Recently, I had a polite discussion with a man who has translated a few of my books into Spanish. Wonderful Godly man! However, he asked me some questions about the hero in my book When Angels Cry and this led to the question of: Can a Christian lose their salvation? The discussion didn't go well after that, especially when I realized he was deeply ingrained in this false doctrine.
Before you click away, let me say that I do believe in Eternal Salvation. I do believe that once a person gets saved and the Holy Spirit comes to make His home within their heart, that it is extremely hard to lose that salvation. It would take a direct rejection of Jesus and a denial of the Gospel, plus a complete turning away from the Lord and everything He is. That could happen quickly, or it could be a very slow but consistent rejection of the Lord and the Gospel, played out in lifestyle and choices, until a person is so far from God, the Holy Spirit has left.
Yes our lifestyle and our choices matter. These are not works. We are not saved in any way by anything we do. Salvation is a free gift of God's grace, unearned and unmerited! But with that salvation comes a change of heart, a sanctification process that will create a new heart within a person, new attitudes, new outlooks, and eventually fruit will be produced. What is fruit? Fruit is evidence of a life changed from the inside by God: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Self-Control, etc, along with a desire to stay away from sin. This process can take awhile. It depends on how much a person submits to the Holy Spirit.
Below I've listed a multitude of Scriptures to prove two things:
1. A truly saved person does not live in willful sin. It's not that we all don't sin now and then, but I'm talking about daily willful sinning like pornography, getting drunk, having sex outside of marriage, stealing, cursing, etc.. these are all things a person makes a conscience effort to do. It could also involve other things like lying, gossiping, back-stabbing, being cruel to others, etc. new Christians may struggle more with these things. But as long as they repent and sincerely want to change, God forgives and He strengthens them to do better. But if a person keeps committing that sin on purpose, I question whether he or she is saved anymore, or ever was.
2. A saved person can lose their salvation.
Before I list the Scriptures think about these facts.
- God does not take away our free will once we get saved.
- The Holy Spirit is not imprisoned within our bodies, unable to leave if a person wants Him out
Yes, we can be unborn because being born again is not a physical event, but a spiritual. Comparing things that occur in the flesh with things that occur in the spirit is ludicrous. The Holy Spirit is free to leave us at any time, especially if we grieve him by living a constant sinful life.
You can be uncircumcised. Another ridiculous argument I heard recently is that once circumcised, you cannot be uncircumcised. Again, they are comparing two opposite things, the flesh and the spirit. Of course you can't be uncircumcised in the flesh, but since salvation is a circumcision of the spirit, then yes, you can be uncircumcised.
Yes, Salvation is eternal when we make it to heaven. But here on Earth, we still have free will. We still have a choice to stay saved or walk away. God is a gentleman. he never forces anyone to do anything. Why would He start doing that to people who get saved?
Calvinists believe that a person who is predestined to be saved will be saved, no matter what they do or say in this life. Dangerous doctrine!
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
Sealed for the Day of Redemption - OSAS believers will use this verse all the time, saying, see, we are sealed for eternity. Once sealed, you can't be unsealed. Really? Where does it say that? I have yet to come across that Scripture. The word Sealed is sphragizō in the Greek and means a Stamp or Mark. It's the same word used to mark the 144,000. But a seal can be broken. Here's a little more insight into this seal of the Holy Spirit
That Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it—to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:14
It's like an engagement ring, a pledge of the fulfillment of a future promise of an event that has not yet happened. A person can break off an engagement, break a promise, forsake a down payment and walk away.
Here's another verse they use:
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. John 10:28-29
Absolutely! No person, thing, place, or demon in hell can make you lose your salvation. Only YOU can do that. You can jump out of His Hand.
Below is a complication of Scriptures I have found that more than prove that someone can walk away and reject their salvation. I also added a few Scriptures that prove that there must be evidence of our salvation. We must bear fruit of repentance. In other words, God does require something from us. He wants a relationship with us, and out of that walk with Him, we slowly become like Him and bear fruit.
If you have an argument, take it to the Lord. I'm only listing His Word. I encourage you to look each of the verses up yourself in context. Why do I feel so strongly about this? Because the idea that you can't lose your salvation has made many believers go out and live a sinful life and do anything they want! Why not, if they are going to heaven anyway? It's a very dangerous doctrine that will send many to hell!
On the other hand, I'm not trying to invoke fear or doubt about anyone's salvation. That is between you and the Lord. The Bible tells us that your spirit will testify with the Holy Spirit that you are indeed a child of God. (Romans 8:16)
Here are the Scriptures!
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Matthew 7:19
Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. Matthew 7:21-23
Parable of the 10 Virgins and Parable of the Talents Matthew 25. All these people were believers.
Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him. Anyone who does not [really] love Me does not observe and obey My teaching John 14: 23-24
I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:5-6 (To be broken off the Vine means you were once grafted onto the Vine)
In the following verses, it's important to remember that John, Peter, James and Paul were writing letters to churches, to believers!
What then [are we to conclude]? Shall we sin because we live not under Law but under God’s favor and mercy? Certainly not! Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (There is a sin a believer an do that leads to eternal death.) Romans 6:15-16
Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. Romans 8:1 (Alternatively, if you walk after the dictates of the flesh, there is condemnation)
Then note and appreciate the gracious kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s gracious kindness to you—provided you continue in His grace and abide in His kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off (pruned away). Romans 11:22 (We have to continue in His Grace. Which means we have a choice)
But now I write to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of Christian brother if he is known to be guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater [whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God], or is a person with a foul tongue [railing, abusing, reviling, slandering], or is a drunkard or a swindler or a robber. [No] you must not so much as eat with such a person. 1 Corinthians 5:11
But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit]. 1 Corinthians 9:27 (What? Paul says he could be unapproved and rejected? He's saved, right?)
But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined and chastened, so that we may not [finally] be condemned [to eternal punishment along] with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:32
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified ( adokimos: reprobate, castaway, rejected). 2 Corinthians 13:5 (You can't be rejected or castaway if you aren't in the faith in the first place!)
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16 (Notice the last statement IF you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Hence, reversely, If you are NOT led by the Spirit but instead by the flesh, you ARE under the law. What are the works of the Flesh? Let's look at the next few verses)
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. verses 19-21
For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap IF we do not lose heart Galatians 6:8-9
For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain]—for he is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience. Ephesians 5:5-6
Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). Philippians 2:12 (If we can't lose our salvation why would Paul say this?)
Yet now has [Christ, the Messiah] reconciled [you to God] in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His [the Father’s] presence. [And this He will do] provided that you continue to stay with and in the faith [in Christ], well-grounded and settled and steadfast, not shifting or moving away from the hope [which rests on and is inspired by] the glad tidings (the Gospel), which you heard and which has been preached [as being designed for and offered without restrictions] to every person under heaven, and of which [Gospel] I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:22-23 (You have to STAY IN THE FAITH. So, you can Leave if you want)
As you have therefore received Christ, even Jesus the Lord, so walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. Colossians 2:6
That is the reason that, when I could bear [the suspense] no longer, I sent that I might learn [how you were standing the strain, and the endurance of] your faith, [for I was fearful] lest somehow the tempter had tempted you and our toil [among you should prove to] be fruitless and to no purpose. 1 Thess 3:5
Holding fast to faith, that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence and having a good (clear) conscience. By rejecting and thrusting from them [their conscience], some individuals have made shipwreck of their faith. 1 Timothy 1:19
He must not be a new convert, or he may [develop a beclouded and stupid state of mind] as the result of pride [be blinded by conceit, and] fall into the condemnation that the devil [once] did. 1 Timothy 3:6 (Speaking of church leaders, but apparently even a church leader can fall into condemnation like Satan.)
If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever [who performs his obligation in these matters]. 1 Timothy 5:8 (Hmm, disowned the faith, Interesting)
So I would have younger [widows] marry, bear children, guide the household, [and] not give opponents of the faith occasion for slander or reproach. For already some [widows] have turned aside after Satan. vs 14-15
The saying is sure and worthy of confidence: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him, He will also deny and disown and reject us. 2 Timothy 2:11-12 (Paul is talking to believers)
Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away. Hebrews 2:1
But Christ (the Messiah) was faithful over His [own Father’s] house as a Son [and Master of it]. And it is we who are [now members] of this house, if we hold fast and firm to the end our joyful and exultant confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ]. Hebrews 3:6
Therefore beware brethren, take care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him], leading you to turn away and desert or stand aloof from the living God. Hebrews 3:12 (He calls them brethren. These are believers!)
For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit, And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come, If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance—[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace. Hebrews 6:4-6 (You cannot tell me this is a person who was not saved in the first place)
For if we go on deliberately and willingly sinning after once acquiring the knowledge of the Truth, there is no longer any sacrifice left to atone for [our] sins [no further offering to which to look forward]. [There is nothing left for us then] but a kind of awful and fearful prospect and expectation of divine judgment and the fury of burning wrath and indignation which will consume those who put themselves in opposition [to God]. Hebrews 10:26-27
Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. v 35 (So you can fling your faith away. Hmm)
But the just shall live by faith and if he draws back and shrinks in fear, My soul has no delight or pleasure in him. v 38
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 dead. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ...You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.... For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James, Chapter 2
Brethren, 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. James 5:19-20 (Likewise, if someone wanders from the truth and he doesn't turn back, his soul will end up dead. What does dead mean? Death is eternal death.)
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through [the full, personal] knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they again become entangled in them and are overcome, their last condition is worse [for them] than the first. For never to have obtained a [full, personal] knowledge of the way of righteousness would have been better for them than, having obtained [such knowledge], to turn back from the holy commandment which was [verbally] delivered to them. There has befallen them the thing spoken of in the true proverb, The dog turns back to his own vomit, and, the sow is washed only to wallow again in the mire. 2 peter 2:20-22 (You can't tell me that a full personal knowledge of Jesus isn't someone who is saved)
Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of lawless and wicked [persons and] fall from your own [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind]. 2 Peter 3:17 (Hmm. Firm condition? Saved? that has to be what Peter refers to. And if you can fall from it, you must have been in it, right?)
So if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth. 1 John 1:6
Whoever says, I know Him [I perceive, recognize, understand, and am acquainted with Him] but fails to keep and obey His commandments (teachings) is a liar, and the Truth is not in him. 1 John 2:6
As for you, keep in your hearts what you have heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the first dwells and remains in you, then you will dwell in the Son and in the Father [always]. 1 John 2:24 (If John gives the condition that the Gospel must remain in you, then adversely, that means it can also NOT remain)
If anyone sees his brother [believer] committing a sin that does not [lead to] death (the extinguishing of life), he will pray and [God] will give him life [yes, He will grant life to all those whose sin is not one leading to death]. There is a sin [that leads] to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. 1 John 5:16 (Obviously John is speaking to believers here saying that there is a sin that would lead to death. So someone can lose their salvation. What sin is he talking about? My guess is a full rejection of the Gospel and of Jesus Christ)
Look to yourselves (take care) that you may not lose (throw away or destroy) all that we and you have labored for, but that you may [persevere until you] win and receive back a perfect reward [in full]. 2 John 8
All of Revelation chapters 2-3. The letters to the churches! Jesus is speaking to churches and to believers. I don't believe any open-minded person can read these 2 chapters and come away believing in Once Saved Always Saved. Here's just a few examples.
Only hold fast to what you have until I come. And he who overcomes (is victorious) and who obeys My commands to the [very] end [doing the works that please Me], I will give him authority and power over the nations; Revelation 2:25-26
I know your record of works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth! Revelation 3:15-16
That seems pretty clear to me! I, for one, do not wish to be vomited out of my Savior's mouth.
I'm sure there are even more Scriptures than these, but these should suffice as proof. OSAS is a dangerous doctrine and what upsets me is that many, if not most, of the Watchmen on You Tube and elsewhere preach it. Please be careful out there. Arm yourself with the Word of God! Know the above passages so you can help others see the truth.
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