Once Saved - Always Saved?

JAMES 5:19-20 ABrethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

The sinner here is not someone who has never known the truth. This is one of Christ=s own.

This verse says it all - one who knows the truth, CAN wander from it,

And that soul will ultimately die, unless he turns back to Christ.

The verse is shown below from the New Revised Standard Version.

James 5:19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Now that you know where I=m coming from - Let=s start over:

JOHN 10:28, 29 Jesus said AI give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father=s hand.@ NIV

JOHN 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 ABeing confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;@

You gave your heart to Jesus. You honestly desired to be changed, to have a new heart, to be righteous from the inside out. You were baptized in His name - and the name of His Father, and the name of the Spirit. You are now part of the body of Christ, His church, His bride. Your name is written in Heaven, in the Book of Life. No one, not even Satan himself, can take you away from your Savior. You=re safe. You=re secure forever. Right?

Well, yes - and no.

It=s easy to see that as long as you want a relationship with Him, Christ your Savior will allow nothing to sever that relationship. But what happens if you should turn your back on Christ and go back to a life of rebellious sin without regard for God or fellow man? Does God ever have grounds for divorce??

GOD IS ULTIMATELY CONCERNED WITH OUR FREEDOM OF CHOICE.

God created Adam and Eve in His own image. Man was given free will. Without free will there can be no love, for love by definition must be freely given. Men are not androids, programed to act within narrow defined parameters.

To God, this freedom of choice was so important that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son rather than create man without this freedom. The Father knew of course, that one day Lucifer would rebel against Him, never to return. He knew that Adam and Eve would choose to doubt His love, disobey His command and eat of Athe tree.@ He knew that only a portion of their descendants would finally be reconciled. He knew what it would take to win them back. And yet He created beings with the freedom to choose.

WILL WE BELIEVE AND TRUST HIM, OR NOT?

Obedience is an outward sign, a result of our trust relationship with God. If we love and trust our Father, we will obey Him because we believe that He knows what is best for us. When we disobey God, we are really saying, AI don't believe you@, AI think you are keeping something good from me.@ (This is the rationale that Satan used at the tree in the garden.) You see, being saved is not just a legal manipulation. Being saved means that we come to trust God completely. We have entered a relationship which allows God to make changes in our thoughts, desires, and actions.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ASAVED?@

AI=m saved,@ He says. AI will live forever. Someday I will live in a beautiful city with streets made of gold.@

Yes, that can all true. He can live forever in a beautiful place. But there is much more to salvation. We are saved from sin - not just from death and unpleasantness. We are saved from the selfishness within our own hearts. Christ Himself through His Spirit comes to live in us. We live mind to mind with our Savior. Through us He pours out His gentleness, His kindness, His patience, His unselfishness, His power, and His truth - His love. We enter into a living, dynamic relationship with a living being - our Lord.

Some people very much want to live forever in Heaven, but they are not so concerned with day to day righteousness. They want the rewards but not necessarily the relationship. Yet it is the relationship which leads to the final reward. We cannot have one without the other.

CAN A MAN CHOOSE TO LEAVE GOD?

HEBREWS 3:12‑14 ABeware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called AToday,@ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,@

There=s that word again - Aunbelief.@ What did Jesus say, AIf you believe.@ The above text suggests that one can believe in Christ, and then be deceived into unbelief. The Israelites who died in the wilderness, could not enter into the promised land because of Aunbelief.@ Their disobedience was proof of their disbelief. (Hebrews 3:19) If we believe, we will obey. If we refuse to obey, it is because we do not truly believe in the rightness of God.

MATTHEW 24:13 ABut he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.@

I JOHN 1:7 AIf we walk in the light .... the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.@

ROMANS 11:22 ATherefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.@

I JOHN 2:24 ALet that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.@

The words HOLD, WALK, CONTINUE, ABIDE, REMAIN, all suggest an ongoing relationship, rather than a one time decision. The word Aif@ stresses an ongoing choice between options.

II TIMOTHY 2:12 AIf we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.@

JOHN 15:1‑6 AYou are already clean (saved) because of the word which I have spoken to you. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.@

Here clearly are believers who have been Asaved.@ They have been forgiven of their sins. They are clean. Yet Christ tells them that they will be cut off the tree like a withered branch, and Acast into the fire,@ unless they continue to abide in Him.

Again notice the words ENDURE, AND ABIDE are commands to continue. Again the word Aif@ suggests alternatives, and free choice.

I CORINTHIANS 9:27 Paul himself said, A. . . lest by any means, when I have preached to others,

I myself should be a cast away.@ (rejected)

If anyone was in a Asaved@ condition, it was Paul. The apostle to the Gentiles - stoned, imprisoned, whipped, shipwrecked, all for the cause of Christ. Yet here Paul says there is a chance that even He could be Acast away,@ if He does not continue to abide in Christ, and thereby keep His commandments.

ROMANS 11:17‑20,21,22 Speaking to a Gentile convert, Paul said, A...some of the branches were broken off, and you ... were grafted in.....@ ADo not be haughty but fear, for if God did not spare the natural branches He may not spare you either.@ A. . . toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.@

First please notice that Asome,@ not all, of the Anatural branches@ (biological descendants of Abraham) were Acut off@ Abecause of unbelief.@ God has not broken His covenant with Israel. His covenant with Abraham continues to this day for any Jew who comes to belief in Christ. Paul here tells the Gentile convert that He has been grafted into the tree (the true Israel - the believing descendants of Abraham). He has become part of the church. He is blessed of God. He is saved. His name has been written in Heaven. Yet just like the unbelieving Jews, he can and will be cut off if he does not continue in the faith.

SOME WILL DEPART

I TIMOTHY 4:1 A. . . some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits@

I TIMOTHY 5:15 AFor some have already turned aside after Satan.@

REVELATION 2:4 (Speaking to the church of Ephesus) Ayou have left your first love.@ ARepent@

II PETER 2:20 AFor if, after they have escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.@

II PETER 1:9-10 Peter tells the brethren to give all diligence to their growth in knowledge and virtue, Afor he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.@ (He lacks faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity.) ATherefore , brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if your do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.@

Peter here seems to be saying that if one does not Agive diligence@ or attention to Christian growth, he could stumble and fall away and thereby loose his election or entrance into the everlasting kingdom of Christ. In other words - he could loose his salvation.

HEBREWS 10:26 AFor if we sin (continue to sin) willfully (with a rebellious attitude) after we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin.@

(This verse was improperly translated from the Greek because there is no present participle in the Greek.)

This verse describes the condition of the rebellious and callous individual, who goes on sinning without even trying to stop. There is nothing that God can do for this person, because he does not hate his sin, and he will not repent.

EZEKIEL 33:13 AWhen I say to the righteous he will surely live (eternally), and he so trusts in his righteousness that he commits iniquity, none of his righteous deeds will be remembered; but in that same iniquity of his which he has committed he will die (the second death).@

Here is the man who believes that his salvation is a fact, which nothing can alter. He has been righteous and will receive his reward. Because he believes that his reward is certain, he becomes careless. He does not feel his need of continued heavenly support. He does not stay close to Christ or pray for victory. And what happens? He Acommits iniquity@ - of course. The text is clear - he will die in his iniquity, with his sin unforgiven.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A RIGHTEOUS MAN TURNS AWAY

FROM RIGHTEOUSNESS?

EZEKIEL 18:26-27 AWhen a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die (the Asecond death@).

Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteous, he will save his life (eternally).@ (Ezekiel 33:13-16)

No man can be righteous without the indwelling Holy Spirit, so this Arighteous man@ must be in a saving relationship with God. Yet if he turns away from righteousness he will die (eternally).

MALACHI 3:7 AReturn to Me, and I will return to you, Says the LORD of hosts.@

THE MESSAGES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

REVELATION 1:1 - 3:22 John the apostle was given a message for each of seven churches. Each message was given by Christ Himself. Each message gives a command, and each message gives a promise of reward for those who follow the command.

To Ephesus, the message is given by the One Awho holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands@ (Rev. 2:1, 1:13,20). The command is given: ARepent and do the first works...@ (Rev. 2:5). The promise: ATO HIM WHO OVERCOMES, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God@ (Rev. 2:7).

The implied message would be that whomever does NOT overcome, will NOT eat of the tree of life.

To Smyrna, the message is given by Athe First and the Last, who was dead and came to life:@ (Rev. 2:8). The command is given: ABe faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life@ (Rev. 2:10). The additional statement is made: AHE WHO OVERCOMES shall not be hurt by the second death@ (Rev. 2:11).

The implication - that the one who is NOT faithful, and does NOT overcome, will NOT receive th crown of life, and will die the second death. The second death is the Alake of fire@ (Rev. 20:6,14).

Remember that these messages were not given to unbelievers. They were given to the churches.

To Sardis, the message is given by AHe who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars@ (Rev. 1:16,20). The command: ABe watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die@ (Rev. 3:2). And the promise: AYou have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. HE WHO OVERCOMES shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels@ (Rev. 3:4-5).

If Christ does not confess the name of a sinner before His Father, that sinner will be lost. His name will be blotted from the Book of Life, and he will die the second death. (Rev. 20:15). No one will enter the New Jerusalem who=s name is not found written in the Book of Life (Rev. 21:27).

To Philadelphia, the message is given by AHe who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts, and no one opens@ (Rev. 3:7, 1:11,18). The command is given to AHold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown@ (Rev. 3:11). The promise: AHE WHO OVERCOMES, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out not more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name@ (Rev. 3:12).

The Acrown@ here referred to is the Acrown of life.@ To receive this crown is to receive eternal life. The Akey of David@ is the key to life - eternal life (Rev. 1:18).

To Laodicea, the message is again given by Christ, Athe Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God;@ (Rev. 3:14). To command: Abuy from Me gold,@ and Awhite garments,@ and Aeye salve.@ Hear my voice and open the door@ (Rev. 3:18-21). The promise: Aand I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me@ (Rev. 3:21). ATo him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcome and sat down with My Father on His throne@ (Rev. 3:21).

Anyone who refuses to open his heart to Christ will not receive eternal life.

THE LAMB=S BOOK OF LIFE

REVELATION 21:27 ABut there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.@

LUKE 10:20 ANevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.@

HEBREWS 12:23 ABut you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant . . .@

PHILIPPIANS 4:3 AAnd I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.@

REVELATION 12:18 AAll who dwell on the earth will worship him (the beast), whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.@ (Rev. 17:8)

REVELATION 20:15 AAnd anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.@

REVELATION 22:19 A . . . and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy (Revelation) , God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.@

REVELATION 3:5 AHe who overcomes ... I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life.@

Our name is written in Athe Lamb=s book of life@ when we come to God in repentance and faith - when we enter into the covenant. We receive forgiveness. The words Ablot out his name,@ and Atake away his part@ tell us that it is possible for us to loose salvation and eternal life. Once saved - always saved is not taught here.

ALAST RITES@ - LAST MINUTE SALVATION

A mafia don keeps a priest close by for Aemergencies.@ Can the mass, administered by a priest just before, or even just after death, gain a place in Heaven for one who committed murder after murder in life, with no thought of reform?

The thief on the cross asked for and received assurance of a place in Christ=s kingdom (Luke 23:42,43). Does this mean that any one of us may ask for and receive forgiveness and salvation in the last moments of our life?

Only God knows the heart. If the person who is dying is asking for absolution just so that he/she will go to the good place instead of the bad place - then the answer is no. On the other hand, if that person is genuinely sorry for his sin, if he has truly caught a glimpse of the great love of God, if he greatly desires a relationship with God and with His Son for all eternity, then the answer is yes.

REASSURANCE

The human mind cannot live with the thought of burning torment without end. The individual seeks reassurance that, no matter what happens, no matter what he does or does not do in the future, he will never go Athere.@ This is why the Aonce saved - always saved@ doctrine is so important to those who believe there is a place called AHell.@

Other studies at this web site will explain that God will not send anyone to a place called Ahell,@ to be tortured for eternity. See: AThe Condition of Man in Death,@ and AHell - Who? What? When? Where? Why? @ Please be assured - God does not believe in cruel or unusual punishment any more than you do.

CONSIDER A FEW EXAMPLES OF PERSONS

WHO WERE IN A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, AND THEN FELL AWAY.

SOME REPENTED AND WERE RESTORED AGAIN, SOME WERE NOT.

David:

PSALM 51:11 Atake not Thy Holy Spirit from me.@

v. 12 ARestore unto me the joy of Thy salvation.@

King Saul:

I SAMUEL 10:6,9 Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. He was converted.

v. 9 AGod gave him another heart.@

I SAMUEL 31:1‑6 Saul committed suicide rather than be captured by the enemy.

I SAMUEL 28:6,16 The Lord refused to communicate with Saul.

v. 16 The Lord had departed from Saul.

I SAMUEL 28:7‑25 Saul consulted with the spirit medium of Endor.

I CHRONICLES 10:13,14 Afor asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it:

He (God) slew him.@

Solomon:

He close to the Lord when he began his reign as king. Then he married many heathen wives and they turned his heart away from God and he built alters to their false gods. In his old age he returned to God but not in time to save the kingdom of Israel from the result of his influence.

Judas:

He walked with Jesus for three years, and accepted him as the Messiah. Then he betrayed him.

Mary Magdalene:

Saved seven times. (Mark 16:9)

The parable of the Prodigal Son:

He was free to leave again if he chose. (Luke 15:11‑32)

THE CITIES OF REFUGE

When a murderer fled to a Acity of refuge@ he was safe from the Aavenger of blood@ only so long as he remained inside the city. (Numbers 35:26‑27). If he ventured outside, the avenger could kill him. So we are safe from Satan Athe destroyer@ only so long as we remain in Christ our Refuge.

WHAT DOES THE SANCTUARY SYMBOLISM TELL US?

The sacrificial system pointed forward to Christ Athe Lamb of God@ who was sacrificed once for the sins of the whole world. Each time an Israelite sinned he could bring a lamb to the Sanctuary (later the Temple) and obtain forgiveness. He would confess his sin over the head of the Lamb, symbolically transferring that sin to the Lamb. If coming to Christ once is sufficient for all our sins- past, present, and future, then the sacrifice of one lamb - once in his life - should have provided forgiveness for life, for the Israelite. But this was not the case.

Unconfessed sin in the life of an Israelite on the Day of Atonement meant separation from God's people. So in fulfilment of this prophecy, unconfessed sin in the life of any person at the end of his/her life (or at the last Day of Atonement - the day of Christ=s return) means that he/she will be Acut off@ from God=s people (at least for the period of the millenium).

Christ=s death on the cross won for Him the right to forgive anyone who comes to Him in faith. His death covers all sins of ignorance (Lev. 5:17-19, John 9:41). Yes, Christ died once for all sin, for all time, but each time we sin knowingly we must ask for and claim that forgiveness in the name of Christ. We cannot ask in advance to be forgiven for our future sins. (This was the Roman practice of buying indulgences - forgiveness in advance, which caused Luther to lash out at the Roman Church.) Before we can be forgiven, we must hate our sin, we must be sorry for the pain we have brought to the heart of God, and to our fellow men.

IT IS A DAILY CHOICE.

LUKE 9:23 A Then He said to them all, >If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.=@