Is it True that Once Saved Always Saved (The Process of SALVATION) - 3

 

The concept of once saved always saved became a debate in the church when some sects of Christians (protestants) separated from the Catholics. Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian, came with the doctrine that one can lose salvation through apostasy. In contrast, John Calvin, a French theologian, came with the doctrine that salvation rest only in the hands of Christ Jesus.

Some sect of Jacobus Arminius disciples known as Armenians came out with the doctrine that Christians cannot lose their salvation when they believe in Christ Jesus. That is, as long as the Christian believer maintains his faith in Christ Jesus and fails to renounce Christ Jesus as His Saviour and Lord, he remains saved from future destruction.

Although there have been several arguments between the Calvinists and Armenians on the doctrine of salvation, the Holy Scriptures stand. Disciples of John Calvin believed that man is sinful by nature, and it only takes the mercy, power, grace, and sacrifice of Christ Jesus to saved humankind.

The Pelagians, on the other hand, rely only on their good works. They deny the help of God in the field of good and bad deeds because they believe humankind has total responsibility and free will to choose evil and good.

"Religious" leaders such as John Wesley believed in the doctrine of the Armenians. His belief in Jacobus Arminius's doctrine of salvation greatly affected the movement of the Methodists church. Although there have been several reformations, some Christian believers believe in the doctrine of once saved always saved, which was initially enacted by the French theologian John Calvin in the 16^th century.

Some protestant Christians used the writing of Apostle Paul to endorse the doctrine that once saved, always saved. They call this doctrine predestination.     

 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Romans 8:28-30 KJV

Because of these holy scriptures, the Calvinists and other sects of Christians believe that God has already ordained some people to receive salvation and others to perish. Meanwhile, Christ Jesus said in the book of John chapter three, verses sixteen, that whosoever continually believes in Him will not perish but would have everlasting life.

 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:16-18 KJV

Note the keywords, whosoever believes in Christ Jesus will be saved (salvation of the human spirit). This means salvation is not predestined. God has not specially chosen some people to receive salvation; it is free choice. 

Any man born of woman can receive salvation through Christ Jesus. Anyone who repents and accepts Christ Jesus receives the seal (salvation) of Christ Jesus irrespective of his tribe. As Christ Jesus said, salvation is a continuous belief (faith and obedience) in the Word (Christ Jesus and the Holy Scriptures). The question is, what does it mean to believe in Word (Christ Jesus).

• To believe in Christ Jesus is to love the Word with all our heart, spirit, and strength.
• To believe in Christ Jesus is to love our neighbors as ourselves.
• To love Christ Jesus is to obey the Word of God (Holy Scriptures).
• To believe in Christ Jesus is to walk and live in the light of the Word.
• To believe in Christ Jesus is to have faith in the Word of God.
• To have faith in the Word is to hear, believe and practice the Holy Scriptures.
• To believe in Christ Jesus is to walk and live in the Spirit. Get my book, How to Walk and Live in the Spirit, for more profound revelations.

Child of God, salvation is a daily walk with Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Heavenly Father. In my previous article, I explained that the two men the Romans crucified with Christ Jesus were symbols of the human soul and body, while Christ Jesus represented the human spirit.

The man (symbol human soul) recognized his sin on the cross with Christ Jesus (symbol of the human spirit). The man worked on his sin by repentance. His repentance opened the portal for his spirit, soul, and body to receive salvation from Christ Jesus (symbol of the human spirit).

The other man did not work on his salvation. Because of his pride, he perished. Child of God, we have no power to save our spirit. It takes the blood of Christ Jesus to save the human spirit and the Word (Christ Jesus within the Holy Scriptures) to save the human soul and body.

Have you asked yourself why Satan and the rebellious spirits cannot receive salvation, but humankind could receive salvation? Before I prove to you from the Holy Scriptures the concept of salvation, I will share with you some holy scriptures some Christian believers used as their foundation to prove the doctrine of once saved always saved.

   

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV

Apostle Paul writes that we are saved (salvation of the human spirit) by grace through faith. Secondly, Paul writes that it is the gift of God. Thirdly Paul writes that it is not of works lest any man (includes women) should boast.

In verse ten, Paul writes that Christ Jesus saved us to pursue good works, not evil works. So, any Christian that claims to be saved by grace and fails to produce good deeds is not saved. If you are saved by grace through faith, we will see your good deeds (morality, integrity, purity of life, holiness, righteousness, character of Christ Jesus, love for God, and things of God).

One crucial truth most Christians ignore is that they don’t search for the meaning of grace in the Holy Scriptures. Grace means supernatural assistance from God. Grace takes over humankind's limitations. In the book of Titus, Apostle Paul explains the concept of grace.

 

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Titus 2:11-15 KJV

In his letters to Titus (a leader in one of the gentile churches), Apostle Paul writes that grace that brings salvation teaches us (Christian believers) to repent from wickedness, sexual immorality and that we should be temperate, Godfearing, and walk-in purity.

Paul affirms that genuinely saved Christians are washed from all iniquities in verse fourteen because the Holy Spirit has total control over us. Child of God, the grace of God, does not teach us to live in sin but to live in holiness. This means the gospel of grace without obedience to the Word is false. In the book of Romans, Apostle Paul gives more emphasis on the grace of God.

 

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:1-23 KJV

Any truly saved and born-again Christian believer is dead to sin because of the seed of Christ Jesus dwelling in him (Meditate on 1 John 3:9). We (Christian believers) may be tempted to sin, but we don’t have the desire to sin as opposed to unbelievers and professed “Christians” who swim in the pool of sin.

Apostle Paul further writes that should we (Christian believers) sin because of grace. He warns the Christian believer that God oppose Christians who use grace as a license to engage in sinful activities.

In verse fourteen of Romans chapter six, Paul writes that sin cannot dominate us (Christian believers) because we are not under the law but grace. In verse fifteen, Paul writes that shall we (Christian believers) continue in sin because we are under grace?

Apostle Paul writes in strong Word, God forbid. Because we are dead to sin, we delight in righteousness, holiness, and purity of life. If we don't see the life and personality of Christ Jesus in you, your salvation is questionable. Child of God, salvation is a process. In the book of Hebrews, we see a powerful Word,

 

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Hebrews 12:14-17 KJV

Apostle Paul writes that without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. Paul warns the Jewish Christians that bitterness can defile our souls and make us lose salvation in verse fifteen. Paul used Esau as an example to explain the concept of salvation.

Paul writes that God rejected Esau because he did not repent. Esau was a carnal man, but Jacob (Israel) allowed the Spirit of God to rule him. This means Christianity is daily repentance and walk with the Holy Spirit.

Some habits block the salvation of the human soul and body, and it is our responsibility to act (Meditate 1 Corinthians 10:23). Kindly download and read my book, How to Become a Perfect Christian in Christ Jesus, for more profound revelations. In the book of John, we see a powerful Word.

 

And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

I and my Father are one.

John 10:23-30 KJV

Christ Jesus, in one of His evangelistic works, encountered some sect of Jews. These Jews wanted to know Christ Jesus. Jesus replied that His sheep (Christian believers) hear His voice (Holy Spirit).

Secondly, the Holy Spirit knows them, and they follow Him (Christ Jesus). This means Christ Jesus knows genuinely born-again Christian believers. As Christ Jesus described on judgment day, some Christians will profess His identity, but He will deny them (See Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:31-46).

Christ Jesus will deny these “Christians” because He did not know them. Secondly, these Christians did not obey the voice of the Holy Spirit, and thirdly they did not walk and live in the light of the Word.

Only Christian believers the Holy Spirit identifies Himself with and walks in the footsteps of Christ Jesus and obey the Word (Holy Scriptures) that will never lose salvation. Christ Jesus has promised these Christian believers in the Word that no man can pluck them from the Father’s hands because of their walk with the Holy Spirit and the Word.

Unbelievers and churchgoers do not hear and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit as Christ Jesus said; the sheep that are not His do not hear His voice (the Holy Spirit). In the book of Luke, Christ Jesus used a parable to explain salvation.

 

A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Luke 8:5-15 KJV

Christ Jesus described four kinds of Christians in the church. Christ Jesus explained that some Christians lost their salvation because the devil deceived them. The second type of Christians lost their salvation because they did not work on their soul (redemption of the human soul).

These Christians had faulty foundations, and it led to their destruction. The third Christians lost their salvation because of worldly pleasures, pride of life, the lust of the eyes, and flesh. These people were in the church, yet they lost their salvation.

Most Christians will lose their salvation because of the devil and his agents, faulty foundations, love of the world, and pleasures of life (See Revelation 19:20; 20:10).

Christ Jesus further described the truly born-again Christian believers in verse fifteen of Luke chapter eight, “on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Genuinely born-again Christian believers have worked on their souls and body. They keep the Word (Holy Scriptures), live by the Word, and produce good works. As Christ Jesus declared, Christian believers that are on the safe path are few while those on the path of destruction are numerous.

 

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7:13-14 KJV

Which side are you on? Are you on the narrow path or the broad path? Apostle Paul knew many Christian believers would fall from the path of light, so he wrote to Timothy to take heed.

 

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.  

1 Timothy 4:16 KJV

Apostle Paul further writes that Christian believers should be careful with strange doctrines and teachers lest they become hardened with sin and lose their salvation.

 

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 3:12-13 KJV

In the book of Corinthians, we see another warning of Apostle Paul.

 

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 

1 Corinthians 10:12 KJV

Child of God, stand firm in the faith and walk in the footsteps of Christ Jesus because you can fall and lose your salvation through temptation and other channels. It takes wisdom, the Holy Spirit, and the Word to walk in the footsteps of Christ Jesus. Abiding in Christ Jesus guarantees your salvation (Meditate on John 15:6).

To be continued…

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