regarding SAVED people?

Question

Fundies spred a very attractive idea: All true Christians have an absolute assurance of salvation, once they accept Jesus into their hearts as "their personal Lord and Savior." The problem is that this belief is contrary to the Bible & constant Christian teaching.

Recall this Scripture: "If we have died with him [in baptism; see Rom. 6:3-4] we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him" (2 Tim. 2:11-12). So, ff we do NOT persevere, we shall NOT reign with him. In other words, Christians can forfeit heaven. Jesus tells us, "He who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt. 24:13; cf. 25:31-46). Ergo, if you do not endure to the end, well........

The Bible makes it clear that Christians have a moral assurance of salvation (God will be true to his word and will grant salvation to those who have faith in Christ and are obedient to him [1 John 3:19-24]), but the Bible does NOT teach that Christians have a guarantee of heaven.

There can be no absolute assurance of salvation. The Bible says, "See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God's kindness to you, provided you remain in his kindness, otherwise you too will be cut off" (Rom. 11:22-23; Matt. 18:21-35, 1 Cor. 15:1-2, 2 Pet. 2:20-21).

Note that this includes an important condition: "provided you remain in his kindness." It is saying that Christians can lose their salvation by throwing it away. He warns, "Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall" (1 Cor. 10:11-12). , Paul admitted that even he could fall away: "I pummel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:27). In saying this he points out that even he cannot be infallibly sure of his own present state or of his future salvation.

As a Catholic, when someone asks me if I have been "saved," I answer: "I am redeemed by the blood of Christ, I trust in him alone for my salvation, and, as the Bible teaches, I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), knowing that it is God's gift of grace that is working in me."

Any comments?
Any agree?
Any disagree?

more info at:

http://www.catholic.com/library/salvation.asp
http://www.fisheaters.com/solafide.html

Answer 1

Philippians 2:12 says, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." This is not the language of self-confident assurance. Our salvation is something that remains to be worked out.

Answer 2

Salvation is a gift - God will never take away what he gave you! what he started in you he will finish it at the end! if you fall he will make sure you get back on track - he said I will never leave you!

the problem is that we can still reject! salvation! but once you really received salvation the only one who can take it away is you! Not God -he will never take the gift of salvation from you!

Answer 3

Good thanks for sharing this!

It´s the blessed hope but though we are to efforce and cooperate with God and heavenly aggencies, through the growing living faith:--17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.---Romans 10:17
There is a verse i´d like to share about it: in 1 John 3:9: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Are promises to work out our salvation namely the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation from sin to every one that believeth...Romans 1:16

And this promises as it´s written: 1 Peter 1:4: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

I´d like to farewell with a wonderful promise you guys:
it´s found in Ephesians 3:20: Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,... Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 24-25.

Greetings
Grace be with you
http://www.srac.de

Answer 4

Jesus said "What u bind on earth is bound in Heaven, what u loose on earth is loosed in heaven." You will be judged on what you believe. AND God knows your heart so HOW can you possibly worry. God knows your inner arguments better than you do. Don't forget the Old Testament was written for the Jews. We are bound by NT only and truly by what we personally believe. Remember "My children have not because they ask not." Go in peace God is more interested in your love of self and ur fellow man than confession. He already knows. Make a list of ur blessings and u will see His love.

Answer 5

You answered your own question....

"If we have died with him [in baptism; see Rom. 6:3-4] we shall also live with him; if we persevere...........IF WE PERSERVERE means if we keep the faith and live that faithful life that He asks of us................ we shall also reign with him"
(2 Tim. 2:11-12). So, ff we do NOT persevere, we shall NOT reign with him. In other words...those who have NOT kept the faith or lived that faithful life

But for those who DO live faithful life and do what God requires of us...........DO have the promise of eternal life

Answer 6

Yes, a comment. You are "stacking the deck" and ignoring the verses that affirm the eternal security of the believer. How many times have we heard the phrase, "the Bible makes it perfectly clear..."? To you, yes.

Answer 7

I believe they say this for 2 reasons.
1. To make themselves feel superior to others.
2. Such an argument goes a long way towards gaining new convents. Imagine just be "saved" and then you can do whatever you want. It's no wonder so many prison inmates are "saved".

BTW- I love St. Francis. His prayer "Lord let me be an instrument of your peace" is my favorite prayer of all time.

Answer 8

I think you are a wise person who understands what salvation is and isn't. You are right - it's not a free ride.

Answer 9

Welcome back Crusader.


Salvation is something we strive towards, not something we are guaranteed.