this is a quandry for Once Saved Always Saved...?

Question

Matthew 7
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

How do you explain this passage?

Answer 1

Anyone can CLAIM Christ but not everyone is truly seeking to follow Him. How many people just warm the pews but live like the world the rest of the week? That's what Jesus was referring to in this passage.

The first link below is a very good article that a friend of mine wrote about the problem with "once saved, always saved." I hope it's a blessing to you.

Answer 2

Many people have pointed to these verses as evidence of conflict since the Bible also says that salvation is simply belief in Jesus Christ. This is no conflict. There is a difference between salvation and sanctification. If anything, it supports the assertion that there are different levels of communion with God in Heaven. Then, too, it might just be that Jesus is pointing a finger at those who profess to be Christian but do not behave according to His teaching... pseudoChristians. I don't know. Either way, it does not contradict the way to eternal life: believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Lamb without spot that is the sacrifice for our sins and the only means by which we are presented before God, in His Holy Presence.

Answer 3

Grace is a great and wonderful thing. It allows the Christian to live with peace in their heart knowing that God will never desert them as long as he continues to walk in the light as He is in the light. This does not mean live a sinless life but it does mean that God expects the Christian to ATTEMPT to be pleasing throughout life. There will be times when a Christian in a spiritual low may not be as close to the Father as he would like but if the Christian does not forsake his Lord, God will wash away all of his human frailties.

Scripture is filled with cautions, though, to Christians to make sure of your salvation lest in the end you will not receive the crown.

Look at Galatians 5:4. Here Paul is speaking to Jews who became Christians but returned to their Judaistic life and began to again follow the Old Law rather the the new Law of Liberty through Christ. He speaks directly to these and says, "You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ. You have FALLEN FROM GRACE."

We easily understand that if a person is riding in the back of a pick up truck and falls from the pick up truck, that person will not get to there destination. Why do so many then not understand that if a man can fall from grace that means he can't get where he was going. I don't know any way for someone to get to heaven without being in the grace of God.

Please don't understand this to mean I think that the salvation of a Christian is a perilous and uncertain thing. I believe the great majority of Christians as they struggle with their sinful self throughout life continually stay in the grace of God. But I do believe that a Christian can choose to turn from Christ as those in Galatians did and no longer be in a saved state.

Answer 4

Unfortunately this is one passage many people have very different views on. What I think.....Just by believing and professing your belief is not enough. this passages says, "...but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Which clear means works. You can't say I believe every Sunday and do nothing else, yet expect to it to heaven. Believing and doing God's work and will is the ticket. But, it's also a constant process until judgment.

Answer 5

Example: A "so-called televangelist" preaches, heals (???), does many great deeds and works, takes people's money for self-motivated reasons rather than for the cause of God, but is as lost and unsaved as a worm. Talked the talk but never walked the walk......... Gets to the great judgment seat of God and says Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?.............

Get it?

Answer 6

many christians are in name only or just do it so they can look good in front of other people. they haven't truley made a heart change for the Lord. i dont think it has to do with once saved always saved. which by the way i dont believe in.

Answer 7

Many people who believe they are Christians are in for a rather shocking awakening--especially all those dupped by the Tim Lahey rubbish.

But the Bible reveals that NO ONE is yet saved:
"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." (Mt 24:13)
And we haven't reached the end yet!

Here's some more for you to chew over:
"And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." (Matthew 24:4-5)

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works." (2 Cor. 11:13-15)

Answer 8

Even though I don't believe in once saved, always saved, I hope it's true.

That, and 99 cents will get you a double cheeseburger at McDonald's.

It probably won't get you into heaven, though.

Answer 9

"Once saved always saved" is certainly true. But the Bible makes it perfectly clear that no-one is finally saved in this life. Final salvation occurs at the moment of death, for those who die in God's friendship.

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth TO THE END SHALL be saved. (Matt 10:22)

Answer 10

that is a quandary for many. If you accept that a Christian could forfeit his salvation then that passage can be understood as follows. The Bible says that the gifts of God are without repentance so someone who forfeited their salvation may still exercise spiritual gifts or works that they has as Christians.