The Book of Life!

[kaddeesh]

If Christians cannot lose their salvation what does the bible mean by blotting your name out of the book of life?

[harvest]

Kingdom greetings, I find this always a sore spot with some. Rather then answer your question directly I will approach it like this...

I believe the greater question should be "Are you saved right now?' rather then, "Can you lose your salvation?" If one knows they are saved (present tense), then they should not be concerned about the possibility of losing something in the future. I say this because salvation is by faith.

We believe that Christ died for our sins, and God has saved us from the punishment of sin (Justification). We believe the Holy Spirit is working in us, and we, presently, are being saved from the power of sin (Sanctification). Then we have a hope in the Day, that we will be saved from the very presence of sin (Glorification). I personally believe our salvation is progressively revealed through time, yet eternally secure in Christ Jesus. Therefore I believe, personally I am just as saved tomorrow as I am today, as I was when I first believed.

My faith in this is from the Word of God, which I stand firm on today, as I did yesterday, as I will tomorrow.

Ephesians 4:30 (New King James Version)
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.


2 Corinthians 5:4-6 (New King James Version)
4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.


2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (New King James Version)
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.


Ephesians 1:13-14 (New King James Version)
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.


So, to me it is never a matter of me being saved once and always, but the fact I am saved today!!! I was justified by the blood of Christ, I am being sanctified by the working of the Holy Spirit, and I shall be glorified by the Father on THAT DAY. MY name (I can only speak for myself) will not be blotted out of the Book of Life because God has giving ME a guarantee, his Spirit, until THE DAY he redeems my soul. That is how secure my salvation is, in Christ. He saved me once (One death, burial, and resurrection) and it will last for eternity (Always).

[Elder. Beverly Ponder, MBS]

Ecclesiastes 3:14 also says:
I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. And God doeth it, that men should fear before Him. NKJV.

Salvation is a process that takes place during seasons and times of our lives. I agree with my brother, I am just as saved today (Justification) as I will become tomorrow (Santification), as I will become at the coming of Christ (Glorification).

Christ paid the final price on the cross, in the grave, and in His resurrection. This does have to be redone.

[Elder. Beverly Ponder, MBS]

Correction: "This does NOT have to be redone"

[harvest]

I figured you meant that.

[harvest]

I believe that our works of salvation are separate from our salvation itself. I believe that our works (how we live) should reflect the salvation we have obtained, but our works cannot justify us. If we have to work to keep our salvation or even obtain it, then it (salvation) cannot be a gift (free gift), because by our works then we have earned salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (New King James Version)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

As you see we are "saved through faith.... not of works" yet "created in Christ Jesus for good works". Good works are a byproduct (if you will) of our salvation and not the essence of it. Sin does separate us from God, but when we are saved we have a relationship with him, to the extent that we are his children. I do not believe that we can lose our relationship, but fellowship with God. This is why I said that we must know whether we are saved presently.