Posted on 02/20/2017 5:31:52 AM PST by metmom
A common question for many is, “Can I lose my salvation?” I’ve heard both sides of the argument, and only God truly knows a person’s heart, but I can share a few thoughts. The reason there is a debate is because the Scriptures teach that salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned, but they also offer warnings about falling away. There should be a healthy tension between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. This issue should not create a spirit of division, elitism, or theological superiority.
One school of thought suggests that salvation cannot be lost, as in losing your car keys, but that it can be left, as in walking away from it. This may be why Jesus spoke of the man who said in his heart “my master delays His coming; therefore, I will turn from living a godly life”. When the master returned unexpectedly, the servant was banished because he chose to turn from what he knew to be right.
In another passage, Jesus said, “You have left your first love,” when speaking to the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:4). James 5:19-20 adds, if anyone wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, a soul is saved from death. If anything, these Scriptures, and many more, reinforce the fact that we have certain responsibilities.
(Excerpt) Read more at westsidechristianfellowship.org ...
Get thee behind me, Satan!
There are those who willingly and eagerly engage in knock down drag out fights.
Like those folks are going to desire a message of peace and love, a word about building up instead of tearing down?
Going to need a better spokesman. Here, how about this real estate developer.
It’s an amazing thing to watch.
Ah, good point. That’s what I get for being snaky.
Check out Matthew 27:1-9 for a better explanation.
Snarky not snaky
In Jesus’ name?
Completely agree. Like the one you posted, there are an overwhelming number of great, plain texts that say as much, v. a few texts which seemingly say something entirely different, that is until dissected in the proper context upon which they were stated at the time.
I'm sharing what I've come to understand. Maybe it makes no sense to anyone but me. :)
Each one should test their own actions.
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Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. - Gal. 6
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We’ve been here before.
“Believe on the one he has sent” is a specific commandment: Live as he lived, do as he did (i.e. Torah)
Clever posting not included. :o)
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My "religion" consists of what the Holy Spirit has led me to understand via the scriptures and his creation - nothing more, nothing less. I have learned that we don't began to comprehend the love, the power, the forgiveness, or how vast His creation truly is. In fact, few even know how little they don't know, while thinking they know it all.
The best label, IMHO, is that of a believer. The rest of our time would be better spent devoted to studying and sharing His words and living by his example, especially to love one another, something that seems the hardest thing to do of all. :)
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
For which the Greek, from the Byzantine, is:
2Corinthians 1:21-22 ο δε βεβαιων ημας συν υμιν εις χριστον και χρισας ημας θεος ο και σφραγισαμενος ημας και δους τον αρραβωνα του πνευματος εν ταις καρδιαις ημων
The first word in bold above is “bebaion,” the idea of confirmation, frequently used in commercial settings to confirm a bargain. Which of course makes sense of the remaining terms used here, which are also elements of a secured contract.
The second word in bold above is “sphragisamenos,” being sealed is to be marked by the signature, signet ring, or other unique proof of identity, that we belong to God, and this sealing is done by God, who is the one taking action in this verse. We do not and cannot seal ourselves. We do not, by our own powers, have access to God’s “signet ring.”
The third bolded word above is “arrabona,” and indicates what we might loosely refer to as earnest money, but in Hebrew culture conveys more the idea of a pledge of covenant, a security given as a guarantee that the deal will go through, though we only receive part payment at the beginning. See ערב for the related Hebrew stem indicating “pledge.”
Was Judas ever saved in the first place? No, Jesus didn’t cast him out, but is there any indication that Judas ever really belonged to Jesus in a saving faith kind of way, as opposed to Judas being an opportunist and trying to ride on the coattails and hopefully getting an in in the kingdom.
Just because Jesus chose him to fulfill prophecy doesn’t mean he was saved.
God can and will use unbelievers if needed. He’s done it before and can do it again.
The problem is, the enemy can perform signs and wonders.
Signs and wonders are not in indicator of someone’s salvation.
How could the born of the Spirit, new creation person not believe any longer?
But they claim to have cast out demons and performed miracles in Jesus’ name. And, as Jesus said, “How can Satan cast out Satan?” (Mark 3:23)
Well, since walking down front as a kid is not the Scriptural basis for salvation, then if you denied Christ and joined ISIS, then you never were saved no matter if you wore out the nap on the rug.
Wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Scripture provides us with plenty of warnings against those who claim to be from God but aren’t.
And they may be from the enemy anyway. What better way to lead those astray who are seeking than present a reasonable facsimile of the real thing?
Very few people are going to get hooked by a blatant lie.
That’s why Satan always mixes it in with truth and that’s what makes it so subtle and dangerous.
And that’s why it is so critical to be well acquainted with Scripture.
No the problem was exactly as was stated plainly in the word:
They practiced lawlessness.
But does not their testimony sound a lot like the ones described in Hebrews 6?
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>> “And that’s why it is so critical to be well acquainted with Scripture.” <<
Which scripture you plainly ignored!
The ‘scripture’ said only that they practiced lawlessness, nothing else.
Yeshua did not deny that they had prophesied and cast out demons in his name. One cannot cast out a demon in any other name.
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Hebrews 6 and 10 are not a part of the official FR dispy Bible.
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"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."
From James 2, Faith and Deeds:
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[e] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
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