[lurk]

I always love your stuff, brother. But the gospel of John and Romans eliminate the possibility of true believers losing their salvation.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

placemarker

[Jan_Sobieski]

I disagree. This verse is pretty clear about those who do not "continue" in faith...

Romans 11:17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

Additionally, the entire book of Hebrews is written to Messianic Jews who are defecting back to rabbinic Judaism.

[HarleyD]

My understanding from what our good pastor is stating isn't that one can lose their salvation; only that salvation is a one time event and a process until we obtain our full gloried bodies. Being born again (salvation) happens once, but we are constantly being refined by God. This saving sanctification process (trials and witnessing) of believers illustrates to the world the glory of God and reaffirms in our hearts that we belong to Christ.

1st John is a excellent book for:

1) KNOWING (yes, we can know) if we are born again (1st Jn 2:29, 3:9, 4:7, 5:1, 5:4, 5:18)

2) if we are truly born again then how we should walk in this sanctified process which should be evidence in our lives, (1st John 1:7, 1:9, 2:5, 2:6, 2:10, 4:21)

3) and, how we recognize deception within ourselves or others. (1st John 1:6, 1:8, 1:10, 2:4, 2:6, 2:9, 4:20)

Christians can know if they are saved and being sanctified. 1st John tells us how.