Posted on 03/07/2012 2:33:29 PM PST by pastorbillrandles
It’s not “everlasting” if you can lose it.
We haven’t “been perfected forever” if we can become imperfect.
Paul said “Nothing in Life and nothing in death....can separate us from the love of God.”
Jesus said I will not drive them from me. And the Prophet Joel, said we would never leave.
exactly, you can choose to reject the gift of salvation, a lot of folks dont get that...
In other words, a true believer, someone who put their trust in Jesus, doesn't need to be scared that someday they will lose their faith. It can't happen.
Scripture also talks about a carnal christian whose works are burned yet he is saved though as a man running from a house on fire.
Once you've been adopted by the Father, he doesn't disown you. You can choose the gift of chastisement if you are disobedient. But there is no divorce court that you can disown your heavenly father once you have claimed His promise to you.
He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it.
Once you've been adopted by the Father, he doesn't disown you. You can choose the gift of chastisement if you are disobedient. But there is no divorce court that you can disown your heavenly father once you have claimed His promise to you.
He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it.
Perhaps we can say that that is the mark of a true believer, they will never stop believing in Him. The worst problem we have these days is people falsely converted, and given false assurance by an inadequate preaching of the gospel. That is the reason for teachings such as mine on John 3. Thanks for the comments
I agree with DannyTN on this matter...and perhaps go beyond what he agrees with on the matter you addressed. Jesus clearly sets out (John 6), if you are in God’s crosshairs, you cannot resist His rescue of your soul. Nor will you want to.
And, if we are rescued “forever”, this must mean “forever”. Those leaving were never born from above, but were “wanna bes” unknown to Jesus.
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For 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.?????
is this insinuating that a person can stop believing?
Is this insinuating that a person can believe, receive Christ’s spirit by faith and salvation along with that, and at some later date, stop believing?
If a Person receives Christ’s spirit by faith, and they stop believing, do they lose Christ’s spirit?
Please defend your answer with Scripture
I agree with that. I grew up in a church that constantly preached grace. And when I was about 20 this 70 year old woman stood up and said "I get it now". This woman had been in the church as long as I can remember, and was a hard worker in the church. I think she had been there at least 50 years. She sat through the same sermons I sat through, but somehow it just didn't sink in that it was grace not works. I'm glad it finally got through to her.
If that can happen in a church that constantly preaches grace, how much more does it happen in churches that either through traditions or through fads, or simply unfocused preaching does not dwell on grace.
That is referring to how your life will end up - worse than you started. It does not suggest in any way that one can become unsaved.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.(Hebrews 6:4-6)
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.(Hebrews 10:24-27)
remember though, we are Kept by the power of God, not our faith or works
we are SEALED until our redemption
It looks like your article claims that a man can lose his salvation
Is that one of your points?
Thanks Race. There is not a hint of works salvation in my article,is there? Because certainly I do not believe we can be saved or kept by anything but the power and grace of God. Salvation is His all the way through.
As for “losing” salvation, no, I don’t believe one can “lose salvation” as they lose keys or lose anything valuable.
But I do believe that there is a real warning of apostasy in scripture, that is real people, who start out with faith in the gospel, but who reject faith for whatever reason. Else why the warnings in Hebrews 6 qnd 10?
Perhpas the greaest problem in our day is that many are not even saved and yet led to think they are. Jesus wanred us this would be the case. All I am seeking to do in this series is underscore he true nature of saving faith. Thanks for your comments, Race.
Ten virgins had oil and their lamps burning. Five made sure they didn’t run out of oil. Five didn’t ‘endure to the end’.
The seven churches in Rev; ALL are told: He that overcometh.
The little word ‘if’ is all over the epistles.
The ‘saved, regardless of faithfulness’ attitude is why divorce is rampant among people claiming Christianity. And most of the mainstream denominations now have nearly empty churches on Sunday morning. At least around these parts.
God is faithful and keeps his promises; man chooses to be faithful, but does reverse his decision and walk away from God. (like Demas)
And Jesus used the term “Born Again” to make it crystal clear... you cannot be un-born.
I think there are two questions inherent in your post:
Is everyone who thinks they are saved, saved? Or can some be wrong and/or delude themselves?
Does everyone who believes always believe or do some later reject this belief?
There are obvious answers to these questions and your scriptural references and others deal with them as well.
Romans 11:20,21 "Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either."
John 15:6 "If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."
Remaining in Christ is by faith, demonstrated by bearing fruit of the Spirit, especially love (chief of the three that remain of faith, hope, love).
Keep in mind that while nothing in all creation will separate us from the love of Christ, remember that God is not created and therefore outside the scope of Romans 8:38,39. He retains the right to not spare whichever branches He determines are unbelieving. Thus Paul's admonishment "do not be arrogant but be afraid".
If we continue with the same attitude as Christ (Phil 2:5) remaining humble, we will work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
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