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by FaithTempo from Seattle, WA

Last Post 7 days, 8 hours Ago


Once Save, Always Saved?
Nov 12, 2007 | 8:38 PM
Category: Faith
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Once saved, always saved? Absolutely! Salvation is a gift and by it's very definition, a gift is free. Once you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are saved forever. The truth of the matter is that many people tend to confuse salvation with faith and works.

We sometimes tend to think of it in terms of perfection, which is unattainable because the only perfect human is Jesus. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't strive to live the best saved life we can. It just means that we shouldn't tear ourselves down when we unintentionally fall short of His will. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.  Falling during the journey doesn't mean that we lose our soul's salvation.

How can we lose something that didn't cost us anything? Salvation is a gift that God offers to save you in this life and the next. God explained the benefits, made the offer and left it up to us to decide whether or not we would choose to accept Him.

A gift is accepted or rejected and once you've accepted the gift, in God's eyes, you've accepted it forever. We confuse 'being' saved with 'living' saved. Ideally, yes, you would accept the Gospel, be instantly washed clean and stay absolutely BLEEP and span for the rest of your life. Therein lies an unhealthy view of what it means to be a spiritual being on a very human journey- WE ARE NOT PERFECT and never will be. We fall down sometimes, we backslide sometimes; yes, we SIN sometimes, but that doesn't make us less saved. There are no degrees of 'saved.' Either you're saved or you're not. Falling short doesn't make us less God's sons or daughters. It just means that we need to learn to focus on building a one-on-one relationship with God and constantly ask Him for His wisdom, strength, perseverance and other spiritually empowering tools while simultaneously thanking Him for His constant grace and mercy.

So, I ask again: one saved, always saved? Heavens, YES. And thank God.

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randythib read my blog view my photos
Nov 15, 2007 | 3:19 AM

did you "fall out" when you were "slain in the spirit"? i don't believe that drama or in "re-birthdays". i think its a more gradual process.
FaithTempo read my blog view my photos
Nov 15, 2007 | 3:03 PM

I'm not sure what you mean, randythib. I've never been "slain in the spirit." To be slain in anything is to be slaughtered by it and my relationship with God is far from painful.

I don't know what you mean by "re-birthdays" either. I think you may be talking about being born again. You should read the story of Nicodemus in John 3 because it's one of the best examples and layman's explantions about what's involved in being born again. Jesus explain to Nicodemus like he was a second grader, which is what Nicodemus needed.

BEING saved is not a gradual process; LIVING saved absolutely is gradual because we mature in Christ the more we study, pray and act on the learning opportunities for increasing our faith and getting closer to God (among other things).
tlhopkins
Nov 16, 2007 | 11:33 AM

I love the mental image of Ephesians 1:13-14 that Beth Moore gives of once we hear the gospel and accept it and are saved, that Jesus gives us the assurance like that of having 1) opened us up, 2) and put himself inside, and 3)sealed us in with him forever, until the day of redemption. Once HE is in us he promises to never leave us or foresake us, EVER. So, yes I believe, once saved always saved.
FaithTempo read my blog view my photos
Nov 16, 2007 | 3:27 PM

Wow, tlhopkins, that was a great synopsis of what happens. I'm going to have to check out Beth Moore. That is perhaps the best description I've ever heard.

Thank you!!!!
tlhopkins
Nov 16, 2007 | 5:02 PM

Beth Moore makes the Bible come alive to me. If you have never taken a bible study of hers, please try to find one in your community, or start one of your very own, with a group of ladies. As you work your way through them, the group becomes real sisters in Christ with you. The passages read as mundane all this time, suddenly have meaning and relevance to MY life at just the time when I need it. It's like God saying to me, Child I have been telling you this, now do you get IT? Beth has a website for her ministry, Living Proof Minstries. She is awesome. God does wonderful things through her. Check her out and let me know what you think. T.
formerpauldingres
Nov 17, 2007 | 11:58 AM

I think the words of Jesus himself tells it like it really is. Jesus said any branch that does not bare fruit is cut off and cast in the fire. That means to me that someone can be in Jesus and not produce the fruit. Therefore they loose their salvation!!!!
It IS a thing of WORKS as well as FAITH. If you commit sin you are of the devil. Followers of Jesus Christ do not volunteerily commit sin. Jesus did say "be therefore perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect" So that means to me that we can obtain perfection in this life.
If we don't then we just go to hell. So, if you sin willfully after you have "been saved" you are no longer saved and on your way to hell unless you repent.
FaithTempo read my blog view my photos
Nov 18, 2007 | 4:48 AM

formerpauldingres:

I hate to say this, but you're as wrong as five pinky toes on two left feet. Salvation is not a thing of works. It's a gift. To be saved, accept Christ...period.

If what you've said is true, it makes no sense to accept Christ because if we make mistakes (or sin) we're evil and of the devil and are all going to hell. Wow. That's something.

That means that all those scriptures about grace and mercy and about God's assistance with the things in this life that tempt us are not real. NONE of us is perfect. NONE. If you can show me a perfect person, I'll show you the Easter bunny.

And by the way, you've taken Matthew 5:48 COMPLETELY out of context. That's something called prooftexting and eisegesis, which is taking one scripture and using it to make what amounts to a nonsensical point.

My next post will go into that in detail. In the meantime, take a moment to read 1st John 1:8. Okay, I'll post it:

8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

That's actually 1 John 1:8-10.

And you're actually mixing issues. The only issue for this board is whether or not we are always saved once we accept JC as our Lord and Savior. The answer is a resounding "YES." Sinning and repenting are totally different issues.

I can tell you that I am absolutely nowhere near perfect.

FaithTempo read my blog view my photos
Nov 18, 2007 | 4:50 AM

@ formerpauldingres:

I can tell you that I am absolutely nowhere near perfect. Yet, I have a close, personal relationship with God. I'm not sinless, but I DO sin LESS. I'm not who I used to be, but I'm not who He destined me to be either. In other words, I'm better than I used to be but not as good as I can be. Why I give the God the glory? Because by His grace and His mercy, I'm getting there.

I can always tell who disagrees based on a surface argument. You can always tell who studies the Word and who merely READS it. I wonder...which are you?
FaithTempo read my blog view my photos
Nov 18, 2007 | 4:51 AM

@ formerpauldingres... about Matthew 5:48, which you took totally out of context:

Firstly, in this CONTEXT, the word "perfect" doesn't literally mean perfect-- it REALLY means "mature" and it's from the Greek word "teleios."

The unit of thought from Matthew 5:48 actually starts with Verse 43:

"43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy."

Now that you know where the unit of thought begins, you can begin to under the CONTEXT in which Verse 48 is used:

Love.

Notice all of the verses following v43 that lead to v48 are discussing how to love people who don't show love to YOU and how to not worry about being wronged because God will deal with those use persecute you:

44 But I say unto you, LOVE your enemies, BLESS them that curse you, DO GOOD to them that hate you, and PRAY FOR THEM which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

NOW, v48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

Do you see what I mean? Looking JUST at that scripture says one thing, but looking at the ENTIRE CONTEXT says something else.
mlf1070 read my blog
Nov 29, 2007 | 11:16 AM

Can a person accept a free gift and not appreciate it? Yes, they can and very often do.

James, the younger half-brother of Jesus, grew up listening and watching his elder brother expound on the truths of God. James wrote that "faith without works is dead". He meant that when you believe something...you ACT like it. Many Christians believe "once saved, always saved" is a free ride to heaven no matter how they live their earthly life. They make little effort to become Christ-like. Why should they...they believe Jesus did it all for them.

In truth, there are two types of Christians... overcomers and non-overcomers...and there's a huge difference in the way they think, act, and speak...and the final reward they will each receive.

Perhaps this little story will help illustrate the point.
http://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2007/11/football-is-in-bibl
e.html
FaithTempo read my blog view my photos
Dec 6, 2007 | 9:19 PM

You're right that many Christians believe that "once saved, always saved" is a free ticket to heaven. However, that's not what this blog is about. The question is, "Once saved, always saved?" and the short answer to that is, "Yes." Once you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are saved. Beyond that and we're starting a new blog. :-)
mlf1070 read my blog
Dec 7, 2007 | 9:09 AM

Reply to your Dec 6 post. Then the question is are you "once saved, always saved" at the beginning or the end? Once you receive the Life of Christ IN you, that's the beginning.

Mankind is born spiritually dead in "trespasses and sins". Only when God's Holy Spirit, through His Son Jesus the Christ, is infused into man's spirit does the "new birth" process begin. There is conception(accepting Jesus), gestation (earthly trials and growth), and finally birth (conformed to the image of Jesus)... now you are saved. Until you complete the process you're a work in progress.

I'm not trying to be arguemenative, I just believe that God's plan is better than most of us can imagine. There is physical DNA and spiritual DNA... flesh cannot inherit the Kingdom... what is born of spirit is spirit. To the caterpillar (flesh) it's the end, to the butterfly (spirit) it's the beginning.

That's the beauty of God's plan...it's not up to man. God chose US, we didn't choose Him. God loves us and there's not a darn thing we can do about it.
FaithTempo read my blog view my photos
Dec 7, 2007 | 3:43 PM

I feel you and I don't feel like you're being argumetative...not in the least. And you're right, God's plan in incomprehensible to us. And I love your last statements. This is how my family and friends all talk to each other. O, taste and see...right? LOL.

I don't think we're disagreeing. Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is a key...THE key...first step, yes, but the only question here in this forum is once you do that, are you always saved? And the answer is Yes.

Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior should mean that there is an immediate inward change that shows outwardly as well. It is not an expectation to suddenly become perfect. Perfection is unattainable, but should not stop us from striving for it. I don't get into with people about how they live their saved lives. That's between them and God. And I don't tell people that they are not saved because they are full of unGodly issues.

As for the choice issue, when we accept JC as L&S, we very much CHOOSE Christ. That's what being saved IS. We have a choice to accept or reject the Gospel. The Bible is full of stories about those who made the right choice and those who made the wrong choice. That's the Word, not FaithTempo.

Your step process to salvation sounds really good, but is not "goodly sound." The Bible clearly defines salvation as the "acceptance" of JC. Accepting Jesus is what makes you saved. Gestation and that "birth" you refer to are outward signs of inward changes.

And I especially like the caterpillar to butterfly analogy. The caterpillar evol
FaithTempo read my blog view my photos
Dec 7, 2007 | 3:45 PM

cont...

oops...got cut off...

And I especially like the caterpillar to butterfly analogy. The caterpillar evolving into that butterfly doesn't change the fact that it was once and always will have been (and will be) a caterpillar. After all, a butterfly is just a caterpillar with wings.
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FaithTempo

God's daughter, wife, mother, sister and friend. LOL. That's almost every woman, huh? I'm blessed to have just completed my first book, which consists of original poetry. I'm working on the second (self-created inspirational quotes and inspirational quotes I've collected from others over the years) and just feeling so blessed that I sometimes feel like I'm God's only child. My heart's desire is to be obedient in sharing His gift. I can no longer sit on my hands and keep His gift under wraps. It must be uncovered and cultivated constantly. I love life and I love to try to look at things from all sides...or as many sides as possible. I don't believe things are just black and white. There is always something in between.

Member Since: 8/23/2007


 

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