.

"I believe that anyone that deliberately turns his/her back on God, after having been saved, and chooses to live his/her life in sin is no longer saved. Being saved once doesn

[exrockstar]

Believers MESS UP and MESS UP BAD. It has nothing to do with them losing salvation. Salvation cannot be lost once you truly have it.

"I believe that anyone that deliberately turns his/her back on God, after having been saved, and chooses to live his/her life in sin is no longer saved. Being saved once doesn

[EricH]

Everything you said is correct, but you have to look at both sides of the coin. When we are doing our best to live Christianity then everything that you said comes into effect, but when I choose to keep sin in my life not wanting to repent or if I turn my back and follow Christ no more then I will lose all of the promises he promised IF we continue.

every thing you are saying is dependant on SELF.

I believe that it is grace. Salvation is not dependant on me but rather God giving it to me

by believing in what Christ did on the cross.

If one believes salvation requires on how you personally act or behave then you are basing

salvation on yourself.

true......sorry

Exrockstar,

Our salvation is BY the grace of God ACCORDING to our faith, but you are stopping right there. Christianity is much more than that. Look at this scripture that is constantly brought and is almost always ignored -

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

This scripture helps back up that it takes more than faith to get into heaven. We also have to do the will of God and this is the will of God -

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

When we present our bodies a living sacrifice and are not conformed to this world we are doing the will of God. To do the opposite of these things is sin.

Doing these things is not basing salvation on myself nor depending of myself. It is doing the will of God like we are commanded to. Since the dawn of time man has been commanded to do the will of God. Not doing the will of God is sin and sin is what keeps us out of heaven. As we live on this earth, even after we have been saved, we are commanded to still keep the commandments of God or we live in sin and those sins will keep us out of heaven if we don't repent of them.

Doing the will of God is keeping the commandments of the New Testament that Christ gave us and that is why in Matt. 7:21 it states that those who do the will of will be the ones who make it into heaven.

Here is another scripture -

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

This says a worshipper AND a DOES his will. You see, along with faith and grace we are also requires to do the sill of God. When we do the will of God we are NOT relying on ourselves, depending on ourselves, nor personally trying to do anything of my own will.

I.e. - Ephesians 5:3-5 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

When I read these scriptures I can see that these are some of the sins that will keep us out of heaven. If we abstain and/or repent from them we are doing the will of God. Not my will nor my way, but the will of God. I do this because I have faith in my God that he will help me to overcome these sins. This is the work that he does in us, when we abstain and/or repent of these sins he is there for us and will never leave us nor forsake us when we are doing his will.

When we are saved by grace it is not automatic and now I have nothing to worry about because I have faith in Christ. Everything that God has provided us is by his grace - being born again, prayer, forgiveness, heaven, etc. Everything that God is is offering is from his grace and we have access to it all through our faith. For by grace you are saved through faith.

People stop right there and figure that all we need is faith and grace to be saved and anything else is trying to get to heave our own way. That is wrong. I am trying to point out that there is more than that required from us. We also have to do his will.

Even the book of James tried to explain that when he wrote, "Faith without works is dead", "By works a man is justified, and not by faith only". The works they are talking about here are not my own works. These works are the things I do in obeying the will of God. I.e. when the bible says to lie no more and I comply not do I do the will of God, but this is what is considered a "work".

Now, we know that "works" alone won't save us just as "faith" alone won't save us. We are not saved by works. They define and solidify our faith. Our obedience to the gospel of Christ is the will of God. Through our faith we believe it and obey it. Through the grace of God he has given us a way to repent of our sins and be clean of them. With all of these combined we are allowed to obtain heaven. It doesn't rely on just one or two of these, it takes all of them.

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Eric

What would be really interesting in this discussion is rather than people simply supply their list of scriptures that back their position (which both sides can do), have an honest interaction with the passages that give your position the most trouble.

Eric, what causes so many different interpretations of the same gospel is when positions are based and backed by only some of the scriptures. It's like trying to bake a cake with just flour and water.

I don't disagree with faith and grace. I believe, by way of scripture, that our obedience is also required for salvation and we can lose our salvation through our lack of or refusal to obedience to the gospel or just plain walking away from God.

So you believe in faith and obedience for salvation?

[exrockstar]

cardcaptor, i am reading your scriptures and the main point is that YOU ARE EXPECTED TO CHANGE.

it is "transformation of the mind."

"Shall we continue in sin? GOD FORBID!" Romans 6:1

Salvation is a position. It is a seal. Ephesians 1:13

this is not a seal like a zip-lock bag. this is a seal like the ways the kings used to mark their property.

That is why Paul says "child of God" "children of God." It is an analogy because it is something you cannot undo. You cannot tell your biological mother "hey i dont want you to be my mother anymore." The analogy is perfect yet people preach salvation like it is a club and your membership can be revoked. or you can call you gym club and cancel your membership. lol that always kills me. If you can tell God that you dont want your salvation then He is not in control of the relationship. The Holy Spirit would of not said "child" as a reference to those that are children of Him. He would have said "we're all friends and associates of God"....like the way he did Judas.

Again "shall we continue in sin? God forbid."

I believe its in 2 Cor where this church member had sexual relations with his step-mother and Paul told the church to not let

him come to church til he repents and shapes up. Paul didnt say anything about him losing salvation. So while everyone is

using works to justify salvation then that is cancelling grace. Romans 11:16

[EricH]

Everything you said is correct, but you have to look at both sides of the coin. When we are doing our best to live Christianity then everything that you said comes into effect, but when I choose to keep sin in my life not wanting to repent or if I turn my back and follow Christ no more then I will lose all of the promises he promised IF we continue.

every thing you are saying is dependant on SELF.

I believe that it is grace. Salvation is not dependant on me but rather God giving it to me

by believing in what Christ did on the cross.

If one believes salvation requires on how you personally act or behave then you are basing

salvation on yourself.

true......sorry

Exrockstar,

Our salvation is BY the grace of God ACCORDING to our faith, but you are stopping right there. Christianity is much more than that. Look at this scripture that is constantly brought and is almost always ignored -

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

This scripture helps back up that it takes more than faith to get into heaven. We also have to do the will of God and this is the will of God -

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

When we present our bodies a living sacrifice and are not conformed to this world we are doing the will of God. To do the opposite of these things is sin.

Doing these things is not basing salvation on myself nor depending of myself. It is doing the will of God like we are commanded to. Since the dawn of time man has been commanded to do the will of God. Not doing the will of God is sin and sin is what keeps us out of heaven. As we live on this earth, even after we have been saved, we are commanded to still keep the commandments of God or we live in sin and those sins will keep us out of heaven if we don't repent of them.

Doing the will of God is keeping the commandments of the New Testament that Christ gave us and that is why in Matt. 7:21 it states that those who do the will of will be the ones who make it into heaven.

Here is another scripture -

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

This says a worshipper AND a DOES his will. You see, along with faith and grace we are also requires to do the sill of God. When we do the will of God we are NOT relying on ourselves, depending on ourselves, nor personally trying to do anything of my own will.

I.e. - Ephesians 5:3-5 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

When I read these scriptures I can see that these are some of the sins that will keep us out of heaven. If we abstain and/or repent from them we are doing the will of God. Not my will nor my way, but the will of God. I do this because I have faith in my God that he will help me to overcome these sins. This is the work that he does in us, when we abstain and/or repent of these sins he is there for us and will never leave us nor forsake us when we are doing his will.

When we are saved by grace it is not automatic and now I have nothing to worry about because I have faith in Christ. Everything that God has provided us is by his grace - being born again, prayer, forgiveness, heaven, etc. Everything that God is is offering is from his grace and we have access to it all through our faith. For by grace you are saved through faith.

People stop right there and figure that all we need is faith and grace to be saved and anything else is trying to get to heave our own way. That is wrong. I am trying to point out that there is more than that required from us. We also have to do his will.

Even the book of James tried to explain that when he wrote, "Faith without works is dead", "By works a man is justified, and not by faith only". The works they are talking about here are not my own works. These works are the things I do in obeying the will of God. I.e. when the bible says to lie no more and I comply not do I do the will of God, but this is what is considered a "work".

Now, we know that "works" alone won't save us just as "faith" alone won't save us. We are not saved by works. They define and solidify our faith. Our obedience to the gospel of Christ is the will of God. Through our faith we believe it and obey it. Through the grace of God he has given us a way to repent of our sins and be clean of them. With all of these combined we are allowed to obtain heaven. It doesn't rely on just one or two of these, it takes all of them.

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Eric

What would be really interesting in this discussion is rather than people simply supply their list of scriptures that back their position (which both sides can do), have an honest interaction with the passages that give your position the most trouble.

Eric, what causes so many different interpretations of the same gospel is when positions are based and backed by only some of the scriptures. It's like trying to bake a cake with just flour and water.

I don't disagree with faith and grace. I believe, by way of scripture, that our obedience is also required for salvation and we can lose our salvation through our lack of or refusal to obedience to the gospel or just plain walking away from God.

So you believe in faith and obedience for salvation?

Yes, because that is what the scriptures say.

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

We even see here what happens to those who do not obey -

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

So it is the work of Jesus on the cross and our obedience that save a person?

[exrockstar]

cardcaptor, i am reading your scriptures and the main point is that YOU ARE EXPECTED TO CHANGE.

it is "transformation of the mind."

"Shall we continue in sin? GOD FORBID!" Romans 6:1

Salvation is a position. It is a seal. Ephesians 1:13

this is not a seal like a zip-lock bag. this is a seal like the ways the kings used to mark their property.

That is why Paul says "child of God" "children of God." It is an analogy because it is something you cannot undo. You cannot tell your biological mother "hey i dont want you to be my mother anymore." The analogy is perfect yet people preach salvation like it is a club and your membership can be revoked. or you can call you gym club and cancel your membership. lol that always kills me. If you can tell God that you dont want your salvation then He is not in control of the relationship. The Holy Spirit would of not said "child" as a reference to those that are children of Him. He would have said "we're all friends and associates of God"....like the way he did Judas.

Again "shall we continue in sin? God forbid."

I believe its in 2 Cor where this church member had sexual relations with his step-mother and Paul told the church to not let

him come to church til he repents and shapes up. Paul didnt say anything about him losing salvation. So while everyone is

using works to justify salvation then that is cancelling grace. Romans 11:16

It seems your disbelief is that a Christian can't go to hell for lack of repentance. The scriptures say otherwise. Looke at this scripture again -

Ephesians 5:3-5 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Only Christians are called saints today and these scriptures are specifically stating that if I have any of these sins in my life I will not inherit the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Works are not canceling grace. They both have their parts in our salvation. Everything we have available from God is by his grace. The ability to repent form sin and receive forgiveness for our sins is by way of grace, but if I choose not to repent of my sins then God says we will lose what was promised.

Tell me, will a Christian go to heaven when he dies that has been living in fornication most of his Christian walk?

i think the thing is that there is a confusion on what grace is.

you said: "Everything we have available from God is by his grace. "

let me give you the sad part. The only thing God has provided for mankind is Jesus Christ.

That is the only thing that will ever save you.

By default we are all going to hell because no sin can enter the kingdom.

But God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son.... <----that is grace.

Grace is what He is doing for mankind.

Grace is not about YOU.

So all these scriptures that youre posting about sin entering the kingdom is true but remember that you only need

one sin to not make it into the kingdom. If on your last breath on your death bed you have a bad thought then you are going to hell.

But Christ steps up before you in front of God the Father and says "he is with me..." then you are good.

Christ is your mediator and this means that Christ talks on your behalf. All of this is because you believed on what He did on the cross.

In return, Christ will reward you for being a good boy. This is all in 1 Corinthans 3.

Grace is God giving makind the opportunity to have eternal life.

Rewards are something you receive for being "good."

you cant mix the both.

Grace is based on God.

Behavior is based on you.

Salvation sets you up to receive rewards.

[EricH]

When we are born again all of our old sins are washed away, but there are still sins in my life that I don't know that are sin and some will take me awhile to overcome. This is the work spoken of and after we are done there remains a rest for us in heaven.

So Christ's death only paid the penalty for the sins of which you were aware or that you have overcome. The rest are yours to work out or repent of and if you don't, you lose your salvation?

[exrockstar]

According to your theology we can go through life sinning all we want because it doesn't matter because Christ will always intercede for us. That completely takes away from repentance.

according to "my theology" you lose rewards if you continue sinning and dont advance.

repentence keeps you in fellowship. fellowship leads you to advance maturity.

you placed scripture such as:

Ephesians 5:3-5 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

you see we are children of God. To be a "good boy" in your view will give inheritance to the Kingdom but that does not mean you cannot enter.

Inheritance and entering the Kingdom are two different things.

Your parents can die and leave you inheritance of their home but your brother can live with you.

You inherited but your brother lives there but does not own any part of the house.

Same idea with "children of God" and what is God's is yours.

this is all in 1 Cor 3

3:15 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

you may not inherit the Kingdom but you are not prevented from entering.

nice talk but i think you are seeing me as lost (or something).

if you have your mind made up then ok....what else can I say?

reread everything you are typing to me and notice how it all falls on self.

this is a violation of grace.

God bless

[Rhonda Lou]

cardcaptor, i am reading your scriptures and the main point is that YOU ARE EXPECTED TO CHANGE.

it is "transformation of the mind."

"Shall we continue in sin? GOD FORBID!" Romans 6:1

Salvation is a position. It is a seal. Ephesians 1:13

this is not a seal like a zip-lock bag. this is a seal like the ways the kings used to mark their property.

That is why Paul says "child of God" "children of God." It is an analogy because it is something you cannot undo. You cannot tell your biological mother "hey i dont want you to be my mother anymore." The analogy is perfect yet people preach salvation like it is a club and your membership can be revoked. or you can call you gym club and cancel your membership. lol that always kills me. If you can tell God that you dont want your salvation then He is not in control of the relationship. The Holy Spirit would of not said "child" as a reference to those that are children of Him. He would have said "we're all friends and associates of God"....like the way he did Judas.

Again "shall we continue in sin? God forbid."

I believe its in 2 Cor where this church member had sexual relations with his step-mother and Paul told the church to not let

him come to church til he repents and shapes up. Paul didnt say anything about him losing salvation. So while everyone is

using works to justify salvation then that is cancelling grace. Romans 11:16

It seems your disbelief is that a Christian can't go to hell for lack of repentance. The scriptures say otherwise. Looke at this scripture again -

Ephesians 5:3-5 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Only Christians are called saints today and these scriptures are specifically stating that if I have any of these sins in my life I will not inherit the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Works are not canceling grace. They both have their parts in our salvation. Everything we have available from God is by his grace. The ability to repent form sin and receive forgiveness for our sins is by way of grace, but if I choose not to repent of my sins then God says we will lose what was promised.

Tell me, will a Christian go to heaven when he dies that has been living in fornication most of his Christian walk?

i think the thing is that there is a confusion on what grace is.

you said: "Everything we have available from God is by his grace. "

let me give you the sad part. The only thing God has provided for mankind is Jesus Christ.

That is the only thing that will ever save you.

By default we are all going to hell because no sin can enter the kingdom.

But God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son.... <----that is grace.

Grace is what He is doing for mankind.

Grace is not about YOU.

So all these scriptures that youre posting about sin entering the kingdom is true but remember that you only need

one sin to not make it into the kingdom. If on your last breath on your death bed you have a bad thought then you are going to hell.

But Christ steps up before you in front of God the Father and says "he is with me..." then you are good.

Christ is your mediator and this means that Christ talks on your behalf. All of this is because you believed on what He did on the cross.

In return, Christ will reward you for being a good boy. This is all in 1 Corinthans 3.

Grace is God giving makind the opportunity to have eternal life.

Rewards are something you receive for being "good."

you cant mix the both.

Grace is based on God.

Behavior is based on you.

Salvation sets you up to receive rewards.

I do not deny what Christ has done for us. What you are denying is the fact that it is up to us to keep ourselves free from sin until death. I have given many scriptures to attest to that but it is like you refuse to believe them. There are thousands of scriptures in the bible that were given to us by God to live our lives by and you have basically built your faith on about five of them and thrown the rest out.

According to your theology we can go through life sinning all we want because it doesn't matter because Christ will always intercede for us. That completely takes away from repentance.

While on that subject, Christ and the Apostles taught repentance every where they went. Without it there is no salvation and repentance is dependent and and based on Mankind.

Scriptures I have given time and again plainly express that no sin will enter into heaven and no-where does it say that at the last minute Christ will come in and intercede for us.

I'm not sure yet how to respond without everything appearing in the quote before it get s to me. I agree that there are passages which sound as though we can lose salvation, many of which are quoted above. There are also many passages which make it sound like we can never lose our salvation once we are saved. In my opinion, the Bible never contradicts itself. God never intended this issue to go both ways. I can't throw away all the "lose salvation" verses, nor can I throw away all of the "eternal security" passages. Rather than quoting verses from both camps, since we all know them from our particular camp, let me state that I disagree with the concept that Jesus saved us, and let us swing to depend on our own power to keep us. I don't think the problem is as much with once saved, always saved, or with losing salvation, as it is with what salvation is.

I believe at the root of the question is the easy believabbility today. I say this because I thought I was saved years before I actually was because I believed I was a sinner, that Jesus died and rose for my sins, and that belief in that meant I was saved. But, I believed I was a sinner because everybody is a sinner. I did not really look at my own sin. I did not realize until I tried that there was absolutely NO WAY I would ever be able to change for the better. It's not just that I had committed sin -- it is that I could not find a way to STOP committing sins. Even if I thought I did something good, there was always a little of me patting myself on the back, or being thrilled if somebody else patted me on the back. Most people I know think they are going to heaven because they are "not bad people". We want power, prestige, praise from people, even to make ourselves feel good -- but there is not one single part of me that truly, truly LOVES another simply because I care more about that person than I do myself. I needed to confess THIS sin of "self", and repent of it, asking forgiveness.

Now, to repent means to change directions -- AND NOT LOOK BACK!! It means to do something else in a new direction. In my case, it meant asking Jesus to save me. People with once saved/always saved or losing salvation, are speaking intrinsically about heaven. But salvation is so much more than that. Romans 6-8 says that we spiritually die, are buried, and rise again with Jesus. He comes into us -- and HE has the power over sin. We are not "on our own", our trust is not just that Jesus "saves us for heaven" it is that He saves us FROM sin; He and the Holy Spirit sanctify us. Christ is IN US -- the hope of glory. Time and time again in the New Testement, it speaks of us being "IN" Christ, and He in us. John 15 says that unless we abide in Him, and He in us, we can do nothing. Here are more passages:

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,[ nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but YOU WERE SANCTIFIED, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and BY THE SPIRIT OF OUR GOD. 17 BUT HE WHO IS JOINED TO THE LORD IS ONE SPIRIT WITH HIM. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 17)

13And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [GOD] BROUGHT TO LIFE TOGETHER WITH [CHRIST], HAVING [FREELY] FORGIVEN US ALL OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, (Colossians 2:13)

23For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH (IN UNION WITH) JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. (Romans 3:23, see also Romans 6:1-11 for how this works)

17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? BUT WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

19 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11:19-20)

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying,

[EricH]

When we are born again all of our old sins are washed away, but there are still sins in my life that I don't know that are sin and some will take me awhile to overcome. This is the work spoken of and after we are done there remains a rest for us in heaven.

So Christ's death only paid the penalty for the sins of which you were aware or that you have overcome. The rest are yours to work out or repent of and if you don't, you lose your salvation?

No!!!! Think about this. When we came into Christianity not everybody knew all of the scriptures. Some barely knew what a sin was. When we were born again ALL of our sins were washed away whether we knew they were sins or not. Now, it is up to us to learn what sin is so that we do not go on committing the same sins that we were forgiven for.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This is a labour that we are commanded to do. I have been around Christianity a long time and I am always learning more of the law and myself. Each time I learn that there is something in my life that is a sin I repent of it and the working out part do sometimes take time, but if I really want to overcome it Christ and the Holy Spirit are there to help me.

Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

We are tempted everyday in our lives with sin, but it is up to us to resist that temptation. If we give into the temptations we could die in our sins.

James 1:12-15 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

The work and labor we do not to give into sin and to change our minds to not desire sin is a labor and a work.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

So, basically, if we give into our sins not wanting to repent of them we will die in our sins.

So if all of our sins were washed away, how does one loose their salvation?