Does the Bible Teach
“Once saved always saved?"
Part 5

This will be the last article in this series of answers to this question.

In closing I would like to look briefly at some of the scriptures that are used by many of those who hold the view that “Once you are saved you are always saved.”

We will consider only a few as space and time will not permit us to look at all, however, we will look at some of the most used ones. Our goal will be to see what they do teach and to offer some reasons why in my view they are being misused rather than used. I do not say that in a mean spirit, but it is a fact that we are all susceptible to being wrong. I believe those who try to use these scriptures to teach the doctrine of “once saved always saved “are wrong.  As was pointed out in one of the earlier articles this is a dangerous teaching in that it really says it doesn’t matter what kind of life you live once you are a Christian. As I said then, if the life you live doesn’t make a difference then what difference does it make what kind of life you lead?

Let us proceed to look at the scriptures. I ask you to turn to each and read along as we study them. I will not repeat them but will make observations upon them.

 1. Romans 8:1
It has truly been said that “a text without a context is a pretext.”

To lift any verse of scripture without consideration of the surrounding verses, or the context, is an exhibition of the truth of the above statement.

If we begin to study the surrounding verses it becomes obvious that the ones who are not condemned are “those who walk not after the flesh.” 8:4

As we proceed on down in the chapter it is clear that these are those whose minds and actions are not the way they were before they became Christians (the way of the flesh) but have “set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” 8:5

Chasing the opposite sex, drinking booze, smoking dope, cursing, cheating and lying, among other things, are not the way of the Spirit. How unfortunate it is that many who say they are Christians live in this manner and then think they still “are saved.”

This way brings death. 8:6
The Spirit filled life brings life. 8:6

May I suggest a careful and prayerful study of the entire chapter and I believe you will see that this scripture should not be used to teach “once saved, always saved.”

In fact the scripture used in its’ proper context teaches just the exact opposite of “once saved always saved.”

 2. John 10:27-30
These passages are not only used to try and show “once saved, always saved”, but are also used by some predestinarians to try and show that the saved have been chosen by God and man has no free will in deciding for or against Jesus.
These passages teach neither idea.

These passages show that Jesus being God is able to protect, defend, and sustain his own against any external force that may come against them. It does not preclude the fact that man is a being of free will and has the power to choose which way he will go. They do not teach that man becomes some kind of holy robot who has lost the ability to think and choose the way that he will go. While Jesus used the beautiful picture of sheep and shepherd it is a fact that sheep do not think, they react. It is equally a fact that the brain God gave us allows us to make decisions and choose for ourselves. It is also still a truth of God that the wages of un-forgiven sin is death, (Rom.6:23) regardless of the one committing it. If any of us choose to desert God after he has given his only Son for us, this truth will also apply to us.

 Think about this.

Jesus could not be “snatched” from the Fathers’ hand by any external force, yet, he could certainly choose to bow down and worship Satan. SO CAN WE!

Un-confessed sin is un-forgiven sin. 1 John 1:9

 3. Eph.1:13—Eph.4:30----Sealed
The sealing referred to in these passages refers to the custom of merchants marking bales or parcels of goods with their mark that they might be distinguished from others bales or parcels.

That being so then we would conclude that the Holy Spirit is given to us as “the seal” or the thing that would distinguish Christians from those who are not. The life style that radiates from the presence of the Holy Spirit within a person shows to whom that person belongs. The difference in speech, behavior and attitude shows the “mark” or “seal” put upon that person. This is that “holiness” we spoke of in Part 3 of this series.

It is possible to “grieve the Spirit” by our behavior. Eph.4:30

We should tremble when we realize that it is also possible for a person to “profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outrage the Spirit of grace.” Heb.10:29

There is the possibility that God will take away the seal of ownership (Holy Spirit) from one who continues in his own willful rebellion against the God who loves him and saved him. King David was aware of this and as he confessed his sin to God he pleads with God not to “take away thy Spirit from me.” Psalms 51:11

There is a similarity to the Old Testament sealing of the Jewish people and the sealing of Christians in New Testament times.

In those ancient times the people were given the rite of circumcision for a “sign” or “seal” to testify that they had a covenantal relationship with God and to identify them or mark them as being Gods’ own peculiar people. Gen.17:9-14

We find through study of the scriptures that many of these who had been “sealed” to God were disobedient, rebellious, and often left God and went their own ways and bowed down and worshipped the gods of this world.

When they continued to break that covenant, although they had been “sealed” by the rite of circumcision, God says it became as if they were not sealed or circumcised. Rom.2:25

The same would be true of those “sealed by the Holy Spirit” as a sign of their relationship to God under the new covenant. When we, as they did, turn from God in continual and constant rebellion and worship our own idols we can count on the same consequences as they received

Again, we would remember that we are not inanimate objects such as parcels or bundles or bales. We are living, thinking, choosing people who have the capability of either accepting Gods’ way or rejecting it, both before and after we become Christians.

I urge you to give careful attention to Hebrews chapter 3 and Hebrews 10:19-39. I believe you will see the point.

In conclusion, may our aim, desire, and focus be on living for Jesus each and every day that we have left upon this earth. When you slip and fall, (and you will) get up and vow never to let whatever got the best of you do it again. Let us confess our sin and weaknesses to God and each other and he will forgive. Let us not use the love that God has for us as an excuse to live for the Devil! If cheap grace causes us to lose our eternal soul it is not so cheap, is it!!

Pray for me. I will be praying for you.------Gerald

My email address is: thornsandnails@avsia.com or if you wish you may sign into our Guest Book.