Once saved, always saved?
Can you lose your salvation once you have become a Christian?
Always thought of this question and usually lean towards the "Yes, once saved always saved" answer. But after reading a few passages, it seems to be written very clearly:
Always thought of this question and usually lean towards the "Yes, once saved always saved" answer. But after reading a few passages, it seems to be written very clearly:
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
James 2:14-22
This verse shows how important deeds goes together with faith. Faith without deeds is dead! ONE MORE PASSAGE! READ ON!
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised
Hebrews 6:9-12
Show the diligence of a Christian, not just by going to church on Sundays but living a life pleasing to God and a life dependent on God until we die. So that we can be sure of our salvation that is promised to us.
It is an inconvenient truth to many Christians, and many are "Christians" to get their ticket to heaven, but have we ever thought maybe in the first place we weren't even Christians at all? Remember faith without deeds is dead?
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
James 2:14-22
This verse shows how important deeds goes together with faith. Faith without deeds is dead! ONE MORE PASSAGE! READ ON!
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised
Hebrews 6:9-12
Show the diligence of a Christian, not just by going to church on Sundays but living a life pleasing to God and a life dependent on God until we die. So that we can be sure of our salvation that is promised to us.
It is an inconvenient truth to many Christians, and many are "Christians" to get their ticket to heaven, but have we ever thought maybe in the first place we weren't even Christians at all? Remember faith without deeds is dead?
posted by Ben Tay at
9:33 AM
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6 Comments:
good points :)
here are 2 passages to back up the "once saved, always saved" truth
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I 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." John 10:27-29
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
In addition, when one receives Christ as Lord, then s/he is blessed with the promised Holy Spirit, and the truth is that "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:5-6)
Hence, a person who has confessed with his mouth and believed in his heart that Jesus is LORD, he is saved (Romans 10:9-10) and with the guaranteed Holy Spirit living in him, he WILL exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5:22-23) and have a mind controlled by the Spirit.
So, i am not entirely convinced when ppl profess to believe in Jesus (or typically say the so-called "sinners prayer") but do not exhibit any fruit or any submission to Christ as their Lord (i.e. not just as Saviour, but Master too). And fruit doesn't mean attendance at church or giving 10% or taking the Bread and Wine or having a "Jesus" car sticker or playing at copa iba year after year :p
NONETHELESS, these outward signs do indicate inward change. As you have quoted the verses regarding faith without deeds. Even a normal tree that bears good fruit is visible to the naked eye. Hence, deeds and outward changed behaviour are the signs of inward transformation.
The Christian narrow way is not easy and though some may strive and strive and strive for the LORD, s/he may not see the fruits of his/her labour, or may even be disappointed & discouraged or run out of steam. But as you have quoted,"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him".
Amen!
Oh yes. "Once saved always saved" The question is, is the person even saved in the first place?
intriguing.
so if the person has faith without deeds, does it mean he is not saved at all?
well, it's not for us to judge right? =) like the verse say "show the same diligence, so that your hope will be sure"
Did we learn theology in RBS?
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