Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS) or Keep the faith until the end?

[Mercy Shown]

As I have stated previously, there is no verse in the Bible that discusses losing salvation. Repeating the same argument will not alter this fact.

This depends on how one spins the scriptures to agree with their bias. Hebrews 6 is an example.

 

[BNR32FAN]

As I have stated previously, there is no verse in the Bible that discusses losing salvation. Repeating the same argument will not alter this fact.

You’re ignoring scripture which is why you’re oblivious to the facts. You’ll never understand the TRUTH of God’s word as long as you continue IGNORING SCRIPTURE. If you have to ignore certain parts of scripture in order to maintain you’re theology then you’re theology is false.

 

[BNR32FAN]

Have you never read these verses...

John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

Romans 11:20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

Hebrews 3:12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

Hebrews 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Colossians 1:22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

2 Peter 2:20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,”[a] and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”

James 5:19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

This is what they do with these verses, I know because this is what I used to do with them when I believed in eternal security. When they read these passages they think to themselves, what does this mean? It can’t possibly mean what it appears to be saying because that would contradict the doctrine of eternal security. It must have some sort of hidden meaning that I don’t understand so I’ll just have to ignore it for now hopefully one day I’ll understand it. And what they’re doing by doing this is allowing their doctrines to dictate the scriptures instead of allowing the scriptures to dictate their doctrines! We have to remain flexible in our doctrines. If we come across a passage that contradicts our doctrines then we have to reevaluate our doctrines and formulate a doctrine that coincides with all scripture without contradiction. We can’t just stand firm holding to a doctrine that doesn’t coincide with all scripture because obviously it’s a false doctrine. So many people just don’t care about whether their beliefs are in line with all scripture. They’re completely content with believing their own interpretation because they think that we’re free to interpret their scriptures however we want. But that’s not true at all because THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUTH, AND IT IS NOT SUBJECTIVE TO PERSONAL OR POPULAR INTERPRETATION.

 

[BNR32FAN]

Yes, I am a Calvinist who believes in TULIP.

We cannot choose God due to our fallen nature that rejects Him. It is solely through God's grace that we are chosen. There is nothing I have done to merit His grace, and there is nothing inherent in me that would seek God. Only through His grace and mercy has God provided us with understanding and transformed us to accept His Son.

Ok so your taking Romans 3:10-12 literally which is a problem because it’s a proverbial statement Paul is quoting from Psalms 14:1-3 and Psalms 53:1-3.

“as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.””
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good. God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God. Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭53‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Here’s why you can’t take Romans 3:10-12 literally because it contradicts numerous passages of scripture.

No one is righteous? No one does good?

“These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Abraham pleaded with God not to destroy the righteous along with the wicked.

“Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.” And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭18‬:‭25‬-‭32‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

And who did God spare?

“Then the two men said to Lot, “Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭19‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

God brought Lot and his family out of Sodom before destroying it because Lot was a righteous man. 2 Peter 2:7-8 specifically says that Lot was a righteous man.

“and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭50‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭4‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭35‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭25‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Now why is Paul saying that none are righteous, there is none who do good? It’s a proverbial saying. It’s like if I were to say no one writes letters anymore. It’s not intended to be a literal statement of fact it’s intended to indicate that very few people write letters anymore because of social media and other modern forms of communication. Paul is exaggerating about no one being righteous or doing good because it’s extremely rare not that it’s intended to be a statement of fact.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

This is what they do with these verses, I know because this is what I used to do with them when I believed in eternal security. When they read these passages they think to themselves, what does this mean? It can’t possibly mean what it appears to be saying because that would contradict the doctrine of eternal security. It must have some sort of hidden meaning that I don’t understand so I’ll just have to ignore it for now hopefully one day I’ll understand it. And what they’re doing by doing this is allowing their doctrines to dictate the scriptures instead of allowing the scriptures to dictate their doctrines! We have to remain flexible in our doctrines. If we come across a passage that contradicts our doctrines then we have to reevaluate our doctrines and formulate a doctrine that coincides with all scripture without contradiction. We can’t just stand firm holding to a doctrine that doesn’t coincide with all scripture because obviously it’s a false doctrine. So many people just don’t care about whether their beliefs are in line with all scripture. They’re completely content with believing their own interpretation because they think that we’re free to interpret their scriptures however we want. But that’s not true at all because THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUTH, AND IT IS NOT SUBJECTIVE TO PERSONAL OR POPULAR INTERPRETATION.

Agree completely. And believing in eternal security is a very dangerous thing to believe because people can become complacent in their faith and slowly start to fall away over time because of that complacency. All because of not knowing what is actually taught in scripture and not understanding that the warnings about falling away from the faith are given to true believers.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

Ok so your taking Romans 3:10-12 literally which is a problem because it’s a proverbial statement Paul is quoting from Psalms 14:1-3 and Psalms 53:1-3.

“as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.””
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; There is no one who does good. God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God. Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭53‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Here’s why you can’t take Romans 3:10-12 literally because it contradicts numerous passages of scripture.

No one is righteous? No one does good?

“These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Abraham pleaded with God not to destroy the righteous along with the wicked.

“Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.” And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭18‬:‭25‬-‭32‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

And who did God spare?

“Then the two men said to Lot, “Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭19‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

God brought Lot and his family out of Sodom before destroying it because Lot was a righteous man. 2 Peter 2:7-8 specifically says that Lot was a righteous man.

“and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭50‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭4‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭35‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭25‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Now why is Paul saying that none are righteous, there is none who do good? It’s a proverbial saying. It’s like if I were to say no one writes letters anymore. It’s not intended to be a literal statement of fact it’s intended to indicate that very few people write letters anymore because of social media and other modern forms of communication. Paul is exaggerating about no one being righteous or doing good because it’s extremely rare not that it’s intended to be a statement of fact.

Exactly. So many people (especially Calvinists) take Romans 3:10-12 literally to be referring to all people, but the scriptures Paul is referring to there (Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3) are not referring to all people, but rather to those fools who say there is no God. David contrasts those people with God's people, so it's not literally everyone who is not righteous and doesn't understand and doesn't seek God.

Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. 4 Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord.

People don't look at context. The context of Romans 3:10-12 is in relation to fools who say there is no God and who devour God's people. Obviously, God's people are not included among those who say there is no God and who don't understand and don't seek God. So, what Paul is saying in Romans 3:10-12 is that none of those who say there is no God are righteous, none of them understand and none of them seek God. Which is in contrast to those who are God's people who do understand and who do seek God.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

If Romans 3:11 (Psalm 14:2, Psalm 53:2) was saying that literally no one seeks God, then how can God reward those who earnestly seek Him? That would not be possible in that case. So, clearly, neither Paul nor David were saying that literally no one seeks God, since the context is in relation to those who say there is no God and not in relation to those who earnestly seek Him.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

This is what they do with these verses, I know because this is what I used to do with them when I believed in eternal security. When they read these passages they think to themselves, what does this mean? It can’t possibly mean what it appears to be saying because that would contradict the doctrine of eternal security. It must have some sort of hidden meaning that I don’t understand so I’ll just have to ignore it for now hopefully one day I’ll understand it. And what they’re doing by doing this is allowing their doctrines to dictate the scriptures instead of allowing the scriptures to dictate their doctrines! We have to remain flexible in our doctrines. If we come across a passage that contradicts our doctrines then we have to reevaluate our doctrines and formulate a doctrine that coincides with all scripture without contradiction. We can’t just stand firm holding to a doctrine that doesn’t coincide with all scripture because obviously it’s a false doctrine. So many people just don’t care about whether their beliefs are in line with all scripture. They’re completely content with believing their own interpretation because they think that we’re free to interpret their scriptures however we want. But that’s not true at all because THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUTH, AND IT IS NOT SUBJECTIVE TO PERSONAL OR POPULAR INTERPRETATION.

This text is copied from a website that supports OSAS. How do you interpret these verses.



Verse 1 - John 6:39-40

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.



Discussion

In verse 39, Jesus states that He will not lose a single one of those who the Father has given Him. Then in verse 40, He defines that group as those who believe in Jesus. This is because believers are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" (1 Peter 1:5) until a fixed point in time - which according to verse 40, is the day of Resurrection.



This passage is also important, because it defines the "will of the Father", which sheds light on the oft-twisted passage in Matthew 7:21, where it is said that only those who "do the will of the Father" will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.



The will of the Father is that every believer is to be eternally secure, and will be raised up from the dead to live forever with God in the new creation.



Verse 2 - 1 John 5:1

1 John 5:1

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.



Discussion

This verse states that believers have been "born of God". It doesn't say "will be born of God", it says "is born of God", present tense. The moment one puts their faith faith in Jesus Christ to save them, they receive the new birth (John 1:12, Galatians 3:26).



This new birth is born of "incorruptible seed" (1 Peter 1:23), and "cannot sin" (1 John 3:9, 5:18). When believers die, this is all that will remain, which is why they will never sin in Heaven. This nature exists, presently, in every single believer.



While believers live on earth, this nature of their new birth struggles against their old nature (Galatians 5:17), which is the flesh of their old birth. The new creature that is born of God however, is incorruptible and sinless.



The part of a believer that is even capable of sinning is not the real "them" that God sees, if they have been born again (Romans 7:14-20). It is merely a remnant of their first birth which has absolutely no affect whatsoever on their new nature from the new birth.



Verse 3 - John 10:28-29

John 10:28-29

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.



Discussion

Notice in verse 28 that there is not any man that can pluck a believer out of Christ's hand. The category of "any man", logically, must include the believer themselves. Verse 29 also says that believers are in the Father's hand - another witness to the fact that their Salvation is guaranteed by God Almighty. Those "given" to Christ are the ones being discussed (verse 29), and as was seen in John 6:39-40, this refers to believers in Jesus.



Further, believers are not only in Jesus's hand, they are a part of His hand and His body (Ephesians 5:30). For a believer to lose their Salvation would require the body of Jesus Christ to be mutilated - it cannot happen.



Verse 4 - Ephesians 1:12-14

Ephesians 1:12-14

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.



Discussion

This passage teaches that every single believer is sealed with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when they believe. This Holy Spirit is the "earnest" (down payment) of their inheritance, meaning that God seals them to demonstrate His faithfulness to not losing a single one of those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.



The Bible is replete with verses teaching that the Holy Spirit lives inside of every single believer (Ephesians 4:30, Romans 8:9: 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19: 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5, etc.), and this passage demonstrates that they are sealed until a fixed point in time - "until the redemption of the purchased possession", which refers to the Resurrection, when believers will receive a glorified body (Romans 8:23).



Because believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, it is God Himself that secures their Salvation. Not only are they in the Son's hand, and the Father's hand, but God's Holy Sprit is in them. Their Salvation is never put in their hands to keep, because God knows that they aren't reliable.



Verse 5 - Romans 8:38-39

Romans 8:38-39

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Discussion

Notice that the Apostle Paul says that neither "things present, nor things to come" can separate believers from the love of God. There is no conceivable action done at any point, by anyone, that can separate a believer from the love of God.



This bears witness to the truth that once someone is "sanctified by faith" (Acts 26:18) and made holy by the payment of Jesus Christ, they are safe forever, as Hebrews 10:14 says, "by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified". Once someone is sanctified, they are, in the sight of God, sanctified and perfected forever. The positional sanctification of the believer is irrevocable, and nothing can possibly change that.



The purpose of verses like this is to set a believers mind at ease, by emphasizing that God is supremely faithful, and because He loves believers, they are absolutely safe. And, He loves on the unchanging basis that they are in His beloved Son (Ephesians 1:6), not because of how well they perform. A believer's Salvation was never based on their behavior or good works to begin with.



Verse 6 - Romans 11:29

Romans 11:29

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.



Discussion

This verse states that God's gifts are irrevocable ("without repentance"), meaning they will never be snatched back from those to whom they have been given, and God will never relinquish His promise to someone. This is particularly significant, because the Apostle Paul calls Salvation/Eternal Life a "gift" no less than 7 times in the previous chapters (Romans 5:15-18, 6:23).



Furthermore, Salvation is called a "gift" in two other prominent passages of Scripture - Ephesians 2:8-9, and John 4:10. Beyond what the Scripture says about God's faithfulness, common sense stipulates that a gift that has been given to someone cannot be taken away. The definition of a gift is something given for free, to keep.



Verse 7 - John 6:47

John 6:47

47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.



Discussion

The greatest part about the above verse is how simple and clear the Lord is, when speaking on such an important topic. He clearly states that those who believe in Him have - as a present possession - Everlasting Life.



And if a person has, right now, Everlasting Life, then how can they perish? If they ever lost it, it would not be "everlasting", as it would not have lasted forever, as the time period "forever" logically includes, as a subset, all of the time remaining in one's earthly life as well.



Verse 8 - Romans 4:4-8

Romans 4:4-8

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.



Discussion

This passage is significant, because it touches on the fact that the sole basis for a believer's justification before God is the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ.



The passage states that God gives this righteousness to "the one who does not work, but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly". To them, He "imputes righteousness without works". This is the solution to the problem presented in the previous chapter - "there is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10).



This understanding of justification is a powerful proof for Eternal Security. Believers are saved because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to their account (Romans 3:21-22). The basis for a believer's justification is not personal to them, or their effort, or their behavior, as such things do not play a role in their justification, nor can such things ever augment the righteousness of Jesus Christ, which is the current possession of believers. For this reason, a person who has been saved for 10 minutes has the same basis for justification, to the same degree, as a believer who has lived 50 years in service to the Lord. Both only have the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, to justify them before a holy God (Philippians 3:9).



Verse 9 - 1 John 5:13

1 John 5:13

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.



Discussion

The above verse not only establishes that believers have Eternal Life as a present possession, but also that God wants them to know this, and be confident in this fact. God says that believers should "know that (they) have Eternal Life" - and why? Because they "believe on the name of the Son of God".



Obviously, if it is possible to know this, then belief must be something that a person can look back on, and know that it has taken place. Faith is not unknowable, or mysterious, or complex, and the new birth is not a lifelong process. Instead, a believer who has put their faith in Jesus Christ can know that they have done so, and know that they are secure on that basis.



Verse 10 - John 5:24

John 5:24

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.



Discussion

Above is another statement demonstrating that believers have Eternal Life as a present possession. And notice - they shall not - future tense - come into condemnation. Believers have Eternal Life now (John 3:36), and are not condemned now (John 3:18), but also shall not come into condemnation, in the future.



Also notice that the one who believes "is passed" from death unto life. It is described as a completed operation, not a lifelong process.



In no circumstance can believers come into eternal condemnation in the future, because such are washed clean of their sins in the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5: 1 Corinthians 6:11). Never again can they be condemned, regardless of what takes place, because they are redeemed by the Savior.



What about murder? Paid for - Moses killed a man and hid him in the sand. Paul was an active participant in putting Christians to death when he was a leader of the Pharisees. Adultery? Paid for - David committed adultery, got the woman's husband, Uriah, drunk, and then had him killed. Lying? Paid for - Peter denied Jesus and told people he did not even know who He was. Abraham lied multiple times and led people to believe that his wife was his sister, because he was afraid they would kill him. Idolatry? Paid for - Solomon (as far as is known) ended his life as an idolater, and he wrote three books of the Bible.



Suicide? Paid for - Sampson killed himself, and he is listed as one of the heroes of the faith in Hebrews chapter 11. Theft? Paid for - Jesus looked to the dying thief and says "today you shall be with me in Paradise". Drug and alcohol abuse? Paid for - Noah and Lot got blackout drunk, and Lot slept with his own daughters. As one can see, the Bible is not like other "holy books" which hide their heroes' sins. The Bible is brutally honest in its depiction of even the best of men, which is why David says "every man at his best state is altogether vanity" (Psalm 39:5).



Yet despite a believer's sins, they are washed clean forever, and as far as God is concerned, they are as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). This forgiveness was purchased by the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, and His resurrection confirmed the purchase, and secured our redemption.



A believer will reap what they sow in this life (Galatians 6:7), and God will chasten His children if they misbehave (1 Corinthians 11:32, Hebrews 12:6), just like any good father would, but as far as a believer's eternal, judicial standing before God is concerned, they are as spotless as Jesus Christ. Their new birth that made them a son/daughter of His is, eternally speaking, all that He sees.



Blessings in this life (Psalm 1:1-3, etc.), earning eternal rewards in Heaven (1 Corinthians 3:14-15), and avoiding God's chastening here on earth, are the motivations given to a Christian to live righteously. Threatening His children with Hell is never something that God uses to "motivate" believers anywhere in either Testament, as such a thing is absurd and impossible.



Logically, if a person could lose their Salvation, then if God loved them at all, He would take them home to Heaven the moment that they believed. He would not leave them in a precarious situation for decades, dangling their soul over Hell the whole time. In such a situation, living a long life would be a curse. The doctrine that one can lose their Salvation does not survive basic logical scrutiny, in addition to being unbiblical.



Conclusion

Anyone who has believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior has Eternal Life, and that life, by the basic definition of the word "eternal", and many Biblical proofs, can never, ever be lost.



Every Christian denomination which teaches that one can lose their Salvation is teaching a works-based Salvation message. If one's actions can cause them to lose their Salvation (or "prove they never had it" - same consequence, same emphasis), that is not Salvation faith alone. That is Salvation by faith plus behavior - works.



It is also important to understand that "faith" really just means believing something is true. Belief in Jesus is simple trust in Him, instead of oneself, for Salvation from Hell/entrance into Heaven. Beware of attempts to redefine faith to mean "works", keeping in mind the clear distinction between the two made in Romans 4:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9:



Romans 4:5

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.



Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.



Once one is saved, they are always saved, and that applies even if a person stops believing altogether (2 Timothy 2:13), as believing false religions/false doctrine is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-20), which any believer is susceptible to.



The teaching that one can lose their Salvation demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of atonement of Jesus Christ. Jesus paid for all of a believer's sins. Once He saves a person, He does not need that person's help keeping them saved. Salvation is not a cooperative effort. Jesus Christ either does all of the work, or one must be their own "savior". Grace, with respect to Salvation, is completely nullified if it is conflated with work:



Romans 11:6

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.



Many thoughtful Christians, because they are never taught this in a clear way, live in persistent uncertainty and fear. This is why this is such a vital doctrine, and I pray that this article has demonstrated that it is also a doctrine firmly rooted in the Word of God.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

Exactly. So many people (especially Calvinists) take Romans 3:10-12 literally to be referring to all people, but the scriptures Paul is referring to there (Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3) are not referring to all people, but rather to those fools who say there is no God. David contrasts those people with God's people, so it's not literally everyone who is not righteous and doesn't understand and doesn't seek God.

Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. 4 Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord.

People don't look at context. The context of Romans 3:10-12 is in relation to fools who say there is no God and who devour God's people. Obviously, God's people are not included among those who say there is no God and who don't understand and don't seek God. So, what Paul is saying in Romans 3:10-12 is that none of those who say there is no God are righteous, none of them understand and none of them seek God. Which is in contrast to those who are God's people who do understand and who do seek God.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

If Romans 3:11 (Psalm 14:2, Psalm 53:2) was saying that literally no one seeks God, then how can God reward those who earnestly seek Him? That would not be possible in that case. So, clearly, neither Paul nor David were saying that literally no one seeks God, since the context is in relation to those who say there is no God and not in relation to those who earnestly seek Him.

Here are more verses. It is astonishing that you believe humans can choose God and live righteously. If this were true, Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross would be unnecessary, and the Old Covenant would suffice.



Genesis 6:5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.



Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?



Isaiah 64:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.



Romans 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh…



1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.



2 Corinthians 4:3-4 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers…



Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins…



Mark 7:21-23 ESV For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

 

[BNR32FAN]

This text is copied from a website that supports OSAS. How do you interpret these verses.



Verse 1 - John 6:39-40

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.



Discussion

In verse 39, Jesus states that He will not lose a single one of those who the Father has given Him. Then in verse 40, He defines that group as those who believe in Jesus. This is because believers are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" (1 Peter 1:5) until a fixed point in time - which according to verse 40, is the day of Resurrection.



This passage is also important, because it defines the "will of the Father", which sheds light on the oft-twisted passage in Matthew 7:21, where it is said that only those who "do the will of the Father" will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.



The will of the Father is that every believer is to be eternally secure, and will be raised up from the dead to live forever with God in the new creation.



Verse 2 - 1 John 5:1

1 John 5:1

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.



Discussion

This verse states that believers have been "born of God". It doesn't say "will be born of God", it says "is born of God", present tense. The moment one puts their faith faith in Jesus Christ to save them, they receive the new birth (John 1:12, Galatians 3:26).



This new birth is born of "incorruptible seed" (1 Peter 1:23), and "cannot sin" (1 John 3:9, 5:18). When believers die, this is all that will remain, which is why they will never sin in Heaven. This nature exists, presently, in every single believer.



While believers live on earth, this nature of their new birth struggles against their old nature (Galatians 5:17), which is the flesh of their old birth. The new creature that is born of God however, is incorruptible and sinless.



The part of a believer that is even capable of sinning is not the real "them" that God sees, if they have been born again (Romans 7:14-20). It is merely a remnant of their first birth which has absolutely no affect whatsoever on their new nature from the new birth.



Verse 3 - John 10:28-29

John 10:28-29

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.



Discussion

Notice in verse 28 that there is not any man that can pluck a believer out of Christ's hand. The category of "any man", logically, must include the believer themselves. Verse 29 also says that believers are in the Father's hand - another witness to the fact that their Salvation is guaranteed by God Almighty. Those "given" to Christ are the ones being discussed (verse 29), and as was seen in John 6:39-40, this refers to believers in Jesus.



Further, believers are not only in Jesus's hand, they are a part of His hand and His body (Ephesians 5:30). For a believer to lose their Salvation would require the body of Jesus Christ to be mutilated - it cannot happen.



Verse 4 - Ephesians 1:12-14

Ephesians 1:12-14

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.



Discussion

This passage teaches that every single believer is sealed with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when they believe. This Holy Spirit is the "earnest" (down payment) of their inheritance, meaning that God seals them to demonstrate His faithfulness to not losing a single one of those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.



The Bible is replete with verses teaching that the Holy Spirit lives inside of every single believer (Ephesians 4:30, Romans 8:9: 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19: 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5, etc.), and this passage demonstrates that they are sealed until a fixed point in time - "until the redemption of the purchased possession", which refers to the Resurrection, when believers will receive a glorified body (Romans 8:23).



Because believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, it is God Himself that secures their Salvation. Not only are they in the Son's hand, and the Father's hand, but God's Holy Sprit is in them. Their Salvation is never put in their hands to keep, because God knows that they aren't reliable.



Verse 5 - Romans 8:38-39

Romans 8:38-39

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Discussion

Notice that the Apostle Paul says that neither "things present, nor things to come" can separate believers from the love of God. There is no conceivable action done at any point, by anyone, that can separate a believer from the love of God.



This bears witness to the truth that once someone is "sanctified by faith" (Acts 26:18) and made holy by the payment of Jesus Christ, they are safe forever, as Hebrews 10:14 says, "by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified". Once someone is sanctified, they are, in the sight of God, sanctified and perfected forever. The positional sanctification of the believer is irrevocable, and nothing can possibly change that.



The purpose of verses like this is to set a believers mind at ease, by emphasizing that God is supremely faithful, and because He loves believers, they are absolutely safe. And, He loves on the unchanging basis that they are in His beloved Son (Ephesians 1:6), not because of how well they perform. A believer's Salvation was never based on their behavior or good works to begin with.



Verse 6 - Romans 11:29

Romans 11:29

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.



Discussion

This verse states that God's gifts are irrevocable ("without repentance"), meaning they will never be snatched back from those to whom they have been given, and God will never relinquish His promise to someone. This is particularly significant, because the Apostle Paul calls Salvation/Eternal Life a "gift" no less than 7 times in the previous chapters (Romans 5:15-18, 6:23).



Furthermore, Salvation is called a "gift" in two other prominent passages of Scripture - Ephesians 2:8-9, and John 4:10. Beyond what the Scripture says about God's faithfulness, common sense stipulates that a gift that has been given to someone cannot be taken away. The definition of a gift is something given for free, to keep.



Verse 7 - John 6:47

John 6:47

47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.



Discussion

The greatest part about the above verse is how simple and clear the Lord is, when speaking on such an important topic. He clearly states that those who believe in Him have - as a present possession - Everlasting Life.



And if a person has, right now, Everlasting Life, then how can they perish? If they ever lost it, it would not be "everlasting", as it would not have lasted forever, as the time period "forever" logically includes, as a subset, all of the time remaining in one's earthly life as well.



Verse 8 - Romans 4:4-8

Romans 4:4-8

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.



Discussion

This passage is significant, because it touches on the fact that the sole basis for a believer's justification before God is the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ.



The passage states that God gives this righteousness to "the one who does not work, but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly". To them, He "imputes righteousness without works". This is the solution to the problem presented in the previous chapter - "there is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10).



This understanding of justification is a powerful proof for Eternal Security. Believers are saved because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to their account (Romans 3:21-22). The basis for a believer's justification is not personal to them, or their effort, or their behavior, as such things do not play a role in their justification, nor can such things ever augment the righteousness of Jesus Christ, which is the current possession of believers. For this reason, a person who has been saved for 10 minutes has the same basis for justification, to the same degree, as a believer who has lived 50 years in service to the Lord. Both only have the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, to justify them before a holy God (Philippians 3:9).



Verse 9 - 1 John 5:13

1 John 5:13

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.



Discussion

The above verse not only establishes that believers have Eternal Life as a present possession, but also that God wants them to know this, and be confident in this fact. God says that believers should "know that (they) have Eternal Life" - and why? Because they "believe on the name of the Son of God".



Obviously, if it is possible to know this, then belief must be something that a person can look back on, and know that it has taken place. Faith is not unknowable, or mysterious, or complex, and the new birth is not a lifelong process. Instead, a believer who has put their faith in Jesus Christ can know that they have done so, and know that they are secure on that basis.



Verse 10 - John 5:24

John 5:24

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.



Discussion

Above is another statement demonstrating that believers have Eternal Life as a present possession. And notice - they shall not - future tense - come into condemnation. Believers have Eternal Life now (John 3:36), and are not condemned now (John 3:18), but also shall not come into condemnation, in the future.



Also notice that the one who believes "is passed" from death unto life. It is described as a completed operation, not a lifelong process.



In no circumstance can believers come into eternal condemnation in the future, because such are washed clean of their sins in the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5: 1 Corinthians 6:11). Never again can they be condemned, regardless of what takes place, because they are redeemed by the Savior.



What about murder? Paid for - Moses killed a man and hid him in the sand. Paul was an active participant in putting Christians to death when he was a leader of the Pharisees. Adultery? Paid for - David committed adultery, got the woman's husband, Uriah, drunk, and then had him killed. Lying? Paid for - Peter denied Jesus and told people he did not even know who He was. Abraham lied multiple times and led people to believe that his wife was his sister, because he was afraid they would kill him. Idolatry? Paid for - Solomon (as far as is known) ended his life as an idolater, and he wrote three books of the Bible.



Suicide? Paid for - Sampson killed himself, and he is listed as one of the heroes of the faith in Hebrews chapter 11. Theft? Paid for - Jesus looked to the dying thief and says "today you shall be with me in Paradise". Drug and alcohol abuse? Paid for - Noah and Lot got blackout drunk, and Lot slept with his own daughters. As one can see, the Bible is not like other "holy books" which hide their heroes' sins. The Bible is brutally honest in its depiction of even the best of men, which is why David says "every man at his best state is altogether vanity" (Psalm 39:5).



Yet despite a believer's sins, they are washed clean forever, and as far as God is concerned, they are as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). This forgiveness was purchased by the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, and His resurrection confirmed the purchase, and secured our redemption.



A believer will reap what they sow in this life (Galatians 6:7), and God will chasten His children if they misbehave (1 Corinthians 11:32, Hebrews 12:6), just like any good father would, but as far as a believer's eternal, judicial standing before God is concerned, they are as spotless as Jesus Christ. Their new birth that made them a son/daughter of His is, eternally speaking, all that He sees.



Blessings in this life (Psalm 1:1-3, etc.), earning eternal rewards in Heaven (1 Corinthians 3:14-15), and avoiding God's chastening here on earth, are the motivations given to a Christian to live righteously. Threatening His children with Hell is never something that God uses to "motivate" believers anywhere in either Testament, as such a thing is absurd and impossible.



Logically, if a person could lose their Salvation, then if God loved them at all, He would take them home to Heaven the moment that they believed. He would not leave them in a precarious situation for decades, dangling their soul over Hell the whole time. In such a situation, living a long life would be a curse. The doctrine that one can lose their Salvation does not survive basic logical scrutiny, in addition to being unbiblical.



Conclusion

Anyone who has believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior has Eternal Life, and that life, by the basic definition of the word "eternal", and many Biblical proofs, can never, ever be lost.



Every Christian denomination which teaches that one can lose their Salvation is teaching a works-based Salvation message. If one's actions can cause them to lose their Salvation (or "prove they never had it" - same consequence, same emphasis), that is not Salvation faith alone. That is Salvation by faith plus behavior - works.



It is also important to understand that "faith" really just means believing something is true. Belief in Jesus is simple trust in Him, instead of oneself, for Salvation from Hell/entrance into Heaven. Beware of attempts to redefine faith to mean "works", keeping in mind the clear distinction between the two made in Romans 4:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9:



Romans 4:5

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.



Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.



Once one is saved, they are always saved, and that applies even if a person stops believing altogether (2 Timothy 2:13), as believing false religions/false doctrine is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-20), which any believer is susceptible to.



The teaching that one can lose their Salvation demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of atonement of Jesus Christ. Jesus paid for all of a believer's sins. Once He saves a person, He does not need that person's help keeping them saved. Salvation is not a cooperative effort. Jesus Christ either does all of the work, or one must be their own "savior". Grace, with respect to Salvation, is completely nullified if it is conflated with work:



Romans 11:6

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.



Many thoughtful Christians, because they are never taught this in a clear way, live in persistent uncertainty and fear. This is why this is such a vital doctrine, and I pray that this article has demonstrated that it is also a doctrine firmly rooted in the Word of God.

Ok well I’m at work right now and can’t address all of these right now but I did do a video explaining why John 6:37-40 can’t support eternal security.

 

[BNR32FAN]

In verse 39, Jesus states that He will not lose a single one of those who the Father has given Him. Then in verse 40, He defines that group as those who believe in Jesus. This is because believers are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" (1 Peter 1:5) until a fixed point in time - which according to verse 40, is the day of Resurrection.

No that’s not what Jesus said at all. You’re omitting a very key phrase there “this is the will of Him who sent Me”. He doesn’t say that He will lose none He said that The Father desires that He lose none. I explain all this in detail in the video.

 

[BNR32FAN]

This new birth is born of "incorruptible seed" (1 Peter 1:23), and "cannot sin" (1 John 3:9, 5:18). When believers die, this is all that will remain, which is why they will never sin in Heaven. This nature exists, presently, in every single believer.

The “seed” is the word of God not the individual.

“Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

It’s the word of God that is described as living and enduring not the individual.

 

[BNR32FAN]

While believers live on earth, this nature of their new birth struggles against their old nature (Galatians 5:17), which is the flesh of their old birth. The new creature that is born of God however, is incorruptible and sinless.

Did you have any idea that Paul just told these people that they have been severed from Christ and have fallen from Grace in this very chapter that you’re quoting from?Read verses 1-4.


“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

 

[BNR32FAN]

This new birth is born of "incorruptible seed" (1 Peter 1:23), and "cannot sin" (1 John 3:9, 5:18). When believers die, this is all that will remain, which is why they will never sin in Heaven. This nature exists, presently, in every single believer.

Born again believers can’t sin? You really need to get out of the KJV because it’s a terrible transition.

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Look at the difference in translations with the NASB

“No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Now compare that to the KJV

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬

Now read the first verse I posted and tell me which of these two translations best fits that passage? And tell me, have you actually managed to never sin after coming to Christ? I try my absolute hardest and still fail from time to time. Are you incapable of sin or do you not make it a practice of sinning? Which of these two translations best describes you in your walk with Christ?

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

The “seed” is the word of God not the individual.

“Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

It’s the word of God that is described as living and enduring not the individual.

Thanks for the debate. We can't change each other's minds; only the Holy Spirit can help us understand scripture. From your post I see you used to believe in OSAS but now think salvation can be lost. I grew up believing that, but after prayer and reflection, I now hold the OSAS view. Most of my family, including my wife, believe salvation can be lost.

I won’t claim to be right and you wrong, as the Holy Spirit gives us understanding of scripture. Who am I to say God didn’t reveal to you what He intended?

OSAS is a significant doctrine in the Bible, but belief in it doesn't affect accepting Christ as a personal savior. If you think salvation can be lost, maintain your faith and hold on to your salvation.

I on the other hand who believes in Once Saved, Always Saved, I do not interpret it as a license to sin. Instead, it fills humility in me, knowing that despite my weaknesses, God loves me so much that He has guaranteed a place for me in heaven. Because of His profound love, the Holy Sprit motivate me to please Him by taking up my own cross, obeying Him, abiding in His Son, and striving to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Enjoy your day. Blessings.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

Here are more verses. It is astonishing that you believe humans can choose God and live righteously. If this were true, Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross would be unnecessary, and the Old Covenant would suffice.

I said no such thing. Read what I say more carefully. I never said that people can live righteously apart from Christ and His sacrifice. Not even close. I'm saying that people can choose to acknowledge their sins and that they cannot save themselves and cannot live righteously on their own. Stop wasting time arguing with a strawman and address my arguments instead.

Genesis 6:5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Does context mean anything to you? That was in Noah's day. What does that have to do with the time period since Christ came when the world has had the influence of the power of the gospel? Of course that is what happens if the word of God is not preached in the world. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). If God's influence is not seen and His word is not taught in the world, then people will naturally think that they have no responsibility to obey God. People were not hearing the word of God in those days, but they have been for the past almost 2,000 years, so they have no excuse for not repenting and believing the gospel.

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Jesus said that unrepentant sinners are sick and in need of the physician (Him).

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Nowhere does scripture teach that sinners who are spiritually sick are not capable of recognizing their condition when it is pointed out to them and nowhere does it teach that sinners are not capable of repenting of their sins (changing their minds about sin) when they are shown their lost spiritual condition because of their sin.

Isaiah 64:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Why are you showing me this? Nowhere have I said that we are righteous. Nowhere! That's why we need Jesus. We can't save ourselves by our own works of righteousness (Eph 2:8-9, Titus 3:5). We have to acknowledge that only He can save us. Nowhere does it say that any person is not capable of doing that. Otherwise, God would not command all people everywhere to repent. But, He does (Acts 17:30-31).

Romans 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh…

Right. But, that doesn't mean someone can't know what is good in their spirit. That doesn't mean that someone is not capable of acknowledging that they are not good and are in need of salvation and the forgiveness of sins.

Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Do you see here that Paul said that, despite nothing good dwelling in his flesh, that did not prevent him from wanting to do what was good or what was right. So, a spiritually sick person can't make themselves good or righteous, but they can want to be made righteous and the way to do that is to acknowledge that we are sinners and not righteous and that we need Jesus to save us and make us righteous instead. Nowhere does scripture teach that anyone is incapable of acknowledging that.

1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

You take many verses out of context. Ask God for wisdom so that you stop doing that (James 1:5-7). That verse is not talking about basic things like the simple gospel message. That verse is related to the deep things of God that a person learns after they become saved, which are what Paul called "meat" or "solid food" in 1 Corinthians 3:2. That verse relates to things that only mature Christians understand.

1 Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Notice that even the "babes in Christ" that Paul rebuked could not yet understand the things that Paul said the natural man could not understand because they were still being carnal like the natural man instead of having spiritual discernment of "the deep things of God".

1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Paul was talking to Christians here, so he clearly was not saying they could not yet understand things like the simple gospel message. Clearly, they understood that or else Paul would not have called them "babes in Christ".

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers…

What is your point with this verse? Do you think that people have no choice but to be blinded by the god of this world? That's not what the verse says.

Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins…

That means unsaved people are separated from a personal relationship with God and says nothing about what someone is capable of doing in relation to acknowledging their sins and their lost status. Again, Jesus said that sinners are sick, so you need to differentiate between that and being dead in trespasses and sins.

Mark 7:21-23 ESV For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

That is not saying that only evil thoughts like that ever come from the heart of man. Stop taking everything out of context. Think back to before you were saved. Did you only have evil thoughts at all times? I'm sure you did not. Also, were you incapable of recognizing right from wrong back then? I'm sure you were not. So, stop reading things into verses like this that aren't there.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

This text is copied from a website that supports OSAS. How do you interpret these verses.

Verse 1 - John 6:39-40

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

That does not say of those that the Father gives Him that He can't lose any of them. That is easily proven by just looking at this verse...

John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

You need to look at ALL of scripture to find the truth and not just cherry picked scriptures that you take out of context that you can use to form your doctrine.

 

[Spiritual Jew]

Did you have any idea that Paul just told these people that they have been severed from Christ and have fallen from Grace in this very chapter that you’re quoting from?Read verses 1-4.


“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

This is what Calvinists do. They cherry pick scripture and only see part of the story rather than the whole story.

 

[BNR32FAN]

I

This is what Calvinists do. They cherry pick scripture and only see part of the story rather than the whole story.

I get the feeling that this person isn’t very knowledgeable about the scriptures and is being told what the scriptures teach instead of actually studying it for himself. Perhaps he’s a new believer and just hasn’t discovered the truth yet.

 

[BNR32FAN]

Thanks for the debate. We can't change each other's minds; only the Holy Spirit can help us understand scripture. From your post I see you used to believe in OSAS but now think salvation can be lost. I grew up believing that, but after prayer and reflection, I now hold the OSAS view. Most of my family, including my wife, believe salvation can be lost.

I won’t claim to be right and you wrong, as the Holy Spirit gives us understanding of scripture. Who am I to say God didn’t reveal to you what He intended?

OSAS is a significant doctrine in the Bible, but belief in it doesn't affect accepting Christ as a personal savior. If you think salvation can be lost, maintain your faith and hold on to your salvation.

I on the other hand who believes in Once Saved, Always Saved, I do not interpret it as a license to sin. Instead, it fills humility in me, knowing that despite my weaknesses, God loves me so much that He has guaranteed a place for me in heaven. Because of His profound love, the Holy Sprit motivate me to please Him by taking up my own cross, obeying Him, abiding in His Son, and striving to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Enjoy your day. Blessings.

I never accused you of teaching a license to sin theology my friend. There are a few different forms of eternal security, not all of them teach a license to sin theology.