Once Saved Always Saved?
Let's read what the bible has to say on the topic. Let's read what happens to both sinners and the righteous. But before we do that let's look up the ONLY definition in the ENTIRE bible for the word "sin"
1John.3
[4] Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Now we know what "sin" is AND we know what a "sinner" is. "Sin" is anything that goes against the Laws of God and a "sinner" is a person that brakes God's laws!
And just for the record, let's find out who has sinned;
Eccl.7
[20] For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Rom.3
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Now let's find the fate of the sinner and the righteous;
Ezek.18
[20] The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Now we know what a sinner is, it is one that breaks the LAWS of God, which, according to God's inspired word, ALL have done. And the scriptures says he that sinneth shall die. The death spoken of here is the second death. Now let's read what happens if the sinner turns from his ways, or STOPS breaking God's laws;
[21] But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
[22] All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
So the sinner can change his fate. If he STOPS breaking Gods laws NONE of his transgressions will even be mentioned.
Now let's see if there is a flip side to this. Let's read the fate of the righteous;
[24] But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
So ALL of the good things a righteous person does can be wiped away and counted for nothing if he starts sinning. And does he have the chance to redeem himself? Let's read;
[26] When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
So if the ONCE righteous DIES in his sins, he shall die the second death.
I would say Gods ways are fair and equal just as He says in His word.
Now some may want to still believe that once they are saved they will ALWAYS be saved, but let's read and see if a NT person thought the same way.
Let's read what Paul had to say about the possibility of him NOT making it into God's kingdom;
1Cor.9
[27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
So even Paul realized that it was possible for him to blow the mission, miss the mark and NOT make it into God's kingdom, if he did not keep his body under subjection.
Now there are some we KNOW will be in God's kingdom, but let's look just how close it will be even for them;
1Pet.4
[18] And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
And just who are some of the righteous that we KNOW will be in God's kingdom? Noah, Abraham, Moses, King David, the prophets and the 12 apostles, just to name a few.
Now if these JUST make it in, I can see why Paul says he himself may be a castaway if he does not continue to do what is right. And if THEY just make it in, where does that put us?
Let’s look at just a few more scriptures;
Exod.32
[33] And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Now let’s see just what book is being spoken of here;
Rev.3
[5] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
WOW!!! Just think about that for a moment. A persons name that is written in God’s book of life can be removed!!! I mean......they were there!! Their name was in THE BOOK!!! So what could have happened for their name to be removed from God’s book of life? Could God have changed the rules? Not according to scripture;
Mal.3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not…
Heb.13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
So if God doesn’t change….. The only other thing that could have changed was THEM!!!!!
Now a name that STAYS in God's book of life until that person dies, then he is saved. But if a name that was in God's book of life is REMOVED and that person dies.................... ........................ ..well!
Is your name written in God’s book of life? Or has it been BLOTTED OUT? When will we find out?
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
"He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."
"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:"
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God,"
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
Prov.4
[7] Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
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