ONCE SAVED, REST EASY?

Recently Dr Brown asked, “Can anyone give me one verse that explicitly states that once you receive Jesus, even if you live the rest of your life in complete rebellion and categorically reject Jesus as Lord, you are still saved?”    

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Well, Dr Brown, there are two references that seemingly shed light on the fact that our salvation is assured once we accept Christ no matter what happens. One is found in Romans chapter 8 and the other is in Ephesians chapter 1.

The apostle Paul tells us that nothing will ever separate us from the love of God once we have been saved:

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39).

He reiterates that believers have been chosen and destined to be God’s people and have been sealed with the Holy Spirit, “who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:4-5, 13-14).

Based on the above two references, it would seem that believers can rest in the assurance that, no matter what happens, they will be guaranteed a place in heaven come end of their lives.

I have been thoroughly scouring the Bible and the Internet for answers to this complex issue of eternal security—having done it over many years as a long-standing believer and an ex-editor of a Christian publication.

We can argue till we are blue in the face, until the cows come home, and be no better in our understanding. But this I truly believe: If you examine the whole Bible and all the various references it affords on this bone of contention, OSAS, we will surely come to a position of enlightenment.

I have come to my own conclusion after examining both sides of the issue that there is no such thing as ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED (OSAS).

If you believe in OSAS and you find out in the hereafter that you are mistaken, you may be lost forever and live with eternal regret.

But if you adopt the stance that OSAS is a lie, that there is no eternal security—and you are proven wrong when you die—you might not need to suffer eternal consequences. That, of course, depends on the fact whether you have been vigilant, lived circumspectly and worked out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

Here are some posts—please see below, RELATED POSTS—which shed light on this thorny issue, which we cannot afford to ignore on the grounds that we are treading on controversy. Why? Because it affects our eternal destiny.

This issue of OSAS is not to be treated lightly. We should not say to ourselves, “Never mind; let us not dwell on controversy.” Because each believer has to grapple with this issue individually, not depend on ‘safe and secure’ theology from ‘feel good’ teachers.

When we are deceived, we cannot blame it on these so-called teachers. These are the ones who dispense ear-tickling messages that will lead many down the slippery slope of eternal damnation. These are the ones who deceive others after having being deceived.

Have you ever thought about the ratio of the wise and foolish in the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins? * *      

Does it ever occur to us that 50% will not make it because they have been too easy on themselves in their faith walk? Perhaps lulled into a false sense of security by ‘feel good’ teaching? Why such a high ratio of failures?

Satan rejoices when believers rest in a false sense of security that all is going to be well—that once they are saved, nothing can possibly stop them from going to heaven (OSAS).

This condition reminds me of the frog which finds great delight sitting in a basin of warm water. Finally, when water temperature reaches boiling point, it is too late to jump out of the water.

                                                                      

                                                      http://bit.ly/1qGIyye 

Jesus says few will finally make it through the narrow way:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

If we think it only refers to pre-believers, that it is going to be easy for believers, then we need to ponder over apostle Peter’s warning:

Be all the more diligent to confirm our calling and election (2 Peter 1:10).

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? (1 Peter 4:17-18).

Do Peter’s warnings paint a picture that the believer’s faith walk is going to be easy? Once saved, rest easy?

Don't let yourself be lulled into a false sense of eternal security—because ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED is a dangerous lie. http://bit.ly/1mIQKvq

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16).

                                                     http://bit.ly/SFapBp                                                                      

RELATED POSTS

SHOOTING OURSELVES IN THE FOOT

Five ways believers could possibly jeopardise their eternal destiny

http://bit.ly/1nm6nuK

SAVED AND SECURE?

Is there eternal security for believers if they deny God or continue living in sin?

http://bit.ly/1mIQKvq

BUY YOUR TICKET AND YOU’RE SET FOR LIFE

Is it true that once we’ve bought our ticket to heaven, we can afford to sit back and relax while we await the advent of eternal bliss?

http://bit.ly/1kWWwKa

REPETITIVE SINNING

What fate awaits those who sin repeatedly after they have believed?

http://bit.ly/1hhs75c

SAVED BUT LATER DESTROYED

http://bit.ly/1jxUIEK

CAN TRUE BELIEVERS DENY THEIR MASTER?

http://bit.ly/SFapBp

FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY

http://bit.ly/1qGIyye

ETERNAL OR CONDITIONAL SECURITY?

One of the best links to the perplexing issue of once saved, always saved (OSAS).

http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/eternal-security.htm

Footnotes:

 *   https://www.facebook.com/AskDrBrown/posts/965082040184065   

     

* *     The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming;[a] go out to meet him!’  Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”