DOES THE BIBLE TEACH

“ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED”?
Part Two

We have established that man is a creature of free choice. We have established that he does not lose this power of choice once he becomes a Christian or a disciple. We have established that un-forgiven sin causes a separation between God and man. If there were no other verses in the Bible upon this the following would be adequate;
            "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but you iniquities have made a separation between you and your God. And your sins have hid his face from you so that he does not hear." (Isaiah 59:1 & 2)

            We should take note of the "your" and the "you" spoken of here. This was addressed to the children of God, the Israelites. The principal would apply to all his children. This is not speaking of sin that every person is to some extent guilty of on a frequent basis, but is speaking of faithless, hard headed, unrepentant sin; a life style of sin to which they had become committed. That this can happen to one of us (his children) is unfortunately so true.
            How many have we observed that started the race but then dropped out? I hear some one say just here that; “the truly saved will not fall back or lose their love for Jesus.” Oh, really?

We might want to ask, do they lose their power of free choice? Do they become like preprogrammed robots that can only do what they have been programmed to do?

    There are a number of interesting observations to be made in the little book of 1st. John.

  • It was to those who are in fellowship with God. 1:3
  • They were walking in the light. 1:7
  • They were called “little children” 2:1
  • They were guilty of committing sin. 1:8
  • The blood of Jesus would cleanse them from sin. 1:7
  • The cleansing would take place IF they confessed that sin. 1:9

Any time we have an “if”, there is the possibility of an “if not”. Would it not be reasonable and logical to assume that since we confess we are forgiven by that blood, then if we don’t confess we are not forgiven? Does not the little word “if” indicate that forgiveness is not an automatic response of God to our sins, but that until and unless we take some action that forgiveness will not be forthcoming?

    There is a case in scripture that is a good example of what this verse is saying. To read this interesting story, refer to the fifth chapter of the Book of Acts.

The story goes that during the scattering abroad of the Jerusalem disciples one of them by the name of Philip went to a city of Samaria. He proclaimed the wondrous story of Jesus and the salvation that was available in his name. The word tells us that “they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Vs.12

There was a man there of some greatness (at least according to him) named Simon and the word says, “Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip.” Vs.13

Now a little later in the story his human nature takes over and he seeks to buy the power of God to work miracles with money in order that he might be as the apostles of Christ. Peter rebukes him with these words, “Your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. REPENT THEREFORE OF THIS WICKEDNESS OF YOURS, AND PRAY TO THE LORD THAT, IF POSSIBLE, THE INTENT OF YOUR HEART MAY BE FORGIVEN YOU. FOR I SEE THAT YOU ARE IN THE GALL OF BITTERNESS AND IN THE BOND OF INIQUITY.”

This is exactly the remedy that we found in the little book of 1st John.

I know that it is argued by those who disagree with this application that Simon never did believe in the message of Philip but only believed in the miracles. Interesting, but false!

If you look at verses 12 and 13 I think you will see that whatever the others did is exactly what Simon did. It is stated “they believed” and “Even Simon believed” the latter just like the former. I submit that if Simon did not believe the message then neither did anyone else for it is obvious that they all did the same thing whatever it was.

Friend, whatever you do be careful about how you try to convince others and yourself that you can live for the devil here and enjoy eternity with God in the hereafter. It just will not work! Someone has truly said, “You can’t live like hell and then expect heaven.” Amen!

In the next article I will look at the concept of   “holiness” as presented in the word and how this might further help us understand the life that is required of those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. God bless you as you strive to live for Jesus.

                                                           Written in love---Gerald

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