Does “Once Saved Always Saved” indicate a just God?

Question

I contend that Scriptures cannot be reconciled with the Calvinist inspired belief in OSAS. OSAS is certainly a doctrine from hell saying that one cannot fall away from the faith regardless of their sinfulness. That all that is required is a one time emotional recognition of Christ and they are forever justified, sanctified and saved for all eternity. They can remain sinful creatures in reality but Christ’s blood will cover that sin so that they can be smuggled into heaven as a dirty sinful soul. Yet the person who is not a sinful person has no.......

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-S6YMuFYyaa9ESBoW5DFwEjL_HhqA?p=191

What is your opinion?

Averell A,

Are you saying that after initial salvation that we are not tempted by sin? We are all sinful creatures and sanctification is something that we approach with fear and trembling as Christians , all the while knowing our weaknesses but realizing that we can repent and be restored when we fail. Our hope is in Christ that we may endure to final salvation.

Johnathan,

The explain why St. Paul was in fear of falling away. Was it because he had not read Calvin's nonsense or because he was teaching from what he had learned from Jesus?

Answer 1

If once we were saved, we would always be saved, even if we returned to a life of indifference and sin, or even to callous, violent crime, then God would be unjust. And we know he is perfect in justice.

Jesus taught that we must endure to the end to be finally saved, to live forever with God (Matt 10:22, 24:13; Mark 13:13, Luke 21:16-18).

The gospels give a perfect example of one who did not endure to the end: Judas. At the beginning, Judas must have been in the grace of God, for Jesus chose him for his inmost circle of disciples and sent him out as a missionary.

But later, Judas began to steal from the money belonging to Jesus and the disciples (John 12:6). His sin grew much worse when he betrayed our Lord for silver, and his fate was sealed when he murdered himself by hanging.

Once in grace, always in grace? All the evidence rejects this heresy.

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 2

Under OSAS you can respond to an altar call, pray the prayer of salvation, then continue with your sinful life because you have fire insurance. This not only isn't the message of the Gospel of Christ but characterizes God as completely apathetic and a very liberal, uncaring parent. Justice administers a deserved reward or punishment. If you sin, and then repent, and spend your life trying to repay the eternal debt of love you owe to Christ who purchased the opportunity for your salvation by the shedding of his blood, then you will hear Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Jesus qualified who will enter the kingdom of heaven: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

When he taught his disciples to pray, he made it known that forgiveness should not be expected if you do not forgive: "Forgive us our sins, just as we also have forgiven those who sin against us." Matthew 6:12

The truth of the matter is that discipleship is costly because to be his disciple, you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow him. Matt 16:24 It's not a one night stand.

Answer 3

OSAS could be translated the way you want. Truth is subjetive,,,right? Salvation is by the grace, love,& mercy of God alone, not by us doing good things. Ps 3:8,37:39, Jer 3:23,Rom 116,Eph2:9. Its by Christ alone. Is 45:21,Acts 4:12. I see many different wishes God has for us after we are Saved. After being Saved there is much to do to bring glory to God. Confession of Christ is necessarey. Rom 10:10. "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdm of God." John 3:3 "Unless one is born of water and the Sirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." John 3:5 Of course we are to follow God's Commandments. Most people think that the commandments are a suggestion!

It is not easy to live by the word of God. Many of us are not as strong as Paul. We live with evil all around us. "..whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them." 2 Cor.4:4. I see people being deceived all the time, they dont even know its happening. I see it so well, cause I was stuck in that world and know its power on us. I believe that verse 2 Cor.4:4 is our answer to most everything that is going on here on earth.

I would like to refer to some versus also. 1 Cor 9:27 Paul is speaking of his personal self-control, which is crucial to victory. In v19,22,26 states his goal of winning people to salvation. Great example of keeping out the bodily impulses to keep them from preventing him from his mission of winning soals to Christ. Disqualified: referring to such sins that disqualify a man from preaching & leading the church, being blameless & above reproach in the sexual area, since such sin is a disqualification.(Ps.101, Prov. 6.33, 1 Tim 3:2, Titus 1:6). A starving thief, who though it may cost all he has, can make restitution & put the crime behind him permanently (Prov 30-31) for the adulterer ther is no restitution as he destroys his soul (1Cor 32 Deut. 22:22). In Titus 1 "For there are many insubordinate both idle talkers and deceivers," v10,15,16 If the mind is defiled, it cannot accurately inform the conscience, so conscience cannot warn the person.

We will find out in the end wont we.....???? Deut 32:39, Job 12:23, Amos 3:6. God is the only one who will be judging in the end (well, the Beginning!).. Thank God!

Answer 4

Can a Believer "Lose" His Salvation?

Or Stated More Accurately, Can He Forfeit It?

"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)

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.

Perhaps there is no doctrinal issue so charged with emotion as this one. After all, we are talking about the possibility of a believer becoming "un-saved" and therefore being condemned eternally. If you truly trust in and seek to obey the Jesus revealed in the scripture, this paper will be more of an interest than a concern. If, however, you are not sure of your salvation due to un-confessed or unrepentant sin (sins of commission and/or omission), then the Lord may well use the scriptures to bring you to a place of concern and seeking Him more earnestly.

This issue has a long history which typically frames itself as a theological debate between "Calvinists" or "reformed theologians" verses "Arminists" or quasi-reformed theologians. The purpose of me writing this is not to review the history of this debate. The purpose here is to examine the scripture and try to find a clear, non-equivocal position stated in the bible regarding some aspects of this issue.

Some things we will never fully understand due to the fact that we only have finite minds - the true Glory of the Lord; the specific timing of events or people’s identities involved in the consummation of His redemptive plan for mankind; and yes, the issue of God's sovereignty versus man's free will.

It is this my belief, however, that there is a best belief on this issue, and as time passes and God's children study the scripture, that best position will become clearer and there will be less confusion and debate regarding beliefs like the perseverance of the saints. I also believe that God has made fully known through His Son and the rest of scripture, what man must do to be saved and to remain saved. I seek to explore the scripture in an effort to clarify the Lord's precious salvation offered to all who would receive it by His abundant mercy through faith AND retain it by faith.

First, it must be acceded that as much as God used John Calvin or James Arminius to clarify biblical doctrine to His glory, these were infallible men like this author or any other. It is somewhat non-productive to label someone a "Calvinist" or "Arminist" since both theological frameworks cover different specific doctrine and both have a large degree of latitude within them. Basically, Calvinism emphasizes the sovereignty of God, while Arminianism emphasizes the free will of men. Both biblically derived concepts are true, and yet there is a logical tension between the two biblical truths.

This is an area where humility is called for as good men of God have defended both biblical truths for centuries. I don't plan to solve the problem here, because I fully accede that both doctrines, if taken to completion using logic, appear to contradict each other at various places. This is where the problem lies. Logic does not put forth, create or originate truth, the scriptures do. Logic is merely the means God gave us to sort our error. I believe wise men will merely accede that the scripture clearly teaches both doctrines, and leave it at that. It is foolish to defend God's sovereignty or men's free will at the expense of the other.

Answer 5

The Greek language does not have a plural of splendor or excellence.The plural variety of the noun at Genesis a million:26 in Hebrew denotes the plural of splendor or excellence, and not dissimilar gods, 2, 3 or greater. for this reason the verbs that right here bypass with E?lo?him? are in the singular variety. It conveys no seen plurality of persons interior of a godhead. in addition, at Judges sixteen:23 whilst reference is made to the fake god Dagon, a form of the call ’elo?him? is used; the accompanying verb is singular, exhibiting that reference is to easily the single god.

Answer 6

I completely agree with you:

Hebrews 10:26-27

"For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries."

Also, if one never openly states that he "does not have faith" in God anymore, he still can lose it by commiting evil and immoral deeds.

Revelations 22:12

"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done."

James 2:24

"You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.:"

Answer 7

Salvation is a gift to us from God. The gift is available but one must accpet it and keep it. There are many people who through away gifts everyday.

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Matt 7:21

"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved Matt 24:13

Jesus said, "Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:21-22

Answer 8

I believe it is possible of losing ones salvation if they choose to turn away from God. If they return to a sinful life after knowing God, and they refuse to repent and die in their sins, they will be lost forever...God is just and must treat all equally. The one who never accepted Christ and the one who turned away from Him are equally guilty.

Answer 9

You have a wrong concept of OSAS.

God's grace and forgiveness is not a motivation for Christians to live in sin.

A true Christian will seek sanctification, not sin.

Christians who enjoy sin are not real Christians.

Answer 10

No, and in the last few days, I have read posts on here from Christians who have said things like "If someone leaves the Church, then they weren't "true" Christian to begin with".

If that is the case, then these "saved" individuals who strayed aren't "saved" for life now are they?