Posted on 09/09/2012 3:08:47 PM PDT by CHRISTIAN DIARIST
A recent sermon by Pastor David Jeremiah has been weighing heavily upon my mind.
He recounted the true-life story of contemporaries William Franklin Graham and Charles Templeton, up and coming young evangelists who began their ministries during the 1940s.
Most thought Templeton, rather than Graham, would achieve greater things in the name of the Lord.
But, in fact, the former fell away from his Christian faith – actually declaring himself atheist – while the great Billy Graham remained a good and faithful servant of the Most High.
Pastor Jeremiah shared the story of Graham and Templeton to remind his congregation (as well as those of us watching on TV or listening on radio) that, as Christ followers, “we are expected to run with endurance the race that has been set before us.”
Yet, in his next breath, the pastor said that, while Templeton did not finish the race he started, he still has a place in God’s kingdom.
Because, said Pastor Jeremiah, it mattered not that Templeton renounced the Christian faith he espoused as a young evangelist, nor that he went to his grave an atheist, since he one time gave his life to the Lord, he’s secure for all eternity.
That is the doctrine preached in many, if not most Christian churches, with which I have the most difficulty:
Once saved, always saved.
No matter how it is preached, or by whom it is preached – including Pastor Jeremiah, whom I greatly admire – I am unable to accept it.
For why would the Apostle Paul encourage us to run with endurance the race set before us if simply answering an altar call one Sunday gives us a lifetime Get Out Of Hell Free card?
And speaking of the Apostle Paul, suppose his life story was reversed. Suppose he spent the first part of his adult life preaching Christ’s salvation, but the second part persecuting Christians.
Would he be today in Paradise?
I think not.
“For it is impossible,” the Scripture warns, “for those who were once enlightened and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again unto repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”
The takeaway from that Scripture is that it is not enough to give our lives to Christ for a season, then fall away from our faith. We do not have a free pass to sin as it pleases us. We are expected to abide in Christ, as He abides in us; to live our lives according to his Word.
So those of us who believe ourselves saved should not be deceived. The Scripture warns, “Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Those who abide in such sins will spend eternity separated from their Creator. Even if they were one-time Christ followers, like Charles Templeton.
yes, when you are saved, you are saved until you die. the Bible clearly states that even the saved will be judged after death.. So if there is a judgement for saved peeps, that means there was wrong doing. No wrong doing means no judgement
Are you actually touting reincarnation as a Christian tenet?
To say that he chose him for the purpose of fulfilling God's will is the most extreme example of "limited atonement" for "the elect."
Didn’t Judas throw the 30 pieces of silver back at those that paid him and then went and hung himself (and had help—wasn’t he “gutted”?) Sure sounds like he regretted what he had done and asked forgiveness.
Matthew 27: 3-6
and, not to pick nits, but when you say “ALL disciples performed miracles”, I’m certain you meant God performed miracles through His disciples.
Is that Scriptural? Did Jesus say that?
It DOES mean that if you are truly saved, you will never fall away.
So those who "fall away" although they "were once enlightened and ... partakers of the Holy Spirit" were not truly saved?
Jesus knew when He called Judas that Judas would betray Him. Jesus knew this before He formed Judas in Judas’ mother’s womb.
I’m just going by what the Bible says, what God tell us. Judas was not saved. Yes, Jesus chose him and Judas also made his choice—that does not mean Judas was ever saved.
At the last supper Jesus told judas “ this is your hour of shadows”— there is a passage in the bible that only one of his diciples wouldnt see the kingdom of heaven (talkng bout judas) but i cant remember where it was.. Peter also denied jesus 3 times, but jesus forgave him-
No, not in those words. But there are some places that make me think that. Acts 1 starting at verse 15 is one.
I should not have spoken on this thread (my mistake). There is not enough time to argue back and forth with all that will come argue. I have too much work to do this evening. Sorry!
This is the most egregious misapplication of scripture I can think of and it's just completely wrong.
First of all people who believe you can lose your salvation have to believe God's promise to keep them is a lie. John 3:16 has to be false. You do not "jeopardize salvation," if you could Jesus never had to die for ALL sin. It is immature and such undeveloped, deceptive thought to think scripture teaches you could lose salvation. Salvation is only God's to give, not anyone's to control at will. And frankly, quite arrogant to think one can give up, or lose salvation God has promised you.
What I think many of us Christians might not grasp is what HEAVEN is really like. Will there never be strife or struggle? I would like to hear the angels answer to this.
This.
What boggles my mind is, why is it that people who profess faith in Jesus are interested in knowing just how close to the cliff's edge they can walk without falling off?
As I mentioned in an earlier post, salvation is just the beginning of the Christian life, not the end. You engage in that daily walk, you pray without ceasing, you interact with the Lord Jesus at every opportunity. As you learn that He answers your prayers, you will learn more and more to trust him. Continue to do this, and you will find yourself in a ministry of one kind or another. You will have people to help, and battles to fight.
Yes, you could potentially binge on sin at this point... but if you do so, it will be with the knowledge that it's not just wrong, but hurtful. You will have abandoned your post, let down both your Lord and the people depending on you. That [insert your favorite sin here] kind of loses its luster under those circumstances... and even if you do fall, you won't be able to sustain it. The pleasure of it turns to ashes, and you will want to repent.
Oh, and that's another thing a lot of Christians get wrong... repentance isn't a one-time thing. It's a daily thing. Metanoia, the "changing of the mind" as the Holy Spirit works on you, doesn't stop this side of Heaven.
In the middle of such a walk, why need anyone be concerned about "once saved, always saved"? Know your Lord and trust Him, and it becomes a peripheral concern.
Was Judas predestined to betray Jesus and in so doing go to Hell? What choice did he have?
The account of Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8 is sufficient to disprove OSAS.
Regardless of the answer to this question we have to believe that, if we were to have the same wisdom, the same perspective, and the same perfect mercy and justice that the Lord has, we would agree with His explanation.
Many of the world’ greatest monsters may have been saved at one point in their lives.
“Judas was never saved from the start”
And you know this how?
Personal Divine Revelation?
Lurking’
No.
What choice did he have?
The exact same choice we all have - just say no to sin.
Lurking’
Would be very interested in seeing a reference for that.
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