“Once Saved, Always Saved” A False Teaching
Not “Once Saved, Always Saved”
Almost certainly you have heard the term “Once saved, always saved.” It is common among the masses of professing Christians. The problem is, we have seen that it is not biblical—it is not what the Bible teaches!
I have met many who tell me how good it is that they “know the Lord.” Others have tried to convince me that I need to “know Him” in some supposed way that they prescribe. John wrote, “He that says, I know Him, and keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:4).
Invariably, the people who tell you that they know the Lord will also state that you need not keep God’s Commandments. They loudly proclaim that Christ kept them for you. This is tantamount to telling pardoned murderers, thieves and rapists that their forgiveness frees them to return to society and do the same things for which they were just pardoned. While judges, prosecutors and the police would never be so foolish, preachers apparently think God is not as smart as the civil authorities.
You now know what God says about people who say they know Him but do not keep His Commandments. They do not know God, and He calls them “LIARS” for saying that they do. The “truth” about salvation, or much of anything else, is not “in” them.
Those who say that you cannot keep the Commandments are technically correct. You cannot, by yourself—on human effort—keep a spiritual law. Recall the young man who asked what to do to receive eternal life. Since he was told by Christ to “keep the commandments,” it is obvious that Christ disagrees with those who say this cannot be done. But what He added (read the account) did surprise the disciples (Matt. 19:25). Christ told them, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (vs. 26). Also see Luke 1:6.
With God’s help, it is possible for you to keep His law!
Just before Christ was crucified, He explained to His disciples the wonderful truth of how God’s Spirit can enter and help you: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter [Holy Spirit] will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send [it] unto you” (John 16:7). Christ had to return to God’s Throne, where He could sit in glory and send the Spirit that helps us grow and overcome (Rev. 3:12, 21)—and give us life, SAVE US!
On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), A.D. 31, after Christ’s Resurrection, He established His Church and began to give His Spirit to all whom He would call (Acts 2:39, 47), and who would repent and obey Him (Acts 2:38). (To better understand these subjects in greater detail, read our free booklets What Do You Mean Water Baptism? and What Is True Conversion?)
For now, at least understand that Acts 2:38 explains that you must:
(1) Repent and
(2) be baptized and then you will
(3) receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Repentance is toward God (Acts 20:21), because all sin is against God, and faith is toward Christ because of His sacrifice (same verse).
But salvation does not end there.
You must allow the Holy Spirit to lead you for the duration of your life (Rom. 8:14). You will, quite literally, have Christ living His perfect, law-keeping life within you.
Remember, He has not done it FOR you (and will not!), but with His help it is possible for you to obey Him. In fact, you will only continue to receive God’s Spirit so long as you obey Him (Acts 5:32).
If you continue to practice a life of sin, God is not foolish enough to tell Himself that you are righteous, simply because 2,000 years ago Christ obeyed His law “for you.”
Almost certainly you have heard the term “Once saved, always saved.” It is common among the masses of professing Christians. The problem is, we have seen that it is not biblical—it is not what the Bible teaches!
I have met many who tell me how good it is that they “know the Lord.” Others have tried to convince me that I need to “know Him” in some supposed way that they prescribe. John wrote, “He that says, I know Him, and keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:4).
Invariably, the people who tell you that they know the Lord will also state that you need not keep God’s Commandments. They loudly proclaim that Christ kept them for you. This is tantamount to telling pardoned murderers, thieves and rapists that their forgiveness frees them to return to society and do the same things for which they were just pardoned. While judges, prosecutors and the police would never be so foolish, preachers apparently think God is not as smart as the civil authorities.
You now know what God says about people who say they know Him but do not keep His Commandments. They do not know God, and He calls them “LIARS” for saying that they do. The “truth” about salvation, or much of anything else, is not “in” them.
Those who say that you cannot keep the Commandments are technically correct. You cannot, by yourself—on human effort—keep a spiritual law. Recall the young man who asked what to do to receive eternal life. Since he was told by Christ to “keep the commandments,” it is obvious that Christ disagrees with those who say this cannot be done. But what He added (read the account) did surprise the disciples (Matt. 19:25). Christ told them, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (vs. 26). Also see Luke 1:6.
With God’s help, it is possible for you to keep His law!
Just before Christ was crucified, He explained to His disciples the wonderful truth of how God’s Spirit can enter and help you: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter [Holy Spirit] will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send [it] unto you” (John 16:7). Christ had to return to God’s Throne, where He could sit in glory and send the Spirit that helps us grow and overcome (Rev. 3:12, 21)—and give us life, SAVE US!
On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), A.D. 31, after Christ’s Resurrection, He established His Church and began to give His Spirit to all whom He would call (Acts 2:39, 47), and who would repent and obey Him (Acts 2:38). (To better understand these subjects in greater detail, read our free booklets What Do You Mean Water Baptism? and What Is True Conversion?)
For now, at least understand that Acts 2:38 explains that you must:
(1) Repent and
(2) be baptized and then you will
(3) receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Repentance is toward God (Acts 20:21), because all sin is against God, and faith is toward Christ because of His sacrifice (same verse).
But salvation does not end there.
You must allow the Holy Spirit to lead you for the duration of your life (Rom. 8:14). You will, quite literally, have Christ living His perfect, law-keeping life within you.
Remember, He has not done it FOR you (and will not!), but with His help it is possible for you to obey Him. In fact, you will only continue to receive God’s Spirit so long as you obey Him (Acts 5:32).
If you continue to practice a life of sin, God is not foolish enough to tell Himself that you are righteous, simply because 2,000 years ago Christ obeyed His law “for you.”
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