Once Saved, Always Saved
- Date: 2009-12-12 - Word Count: 546
Share This!
This is the most divisive area of discussion between Catholics and some Protestants. Even though I am a firm believer in tolerance between those who have differences in doctrine, I believe even stronger in what the Word of God says. Below are several versus discussing this issue along with my interpretation, then you decide if you are following the Bible and what the Lord is telling us. Remember, the Bible is the foundation of all Christian faiths and heaven and earth will pass away before a single word.
1Corinthians 15:2
"By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the Word I preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain." Notice it says "if" you hold firm, otherwise you believed in vain. In other words, it says your profession of faith or commitment to our Lord means nothing if you do not stand firm in that commitment to turn from sin and follow God. Paul gave this verse to the believers in the early church, those who had accepted the good news of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:12-13
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." This is Christ speaking directly to us saying we must stand firm "to the end" in our love in order to be saved. He did not say, in a moment of emotion when you say you will follow Him, you will have eternal life no matter what you do the rest of your lives.
Matthew 26:24
"…but woe to the man who betrays the Son of Man! It would have been better for him if he had never been born." Christ was speaking of Judas, who lived and walked along side Jesus. Judas knew who Jesus was and yet because of a choice he made to betray Christ, he did not spend eternity in heaven with our Lord.
Then remember the parable where the farmer was sowing the seed and some fell on the rocky ground and some among the thorns? As Christ explained, the seed was the Word of God and the Word in these two examples was initially received, the plants sprouted and started growing. God did His part by forgiving the sins of those who accepted His Word but when the pressures of the world did not allow the Word to flourish and produce fruit, Christ tells us the plants died. These plants were not allowed to stay little, but because they had no roots they died. It is the same with the Christian who accepts the Word of God; we must follow the gospel in order to be saved. Our life as a believer in Christ is a journey through out our life and where we end up is based on the choices we make and the commitment we have in our heart for the Lord.
It is very important to remember, we are not to judge others and are called upon to love those who may believe differently. I also know there are many aspects of God's plan that we do not understand and I have been very close to people who believe "once saved, always save". However, you are responsible for you, so you must know what the scripture says and then follow it.
1Corinthians 15:2
"By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the Word I preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain." Notice it says "if" you hold firm, otherwise you believed in vain. In other words, it says your profession of faith or commitment to our Lord means nothing if you do not stand firm in that commitment to turn from sin and follow God. Paul gave this verse to the believers in the early church, those who had accepted the good news of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:12-13
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." This is Christ speaking directly to us saying we must stand firm "to the end" in our love in order to be saved. He did not say, in a moment of emotion when you say you will follow Him, you will have eternal life no matter what you do the rest of your lives.
Matthew 26:24
"…but woe to the man who betrays the Son of Man! It would have been better for him if he had never been born." Christ was speaking of Judas, who lived and walked along side Jesus. Judas knew who Jesus was and yet because of a choice he made to betray Christ, he did not spend eternity in heaven with our Lord.
Then remember the parable where the farmer was sowing the seed and some fell on the rocky ground and some among the thorns? As Christ explained, the seed was the Word of God and the Word in these two examples was initially received, the plants sprouted and started growing. God did His part by forgiving the sins of those who accepted His Word but when the pressures of the world did not allow the Word to flourish and produce fruit, Christ tells us the plants died. These plants were not allowed to stay little, but because they had no roots they died. It is the same with the Christian who accepts the Word of God; we must follow the gospel in order to be saved. Our life as a believer in Christ is a journey through out our life and where we end up is based on the choices we make and the commitment we have in our heart for the Lord.
It is very important to remember, we are not to judge others and are called upon to love those who may believe differently. I also know there are many aspects of God's plan that we do not understand and I have been very close to people who believe "once saved, always save". However, you are responsible for you, so you must know what the scripture says and then follow it.
Steve Childers is the author of Catholic or Protestant What our Churches Should Be Teaching. Visit http://catholicorprotestant.com/ to learn more about the book and to receive FREE newsletters that includes an article he sends out weekly.n
n Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Unused Power
Ever wondered what would have already been accomplished on this earth if only a handful of people ha - How Horoscope / Astrology Does Affect A Person's Happiness
When we speak about happiness, it reflects on two variations. One as an emotion like being happy or - Using The Internet For God
Do you have a Christian product, service or message that you would like to inexpensively advertise a - Get The Latest Catholic Church Mass Times Now On The Internet
Get to know the Catholic Church Mass Times through the Internet. It is generally obligatory to atten - Horoscope Compatibility For Libra, Capricorn, Sagittarius
According to psychic readings, people under this horoscope signs are somewhat different and somewhat - Know Your Life Through Psychic And Clairvoyance!
Having psychic and clairvoyant readings done from professionals is the best way to know the flaws th - Astrology/horoscopes: Why People Love Astrology
Astrology/horoscopes is the study of celestial body movement. Astrologers believe that the movement - Benny Hinn: India Healing Crusade
Benny Hinn recently conducted a healing crusade in India that drew one of the largest crowds ever. P - Sun, Moon, Ascendants Sign In Birth Chart Wheel
The Ascendant signs or the rising sign - is the zodiacal sign and degree that was ascending on the e - Zodiac Sign Gemini And Its Houses Description
Understanding Zodiac is not that difficult at all, determining your reading for the said subject doe
Most viewed articles in this category:
- No Sign in the Prayer Test
The recent release of the Richard Dawkins book, "The God Delusion", has brought renewed accusations - Bible Versus Quran Versus Sciences Array (2) the Bees
Before dealing with the topic of the Bees in Quran versus Bible versus sciences, it is mandatory to - Understanding the Heart
(If you wish to more benefit from this article, please read first our "The Alems" titled article. - Christian Dating vs Courtship
Over the past decade, or so, It's become popular in modern churches to use the concept of courtship - Bible Versus Quran Versus Sciences, Array (19) the Birds
The issues concerning the Birds in the Bible are:1) The Birds are Detestable and intolerable, 2) The - Starting the Wealth Process
Luke 6:38 KJV Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken togethe - Dissolving the Illusion of Fear
Webster defines fear as unpleasant emotions cause by expectation or awareness of danger. However, - Crossing Paths with a Whistleblower
Mordechai Vanunu grew up in an Orthodox Jewish home but abandoned the faith by his mid teens. He bec - Conspiracy Madness
In connection with the WTC disaster there are conspiracy theories that have been proposed. Such as t - How You Dream Your World Into Existence
Reality is not real. It is a dream. This is not a metaphorical statement. On the quantum level of