Once saved always saved?

[Jacqueline]

I have a freind who even though her family has money she choose to live on the street. She use to attend my church. Her husband still do. She's on drugs and drinks alot. I've tried to get her to come to church with me, but she won't. She excepted Jesus as Lord and Savior a long time go, but now have lost her way. Is she still saved even though she's living the way that she is?

God Bless

Jacqueline

[Khristeeanos]

It really isn't our place to know if she was saved or not. That is God's territory.

If you are asking if people here believe in OSAS or not, you will certainly get a divided opinion.

As for me, I believe that OSAS is unbiblical because of several reasons:

1. It is not taught in Scripture, but in man's theology books.

2. Nobody intrepreted the Scriptures to mean OSAS until just a few hundred years ago.

3. We should be focusing on living for the Lord and not attempting to make the Bible say we can live abandon the faith and still remain saved.

Some will quote John 10:28 and Romans 8:38-39 and a few other passages, but the entire Bible uses the word "IF" over and over again because there are conditions placed upon our salvation.

It basically boils down to faith.

What is it?

Where does it come from?

Can it later on be rejected?

While God is faithful to His Word, there is still human responsibility.

[Guest LadyC]

what a can of worms this will open up! this has been the subject of many heated debates here. personally, i have to fully agree with everything dimeministries just said, including that it's not our place to judge her heart, because we don't have the ability to see into it.

but in any case, falling back into sin doesn't necessarily mean one has become an unbeliever. to believe or not to believe is a concious choice. has she said she no longer believes that Jesus died for her sins and stated that she wants no part of the gift of salvation? because if she hasn't, then there is no reason to believe that God isn't wooing her back into a full relationship with him, despite whether you can see the results yet or not.

[BobTriez]

I firmly believe in once you're saved, you are always saved. Bear in mind though, are these folks who claim to have been saved really saved, or are they simply looking for some "fire insurance" and then get on with their lifestyles.

Here's my argument - if someone is NOT saved for eternity, consider this -

1.) Where is the basis of salvation placed ? Seems if you can loose it, you've earned it ( by works ) - Nope

2.) So Jesus is a liar when He promised to be with us "even until the very end of the age" - Nope

3.) Jesus died for nothing then - apparently his atonement is insufficient huh ? - Nope

4.) So when a nonbeliever repents & is saved, we'd do best to shoot him right away....wouldn't wanna risk or jeopardize their salvation by "falling away" at some point later in life.....yeah, ok....

5.) Paul said we are "bought at a price"....think Jesus is gonna return His purchase ? - Nope

6.) Isn't the nature of a gift based on the premise that it's FREE ? I've never had someone who loves me ( as Jesus does ) take back a gift....that would mean it's not a gift - God say's it is....I believe Him

7.) Definition..........

Grace

Pronunciation: 'grAs

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin gratia favor, charm, thanks,

from gratus pleasing, grateful; akin to Sanskrit grnAti he praises

1 a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue coming from God c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace

Unmerited, undeserved....guess it comes down to this - God is incapable of lying - so when He promises salvation to all who repent without condition, He means it! How can we loose something that isn't ours to begin with ?

In His Service,

Bob

[Jacqueline]

Actually when we talk about Jesus she says things like he's awesome. He's the only way home ..... She loves him.

God Bless

Jacqueline

[Guest LadyC]

1.) Where is the basis of salvation placed ? Seems if you can loose it, you've earned it ( by works ) - Nope

ACCEPTANCE is the basis of salvation.

2.) So Jesus is a liar when He promised to be with us "even until the very end of the age" - Nope

nope. he gave that promise to those who do not reject Him. did God mean it when He gave us free will? did He strip free will away from us when we became Christians? and did He lie when He said those that once believed and then chose not to have knowledge of Him anymore would be cut off and turned over to their reprobate minds? nope.

3.) Jesus died for nothing then - apparently his atonement is insufficient huh ? - Nope

believing one can willingly reject Christ after accepting Him does not indicate what you stated... not even close.

4.) So when a nonbeliever repents & is saved, we'd do best to shoot him right away....wouldn't wanna risk or jeopardize their salvation by "falling away" at some point later in life.....yeah, ok....

utterly absurd argument there. one can't "fall" out of salvation, one can make a choice to reject it. this isn't something that happens just because one slips and stumbles.

5.) Paul said we are "bought at a price"....think Jesus is gonna return His purchase ? - Nope

when a gift is purchased, that doesn't mean the person who it was purchased for is required to keep it forever. they have a choice whether to keep it or not.

6.) Isn't the nature of a gift based on the premise that it's FREE ? I've never had someone who loves me ( as Jesus does ) take back a gift....that would mean it's not a gift - God say's it is....I believe Him

the gift is STILL free. God doesn't take back the gift, but some individuals throw it away.

7.) Definition..........

Grace

Pronunciation: 'grAs

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin gratia favor, charm, thanks,

from gratus pleasing, grateful; akin to Sanskrit grnAti he praises

1 a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue coming from God c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace

Unmerited, undeserved....guess it comes down to this - God is incapable of lying - so when He promises salvation to all who repent without condition, He means it! How can we loose something that isn't ours to begin with ?

In His Service,

agree totally with that definition. and agree that God is incapable of lying. but since this is guaranteed to get a thousand responses, i'll let someone else post scripture after scripture after scripture that warns believers of what will become of them should they throw their gift away, and then let you explain how believing that we don't have that ability to reject Him after salvation doesn't assume that God is a liar.

as for me, i think i'll just sit back and watch the fireworks.

[Ovedya]

This subject comes up all the time.

I have yet to hear someone argue that the prodigal son at any time ceased being the genetic son of his father because he chose to squander his inheritance in the world.

[jamie]

Sorry couldn't resist!

Paul says

[Guest be_real]

I am sure this has somewhat been answered here, but I am still confused.

My Dad was the strongest christian I knew. He went on several missions trips and was known to go up to a stanger and pray for them because he felt the urge to pray for them.

Now he lives in a world of sin. He left my mom and us kids, he drinks more often, not quite alcoholic level though. He is already dating someone else when he is still legally married. He always states that he knows he's going to hell at this rate, and that it is too late to live right even if he wanted too.

Is he still saved? I don't think so. What went wrong?

I am not a christian either, some of you already know this though. Anyway, isn't there a way I can let him know that he still needs to be a Dad, and that he doesn't need to go to church and all that stuff?

[Ovedya]

Sorry couldn't resist!

Paul says