Posted on 05/31/2017 1:41:09 PM PDT by ealgeone
Question: "Can a Christian lose salvation?"
Answer: First, the term Christian must be defined. A “Christian” is not a person who has said a prayer or walked down an aisle or been raised in a Christian family. While each of these things can be a part of the Christian experience, they are not what makes a Christian. A Christian is a person who has fully trusted in Jesus Christ as the only Savior and therefore possesses the Holy Spirit (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8–9).
So, with this definition in mind, can a Christian lose salvation? It’s a crucially important question. Perhaps the best way to answer it is to examine what the Bible says occurs at salvation and to study what losing salvation would entail:
A Christian is a new creation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). A Christian is not simply an “improved” version of a person; a Christian is an entirely new creature. He is “in Christ.” For a Christian to lose salvation, the new creation would have to be destroyed.
A Christian is redeemed. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18–19). The word redeemed refers to a purchase being made, a price being paid. We were purchased at the cost of Christ’s death. For a Christian to lose salvation, God Himself would have to revoke His purchase of the individual for whom He paid with the precious blood of Christ.
A Christian is justified. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). To justify is to declare righteous. All those who receive Jesus as Savior are “declared righteous” by God. For a Christian to lose salvation, God would have to go back on His Word and “un-declare” what He had previously declared. Those absolved of guilt would have to be tried again and found guilty. God would have to reverse the sentence handed down from the divine bench.
A Christian is promised eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Eternal life is the promise of spending forever in heaven with God. God promises, “Believe and you will have eternal life.” For a Christian to lose salvation, eternal life would have to be redefined. The Christian is promised to live forever. Does eternal not mean “eternal”?
A Christian is marked by God and sealed by the Spirit. “You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13–14). At the moment of faith, the new Christian is marked and sealed with the Spirit, who was promised to act as a deposit to guarantee the heavenly inheritance. The end result is that God’s glory is praised. For a Christian to lose salvation, God would have to erase the mark, withdraw the Spirit, cancel the deposit, break His promise, revoke the guarantee, keep the inheritance, forego the praise, and lessen His glory.
A Christian is guaranteed glorification. “Those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:30). According to Romans 5:1, justification is ours at the moment of faith. According to Romans 8:30, glorification comes with justification. All those whom God justifies are promised to be glorified. This promise will be fulfilled when Christians receive their perfect resurrection bodies in heaven. If a Christian can lose salvation, then Romans 8:30 is in error, because God could not guarantee glorification for all those whom He predestines, calls, and justifies.
A Christian cannot lose salvation. Most, if not all, of what the Bible says happens to us when we receive Christ would be invalidated if salvation could be lost. Salvation is the gift of God, and God’s gifts are “irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). A Christian cannot be un-newly created. The redeemed cannot be unpurchased. Eternal life cannot be temporary. God cannot renege on His Word. Scripture says that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).
Two common objections to the belief that a Christian cannot lose salvation concern these experiential issues: 1) What about Christians who live in a sinful, unrepentant lifestyle? 2) What about Christians who reject the faith and deny Christ? The problem with these objections is the assumption that everyone who calls himself a “Christian” has actually been born again. The Bible declares that a true Christian will not live a state of continual, unrepentant sin (1 John 3:6). The Bible also says that anyone who departs the faith is demonstrating that he was never truly a Christian (1 John 2:19). He may have been religious, he may have put on a good show, but he was never born again by the power of God. “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16). The redeemed of God belong “to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God” (Romans 7:4).
Nothing can separate a child of God from the Father’s love (Romans 8:38–39). Nothing can remove a Christian from God’s hand (John 10:28–29). God guarantees eternal life and maintains the salvation He has given us. The Good Shepherd searches for the lost sheep, and, “when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home” (Luke 15:5–6). The lamb is found, and the Shepherd gladly bears the burden; our Lord takes full responsibility for bringing the lost one safely home.
Jude 24–25 further emphasizes the goodness and faithfulness of our Savior: “To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”
“we do not worship them or any other idols. “
You are saying they’re all idols - catholic or any other idols.
At least you put them in the same category. Freudian slips happen!
Satan didn’t presume on God.
I do.
God doesn’t lose.
I’m along on an eternally secure ride, hidden in Christ.
You sir, are guilty of presumption. You best go to confession to a catholic priest. I hope he doesn't retain your sins. 😁 Oh sorry, I forgot. You don't do that anymore. Neither do I. Remember, the priest can't forgive anyone of anything. He is a condemned sinner in need of a savior too. 😱🤣
LOL ... your yo-yo religion causes you to presume lots of things, but the Catholic Magic Thinking prevents you from see your presumptions ... which you just displayed by presuming over metmom. ‘Are you yet so dense?’
“Oh sorry, I forgot. You don’t do that anymore. Neither do I.
I prefer to hear what God has said and not pretend that paganism is the same as Christianity!
How best to get the pagans to join the church, than to add a little paganism to the church? I would say they were successful, in adding paganism, I mean.
Jesus told them a little leven leventh the whole. The current yoyo religion of catholiciism proves HIM correct yet again. Sad that so many souls are unable to see the truth of their religion due to their cultivated pride in their fealty to the catholic sacramental trail ...
No; I prefer to use Protestantism’s authorized version (King James Version) when discussing Protestantism. You were included as a courtesy since one had posted 469 implying you did not know the New Testament. I posted a passage from the Protestantism’s authorized version showing the presumptuous and their end. If there were a “courtesy copy” designation available I would have cc’d your ID.
Again, you have purposely conflated the body of ALL BELIEVERS (The TRUE EKKLESIA / CHURCH of Jesus The Christ), slyly equating the Catholic Church with that body of ALL BELIEVERS. YOU have posed a deception, and doubtless you have done it on purpose. We see that you actually believe this conflation, just as you believe you must not stop worshipping the mary of catholiciism because you believe your immortal soul would be in danger of Hell Fire for stopping it. That in itself shows the idolatry of Mary-ology in Catholicism.
“A Lie
Hey, I quoted you!
It is confusing to everyone who tries to read what you post.
You have been asked repeatedly to cite Scripture using one of the approved formats most of the civilized world is familiar with.
That you continue to do otherwise tells me a lot about your character.
And again you display your lack of understanding.
There is no one authorized version for non-Catholics.
If you say you don’t worship idols will you accept the challenge? A simple yes or no. So far no Catholic has said yes or no.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
“All generations will call me blessed”: “The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.” The Church rightly honors “the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of ‘Mother of God,’ to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration.” The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an “epitome of the whole Gospel,” express this devotion to the Virgin Mary. CCC 971
Chapter VIII, Part 4, of Lucem Gentium further states:
IV. The Cult of the Blessed Virgin in the Church
66. Placed by the grace of God, as God’s Mother, next to her Son, and exalted above all angels and men, Mary intervened in the mysteries of Christ and is justly honored by a special cult in the Church. Clearly from earliest times the Blessed Virgin is honored under the title of Mother of God, under whose protection the faithful took refuge in all their dangers and necessities.(21*) Hence after the Synod of Ephesus the cult of the people of God toward Mary wonderfully increased in veneration and love, in invocation and imitation, according to her own prophetic words: “All generations shall call me blessed, because He that is mighty hath done great things to me”.(301) This cult, as it always existed, although it is altogether singular, differs essentially from the cult of adoration which is offered to the Incarnate Word, as well to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and it is most favorable to it. The various forms of piety toward the Mother of God, which the Church within the limits of sound and orthodox doctrine, according to the conditions of time and place, and the nature and ingenuity of the faithful has approved, bring it about that while the Mother is honored, the Son, through whom all things have their being (302) and in whom it has pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell,(303) is rightly known, loved and glorified and that all His commands are observed.
67. This most Holy Synod deliberately teaches this Catholic doctrine and at the same time admonishes all the sons of the Church that the cult, especially the liturgical cult, of the Blessed Virgin, be generously fostered, and the practices and exercises of piety, recommended by the magisterium of the Church toward her in the course of centuries be made of great moment, and those decrees, which have been given in the early days regarding the cult of images of Christ, the Blessed Virgin and the saints, be religiously observed.(22*) But it exhorts theologians and preachers of the divine word to abstain zealously both from all gross exaggerations as well as from petty narrow-mindedness in considering the singular dignity of the Mother of God.(23*) Following the study of Sacred Scripture, the Holy Fathers, the doctors and liturgy of the Church, and under the guidance of the Church’s magisterium, let them rightly illustrate the duties and privileges of the Blessed Virgin which always look to Christ, the source of all truth, sanctity and piety. Let them assiduously keep away from whatever, either by word or deed, could lead separated brethren or any other into error regarding the true doctrine of the Church. Let the faithful remember moreover that true devotion consists neither in sterile or transitory affection, nor in a certain vain credulity, but proceeds from true faith, by which we are led to know the excellence of the Mother of God, and we are moved to a filial love toward our mother and to the imitation of her virtues. Lucem Gentium 66 and 67.
This is what the Church teaches, that Mary is worthy of veneration and love, but that it differs essentially from the cult of adoration which is offered to the Incarnate Word, as well to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and it is most favorable to it. It is what Catholics believe.
So why would you expect Catholics to discontinue practices that are encouraged by the Church as being perfectly acceptable to God and a means to obtain His graces? It would be like one of us insisting that you accept the challenge to pray the Rosary every day for a month. Knowing what you believe about the Rosary, it would be disrespectful for us to insist on you doing something that you would not want to do. So would you please show some respect for Catholics and stop insisting on us doing something that we do not want to do?
God does not exist solely within Catholicism.
What arrogance for Catholicism to claim it has exclusive rights on Jesus.
Lots of people find their way to God through JESUS without any interference from Catholicism.
The HOLY SPIRIT leads them to Christ, not a church or organization, as is HIS job.
Then they are free in Jesus without the extraneous baggage of legalism the Catholic church would burden them with.
No because Jesus set me free.
I am a new creature in Christ and have been given a new sinless nature that is righteous in God's sight.
I live my life IN CHRIST.
Galatians 2:15-21 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
It sure is pushing the envelope.
Not something I would want to be found trying.
He could have stopped her as she was reaching for the fruit.
He blew it on many levels.
The Roman Catholic Church may teach that, but what is taught by the RCC is not supported by Scripture.
66. Placed by the grace of God, as God’s Mother, next to her Son, and exalted above all angels and men,...
Not supported anywhere in the NT. It is more false teaching on the part of Roman Catholicism.
Clearly from earliest times the Blessed Virgin is honored under the title of Mother of God, under whose protection the faithful took refuge in all their dangers and necessities.
Again, not supported by the NT. Mary is never referred to as the "mother of God".
Further, no one in the NT is ever directed to "take refuge in all their dangers and necessities" under Mary's protection.
We do have this though from the NT.
6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NASB
31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:31-35 NASB
14This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 NASB
It is amazing that in all of the NT we don't have a single verse from any of the writers instructing us to pray to Mary or to rely upon Mary for anything.
Catholics are correct when they call this a cult. For that is what it is.
So why would you expect Catholics to discontinue practices that are encouraged by the Church as being perfectly acceptable to God and a means to obtain His graces?
If bowing before an idol, praying to the image depicted by the idol, wearing pieces of cloth, medals, etc, is what is taught by the RCC, then indeed, the use of the word cult is appropriate.
It would be like one of us insisting that you accept the challenge to pray the Rosary every day for a month. Knowing what you believe about the Rosary, it would be disrespectful for us to insist on you doing something that you would not want to do. So would you please show some respect for Catholics and stop insisting on us doing something that we do not want to do?
Yet Catholics insist non-Catholics join the Roman Catholic church almost daily on these forums. Are Catholics being "disrespectful" when they do so?
Would it be "disrespectful" to show the Mormon or Muslim where they are in error?
That Roman Catholics so vehemently defends this idolatry and worship of Mary, in spite of the numerous admonitions in Scripture against idolatry, is most unfathomable.
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