A Question About Eternal Security?

Question

For years I have believed that a christian can lose his salvation. I had been influenced by the teachings of Dake. I had believed that my arguments were sound, but in the past year I have questioned my own belief concerning this. There are many things that make me hesitant in believing once saved always saved, however. I find many scriptures that support that losing one's salvation is possible, but I've started understanding why people believe the other. Is there someone out there that has been in my situation? I truly want to know the truth concerning this, and I ask for serious answers only. I am willing to believe eternal security if facts are presented, but please understand that for about fourteen years I've belived the other. Thank you.

Answer 1

I have no idea who Dake is, however yes we can fall from grace.

Answer 2

Can a Believer "Lose" His Salvation?

Or Stated More Accurately, Can He Forfeit It?


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"Has God indeed said...Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away."? (Luke 8:13)


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Summary

the scripture clearly teaches BOTH the sovereignty of God AND the free will of men. To deny this is irrational, and must be caused by something other than reason based on scriptural precepts.

The scriptural position is that a person who is saved can forfeit that salvation. The bible teaches those at highest risk of forfeiting their salvation are those who are newly saved, and those who continue on in known disobedience, after being born again.

The elect are those whom God chose, whom God foresaw would both trust in His Son AND who would endure or persevere in the faith given them until the end of their physical life, or the return of Jesus.

Those whose hearts are seeking the Lord with all that is in them, should have no concern about "losing" their salvation. Nor should they have any concern about forfeiting their salvation.

Salvation cannot be lost, but it can be forfeited - this is the nature of covenants in the bible. The bible no where guarantee's someone that salvation once received cannot be turned away from or forfeited by the individual that possesses it.

Receiving salvation involves man's will, and not works. Forfeiting salvation involves man's will, and not works. In the same way the Lord did not force His salvation on anyone, He neither forces anyone to remain in the covenant.

Answer 3

Dear htimsereg,

I think the question of eternal security is a question that all believers struggle with. It is a dividing line among many Christian denominations.

The Scriptures well at times seem to contradict itself (but doesn't) each passage must be taken in the context of the passage and the passages concerning salvation must especially be examined by looking at the specific group of people being addressed.

The Scriptures teach eternal security, but they also teach what true salvation looks like. Some people teach the ability to lose salvation first of all to emphasize the importance of Godly living. There are many who claim Christ but are quite carnal in their lives and we find Scriptures where Jesus tells us the way is narrow and we realize that not everyone who thinks they are saved are truly saved.

God does tell us in 1 John that he wants us to know that we are saved (see 1 John chapter 5) and i think part of the reason is so that we will spend our focus on living like a saved person instead of going back and forth wondering if we are saved. I have worked with High School students in the ministry for nearly 15 years now and i realize that so many youth students (at every retreat) go back and forth wondering: am i saved, am i not saved, and all the focus is on themselves instead of the things that God wants to do with their lives.

A very good book that i reccommend is: Eternal Security by Charles Stanley. He is a very practical author who just lays out what it means to be saved. It is not a particular book centered around answering this question- but i think based on the title it may do the job for you.

I also want to suggest that you pick up a Systematic Theology and read the chapters concerning Soteriology (it's basically the study of salvation). It presents differents views on topics such as pre-election, etc. (Calvinism vs Arminiaism), etc. This matters as well to your beliefs regarding salvation.

i have been very careful not to give you my opinion but only direct you in a way where you can form your own convictions (because that way they can be the strongest).

Feel free to email me in the future if you want to discuss specific bible passages or if there is any way i can be of any service to you in the Lord.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 4

"Once saved, Always saved" is a doctrine taught from many scriptures throughout the new testament. This principle does not stand on any one verse. Like the doctrine of the rapture -bits and pieces here and there-'in context' lead us to believe this is so.

I will work on an answer for you-but it will take a while- please check back with your question later.

edit: Too many already have this looked up and published-there are many sites on the web that address this issue, here is a good one-

http://www.fundamentalbiblechurch.org/Foundation/fbceters.htm

Answer 5

I KNOW I KNOW PICK ME PICK ME

Romans 8 38-39
I have studied the Bible from the original text and I can tell you, once saved is definitely always saved.

look up this verse
"if all of a man's works were hay wood and stubble, he shall suffer loss, but yet shall enter in as one escaping through the flames."

God cannot make exceptions and be righteous
The thief on the cross did not say he was sorry, did not get baptized, did not live a good life, all he did was have faith.

Look up this verse "For if we become faithless, He remaineth faithful, He cannot deny Himself."

To become faithless, you would first have to have faith.

Emphasis on good works, or living worthy makes you, your own savior.
Emphasis on Christ alone for salvation---is fully believing in Christ as savior.
Much more information at berachahchurch.org
or email me at [e-mail]

Answer 6



Eternal Security Matters
John 10:28 I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish.
From Christ’s atonement on the cross springs our assurance of salvation and eternal life. Many people who claim Jesus as Savior know that they are saved but are uncertain about eternal security, the Lord’s guarantee that our deliverance from sin is permanent. Such believers worry that their salvation can be lost through wrong actions. Eternity is God’s promise, and He wants His children to be confident about spending their future in heaven.
When a person places trust in the Savior, he receives not only forgiveness of sin but also the life of Christ abiding within him: Jesus’ eternal nature becomes his. If we base our security on anything other than Christ’s finished work on the cross--such as our good works--then we will be prone to doubts about eternity and the wrong assumption that God’s favor and heaven must be earned. In truth, eternal security is an extension of the Lord’s grace.
When we were unbelievers, the promise of heaven impacted our understanding of divine pardon. In repenting of our sins, we changed our thinking about wrong behavior and acknowledged helplessness before God. In turn, we received forgiveness, and our intimate relationship with Him began at that moment. For believers, repentance makes right our fellowship with the Lord; forgiveness is already ours.
After receiving Jesus Christ into our life, we may still have some doubts or may even rebel and sin against Him. But our salvation is not lost. Scripture is clear on this point: "I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish" (John 10:28).

Answer 7

htimseregor, I Would suggest to read to book by Dr. Charles Stanley: Eternal Security. Are you sure? Jesus said that the Father that is greater than Him will bring you to Jesus and in the acceptance of your salvation You will be in Jesus hands and Jesus' hands will be in the Father's hands making this like a double security because from His hands nobody can snatch you out of His hands, plus you are sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption. Only those who are sealed with God's Holy Spirit are the only ones who can enter Heaven. I Hope that this had helped a little . God Bless, Be sealed.

Answer 8

Are you a parent? Can you understand fathers that disown their children? I have two children. I love them more than life. I don't care what they do or what they become they will always be mine and I will love them and bring them into my home. Put my arms around them and hold them close. Am I a better father than God.. I don't think so. So once you are His child you will be so for all time. He will in no wise cast you out.. He paid the price for your salvation. Since He loved you that much how could He take that Child-ship away from you... Jim

Answer 9

when you are truly "born again", you become a new creature spiritually, sealed as a child of God by the Holy Spirit. Your original sinful nature is transformed into a nature pleasing to God. You are a work in progress and your salvation is assured.
Once you are a child of the Living God, He will give you up to noone nor no things.
That is the faith we have in God's promise.

Answer 10

We are saved at baptism, being save through the sacramental life, and finally saved at judgment. We CAN lose our salvation. Here is a case study: Imagine knowing Jesus Himself, preaching with Him for 3 years, baptizing in His name, following Him to the very end, then selling Him out for 30 silver coins! Judas was closer to Jesus than anyone else except the 11 others and he lost his salvation. This just shows that once saved always saved is a crock. Do not get taken in, once you are baptized into Christ you must put on Christ at all times until we have finished the race as Paul calls it!

Answer 11

Look, you have beleived the same thing for years and years. You beleived this because you were told to beleive it by other people and/or a book. You were not born beleiving...you were taught this stuff. take it from me, if you want to keep your beleif in a "God" at all, then just keep beleiving what you always have. As soon as you start to doubt the stories and the morals that you have been taught and beleived for years, it is only one long downward slope to thinking on your own and not letting others control you.