Once I'm saved, can I just forget about it...?

Question

Or do I have to constantly think of good works to do and have my relationship with Jesus on the brain all the time?

Where is the salvation dividing line?

Answer 1

This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which arises also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

One may say that the doctrine of "eternal security" or "perseverance of the saints" encourages sin ("If I believe I'm going to heaven no matter what because I believe in Jesus, then I can sin and not worry about it"). But salvation is not giving a free ticket to heaven to everyone who says, "I believe in Jesus." Salvation is a life-changing work of God's mighty grace that not only produces faith in Christ but also changes our hearts and shows itself in a changed and changing life (Romans 6:1,2). We are justified by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone (Galatians 5:6). Christians still sin, struggle with temptation, and often fall, but we are no longer the slaves of sin (Romans 6:17,18) and are led by the Spirit (8:13-16) who works in us to will and to do according to God's good pleasure (Phil.2:12,13). A person who says, "Because I believe in Jesus I can sin however I want and still go to heaven" is reprobate and not converted (Jude 4). There is no eternal security for hypocrites.

Answer 2

Salvation is a wonderful thing, and you'll have the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide you and keep you worshipping Christ, especially if you've been Baptized. You don't have to constantly think of good works, or do them continuously; because our good works don't earn us Salvation. Christ died for us; that's how we are eligable for Salvation. Accepting Christ and living a life that He came to show us how to live, is how we stay on track. If you truly have Christ in your life and in your heart, you'll continue to be a Christian, and you'd want to be one.
Anyone can claim to be "saved' and then just go off and do whatever they want to, couldn't they? Would they still be a Christian then, if they turned their back on their Salvation?
No..in fact, turning your back on the Holy Spirit, that gift we get upon Salvation, requires an obligation on our part, and that is to remain faithful. If we turn away from it, we are in a dangerous state; as we may have committed the "unpardonable sin" and that is Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. That is when we have hardened our hearts, against Christ and our Salvation. We need to take Christ's sacrifice seriously, as it is very precious. So then the "dividing line" as you say, would be at a point that a saved person discontinues their relationship with Christ, and doesn't care about being saved anymore.
We continue to sin, as we all do, but having accepted Christ's sacrifice, allows us forgiveness and helps us to try harder to keep our faith.
Many people here said that there is no "once saved; always saved" and that is true. There is no guarantee that we will continue to be saved; we must keep ourselves faithful, or we can lose our Salvation.

Answer 3

An experience like salvation is impossible to forget if it is a real one. I mean, how could anyone go from total spiritual ignorance to spiritual revelation provided by God Himself and
forget it? I know that isn't what you meant though. "wink"

Salvation produces works as automatically as the moon gives
light. As a matter of fact as the moon reflects the sun we are to reflect the Son to give light to the darkness of men's souls.

There is no dividing line. The love of God in our hearts will melt the lead in our feet so that we just cannot help but share His love and mercy with others. We will want to do all we can to help others in any way we can including - as the Bible says
- those who oppose themselves.




EDIT: For those who believe in eternal security as taught by John Calvin I would heartily recommend that you purchase and study "Life in the Son" by Robert Shank. This man was so convinced in once saved always saved that he went on a long binge studying this doctrine from every possible angle.
He was determined to prove once and for all that eternal security as right. -- This book is one of those rare scholarly achievements that come along only once in a lifetime. It is well documented with scripture texts and superb lucidity when
examining the scriptures. The President of the "Southern Baptist College" said that he challenges any of his colleagues
or any other person to refute its teachings. He is convinced that it can't be done. This book should be a classic and required reading in any Bible college of any persuasion that endorses intellectual integrity.

Answer 4

Good works has nothing to do with salvation, establish that first and you will see no dividing line. His grace is greater than our sin, and deserves the glory, not us.

The Holy Spirit will quicken one to bear witness or do other works according to His will.

Those who truly love the Lord tend to think about Him and His love often.
It would impossible to have those thoughts consciously at every second of everyday, but rather working in the mind of the subconscious, if you are Spirit filled.

Answer 5

Nope, unfortunately for "good people," good works aren't going to do a thing for us.
Good works will happen (you'll not be able to help it!) if you are in Christ, but a person can't just "do good works" as though it's going to earn you something. It only earns you something from the world and from wordly people.

I am of the opinion (belief) that if you are saved (ie believe that Jesus really lived as a man, really was God, really died for our sins, and really rose) then you are given eternal life with God and all believers in heaven. Period.

There's not one thing you can do (good or bad) that affects your salvation.

This drives a lot of Christians crazy....they try to keep on "earning" it....as if we could!!

Sorry, that's not how God works. It IS how the world works, however, and that's why, IMO, Satan has so much power, even over believers. Because it's still "all about them." What should I do? How much? How little can I get away with? (your Q for example)

Our focus (as Christians) should be on Christ and His ways, His life, His teachings, His Word, and we shouldn't just stick a finger in the air every time a Christian goes by to see which way the wind is blowing.

It's all there in the Good Book. It could be Top Contributor for a lot of peoples' lives, if they'd only consult it.

Answer 6

You don't forget about it. The Holy Spirit is along for the ride and will be convicting you about certain things and encouraging you about others. God gives you the good works to do according to Ephesians 2. The key thing to remember is you are putting your salvation to work - not working for your salvation.

Answer 7

It is similar to getting married. Once the ceremony is over, you could go back to your old apartment and totally ignore the person you just married. You would still be married, but you would not get any of the benefits or enjoyment of it.

And at some point, after being ignored long enough, you would probably find yourself divorced by that spouse.

You can "get saved" and then totally ignore God after that. But you would get none of the benefits. And might learn in the end that somewhere along the line he divorced you.

Answer 8

Listen, you're relationship with the Lord is YOUR relationship with Him. While many Christians like to think that they will live a sinless life, it is impossible!!!!! That's where we have to ask the Lord for forgiveness and mercy, then we continue on with life. Christians are simply those of us who have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior and are saved by grace. What makes us any different than the sinner -- Jesus Christ. That's it!!! We still struggle, we still fall, but the difference is that we have a Savior that we can call upon and ask for His forgiveness and help with our issues in life. i know this first hand. I was a drug addict for years. Leave it to the Church and I was condemned, but CHrist said otherwise and I'll leave you with this. Jesus said "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone." Live you're life, you are saved by by the Blood Of Jesus and His grace covers us all!!!!!

Answer 9

Salvation is not a onetime event called initial salvation but a lifelong process of sanctification to final salvation upon our physical death.

We know that Christians continue to sin even after we believe in Christ. But, the bible says that we must not only believe but that we must continue to believe and endure in our faith. We will fall away with doubt and sin but we may be restored through repentance and forgiveness in God's grace. That is why we have Sacraments, to assist us in keeping us on the narrow path that leads to final salvation. Remember, salvation is not dependent on the state of our soul in life but at death. We can deny Him or accept Him in our last breath.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 10

It's not a list of chores for you to check off before you can get that really cool toy you've wanted for weeks. Being "saved" is more about a relationship with God whose Son died for our sakes so that we could have eternal life in heaven with Him. Remember, we need to live our lives as Jesus would have us live and be thankful that we have eternal life through Jesus.