Once saved always saved?
Can a born again Christian ever lose his salvation?
The question of once saved, always saved has caused no small stir in the churches through out the years. It is not my intention to cause more division, as we have too much already. Romans 14:1 says “not to dispute over doubtful things”, but there are some things that are not doubtful and it is those issues in which we must be rightly divided in the word of God. Paul warned us not to receive any other gospel than what he preached. In the warnings to the seven churches of revelations Jesus strongly warns some of them to repent of their incorrect doctrine. On the other hand Jesus is extremely pleased with the church of Philadelphia, and what does He say they do that pleases Him? He says “You have kept My word”. Can we follow the Word too closely? It appears not. I must make this very clear, I do not believe we are saved by works, it is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. But the teaching that salvation is a one time act of saying the “sinners prayer” or being baptized just isn’t biblical. This teaching creates many problems, the first problem is we get comfortable in our walk and never work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12). Many times this results in a lot of hypocrisy and sin in our lives leading to a poor witness to unbelievers. Another problem is we have less of a drive to evangelize. Since approx. 78% of our society believes in God and most at some point have said the sinners prayer or been baptized, this leads us to assume most people around us are fine and there goes our sense of urgency. Listed are a number of scriptures that clearly show there is more to this than a one time act. Now I have heard a number of verses that almost lead one to think they are once saved, always saved. This error occurs when we develop our theology based on a few verses. We know that all scriptures are given by inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17), and the entirety of His word is truth (Psalm 119:160), therefore our theology must fit in such a way that all these scriptures fit together. To believe you are once saved, always saved is to dismiss all these verses listed below. I won’t go on any more, just remember if I’m wrong it wont matter, but if the opposite is true many people are being deceived and their salvation is at risk. There are several similar verses noted, these are added to not only show that God wanted to put emphasis on these teachings, but also to show that these verse are not being taken out of context.
Hebrews 6:4-12 & 15 For it is impossible for those who where once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessings from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned up. But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. -15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Some will use the first part of this verse to say it clearly teaches since it is impossible to restore someone who has fallen away. This shows you can’t lose your salvation. But if you read it in its context it goes on to tell us to hold on and endure until the end. Then we obtain the promise, this promise isn’t obtained by a one time act. It also says we should bear fruits or face the possibility of hell. Often they will ask you to tell them at what point someone has fallen away, when do they cross that line? I can no more answer that question then they could answer the question of who is saved. Those are matters only God knows.
Mark 13:13 And you will be hated for My name’s sake. But he who endures until the end shall be saved.
2 Peter 2:20-21 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandments delivered to them.
Revelation 2:5-7 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place–unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”‘
Matthew 10:22 And you will be hated for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. Some have interpreted this as turning an unbeliever from sin, but clearly this person they are referring to is a believer as it refers to them as “brethren” and states “those from among you“. It also shows it is possible to wander from the truth and the need to turn away from sin if that happens. The word “Brethren” is used often and to explain this some have said that is a reference to the church that has unbelievers in it, so “Brethren” doesn’t necessarily mean they are Christian. Who did Jesus say where His brothers? Those who do His Fathers will (Matt.12:50, Mark 3:35, Luke 8:21,). It calls them brothers because that’s exactly who they are!
Luke 8:11-15 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; and the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, they receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for awhile and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those when they have heard, go out and are choked with the cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Now some say the reason they didn’t continue is because they never truly believed to begin with. First, that’s assuming a lot since the scripture clearly states they did believe. One must twist this verse for that interpretation. Second a study of the original Greek texts shows that when it says they believed that’s exactly what is meant.
Believe- Greek word Pisteuo: to have faith, credit, implication to entrust, commit, to put trust in.
Fall away-Greek word Aphistemi: to remove that is, instigate to revolt, usually to detest, desert, depart, draw away, refrain, withdraw self.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Revelation 3:1-5 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Also read: Exo. 32:33, Rev. 22:19 Rev. 20:15, Philippians 4:3
Matthew 7:13-27 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn-bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by there fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to me that day, *‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name?’ And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! (All lawlessness is sin-1 John 3:4)’ “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house; and the house fell. And great was its fall.” *Some will say they never truly accepted or believed in Jesus with all their heart and got saved. But I believe there is sufficient evidence to show these people were at one time filled with the Holy Spirit. What is that evidence? The miracles they performed. It is not by power or strength but by the Spirit that we are able to perform these miracles (Romans 15:19, Acts 1:8, Zech. 4:6, and Hebrews 6:4-12). Some teach that the use of Jesus’ name is enough to do these miracles, but clearly the word teaches it is faith or belief in Jesus. An example is the 7 Jewish men (the sons of Sceva) that tried to cast out a demon in Jesus’ name, they where imitating Paul. They where not filled the Holy Spirit and did not truly believe in Jesus and that is why they where over powered by the demon and unable to perform this miracle (Acts 19:13-16).
1 John 3:3-10 And everyone who has his hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sins. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him or known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
Matthew 24:13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Romans 11:20-22 Well said. Because of unbelief they where broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
Hebrews 10:26-29 For if we keep on sinning willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment; do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? Also read Jude 1:3-7
Hebrews 10:34-39 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Perdition: damnation, eternal death. See: 2 Peter 3:7
1 Corinthians 5:5(the man who slept with his fathers wife) deliver such one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus. This was a brother not an unbeliever, and clearly this teaching is telling us he must humble himself and turn from his sin in the hope of being saved. His sin had separated him from God. Also read: James 5:19-20
1 Corinthians 15:2 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, and in which you stand, by which also you where saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain.
Revelation 2:10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
2 Peter 1:5-11 But for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self control, to self control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble, for an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. Some have said “Brethren” and “those once cleansed from old sins” isn’t a reference a believer, but cleansed from sins is referring to the fact that Jesus died for the sins of all. Yes, He did die for the sins of all, but we are not cleansed from sin until we have been converted, repented and confessed them. Clearly these are believers. Read: 1 John 1:7-9, Acts 3:19 & Eze. 33:13-20
Many believe the prodigal son is a example of the fact that no matter how far you fall away and sin against heaven and our Father we are still considered “Sons” and can’t lose your salvation.
Luke 15:12-24 And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”‘ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
1 Timothy 5:6 but she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives,
1 Thessalonians 3:8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Also Luke 9:60 ,
This means spiritual death, as we all are without Christ. He was a son which clearly shows he had a part of this inheritance, and was not just been accepted recently when he returned. Third, He was alive and a son so how could he be spiritually dead if we could never lose our salvation? While he was sinning and unrepentant he was spiritually dead. It also said he is alive again. Knowing this is a reference to spiritual life and death, it shows he was at one time spiritually alive. And the only way we are alive is with Christ. So he was alive with Christ, fell away and died spiritually, but repented and was made alive again.
Galatians 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. They have become estranged. Def. of estranged: to alienate the affections of; to turn from an affectionate or friendly attitude to an indifferent, unfriendly, or hostile one; to separate. They where Christ’ then they where separated.
Romans 2:5-13 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for you yourself wrath in the day of revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”. Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also on the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. For as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but doers of the law will be justified;)
Colossians 1:22-23 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-if indeed you continue in faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Galatians 5:16-21 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in times past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Matthew 19:16-17 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” So He said to them, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Hebrews 5:9 And having perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
1 John 2:17 And the world passes away, and the lusts of it; but he who does will of God abides forever.
2 John 1:8-10 Look to yourself, that we do not lose those things we have worked for, but that we may receive our full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. Transgress: To break the law or sin. In this case it is whoever breaks the doctrine of Christ.
Hebrews 12:14-17 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
Often when this issue comes up opponents will say if you believe you can lose your salvation your not abounding in God’s grace making it into works. Here when they describe falling short in the grace of God it goes on to use as an example Esau who was a sinner. Not someone who was “legalistic’ or was focused on works. He fell short of that grace because he had no care of that great gift God had given him, he choose to fulfill the lust of the flesh. It also says pursue holiness with out which no one will see heaven. It say’s we must be holy, the definition of holy is this: living a life of spiritual purity, dedicated, set apart, for sacred usage. In the temple if something was set apart for sacred usage it was not to be defiled and if it was it was no longer useful. The abuse of grace is also listed in: Heb. 10:26-29 & Jude 1:3-7
Revelation 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophesy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the Holy city, and from the things that are written in this book.
Hebrews 3:6-4:1 But Christ as a Son over his own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, “They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’ So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest. “‘Beware, 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 still called “today,” lest any of you be hardened through deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” For who, having heard rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.
This verse is particularly interesting. I have seen this verse used to support the belief that you can’t lose your salvation because when they fell away it was because they never really believed to start with. As it says they fell because unbelief, but it also says they fell because of sin. So which one is it? We can’t ignore either verse, which so often they do. These must fit together perfectly. So how can unbelief and sin both play a part in not inheriting the promise? Let’s examine. When it says unbelief does this mean they didn’t believe in God? The context of this verse tells us this is a reference to the Israelites who made it out of Egypt. Did they believe in God? Yes! It says they saw His works forty years; the parting of the sea, Manna, clouds by day and fire by night. They believed in God. We know that the mere belief in the existence of God doesn’t save somebody anyway (James 2:19 & Jude 1:3-7). So unbelief about what? Could it be their unbelief in God’s warning to them about idolatry and other sins? They didn’t take seriously those warnings and sinned which ultimately lead to their fall. This is the only way sin and unbelief fit together. They believed in God, but not His warnings about sin. They sinned and lost their inheritance. Also this warning once again is talking to brethren, not unbelievers. Also read Jude 1:3-7 for the same description.
James 1:21-22 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only deceiving yourselves.
1 Thessalonians 3:5-8 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
John 5:28-29 “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice” and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and to those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
Revelations 2:25-26 “But hold fast what you have until I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.”Def. Hold fast: securing or holding things in place
1 Timothy 2:15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self control. Holy: dedicated to religious use, sacred, spiritually pure; sinless.
Hebrews 2:1-3 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard.
Mark 9:43-50 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched– where “Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched– where “Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire– where “Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” Read also: Luke 14:34 & Matthew 5:13
Matthew 5:29-30 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Matthew 18:8-9 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire. These last three verses deal with sin. They warn us that we should do whatever is necessary to rid our lives of sin or else face the possibility of hell. If we could never lose our salvation why would this be necessary?
Matthew 13:39-42 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
What offends God and causes people to be cast into hell? Those who practice lawlessness. What is lawlessness? In 1 John 3:4 it says “All lawlessness is sin“, so those practicing sin are offensive to God and are going to be cast into hell. Yet today many, many Christians are running around living a sinful unrepentant life without a second thought about it. And why is that? Many have been taught your saved and nothing can change that. It is a lie.
I want to make it clear I’m not trying to steal anyone’s joy, but false assurance won’t supply joy to those who have been deceived on the Day of judgment. We MUST examine and test ourselves, and the thought that I have my “ticket in” will rarely compel someone to look at their life. Hence the backslidden, lukewarm body of believers today.
Some will say this sort of teaching involves fear and perfect love cast out all fear. This of course is a reference to the fear of man and the world, not regarding our salvation, as it says in:
So often when matters of this sort come up it makes people feel uncertain and in a attempt to feel better they seek the advice of pastors, friends, and so on, but we must remember they are fallible. Don’t take my advice or theirs, but search out the scriptures. Your soul depends on it.
Matthew 25:1-46, Revelations 3:11, Revelations 3:15-16, Luke 12:42-49, Matthew 5:13, Luke 8:11-15, James 1:12, Luke 13:5-9, Romans 8:13-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Jude 1:3-7, Revelations 22:12-14, Luke 3:8-9, John 8:51, 1 John 2:24-25, Romans 8:6, 1 John 3:15, Luke 6:47-49, James 2:14-26, 1 Corinthians 7:19, 2 Corinthians 7:10, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Jude 1:21, Philippians 3:11-14, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Romans 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Matthew 5:22, Hebrews 4:6-11, Luke 10:25-28, Proverbs 19:16, Ezekiel 33:13-20, Proverbs 21:16, Proverbs 28:18, Isaiah 59:2, and Isaiah 56:1-5.