If you believe that Christians cannot lose their salvation, please explain this parable: Matt 18:23-35?

Question

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt...

There isn't enough room for the whole thing.

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

The parable states that his master "forgave him the debt" and then later, "delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him"

If that isn't talking about damnation, then what is it talking about? Those of you who say it's talking about something else, what is it talking about?

The purgatory explanation is a good try, but the thing is that when he was to pay the debt the first time, he was to be sold into slavery which is Bible speak for under the wrath of God or condemned to hell. His debt is also described as 10,000 talents which is bible speak for all that can be owed or an unpayable debt.

Answer 1

What you have stated here is the perfect definition of `Purgatory` and this from the Lord`s own mouth and yet since the Reformation this has been twisted and debunked as if the Lord was only joking or worse telling an untruth.
It is obvious that Jesus was alluding to a prison of sorts in the next life and as there is no release from Hell then it follows that there has to be another place of purgation in which the debt owed by sin is paid.
God is infinite purity and holiness and it would be impossible for us to enter into His divine presence with the stain of sin on our souls, in the same way as oil and water cannot mix neither can impurity and purity.

Answer 2

This passage has nothing to do with salvation. It is about our attitude towards others who offend us or do something against us. We have been forgiven much, so we should also forgive much.

(excerpt from Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible)
14. We should never be weary of forgiving our brethren, Mat_18:22. We should do it cheerfully. We should do it always. We are never better employed than when we are doing good to those who have injured us. Thus doing, we are most like God.
15. There will be a day in which we must give up our account, (Mat_18:23). It may tarry long; but God will reckon with us, and everything shall be brought into judgment.
16. We are greatly indebted to God - far, far beyond what we are able to pay, (Mat_18:24). We have sinned, and in no way can we make atonement for past sins; but Jesus the Saviour has made an atonement and paid our debt, and we may be free.
17. It is right to pray to God when we feel that we have sinned, and are unable to pay the debt, (Mat_18:26). We have no other way. Poor, and needy, and wretched, we must cast ourselves upon his mercy or die - die forever.
18. God will have compassion on those who do this, (Mat_18:27). At his feet, in the attitude of prayer, the burdened sinner finds peace. We have nowhere else to go but to the very Being that we have offended. None but he can save us from death.
19. From the kindness of God to us we should learn not to oppress others, (Mat_18:28).
20. It is our true interest, as well as duty, to forgive those that offend us, (Mat_18:34). God will take vengeance, and in due time we must suffer if we do not forgive others.
21. Christians are often great sufferers for harboring malice. As a punishment, God withdraws the light of his countenance; they walk in darkness; they cannot enjoy religion; their conscience smites them, and they are wretched. No man ever did or ever can enjoy religion who did not from his heart forgive his brother his trespasses.
22. One reason why Christians ever walk in darkness is, that there is some such duty neglected. They think they have been injured, and very possibly they may have been; they think they are in the right, and possibly they are so; but mingled with a consciousness of this is an unforgiving spirit, and they cannot enjoy religion until that is subdued.
23. Forgiveness must not be in word merely, but from the heart, (Mat_18:35). No other can be genuine. No other is like God.

Answer 3

nicely... You cant commit the unpardonable sin till you realize and settle for the gospel first and then KNOWINGLY turn your back on it. the fact that it even exists shows you could actually, certainly, lose their salvation. If we do our components and stay undemanding to God then no, he will by no skill supply up on us. If we sin, it doesnt directly do away with our salvation....as long as we repent and make the attempt to alter and be greater proper. God is very plenty involved interior the state of our heart, no longer the words we declare. people have SO watered down the gospel that its incredibly much insulting to have faith someone can recite some pre-written "salvation prayer" and then stay a life-time of intentional sin..and nonetheless visit heaven. What a mockery of Jesus' sacrifice.

Answer 4

This is losing salvation today but not salvation (eternal life). When we don't forgive others, we get turned over to the tormentors. When we then forgive those who owe us & repent to Jesus, Jesus heals us from the experience.

See? We are suppose to love & forgive others how Jesus Christ loved & forgave us our sins.

As Christians, we learn to walk in forgiveness. Otherwise we are miserable & could die early. This is building on the Rock Foundation our house with perishable (unforgiveness). And when tested by fire, will burn away. But being born of God, still are saved (have eternal life). See? God is a God who rewards us when we build with obedience to Gods Word. Faith, Hope & Love are everlasting, & the greatest of these is Love.

Answer 5

To impress on the disciples their obligation to be forgiving, Jesus tells them an illustration. It is about a king who wants to settle accounts with his slaves. One slave is brought to him who owes the enormous debt of 60,000,000 denarii (about $50,000,000). There is no way he can pay it. So, as Jesus explains, the king orders him and his wife and his children to be sold and payment to be made.

At that the slave falls down at his master’s feet and begs: “Be patient with me and I will pay back everything to you.”

Moved with pity, the master mercifully cancels the slave’s enormous debt. But no sooner has he done so, Jesus continues, than this slave goes and finds a fellow slave who owes him only 100 denarii (about $90). The man grabs his fellow slave by the throat and begins choking him, saying: “Pay back whatever you owe.”

But the fellow slave does not have the money. So he falls at the feet of the slave to whom he is in debt, begging: “Be patient with me and I will pay you back.” Unlike his master, the slave is not merciful, and he has his fellow slave thrown into prison.

Well, Jesus continues, the other slaves who saw what had happened go and tell the master. He, in turn, angrily summons the slave. “Wicked slave,” he says, “I canceled all that debt for you, when you entreated me. Ought you not, in turn, to have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I also had mercy on you?” Provoked to wrath, the master delivers the unmerciful slave over to the jailers until he should pay back all that he owes.

Then Jesus concludes: “In like manner my heavenly Father will also deal with you if you do not forgive each one his brother from your hearts.”

What a fine lesson in forgiveness!

Answer 6

You can not lose your salvation, however, you can turn away from it. This is the unpardonable sin. If you turn your back on God, and willingly turn to Satan, you have given up your salvation. You have sinned against the Holy Spirit. If you go this far, you will not want to turn to God, you will be happy where you are.

God be with you,
Reverend, William M. Butler
St. Luke Christian Ministries

Answer 7

If that scripture had to do with loosing one's salvation it would be contradictory. Since we know that scripture never contradicts another scripture then we must conclude that this scripture means something else. Jesus said, "I know who my sheep are, and no one can snatch them out of my hand." That means that no one, inluding you, has the power to take you away from Jesus once you have believed.

Answer 8

That isn't inferring being sent to hell for this. Boy do you people twist the scriptures, but you'd have to, to belong to your cult.

Answer 9

I'm not one who believes in "once saved, always saved" but I've never read that parable in that context. Very interesting. Thank you

Answer 10

ONCE SAVED – ALWAYS SAVED = Not a Bible Doctrine?

OS- AS is a Church Doctrine, BUT is it a doctrine of the Word of God? This OS-AS has come out of the Baptist Persuasion. Yet Dr. Charles Stanley was president of the Southern Baptist Convention, about 20 years ago! When he took over the leadership, he had a ‘Real Fight’ on his hands.

Why you say? Because, almost half of those Pastors in the SBC “Do Not Believe – that the Word of God is the ONLY Truth for a Believer and that the Truth of the Word is Without Error!”
How can that be? You see, NOT ALL Those that ‘Say they are Saved – Are REALLY Saved! Perhaps, this is where we must agree that the Word of God, “The BIBLE” is the ‘Only Truth’ for those that “Call the Name of Christ?” IF you cannot or will not agree with this statement, then there is no further need for this discussion.

(Luke 4:4) And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God.
(Matthew 4:4) But He [Jesus] answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Perhaps we must begin where the Scripture Begins, and Leave OFF the Church Doctrine? The KEY – IS BELIEF! What do we ‘Say We Believe?” Is ‘IT” the Truth of the Word – OR – Church Doctrine? Perhaps the Words of Jesus should show us something about “Belief?”

(Matthew 7:21-24) Not 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. (Matt 7:22) Many 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? (Matt 7:23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work LAWLESNESS. (Matt 7:24) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, AND DOETH THEM, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Notice, there were many ‘Religious – Who Claimed they Knew JESUS?” and yet were rejected by HIM?

Perhaps you could examine Matthew 13 – the four kinds of soil and the “Wheat and the Tares?” Perhaps you could examine 2Corinthinas 11:13-15? NOW, are there those in the Church, “Who say they Believe in Jesus – and are really NOT HIS?” To this, you have to answer “YES!”

This comes about, because Many are Duped into “Thinking they are Saved!” How can that BE? Did you read the above Verses? Did you open your Bible and really read them? Did you understand what the Spirit of God was saying through the Word of God?

The ‘group emotion’ that can be generated in ‘Any Church Service’ can be likened to that country song, “How can IT be Wrong – when IT Feels so Right?”

IS it because we are ‘Trusting Our Feelings’ and “Not what the Word of God SAYS?” The Real KEY – Is Belief! Belief in Whom? Belief in What? Belief that ‘Brings Life Eternal!”

(2Corinthians 13:5-7) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2Cor 13:6) But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. (2Cor 13:7) Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

(John 7:37-39) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. (John 7:38) He that believeth on Me, AS THE SCRIPUTRE HAS SAID, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:39) (But this spake Me of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

(Romans 10:8-13) But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even IN thy mouth, and IN thy heart: that is, THE WORD OF FAITH, which we preach; (Rom 10:9) THAT IF thou shalt CONFESS with thy MOUTH - The Lord Jesus [Jesus is LORD], and shalt BELIEVE in thine HEART that God hath raised Him [Jesus] from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Rom 10:10) For with the HEART man believeth unto righteousness; and with the MOUTH Confession Is Made Unto Salvation. (Rom 10:11) For the SCRIPUTRE saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Rom 10:12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto All That Call Upon HIM. (Rom 10:13) For Whosoever Shall Call Upon The Name Of The Lord Shall Be Saved.

(Luke 18:13-14) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

NOW, that the PLAN OF SALVATION is clearly seen in the Scriptures, “What happens to that person?” Once HE or SHE – Has Really Believed – ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPUTRES?

(Ephesians 1:12-13) That we should be to the praise of His Glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Eph 1:13) In WHOM ye also trusted, AFTER THAT YOU HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, the gospel of your salvation: IN WHOM also after that ye Believed, * * * YOU WERE SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE! * * *

(1Corinthians 12:13-14) For By One SPIRIT are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1Cor 12:14) For the body is not one member, but many.

(Ephesians 1:7) IN WHOM [Jesus] we have redemption THROUGH HIS BLOOD, the forgiveness of sins, According To The RICHES OF HIS GRACE;

(Ephesians 1:14) WHO is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of HIS GLORY!

(Ephesians 4:30) And [YOU] Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, WHEREBY YOU WREE SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION.

(Romans 8:9-10) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the SPIRIT, if so be that the SPIRIT OF GOD DWELL IN YOU. * * * NOW if any man Have Not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. * * * (Rom 8:10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

NOW- ONCE SEALED AND SPIRIT BAPTIZED – ALWAYS SEALED AND SPIRIT BAPTIZED!

Proper BIBLE DOCTRINE can thus be stated! NOT: once saved – always saved! SALVATION IS THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD – WHICH WE – who Believe as the Scripture says... Jn 7:38-39 - CAN NEVER LOOSE! “BECAUSE – GOD SAID SO!”

Thank you, Roger R,

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