HOW SUCH DOCTRINES SHOULD BE APPROACHED
Biblical truths are verified throughout the books of the Bible and therefore one must consider the entirety of the word of God to understand His truth. God makes this concept clear.
Isaiah 28:13, “But the word of the LORD was to them, ‘Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little,’ That they might go and fall backward, and be broken and snared and caught.” (NKJV)
People who do not have God's blessings and calling will not find the truth easily and can fall away. Doctrines must be based on a complete view of scripture to avoid any misunderstandings. We will survey a number of portions of the word of God on a “true or false” basis to answer the question, “Once saved always saved?” Is it true or false?
1 Corinthians 9:26-27, “I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.”
“ALWAYS SAVED” IS FALSE… THE KJV USES “CASTAWAY"
Galatians 3:3-4, “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain –– if indeed it was in vain?”
ONCE AGAIN, IT IS PROVEN FALSE
If Paul's work can be in vain then they could possibly lose salvation. Paul is concerned that his evangelistic efforts in Galatia may be in vain because the over regulation- save yourself party's infiltration is leading many astray, possibly costing them salvation.
Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
“ALWAYS SAVED” IS CLEARLY UNBIBLICAL
Again, Paul –– the founder of those churches –– is warning that if they do not stand fast many will be lost. These converts will lose salvation if they don't stand fast!
Hebrews 10:26-27, “For if we do evil on purpose after we have had the knowledge of what is true, there is no more offering for sins, 27 But only a great fear of being judged, and of the fire of wrath which will be the destruction of the haters of God.”
THE SAVED CAN FALL AWAY INTO EVIL
Thisis referred to as the unpardonable sin which again proves that “once saved always saved” is a false concept. Paul warns that some actions and sins can undo our salvation and we need a healthy fear of such matters.
2 Peter 1:10, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;”
AGAIN, THIS VERSE IS CLEAR –– “ALWAYS SAVED” IS FALSE
2 Peter 2:20-22, “For if, after they have escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.’”
CLEARLY IT IS FALSE –– WE CAN BACKSLIDE
One has to admit that we true believers face the danger of BEING turned away from God. We must persevere! God's adversary wants to seduce us back into the deceived world of sin.
2 Peter 3:16-17, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;”
WE CAN BE LED AWAY AND FALL
2 John 1:7-8, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an Antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.”
“ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED” IS FALSE.
The apostle John is saying look to yourselves –– it is your responsibility to not let yourself be deceived or seduced. If you NEGLECT this responsibility, then you can lose all of your past efforts and not get the reward.
1 John 2:27-28, “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
ONE MAY CHOOSE NOT TO ABIDE
You will note that God will help us to abide in Him but it is still possible to NOT abide in Him.
WE ARE SECURE IN CHRIST IF WE PERSEVERE, AND GOD WILL HELP US
True believers can trust that Jesus will help us to persevere until salvation. We are secure in Christ –– believe it and feel safe!
1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Jesus is on our side. He will keep us from facing more than we can handle, however the only one that can sink our ship is us. Do not allow yourself to be seduced to the dark side. Avoid wicked influences and stay safe.
1 John 5:11-14, “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him… He hears us.”
Have complete trust in Christ and persevere until the end. We are guaranteed salvation.
Jude 1:24-25, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”
God is with us and we win in the end. Trust Jesus, and not self, for victory!
