If a backslidden person can be restored as many have said,?

Question

how can one apply "once saved always saved" vs "once saved not always saved?" The church I attend believes you can lose your salvation, but I don't believe this as yet because to me you don't keep on sinning once you are saved. Any comments?

See 1 John 3:6 and 9

Answer 1

Wait, you don't think that Christians sin? I mean genuine Christians, with salvific faith, not just nominal Christians. Do you still sin? I know I do.

But to answer your question, I don't think once saved always saved is biblical --- because it basically says that if you've said the sinners prayer you're saved, no matter what you do. Now what you DO doesn't affect whether or not you're saved. But if we are saved, there is proof of that in our growing sanctification. Therefore I do think the doctrine of 'perserverance of the saints' is Biblical. We can't lose our salvation --- but we have to be genuinely saved to have it anyway. I know that may seem like splitting hairs, but it isn't. Just because your butt is in the pew every week doesn't mean you're a Christian.

Works don't save us, but the proof of our salvation --- to ourselves and to others --- is our works. That is why James said that faith without works is dead.

If you do a careful study of the scriptures on this issue, Jesus says that no one can take us out of His hand. That includes US, methinks. We're part of the no one. It's not no one except you, by way of your backsliding. Does that make sense?

Scripture promises us that the Lord will restore the years the locusts have eaten --- so yes, if you backslide, the Lord is longing to restore you, and in my opinion, if you were ever saved, you will eventually be restored --- because it is the LORD who is the author and finisher of our faith --- not us. He is holding US, not the other way around.

Answer 2

There is more than one kind of salvation. When a person believes on Jesus, he is saved. He becomes a child of God. He cannot lose that salvation.

In 1 Cor. 1:18 we learn of "being saved." This is the process of salvation where one is transformed into the image of Christ. It is called "sanctification." That salvation can be lost when one turns from Christ or turns from faith.

There is a consequence for the way we live. If we die in faith, God will reward us for the works of service and faith we have done in this life. If we die in unbelief, we will lose those rewards. See 2 Cor. 5.

Then there is the glorification salvation when Jesus comes again and our bodies are completely transformed and we can never sin any more.

Because of the different kinds of salvation, there is confusion among Christians about losing salvation vs. not losing salvation. When you make a distinction, it becomes clearer. A backslidden person (a saved person who turns away from the way of faith) can be restored to faith and the process of sanctification, as we see in Luke 15.

Answer 3

I was in a very backslidden state in my walk with the Lord and God rescued me from my sin and shame that I brought upon myself. see Psalm 31:1

I personally don't believe a person can lose their salvation simply because I have yet to find a bible verse or verses that supports this.

But this I will say The holy Spirit will only visit a person so many times and God is a gentleman he will not go where he is not welcome and there will be a time where it will be too late and sometimes God will give you over to your own sin.
Saul in the old testament was a prime example how jealousy and hate tormented his life.

We ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and we are sinners we are not perfect until God takes us home to the Lord Jesus. When our sin is exposed and revealed it leads us to repentance and it is the Lord kindness that leads to repentance and thankfully the Lord does not treat our sins they way they deserve see Psalm 145 and 1 John 1:9 I am very proud of you for your honesty and willingness to serve God. :)

Answer 4

Most people call it backsliding, You cannot be saved if you haven't received Jesus Christ into your heart fully, knowing Jesus is your savior, went to the cross in your place for your sins, took on your punishment so you could have salvation, you have to truly turn away from your sins, want no part of them any more, and ask for forgiveness, anyone that tells you any different does not follow Jesus, Jesus Christ said The Only Way to the Father is through The Son, when a person is saved they will begin producing good fruit, if they sin they will be convicted of it immediately and know that it is wrong, you learn as you go, you are being molded to be more like Jesus, you don't go and do things you know are wrong, no pre-meditated sin if you might say.

Answer 5

1. Jesus died for your Sins once and for all - Hebrews 8,9,10
2. Even if you could lose your salvation, if you did, then you could never, ever get it back again -
Heb 6:4-6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
(KJV)

3. Your soul is sealed at the point of Salvation by the Spirit of God - 1 John 5:11-13

4. You are now under the care of your Father who keeps you and your Salvation Himself - John 10

Remember:

Jesus is your Creator
Jesus is your Savior
Jesus is the Keeper of your Salvation

Salvation is an unconditional covenant just like the ones God made with Abraham in Genesis 12 & 15.

So if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, then:
- you are washed in the blood,
- sealed by the spirit,
- have your name written in the book of life,
- have become a child of God,
- have eternal spiritual life (right now).

Those who 'backslide' include David and Peter. Did they lose their salvation, or were they chastised by their Father?

Those who return to their old lifestyles like Dogs & Pigs, but are not punished, were never changed inside.

If you really care about answering your quesiton, then read the passages of scripture I have referred to in every sentence of this answer. It should help you along to the next stage of Bible discovery.

God bless.

Answer 6

People can be restored as long as they WANT to be restored. But once they lose heart (that is, faith in the love of God to save),...

The doctrine of "once saved, always saved," is NOT biblical. There are several passages that refute it (Rev 3:5, 11, etc.).

And to answer your last question:
1 John 1:8 -- If we [Christians] say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Answer 7

I have seen this the most, in those that receive the Grace of Jesus because of fear of hell, true many sinners convert when they are scared into it, however they seldom remain very long, not nearly long enough to find the benefits of living a Godly life.
and there are those that are raised in Church, that think that because their parents are Christian, and that they used to go to Church, that makes them a Christian.
but the way that I see it is that, once saved, that gives God License to participate in your life, and even those that turn away, he is there to lead them back, eventually.
a good example is the Parable of the prodigal son.
He was a son, but went into the world, and lived a life of sin, but all the time his father was watching the road for his return.
and when he did return, his father saw him coming from far off and welcomed him back.
He was a son the whole time, and yet he was living in sin, and when he returned, the father welcomed him back, cleaned him of the stains of sin, and held a banquet in his favor.
while you and I are like the older son, who stayed it the house of his father, yet look at what the father said to him, when he complained about the welcome that his father had given the prodigal.
the Father said (and this applies to you and me,) "all that I have belong to you"
and that is worth getting excited about.





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Answer 8

John 3:18, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned."

We do fall into sin after we become a believer, however, we are no longer condemned by our sin. So it doesn't matter if we sin or not...we are saved regardless because we are no longer under condemnation.

Sins are not the issue. Sins are not even the issue for the unbeliever. Christ died for all sins, even the sins of those who do not believe.

The issue is Christ. If you believe in Christ, you are saved!

Read John 3:18, Those who are condemned are condemned, not for sin, they are condemned because they do not believe in Christ.

Salvation is so very simple!!

Answer 9

Of course you can lose your salvation. If you turn your back on the Lord, you lose that privilege. It is always there if you want to come back to God, but He has given us so much, and asked so little.
Just because you are saved doesn't mean you stop sinning. We were born as sinners, we will die sinners, we sin every day. The difference is we have God's grace, and He forgives those sins if we truly repent.

Answer 10

We all sin at varying degrees, selfishness, vanity, pride, uncharitable towards others, as an example, perhaps the biggest sin is the denial of sin, we should be aware of our weakness, and try to avoid the occasions of wrongdoing if you have been saved, or as a code of living if you are a non believer.