Continue in the Faith
Eternal Security
The issue to be addressed here
is the doctrine known as "Eternal Security," also known as "Once Saved,
Always Saved." This is the belief that once a person has believed and asked
Jesus into his heart, that person can in no way lose his salvation, even
if he practices sin without repenting. I am very familiar with this doctrine,
having grown up with it in am evangelical church. This doctrine can be
dangerous in that it has caused many to continue in their sin with no fear
of God and no felt need for repentance.
The scriptures have much to
say on this issue. For if we sin willfully after we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but
a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which
will devour the adversaries (Heb 10:26-27). A person who continues
in sin and does not sincerely seek repentance has ...counted the blood
of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted
the Spirit of grace (Heb. 10:29).
This doctrine often produces
people who do not know the true nature of God and who invent their own
God, whom they also call Jesus, that is little more than a Divine Santa
Claus who would never deal severely with them beyond withholding a few
rewards.
This doctrine fits well with
other doctrines of irresponsibility in the church and in society which
"excuse" the individual of sin. These would include many of the views in
the "Christian Counseling Movement" which have their basis in psychology
instead of the Word of God. Instead of lust we have sexual addiction, instead
of anger we have frustration; instead of unforgiveness we have hurts; instead
of sinners we are victims. The result of such language pollution is often
a mentality that views sin a s a thing to be recovered from instead of
repented of. In such circles, sin no longer is responsibility of the individual,
it is the result of injustice and unfortunate circumstances.
Only after repentance can any
real need for recovery be made. G race is not about a God who "understands"
that we cannot help sinning, it is about a God who died on a cross and
rose again to make available to us the power to overcome sin. Therefore
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 (Rom. 11:22).
To say that we cannot lose our
salvation not only promotes personal irresponsibility, it also promotes
a lackadaisical attitude that keeps us from being concerned about the sin
of others and exhorting them day by day concerning the deceitfulness of
sin. There may be many people who hold to the "Once Saved Always Saved"
doctrine who will be saved, but they probably will bring no fruit to maturity.
Much of their work (converts/fruit) will not finish the course and will
end up being burned, yet they themselves will be saved, though as by fire
(read 1 Cor. 3:9-15).
The gold, silver, and precious
stones are true Christians who will be tried and found true by the day
of burning, but the wood, hay, and stubble are either false Christians
or those who did not continue in the faith who have been built into the
church by those who are poor builders who do not bring fruit to maturity.
Paul spoke strong words to believers,
warning them not to be deceived because ...God is not mocked; for whatever
a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh
shall from the flesh reap corruption, but for one who sows to the Spirit
shall from the Spirit reap eternal life (Gal. 6:7-8). Writing to Christians,
not unbelievers, he warned that those who practice such things as adultery,
fornication, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying,
drunkenness, carousing, and things like these will not inherit the Kingdom
of God (Gal. 5:19-21).
We are also told that without
holiness, no one will see God (Heb. 12:14). Just because we were
once filled with the Holy Spirit and walking in His presence does not insure
we always will without diligence. Peter wrote about godly conduct and partaking
of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4-9) and then exhorts us to ...be all
the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for
as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;... (1
Peter 1:10) . Why would diligence be needed if it were impossible to lose
salvation?
Jude also warns New Testament
believers about those who pervert the grace of God, reminding us that although
God saved a people out of Egypt, He later destroyed those who did not continue
in faith (Jude 4-7). The parallel is clear
here: Just like those who were saved out of Egypt and were later destroyed,
just like those angel who were once holy but are not destined to eternal
fire, we can believe and be right with God, but later depart from the faith
and suffer eternal fire.
Assurance of Salvation
Though it is the intent here
to show the danger of the "Eternal Security" doctrine and that it has no
biblical basis, I also wish to present a balanced view, affirming that
we can and should have complete assurance of our salvation. Scripture
is clear, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name
of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life,
and that you may continue to believe in t he name of the Son of God"
(1 John 5:13 emphasis added).
You may ask,
"If it is possible to lose my salvation, how can I know that
I am saved?" The answer is simple. It is based in the very fact that we
are saved by grace and not of works. This is because salvation is based
on a relationship with Jesus Christ. This "personal relationship"
phrase has become such a buzz word in Christian circles that many have
lost its true meaning. To regain its true meaning think in the natural
sense for just a moment.
Think of someone, another person,
with whom you have a personal relationship. Maybe someone you work with
or maybe your mate if you are married. Have you ever done something that
was offensive to a person with whom you have a personal relationship? Of
course you have. How did you respond to the situation? Hopefully, you apologized
and decided not to do it again, assuming of course that you valued the
relationship and desired to preserve it.
When you offended the person,
did the offense end the relationship? No. Seldom if ever does one offense,
or even many offenses, end a relationship as long as the offender is sincere
about
repentance and is diligent to demonstrate a desire to stop offending. But
if you failed to demonstrate any desire to restore t he damage done by
the offense, and even continued to act in an offensive way, can you expect
to remain in a favorable relationship with that person? Of course not.
Such behavior would be considered an insult!
The same is true with God. For
if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation
of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Of
how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who
has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant
by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
(Heb 10:26-27,29).
Some may assume that what is
being presented here is a "salvation by works" view. Nothing can be farther
from the truth. Without question, salvation is not by our works, it is
by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). However, we must remember that grace
provides the faith and real faith produces works. When you read Ephesians
2:8-9, don't stop without reading verse 10.
You were saved by grace for good works. Faith without works is dead (James
2:20). In other words, people who are saved act like it.
Those who have believed and
call unto the Lord in sincerity are changed internally. A seal is given
them, the Holy Spirit of promise. This gives us confidence of our future
salvation, the redemption of our bodies at His appearing. We need not struggle
or wonder whether we are saved. We can know that we have eternal
life.
It has been my observation that
some who cling to the "Eternal Security" doctrine have come from a religious
background of extreme legalism, or a works mentality. Being on the "rebound"
they find it easy to accept this doctrine (many are changing their view
after examining the scriptures more carefully).
Repentance and Obedience
Until Jesus returns and we are
glorified in our new bodies in His likeness, we will need cleansing. And
everyone who has this hope in Him [hope of being like Jesus]
purifies
himself, just as He is pure (1 John 3:3). How do we purify or cleanse
ourselves? Peter tells us quite clearly: Since you have purified
your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit ... (1 Peter 1:22).
It is a simple thing called obedience. Repentance is coming back to obedience.
As Christians, we do not lose
the seal or assurance of salvation each time we stumble and sin. This is
without question. However, we must take the appropriate action and repent.
My
little children , these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.
And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous (1 John 2:1). We should be deeply sorrowful and seek repentance
from God and accountability from our relationships in the Church. (1 John
1:9). It is by this that we can have complete assurance of our salvation.
We can know we are saved because we know him.
Some have struggle with their
salvation continually because of an unbiblical works mentality. Each time
they stumble the condemnation is so great that they feel no assurance of
their salvation. This is tragic and shows a lack o f scriptural understanding.
These are weak in faith and need to be encouraged and taught the Word.
On the other hand I have known
people who have equal but opposite lack of scriptural understanding and
never feel godly sorrow for their sin. This is the primary reason for the
view presented here. Having believed the "Eternal Security" doctrine, they
see no need to overcome sin, and in fact, they do not think they can! Therefore
they continue in their sinful lifestyle. Most continue to go through some
form of religious activity which becomes a form of godliness that denies
the power thereof. Others abandon all forms of godliness, yet claim to
be "saved." Both of these are an insult to the Spirit of Grace.
The Work of Christ Is Complete
The work of Christ is a complete
work. This too is without question. No other sacrifice is needed. He has
provided everything we need to be saved. His divine power has given
to us all things that pertain to life and godliness , through the
knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been
given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these
you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption
that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:3-4).
It is precisely for this reason
(because such provision has been made for us) that if we fail be diligent
and continue in the faith, our calling and election becomes unsure and
entrance into the kingdom could be denied as Peter continues, "But also
for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to
virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance,
to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly
kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither
barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he
who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten
that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even
more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you 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" (2 Pet 1:5-11 underline added).
Continue in the Faith
We must live in the proper balance
of understanding of His severity and His Kindness. For if God did not
spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore 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. (Rom 11:21-22). If we can in no way loose our salvation,
why does Paul warn that those who have been grafted in could possibly be
cut off? Scripture contains many such warnings and exhortations about our
salvation and that our time here should be with fear (1 Peter 1:17).
As we received Christ (by faith),
so should we walk with Him (Col. 2:5-6). If we are to enjoy the fruit of
the Spirit, we must walk by the Spirit. Now the just shall live by faith:
but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe
to the saving of the soul. (Heb 10:38-39).
If it were impossible to fall
away, why would this verse speak of "drawing back" if they had not first
been "drawn forward?" This is clearly a warning to Christians to not only
consider salvation a past event, but also a present and future thing; i.e.,
believe
to the saving of the soul (Heb. 10:39). Peter also speaks of ...receiving
the end of your faith; the salvation of your souls (1 Pet 1:9) clearly
implying that salvation a process , as also indicated by several scriptures
that say that those who endure to the end shall be saved.
In the case of the Galatians,
Paul was bringing them back to salvation a second time. My little
children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
(Gal 4:19). We cannot assume that Paul's was laboring a second time because
the Galatians were not "really" saved the first time. That would be a stretch.
These were genuine believers, the fruit of Paul's own ministry. Because
Paul says here, "...for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed
in you...," neither can we refer here to Hebrews 6 and say that the only
people who can lose their salvation are those who cannot be renewed.
Paul also thought of himself
as one who could lose his salvation. But I discipline my body and bring
it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should
become disqualified (1 Cor 9:27). If one cannot be disqualified then
we are left to assume that that Paul was not yet really saved? Absurd.
Paul continued exhorting the
Galatians, You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt
to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace (Gal 5:3-4
underline added). If a Christian cannot fall from grace, then why did Paul
say, "...you have fallen from grace?" One cannot fall from grace
if they were never in grace. Drawing back cannot be taken as a drawing
back to something less since it speaks of drawing back unto perdition,
which means total destruction and eternal damnation.
Continue in Good Works
Salvation in this current age
cannot be considered a done deal, that cannot be reversed. This is not
because Christ's work is incomplete, but because ours is. Our faith is
to be proven by our endurance, our perseverance, and our works. Certainly,
our works are accomplished by His strength; He is the author and finisher
of our faith. Our works can never take away our sin. Only the Blood of
Jesus can do that. However, when one believes on the name of Jesus and
His work of grace on the cross, then true belief will bear righteous fruit
- good works. "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he
has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" ... "Thus also
faith by itself, if it does not have works, is de ad. But someone will
say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your
works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:14,17-18).
Jesus told the parable of the
widow who diligently and continually sought action from an unjust judge.
The judge finally gave the woman what she wanted. Then Jesus said, "...when
the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke
18:8). Like the persistent widow, our faith is demonstrated by diligent
persistence by continuing in faith.
It is sometimes hard to tell
if someone is doing works out of dead religion or out of a sincere faith
and love for God. Therefore, we should encourage one another continually
to first love God and then to do good works because of the deceitfulness
of sin (Heb 10:24). Good works, works done in faith, only come out of an
obedient loving relationship with Jesus. Faith works by love (Gal. 5:6).
Therefore we should seek to
...exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you
be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers
of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the
end" (Heb 3:13-14). Again, if one cannot depart, then why are we
warned not to? If there is no danger of failing to become a partaker of
Christ, why are we exhorted to hold fast the unto the end?
Be an Overcomer!
He who overcomes shall be
clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book
of Life. Once again, if a person cannot lose their salvation, then
why did Jesus speak of "blotting out" or erasing names from the book of
life? (Rev. 3:5). A name cannot be erased if it were not first written.
However, the point to be made
here is that we can overcome! Jesus would not ask us to if there was no
way provided to do so. We can overcome because greater is He that is in
us than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). We can overcome by the blood
of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and by loving not our lives, even
unto death (Rev. 12:11).
In summary, we should be confident
and assured of our salvation. This is expected of those who walk in the
Spirit and obey the Word. However, we must not take for granted the grace
of God and insult the Spirit of Grace. As Peter said, And if you call
on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work,
conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear (1
Pet 1:17).
Other References
There are many other warnings
in the Bible that exhort us to continue, endure to the end, etc., lest
we be disqualified. Below are a few more. Keep in mind that all these were
written to Christians.
Heb. 3:6
Matthew 10:22
Matthew 24:11-13
1 Corinthians 10:1-12
2 Peter 3:11-18
Revelation 2:5
Revelation 3:15-16
Colossians 1:21-23
1 Timothy 4:16
1 Chronicles 28:9
Acts 14:22
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