Do Calvinists believe in Once Saved Always Saved?

[rmwilliamsll]

It still sounds like this salvation is contingent on you doing something. In this case, trusting in Christ. Is this trusting in Christ that you have at this time in your life because of Christ's genuine saving graces because you are one of the elect or is a result of a self decieving faith?

I can't see how the eternal security of the elect can really be applyed to anything beyond the theoretical. Outside of a personal revelation of God, How would anyone really know that they themself were part of the elect at any one time?

it is not faith in faith, but faith as an instrumental cause, pointing at the objective work of Christ,

17. In no respect can works serve as the cause of our holiness
But if we attend to the four kinds of causes which philosophers bring under our view in regard to effects, we shall find that not one of them is applicable to works as a cause of salvation. The efficient cause of our eternal salvation the Scripture uniformly proclaims to be the mercy and free love of the heavenly Father towards us; the material cause to be Christ, with the obedience by which he purchased righteousness for us; and what can the formal or instrumental cause be but faith? John includes the three in one sentence when he says, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life," (John 3: 16.) The Apostle, moreover, declares that the final cause is the demonstration of the divine righteousness and the praise of his goodness. There also he distinctly mentions the other three causes; for he thus speaks to the Romans: "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by his grace," (Rom. 3: 23, 24.) You have here the head and primary source - God has embraced us with free mercy. The next words are, "through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;" this is as it were the material cause by which righteousness is procured for us. "Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith." Faith is thus the instrumental cause by which righteousness is applied to us. He lastly subjoins the final cause when he says, "To declare at this time his righteousness; that he might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus." And to show by the way that this righteousness consists in reconciliation, he says that Christ was "set forth to be a propitiation." ...

Institutes, III.14.17 quoted from:
http://www.dakotacom.net/~rmwillia/lesson11_essay.html


additional note the wording quoted above:

Canons of Dordt-12
They attain this assurance, however, not by inquisitively prying into the hidden and deep things of God, but by observing in themselves, with spiritual joy and holy delight, the unfailing fruits of election pointed out in the Word of God - such as a true faith in Christ, a childlike fear of God, a godly sorrow for their sins, and a hungering and thirsting after righteousness.

..

faith is like the proverbial finger pointing at the moon. pointing not at itself, but at the object of the faith--Christ Jesus


but there is an extraordinary literature on this topic. and i am sure this will not add to it....*grin*

 

[Bulldog]

It still sounds like this salvation is contingent on you doing something. In this case, trusting in Christ.

No, because faith (trust) is a gift from God. Reformed folks do not believe that salvation is "contingent" or "conditional" on anything of us, because our natural will is one that pleases in doing evil. This is why God must raise us from the dead in regeneration, the giving of a new heart, and gift to us saving faith. Because of this, anyone elected (chosen) will definetly be saved, God's will prevails over our evil ones.

God Bless

 

[FreeGrace]

It still sounds like this salvation is contingent on you doing something. In this case, trusting in Christ. Is this trusting in Christ that you have at this time in your life because of Christ's genuine saving graces because you are one of the elect or is a result of a self decieving faith?

I can't see how the eternal security of the elect can really be applyed to anything beyond the theoretical. Outside of a personal revelation of God, How would anyone really know that they themself were part of the elect at any one time?

Hi again C M, Very good questions I will try my best to answer.
Why do I trust in Christ? 20 years ago I entered a church after being invited ( did not really want to go ) heard a sermon became convicted I was a sinner Jesus alone was the answer.It has been a long rocky haul since but never in all the years have I doubted Christ.

Is my faith genuine or self decieving?I have lost the hatred and anger I once had which has been replaced with a deep love for All who love the Lord.I am forever concious of my sin and how I let down my saviour,this among other things makes it easier to love others .I will not attempt to say my life is better than others for I know it is certainly not true.I know by nature I am a vile evil sinner please be assured this is a fact.However by Gods Grace I am not as bad as I could be.

How can anyone know that they are part of Gods elect?
I believe ALL sinners saved by Grace will be almost by nature now, constantly running to the Father for forgiveness,advice,guidance and comfort and strength.No christian can get through a week or a day without Gods prompting, by that I mean being aware of what God says about any particular situation you may happen to be in.The scripture becomes part of you,Gods promises,His control the fact that no matter what is happening He is in control.
I could have quoted many scriptures and can if required,I have tried albeit feebly to point out that relying on Christ alone brings contentment,peace and assurance.I hope this has been of some assistance.

Yours in Christ

 

[oworm]

It still sounds like this salvation is contingent on you doing something. In this case, trusting in Christ.

Salvation is contingent on the foreknowledge and predestined purpose of God:.................
Ephesians 1 :3-10 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Is this trusting in Christ that you have at this time in your life because of Christ's genuine saving graces because you are one of the elect

YES............ except that that would be saving grace and not "graces"

or is a result of a self decieving faith?

depends what you mean by "self decieving"

I can't see how the eternal security of the elect can really be applyed to anything beyond the theoretical.

Romans 8:12-17 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Outside of a personal revelation of God, How would anyone really know that they themself were part of the elect at any one time?

You hit the nail on the head..............it Is a "personal revelation " Evident from the words of Paul that the:- "Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are the children of God"

 

[tigersnare]

.


You hit the nail on the head..............it Is a "personal revelation " Evident from the words of Paul that the:- "Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are the children of God"

Not to mention, repentance. If we have faith, and feel a true desire to repent of sin, that in and of itself is evidence of conversion.

Regeneration first, then faith and repetance. Not faith, repentance, then regeneration.

The unregenerate man can not have true faith in the promises and person of God for his salvation, nor in the life and death of Christ for his justification.

 

[BBAS 64]

Happy Birthday Dear Oworm, Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuu...............

 

[BBAS 64]

Nice!

Thank you Tiger

Bill

 

[BBAS 64]

It still sounds like this salvation is contingent on you doing something. In this case, trusting in Christ. Is this trusting in Christ that you have at this time in your life because of Christ's genuine saving graces because you are one of the elect or is a result of a self decieving faith?

I can't see how the eternal security of the elect can really be applyed to anything beyond the theoretical. Outside of a personal revelation of God, How would anyone really know that they themself were part of the elect at any one time?

Good Day Cary

This may help. When I sit down to write a letter on a piece of paper, what something does the paper do? I move the paper in to place I write on the paper I do the work, the paper receives the results of my work brought about by the pen or pencil I use.

Much like Faith.

Joh 6:29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."


Peace to u,

Bill

 

[oworm]

Happy Birthday Dear Oworm, Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuu...............

Thankyou!!!

 

[bygraceiamsaved]

One can know if they are truly born again or not by asking this question. Do I love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and mind? Christ said this was the greatest commandment.

 

[5solas]

Do Calvinists believe in Once Saved Always Saved?

have a look here:

http://www.christianforums.com/t1050226-question-about-perseverance-of-the-saints.html

 

[bygraceiamsaved]

Good answer.