Exposing the False Doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved
I believe there are multitudes of souls in
hell today because they believed the false doctrine of “once saved,
always saved.” I believe this doctrine originated in hell and has been
spread by misguided Pastors and Christians who trusted more in the
teachings of men than in the word of God.
I have personally met people who were living in sin, far away from God, yet they believed they were going to heaven when they died because at one time in their life they had professed faith in Jesus Christ and were taught in their church that they could never lose their salvation. This false doctrine gave them false security. Not only are they being robbed of the blessings of knowing God in this life but they will be robbed of knowing Him forever unless they repent of their sins and return to the faith. They are in great danger of going to hell when they die.
This is why the scriptures warn us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. There are many warnings in scripture to guard and protect our faith and our salvation.
CAN YOUR DOCTRINE PASS THIS TEST?
When it comes to judging any doctrine, the scriptures should always be the final authority. Regardless of what anyone else has to say about it, the scriptures are ultimately all that matters. If you have believed this false doctrine, then I challenge you to examine the scriptures listed below to see if what you were taught passes the ultimate test.
All of us will one day stand before God to give an account for our lives. God will hold us accountable for knowing the scriptures, especially in America where Bibles are easily available to everyone. Blaming our wrong doctrines on our parents or our Pastor or on anyone else will not be an acceptable excuse when we stand before God. God expects us to study His word to find out for ourselves what it says.
In examining these scriptures, you will have to make a choice about whom you believe. Who you choose to believe reveals whom you really love. If you love God, then you must be willing to let go of anything you have been taught that is contrary to His word. If on the other hand, you refuse to let go then you are proving to God that you love your traditions or your church doctrines more than you love Him or the truth.
Listed below are scripture verses along with my comments on each verse. Any one of these scriptures would be enough to disprove the “once saved, always saved” doctrine, but combining them all together provides overwhelming proof. This is by no means an exhaustive list on this topic and I hope to add more scriptures as I find them. I found these in the first five books of the Old Testament and throughout all of the New Testament. I have not yet completed the remaining books of the Old Testament, but I will do that eventually. If you have believed this doctrine, I hope you will read all of these scriptures and my comments with an open mind and heart.
OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES
On the next day Moses said to the people, “You yourselves have committed a great sin; and now I am going up to the LORD, perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” Then Moses returned to the LORD, and said, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. But now, if You will, forgive their sin-and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!” The LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. But go now, lead the people where I told you. Behold, My angel shall go before you; nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.” Then the LORD smote the people, because of what they did with the calf, which Aaron had made. (Exodus 32:30-35 NASB)
Thus the sons of Israel did; according to all which the LORD had commanded Moses, so they did. (Numbers 1:54 NASB)
But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live. (Ezekiel 18:21-22)
But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die. Yet you say, ‘ The way of the Lord is not right. ’ Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right? When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die. (Ezekiel 18:24-26)
Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’ And you, son of man, say to your fellow citizens, ‘The righteousness of a righteous man will not deliver him in the day of his transgression, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he will not stumble because of it in the day when he turns from his wickedness; whereas a righteous man will not be able to live by his righteousness on the day when he commits sin.’ When I say to the righteous he will surely live, and he so trusts in his righteousness that he commits iniquity, none of his righteous deeds will be remembered; but in that same iniquity of his which he has committed he will die. (Ezekiel 33:11-13)
This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:39-40
John 15:1-9
1 Corinthians 9:27
Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30 NASB)
22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—
23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Col 2:18-19
For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.
1 Thessalonians 3:5
But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you; for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 3:6
1 Timothy 1:18-20
1 Timothy 2:14-15
1 Timothy 4:1-2
1 Timothy 4:16
1 Timothy 5:11-15
1 Timothy 6:11-12
2 Timothy 2:16-21
2 Timothy 4:6-8
Hebrews 2:1-3
Hebrews 3:5-6
Hebrews 3:7-14
Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. (Hebrews 4:1, 2 NASB)
Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:11 NASB)
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (Hebrews 4:14 NASB)
For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh), and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. For the land, which has drunk the rain that comes often on it, and brings forth a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near a curse, whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, though we speak like this, for God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you shown toward his name, in that you served the holy ones, and still do serve them. We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises.
Hebrews 6:4-12
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. For finding fault with them, he said, “Behold, the days come,” says the Lord, “That I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, In the day that I took them by the hand to lead them forth out of the land of Mitzrayim; For they didn’t continue in my covenant, And I disregarded them,” says the Lord.
Hebrews 8:7-9
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? (1 Peter 4:17, 18 NASB)
Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 1:5-7 NASB)
‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place-unless you repent. (Revelation 2:2-5 NASB)
He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:26-28 NASB)
He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (Revelation 3:1-5 NASB)
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I have personally met people who were living in sin, far away from God, yet they believed they were going to heaven when they died because at one time in their life they had professed faith in Jesus Christ and were taught in their church that they could never lose their salvation. This false doctrine gave them false security. Not only are they being robbed of the blessings of knowing God in this life but they will be robbed of knowing Him forever unless they repent of their sins and return to the faith. They are in great danger of going to hell when they die.
This is why the scriptures warn us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. There are many warnings in scripture to guard and protect our faith and our salvation.
CAN YOUR DOCTRINE PASS THIS TEST?
When it comes to judging any doctrine, the scriptures should always be the final authority. Regardless of what anyone else has to say about it, the scriptures are ultimately all that matters. If you have believed this false doctrine, then I challenge you to examine the scriptures listed below to see if what you were taught passes the ultimate test.
All of us will one day stand before God to give an account for our lives. God will hold us accountable for knowing the scriptures, especially in America where Bibles are easily available to everyone. Blaming our wrong doctrines on our parents or our Pastor or on anyone else will not be an acceptable excuse when we stand before God. God expects us to study His word to find out for ourselves what it says.
In examining these scriptures, you will have to make a choice about whom you believe. Who you choose to believe reveals whom you really love. If you love God, then you must be willing to let go of anything you have been taught that is contrary to His word. If on the other hand, you refuse to let go then you are proving to God that you love your traditions or your church doctrines more than you love Him or the truth.
Listed below are scripture verses along with my comments on each verse. Any one of these scriptures would be enough to disprove the “once saved, always saved” doctrine, but combining them all together provides overwhelming proof. This is by no means an exhaustive list on this topic and I hope to add more scriptures as I find them. I found these in the first five books of the Old Testament and throughout all of the New Testament. I have not yet completed the remaining books of the Old Testament, but I will do that eventually. If you have believed this doctrine, I hope you will read all of these scriptures and my comments with an open mind and heart.
OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES
On the next day Moses said to the people, “You yourselves have committed a great sin; and now I am going up to the LORD, perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” Then Moses returned to the LORD, and said, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. But now, if You will, forgive their sin-and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!” The LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. But go now, lead the people where I told you. Behold, My angel shall go before you; nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.” Then the LORD smote the people, because of what they did with the calf, which Aaron had made. (Exodus 32:30-35 NASB)
Comments:
When the people of God turned away from God, God said He would blot
them out of His book. These are the same people who had trusted Him and
praised Him and been delivered from Egypt by Him.
So the sons of Israel did all the work according to all that the LORD
had commanded Moses. And Moses examined all the work and behold, they
had done it; just as the LORD had commanded, this they had done. So
Moses blessed them. (Exodus 39:42, 43 NASB)Thus the sons of Israel did; according to all which the LORD had commanded Moses, so they did. (Numbers 1:54 NASB)
Comments:
These same sons of Israel who obeyed the Lord’s commandments in the
construction of the tabernacle are the same sons who perished in the
wilderness because of their unbelief. Even though they had known God and
walked in obedience they still failed to enter the Promised Land. Even
Moses himself failed to enter into it.
Now on the day that the tabernacle was erected the cloud covered the
tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and in the evening it was like
the appearance of fire over the tabernacle, until morning. So it was
continuously; the cloud would cover it by day, and the appearance of
fire by night. Whenever the cloud was lifted from over the tent,
afterward the sons of Israel would then set out; and in the place where
the cloud settled down, there the sons of Israel would camp. At the
command of the LORD the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command
of the LORD they would camp; as long as the cloud settled over the
tabernacle, they remained camped. Even when the cloud lingered over the
tabernacle for many days, the sons of Israel would keep the LORD’S
charge and not set out. If sometimes the cloud remained a few days over
the tabernacle, according to the command of the LORD they remained
camped. Then according to the command of the LORD they set out. If
sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning, when the cloud
was lifted in the morning, they would move out; or if it remained in the
daytime and at night, whenever the cloud was lifted, they would set
out. Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud
lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel
remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did
set out. At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of
the LORD they set out; they kept the LORD’S charge, according to the
command of the LORD through Moses. (Numbers 9:15-23 NASB)
Comments: These same Israelites who obeyed God by following the cloud are the same people who perished in the wilderness.
Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the
people wept that night. All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses
and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had
died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!
Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our
wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better
for us to return to Egypt?” So they said to one another, “Let us appoint
a leader and return to Egypt.” Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces
in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of
Israel. Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those
who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all
the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land which we
passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD is
pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to
us-a land, which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against
the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our
prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with
us; do not fear them.” But all the congregation said to stone them with
stones. Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting to
all the sons of Israel. The LORD said to Moses, “How long will this
people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all
the signs which I have performed in their midst? I will smite them with
pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation
greater and mightier than they.” (Numbers 14:1-12 NASB)
Comments:
Because of their unbelief, God said He would disown, dispossess, and
strike with pestilence the very people whom He delivered from Eqypt, the
people who had served Him and obeyed Him in building the tabernacle,
the people whom the Spirit of God had gifted and rested upon. Unbelief
is a serious offense against God.
Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you
do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not
depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to
your sons and your grandsons. (Deuteronomy 4:9 NASB)
Comments:
We are warned to give heed to ourselves and to keep our soul diligently
so that we do not forget the things we have seen and they do not depart
from our heart. So it is possible to forget what God has revealed to us
and to allow these most precious things to even depart from our heart.
If any man thinks he stands, he should take heed lest he fall. (see 1
Corinthians 10:12).
When you become the father of children and children’s children and
have remained long in the land, and act corruptly, and make an idol in
the form of anything, and do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD
your God so as to provoke Him to anger, I call heaven and earth to
witness against you today, that you will surely perish quickly from the
land where you are going over the Jordan to possess it. You shall not
live long on it, but will be utterly destroyed. (Deuteronomy 4:25, 26
NASB)
Comments:
God warns His people their lives will be cut short and they will be
destroyed of they act corruptly and do that which is evil in the sight
of the Lord. There are severe consequences for those who turn away from
God.
But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving
you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He
swore to your fathers, as it is this day. It shall come about if you
ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and
worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.
Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall
perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God.
(Deuteronomy 8:18-20 NASB)
Comments:
If the people of God forget God and worship other gods, they will
perish the same way multitudes of other people have perished.
It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after
other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today
that you will surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to
perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to
the voice of the LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 8:19, 20 NASB)
Comments:
Contrary to what many people teach, the scriptures clearly tell us
those who have known the Lord but then forget Him and go after other
gods will perish. Perish does not mean dying and going to heaven. To
clarify, verse 20 says it means they will perish like all the heathen
nations who never knew the Lord. The fate of backsliders is the same as
the fate of those who never knew God. Here again the scriptures
contradict the false doctrine of “once saved always saved.” The Hebrew
word abad is translated into English as perish. Abad literally means to
be utterly destroyed by divine judgment, exterminated, and blotted out.
It means these people are not only destroyed but they are destroyed by
God. Does this sound like someone going to heaven to be with God?
Instead of being eternally secure they will be blotted out of the book
of life and cast into eternal fire.
Then the LORD said to me, ‘Arise, go down from here quickly, for your
people whom you brought out of Egypt have acted corruptly. They have
quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them; they have made
a molten image for themselves.’ The LORD spoke further to me, saying,
‘I have seen this people, and indeed, it is a stubborn people. Let Me
alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under
heaven; and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.’
(Deuteronomy 9:12-14 NASB)
Comments:
God told Moses He wanted to destroy the people of Israel and blot out
their name from under heaven. God wanted to start over and make a new
nation that would be mightier and greater than the Israelites. This is
the same God who many people today are saying would never blot out the
names of any of His people, despite having no scriptures to support that
claim and many scriptures plainly stating the opposite. People who
don’t want to hear the truth will make up lies so they can hear what
they want to hear and believe what they want to believe even when it is
contrary to the scriptures.
The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him; so I also prayed for Aaron at the same time. (Deuteronomy 9:20 NASB)
Comments:
Not only will God destroy His people who turn away from Him but also He
will destroy His chosen leaders, even His very top leaders like Aaron.
God is not a respecter of persons. He does not show favoritism to anyone
but judges all men fairly by the same standards. No one who falls away
is safe. The only place of eternal security is in Him.
Now not with you alone am I making this covenant and this oath, but
both with those who stand here with us today in the presence of the LORD
our God and with those who are not with us here today (for you know how
we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the
nations through which you passed; moreover, you have seen their
abominations and their idols of wood, stone, silver, and gold, which
they had with them); so that there will not be among you a man or woman,
or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God,
to go and serve the gods of those nations; that there will not be among
you a root bearing poisonous fruit and wormwood. It shall be when he
hears the words of this curse, that he will boast, saying, ‘I have peace
though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart in order to destroy the
watered land with the dry.’ The LORD shall never be willing to forgive
him, but rather the anger of the LORD and His jealousy will burn against
that man, and every curse which is written in this book will rest on
him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven. Then the
LORD will single him out for adversity from all the tribes of Israel,
according to all the curses of the covenant, which are written in this
book of the law. (Deuteronomy 29:14-21 NASB)
Comments: For
the Israelite who turns his heart away from the Lord to follow the gods
of other nations, the Lord will blot out his name from under heaven and
will never forgive him.
All the nations will say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land?
Why this great outburst of anger?’ Then men will say, ‘Because they
forsook the covenant of the LORD, the God of their fathers, which He
made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went
and served other gods and worshiped them, gods whom they have not known
and whom He had not allotted to them. Therefore, the anger of the LORD
burned against that land, to bring upon it every curse which is written
in this book; and the LORD uprooted them from their land in anger and in
fury and in great wrath, and cast them into another land, as it is this
day.’ (Deuteronomy 29:24-28 NASB)
Comments:
It is better to have never known the Lord than to turn away from Him
after having known Him. Nothing is more hurtful to the Lord or more
infuriating. This also applies to nations who once followed the Lord but
then turned away from Him. America is in this category.
They (referring to the people of Israel) have acted corruptly toward
Him, they are not His children, because of their defect; but are a
perverse and crooked generation. (Deuteronomy 32:5 NASB)
Comments:
In this verse from the song of Moses, Moses declares the people of
Israel are not the children of God. Their position and their rights as
sons and daughters of God were not to be taken for granted and were not
eternally secure. Moses could have called them wayward children or
disobedient children but he did not. Instead, Moses saw that their
position as children depended on their choice to obey or disobey God’s
commandments. Those who disobeyed were no longer His children. We should
therefore take note and be warned so we do not make the same mistake.
“But if a man is righteous and practices justice and righteousness,
and does not eat at the mountain shrines or lift up his eyes to the
idols of the house of Israel, or defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a
woman during her menstrual period— if a man does not oppress anyone,
but restores to the debtor his pledge, does not commit robbery, but
gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing, if he
does not lend money on interest or take increase, if he keeps his hand
from iniquity and executes true justice between man and man, if he walks
in My statutes and My ordinances so as to deal faithfully. He is
righteous and will surely live,” declares the Lord God. (Ezekiel 18:5-9)But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live. (Ezekiel 18:21-22)
But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die. Yet you say, ‘ The way of the Lord is not right. ’ Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right? When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die. (Ezekiel 18:24-26)
Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’ And you, son of man, say to your fellow citizens, ‘The righteousness of a righteous man will not deliver him in the day of his transgression, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he will not stumble because of it in the day when he turns from his wickedness; whereas a righteous man will not be able to live by his righteousness on the day when he commits sin.’ When I say to the righteous he will surely live, and he so trusts in his righteousness that he commits iniquity, none of his righteous deeds will be remembered; but in that same iniquity of his which he has committed he will die. (Ezekiel 33:11-13)
Comments:
This passage directly contradicts the false doctrine of eternal
security, once saved always saved. Both the righteous and the wicked
will live or die based on their deeds because faith without works is
dead. In the same way that the evil deeds of an evil man will not kill
him if he turns away from doing evil, the righteous deeds of a righteous
man will not save him if he commits sin. Therefore, the righteous are
warned against trusting in their righteousness because it will not
deliver them from eternal death. It is a grave error for anyone to
assume they can commit sin and get away with it. The only security for
the righteous comes from living a holy life, free from sin. If they
commit sin, they will die because the wages of sin are death. The only
hope for the one who commits sin is to turn away from it, stop doing it
immediately, and ask the Lord for forgiveness.
NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURESThis is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:39-40
Comments:
This is a favorite scripture of those who believe in the doctrine of
once saved always saved. However, this verse does not say people cannot
lose their salvation. It only says it is the will of the Father that
none would be lost. Other scriptures make it very clear that the will of
the Father is not always done in the earth. This is why Jesus
instructed us to pray, ‘Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.’
Another scripture tells us God is not willing that any should perish.
However, we know there are many who perish.
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you
continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will
know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31, 32 NASB)
Comments:
In verse 31, Jesus clearly states a condition for being his disciple.
Only those who continue following his word are truly his disciples. If
this is true then the flip side of it is also true. Those who do not
continue to follow the word are no longer his disciple and will not know
the truth. This directly and clearly contradicts the once saved always
saved doctrine, which teaches even those who do not continue to follow
the word are still saved and still disciples of the Lord.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. “Every branch
in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that
bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. “You are
already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. “Remain in
me, stay with me, and continue to be with me and I in you. As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains, stays, and
continues to be in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me,
stay with me, and continue to be with me. “I am the vine, you are the
branches; he who remains in me, stays with me, and continues to be with
me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do
nothing. “If anyone does not remain in me, stay with me, and continue to
be with me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather
them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. “If you remain
in me, stay with me, and continue to be with me and my words abide in
you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. “My Father is
glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so you become My
disciples. “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you;
remain in my love, stay in my love, and continue to be in My love.John 15:1-9
Comments:
The word ‘abide’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘meno’, which is defined as
‘to remain, to sojourn, not to depart, tarry, to continue to be
present, to stay with. When you replace the word ‘abide’ with the
clearer definition of what meno means, it shines a bright light on the
meaning of this passage from John 15. In this light, John 15 blows a
gaping hole in the doctrine of ‘once saved always saved.’
Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand
by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare
the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the
kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you,
God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will
be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief,
will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. (Romans
11:20-23)
Comments:
Paul gives a strong warning to believers that they should fear God
because God would not spare them from being broken off from the tree,
cut off from salvation. He explains the Jews were cut off because of
their unbelief and the only thing keeping you from being cut off is your
faith. When we walk in faith, we experience the kindness and goodness
of God, but if we fall into unbelief, then we will experience the same
fate the Jews experienced, which is the severity of God as he cuts you
off from himself. The Greek word for severity is apotomia, which means
roughness and rigor.
Paul explains we must continue in God’s
kindness. The word translated as continue is the Greek word Epimeno,
which means to stay with, to continue, to remain, to persevere, to tarry
in a place. So our salvation is totally conditional based on whether or
not we continue to walk in faith, to remain in the place of God’s
goodness and kindness. The consequences of not continuing are stated
very clear. You will be cut off. You will see another side of God, which
is the side of roughness, severity and rigor. Therefore, we would be
wise to fear God and not believe anyone who tells us that we cannot lose
our salvation.
I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a
fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all
run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may
win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all
things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an
imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box
in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make
it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will
not be disqualified.1 Corinthians 9:27
Comments:
Paul says he could be disqualified from receiving the prize. The prize
he is referring to is the reward for preaching the good news, for
running the race. These rewards go beyond just being saved. He is
referring to eternal rewards for obedience and service to God in this
life.
The Greek word is adokimos, which means
not standing the test, not approved, that which does not prove itself
such as it ought, unfit for, unproved. Based on this, I don’t believe
Paul was saying he had already qualified and was at risk of losing his
qualification. It makes more sense that he was saying he did not want to
fail to qualify for the rewards, not be found to be unfit for the
prize. I don’t believe this scripture is referring to salvation, just to
the rewards that are in addition to salvation.
For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were
all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were
baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same
spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were
drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was
Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for
they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as
examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also
craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written,
“The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” Nor let us
act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in
one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were
destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were
destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an
example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends
of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed
that he does not fall. (1 Corinthians 10:1-12 NASB)Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
Comments: Paul clearly identifies he is talking to people who received the gospel, are currently standing in their faith in the gospel, and are currently saved. But then he says they are saved if they hold fast the word preached to them. So what happens if they don’t hold fast? He tell us the answer, they believed in vain. So they believed, received, are standing, and saved, but unless they hold fast it is all in vain, useless, without any benefit. Unless we hold fast, our salvation is lost.In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13, 14 NASB)
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30 NASB)
Comments:
This is a favorite passage of those who believe in the once saved
always saved doctrine. They claim that because we have been sealed, we
cannot then be cut off. However, other scriptures clearly state that
after we have been grafted in we can still be cut off unless we continue
to walk in faith and obedience.
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation
with fear and trembling; (Philippians 2:12 NASB)
Comments:
Why would we need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling if
there was no risk of losing it? There would be nothing to fear if that
was the case.
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as
loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be
loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but
rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a
righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through
faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of
faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the
fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order
that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have
already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so
that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ
Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;
but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to
what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward
call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:7-14 NASB)
Comments:
Why would Paul have to do all of this to attain to the resurrection
from the dead if his salvation was already secure? Why would he say
specifically he has not yet obtained the resurrection from the dead but
he presses on so that he may lay hold of it?
21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—
23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Comments:
People often quote verses 21-22 without verse 23, distorting the
message by leaving out the requirements for reconciliation. We qualify
only if we continue in the faith, not moved away from the hope of the
gospel. By definition, if we fail to continue or are moved away from it,
we are disqualified.
Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and
worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen,
vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding firmly to the
Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through
the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth.Col 2:18-19
For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.
1 Thessalonians 3:5
Comments:
How could Paul’s labor be in vain if the Thessalonians had already
received guaranteed eternal salvation? It could only be in vain if their
salvation required them to continue in the faith to avoid losing it.
If once saved always saved, then why would Paul fear that his labor
might have been in vain if the tempter had stolen away their faith?But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you; for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 3:6
Comments:
If once saved always saved, why would Paul care so much about the
Thessalonians standing fast in the Lord, even to the point of saying
“for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord”?
Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly
shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a
message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the
Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come
unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed,
the son of destruction… (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)Comments: Paul tells us the rapture will not happen until after the apostasy and the revealing of the man of lawlessness. The apostasy is the great falling away from the faith. It comes from the Greek word apostasia, which means to fall away, to forsake. If the doctrine of once saved always saved was true then there could be no such thing as the apostasy because it would be impossible to fall away or to forsake the faith without first being in it.This charge I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare; holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith; of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
1 Timothy 1:18-20
Comments: So clearly it is possible to shipwreck your faith by failing to hold onto faith and a good conscience.
Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into
disobedience; but she will be saved through her child-bearing, if they
continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety.1 Timothy 2:14-15
Comments: If once saved always saved, the woman would be saved even if she did not continue in faith, love and sanctification.
But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away
from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of
demons, through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their
own conscience as with a hot iron;1 Timothy 4:1-2
Comments: Clearly people can fall away from the faith and Spirit says they will.
Pay attention to yourself, and to your teaching. Continue in these
things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear
you.1 Timothy 4:16
Comments:
Why would we need to ensure our salvation if it was already secured?
This scripture only makes sense if it is possible to lose your
salvation. If you are always saved anyway, then why is Paul instructing
Timothy to pay close attention and to continue in these things and that
by doing these things he will save himself? If once saved always saved,
then he would already have secured his salvation regardless of whether
or not he does these things.
But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against
Messiah, they desire to marry; having condemnation, because they have
rejected their first pledge. Besides, they also learn to be idle, going
about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and
busybodies, saying things, which they ought not. I desire therefore that
the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give
no occasion to the adversary for reviling. For already some have turned
aside after Satan.1 Timothy 5:11-15
Comments:
The younger widows were turning against Messiah to follow after Satan.
If they were turning against Messiah, then that means previously they
were following Messiah as believers in Him. Then they turned against
Messiah to become followers of Satan. Surely the followers of Satan are
not saved!
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been
led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves
through with many sorrows. But you, man of God, flee these things, and
follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and
gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Lay hold of the eternal
life, whereunto you were called, and confessed the good confession in
the sight of many witnesses.1 Timothy 6:11-12
Comments:
Why do we need to take hold of the eternal life, which we already
received previously as identified in the second part of this verse? If
our salvation was already secure we would not need to take hold of it.
First, verse 10 shows some people have been led astray from the faith
due to their greed. This proves people can lose their faith, without
which they cannot please God or receive salvation since the scriptures
state that both of these require faith. Second, verse 11 shows Paul was
clearly writing this letter to someone Paul knew was already a believer
(Timothy) because he refers to the person as you man of God. Then in
verse 12 he tells the man of God to fight the good fight of faith and
lay hold of the eternal life, which the man of God received by
confessing it before witnesses. So if the man of God is already a man of
God, already saved by confession of salvation before witnesses, then
why must the man of God also be instructed after that to lay hold of
eternal life? If once saved always saved, then after you are clearly
saved it would no longer be necessary to lay hold of eternal life or to
fight the good fight of faith because those things are locked in
regardless of what we do. Obviously, Paul believed it was important to
instruct Timothy in this way. People who teach this false doctrine of
once saved, always saved are going contrary to the scripture, confusing
many people, and doing more harm than good.
But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and
Philetus; men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the
resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.
However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows
those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord
depart from unrighteousness.” Now in a great house there are not only
vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are
for honor, and some for dishonor. If a man therefore purges himself from
these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the
master’s use, prepared for every good work.2 Timothy 2:16-21
Comments:
Empty chatter leads to ungodliness and compared to gangrene because of
the destructive effect it has on our faith. Verses 16-19 identifies what
happens to all who participate in empty chatter:
They will proceed further in ungodliness
Their word will consume like gangrene
They will be like Hymenaeus and Philetus who have erred concerning the truth
Verse 18 identifies another consequence
that only applies to some of these people, not to all who participate in
empty chatter. That is their faith will be overthrown.
Verses 19-21 are referring to the larger
group of all those who participate in empty chatter, not the smaller
group of those whose faith is overthrown. Verse 19 explains that
participating in empty chatter will not cause them to lose their
salvation because God’s firm foundation stands. The seal that God has
placed on them, the deposit of the Holy Spirit in them, will not be
taken away from them because of their empty chatter. They will still be
allowed to dwell in the house of the Lord as vessels of wood and clay,
but will not be vessels of gold and silver. They will be vessels of
dishonor, not vessels of honor. However, if they purge themselves from
participating in empty chatter, they can still become vessels of honor.
This verse is not saying that those whose faith is overthrown are still
saved or will still be found in the house of the Lord. Verse 21 makes it
clear it is referring to empty chatter because it states they can still
become vessels of honor if they purge themselves from empty chatter,
not purge themselves from having no faith.
Verse 19: First, there are those who
participate in empty chatter and have erred concerning the truth.
Second, among those who have participated there are some whose faith has
been overthrown as a result.
For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has
come. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have
kept the faith. From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me at
that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his
appearing.2 Timothy 4:6-8
Comments:
At the end of his life on earth, Paul equates finishing the course with
keeping the faith. Therefore someone who did not keep the faith did not
finish the course. Paul’s reward is the crown of righteousness, which
will be given to all those who have loved his appearing. Can anyone go
to heaven without righteousness? That makes no sense. So the reward of
righteousness is one we must have and it is clearly given only to those
who meet specific conditions. It was based on what Paul did and on what
those others did. There is no mention of any reward going to those who
failed to keep the faith, or to those who do not love his appearing.
Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were
heard, lest perhaps we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels
proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a
just recompense; how will we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation,
which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed
to us by those who heard;Hebrews 2:1-3
Comments:
Why are we warned not to drift away if there are no consequences of
drifting away? This warning is clear, if we neglect our salvation we
will not escape judgment.
Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a
testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken, but Messiah
as a Son, over his house; whose house are we, if we hold fast our
boldness and the glorying of our hope firm to the end.Hebrews 3:5-6
Comments:
We are the house of the Messiah if we hold fast our boldness and the
glorying of our hope firm to the end. The NAS says “if we hold fast our
confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.” So what if we
do not hold fast our confidence? Are we still the house of the Messiah?
Not according to this scripture.
Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) says, “Today if
you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts, as in the
provocation, like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness, where
your fathers tested me by proving me, And saw my works for forty years.
Therefore I was displeased with that generation, And said, ‘They always
err in their heart, But they didn’t know my ways;’ As I swore in my
wrath, ‘They will not enter into my rest.'” Beware, brothers, lest
perhaps there will be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in
falling away from the living God; but exhort one another day by day, so
long as it is called “today;” lest any one of you be hardened by the
deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Messiah, if we
hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end.Hebrews 3:7-14
Comments:
We are warned to take heed of those people of God who went before us
who failed to enter into the rest that God had for them. We are warned
about having an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living
God. It was because of their unbelief that they failed to enter in to
what God wanted them to have. How do we get an evil, hardened heart?
Verse 13 says it comes through the deceitfulness of sin. Verse 14 states
it very clearly, we can only continue as partakers of Messiah if we
hold fast our confidence, our faith, firm until the end. Therefore, if
we do not hold fast and we lose our confidence we will not continue as
partakers of Messiah.
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil,
unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one
another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that
none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have
become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our
assurance firm until the end, while it is said, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS
VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME.” For who
provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out
of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was
it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And
to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those
who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because
of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:12-19 NASB)Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. (Hebrews 4:1, 2 NASB)
Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:11 NASB)
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (Hebrews 4:14 NASB)
For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh), and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. For the land, which has drunk the rain that comes often on it, and brings forth a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near a curse, whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, though we speak like this, for God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you shown toward his name, in that you served the holy ones, and still do serve them. We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises.
Hebrews 6:4-12
Comments:
This verse flat out says it and could not possibly say it any more
clearly. How anyone can read this and hold onto their man made teaching
of once saved always saved is amazing and shows there is demonic
deception involved. They are like the scripture, which talks about those
who are seeing but not seeing and hearing but not hearing. Verse 5 says
very clearly Paul is talking about those who have been partakers of the
Holy Spirit. The Greek word is metochos, which means sharing in,
partaking, a partner in a work, office, dignity. It is translated
correctly. Clearly Paul is referring to people who were once enlightened
and partakers of the Holy Spirit. Verse 6 says they fell away.
The Greek word parapipto is defined as to fall beside, to slip aside,
to deviate from the right path, to turn aside, to wander to error, to
fall away. It is translated correctly. How could they fall away unless
they had once entered in and received? They had tasted the word of God
and the powers of the age to come. They had received and become a
partaker of the Holy Spirit! No one can do that without being saved so
these people were saved! After someone falls away, it is impossible to
renew them again to repentance because they continually crucify the Son
of God for themselves again, putting him to an open shame before men,
before the angels and before demonic spirits. They are like land that
produces only thorns and thistles. They are rejected and ultimately
burned up. In verses 9-12, Paul encourages the Hebrews that he does not
believe this will be their fate. Then he explains why he believes this.
In verse 10 he points out that not only have labored for the Lord in
serving his people, but that they still do serve them. So they have not
turned away but have continued on the path of life. In verses 11 and 12,
Paul expresses his desire that they will continue to show the same
diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, that they would not
be sluggish, but be imitators of others who have inherited the promises
through faith and patience. Why would Paul desire that they continue
until the end if it were not required for them to receive the promise of
eternal life? Why would he encourage them to imitate others who have
received the promises through faith and patience if enduring faith and
patience were not required? It is because they clearly are required.
Once saved always saved is a lie. In the following verses, 13-15, Paul
spells it out for them using the example of Abraham and showing that
Abraham had to patiently endure in order to receive the promise of God.For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. For finding fault with them, he said, “Behold, the days come,” says the Lord, “That I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, In the day that I took them by the hand to lead them forth out of the land of Mitzrayim; For they didn’t continue in my covenant, And I disregarded them,” says the Lord.
Hebrews 8:7-9
Comments:
Regarding those who do not continue to follow Him, God acted the same
way in the old covenant as He does in the new. Verse 9 says He
disregarded the Israelites who did not continue in his covenant. The
Greek work ameleo means to be careless of, to neglect. Those who do not
continue to follow him, he will neglect, disregard and not care for
them. This contradicts the notion that we receive the same salvation
whether we continue to follow him or not.
23 let us hold fast the confession of our hope unyieldingly. For he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
Comments:
Why are we commanded to hold fast the confession of our hope
unyieldingly if we have no risk of losing what we are hoping to receive?
This verse only makes sense if there is a real risk of losing what we
are hoping to receive. Since we are commanded to hold onto it
unyieldingly, it is clear we must make every effort not only to hold on,
but not to concede any ground at all.
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of
the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a
terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL
CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies
without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much
severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under
foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the
covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of
grace? For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And
again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” It is a terrifying thing to
fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:26-31 NASB)
Comments:
This scripture makes it clear we have the choice to sin willingly. We
are not locked into a life of obedience just because we were once saved.
If this were not possible, this scripture would be an error. Verse 26
asks about people who sin willingly after they have received the
knowledge of the truth. This is not referring to people who heard the
word, but to those who heard it, understood it, and received it into
their hearts and lives. These people had the light of revelation to know
the truth. As Jesus told Peter, these things are not revealed by flesh
and blood but only by the spirit of God. When these people then sin
willfully, there remains no more sacrifice for their sins. If there is
no sacrifice for their sins then their sins cannot be forgiven. If their
sins cannot be forgiven, then the only thing left for them is what is
described in verse 27, a fierceness of fire. Verse 29 says their
punishment will be much worse than it was for people who lived under the
law of Moses, and they died without compassion. It then asks about a
man who was sanctified and then after that he trods under foot the Son
of God and counts the blood of the covenant as an unholy thing. God will
repay him with vengeance. Therefore, we would be wise to be fearful of
sinning willfully.
For you need patience, so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:36)
Comments:
Paul tells us we need patience. Why do we need patience if we can pray
to receive the Lord and get saved with no risk of losing our salvation?
If we are once saved always saved, then there is no patience required.
However, Paul is not talking only about salvation but the broader topic
of receiving anything that God has promised to give us. Receiving from
God works the same way regardless of which promise we are hoping to
receive. With all of God’s promises, only those who meet the
requirements will receive what was promised. Two of the requirements are
identified in this verse. First, you need to do the will of God.
Second, you need patience. To say that anyone can just skip those
requirements and they will still receive the promise is contrary to
scripture and not true.
But the righteous will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has
no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back to
destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.
(Hebrews 10:38-39)
Comments:
Verse 38 makes it very clear the righteous, who live by faith, are able
to shrink back. In doing this, God has no pleasure in him. It is
impossible for anyone to shrink back unless he first had obtained
something. In this case, they had obtained faith and righteousness. In
verse 39, Paul does not dispute that it is possible for the righteous to
shrink back when he offers encouragement to the Hebrews that we are not
among those who are going to shrink back. He is believing the best for
them, as we also should do. He explains further what happens to the
righteous who shrink back; they go to destruction. This verse makes it
clear that righteous people who live by faith are able to shrink back
from their life of faith and their end result will be destruction.
Follow after shalom with all men, and the sanctification without
which no man will see the Lord, looking carefully lest there be any man
who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness
springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled; (Hebrews
12:14-15)
Comments:
Verses 14 and 15 provide clear instructions that we must follow if we
hope to ever see the Lord or attain the grace of God. We are instructed
to follow after peace with all men, follow after sanctification, and
look carefully. If we fail to do these things, the consequences are that
we will not see the Lord, we will fall short of the grace of God, a
root of bitterness will spring up which will cause us to be troubled and
many to be defiled. Why would Paul warn us of these things if it were
not even possible to fall short of the grace of God? How can we be saved
if we neglect to do these things?
For you have not come to a mountain that might be touched, and that
burned with fire, and to blackness, darkness, tempest, the sound of a
shofar, and the voice of words; which those who heard it begged that not
one more word should be spoken to them, for they could not stand that
which was enjoined, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be
stoned;” and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, “I am
terrified and trembling.” But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the
city of the living God, the heavenly Yerushalayim, and to innumerable
hosts of angels, to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn
who are enrolled in heaven, to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of
just men made perfect, to Yeshua, the mediator of a new covenant, and to
the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Hevel. See that
you don’t refuse him who speaks. For if they didn’t escape when they
refused him who warned on the Earth, how much more will we not escape
who turn away from him who warns from heaven, whose voice shook the
earth, then, but now he has promised, saying, “Yet once more will I
shake not only the earth, but also the heavens.” (Hebrews 12:18-26)
Comments:
This is a severe warning given to those who have come to Mount Zion,
and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to God and to
Yeshua. This is clearly a warning to born again believers telling them
do not refuse him who speaks. For if the Jews did not escape when they
refused him, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him.
These believers could not turn away from him unless they had first come
to him as the previous verses describe. Born again believers will not
escape if they turn away from God.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let
endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 NASB)
Comments:
Why make such a big deal about endurance if we are just as saved
without any endurance? This verse says without endurance we will be
incomplete and lacking.
Brothers, if any among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns
him back, 20 let him know, that he who converts a sinner from the error
of his way will save a soul from death, and will cover a multitude of
sins. (James 5:19-20)
Comments:
This verse makes it clear it is possible for those who are in the truth
to stray from it even to the point where they can lose their soul.
Otherwise this warning is not needed.
Verse 19 describes someone who wandered from the truth, which means
they once had the truth. Otherwise, they could not wander from it or be
turned back to it. This passage is not referring to all heathens but to
backslidden believers. These people are called sinners who must be
converted or turned from the error of their way. Otherwise, their soul
will be put to death and they would face judgment for their multitude of
sins. They are only saved from death and forgiven for their sins after
they turn away from their error and come back to the truth.For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? (1 Peter 4:17, 18 NASB)
Comments:
Judgment begins with those who confess Jesus as their Lord. These are
the ones who are the household of God because the spirit of God lives in
their mortal bodies like a house. Referring to this judgment,
everything is judged based on obedience to the good news of God.
Believers are judged by what they do, not by what they hoped to do or
intended to do or thought about doing. On this basis, verse 18 makes it
clear not all believers will pass this test because it is with
difficulty that the righteous are saved. It is not a gimee, not a sure
thing, not to be taken for granted. If every believer receives eternal
security when they are first saved then how could it be with any
difficulty the righteous are saved?
Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in
your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;
and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in
patience godliness; and in godliness brotherly affection; and in
brotherly affection, love. For if these things are yours and abound,
they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord
Yeshua the Messiah. For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only
what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election
sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. For thus will
be richly supplied to you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our
Lord and Savior, Yeshua the Messiah. (2 Peter 1:5-11)
Comments:
Verse 10 instructs us to be more diligent to make our calling and
election sure. Why would we have to make it more sure if it is already
sure, according to the false doctrine of once saved, always saved. The
only reason for these instructions would be if our lack of diligence
could result in us losing our calling and election. Verse 11 makes it
clear this warning is not just regarding our ability to live a better,
more productive life on the earth. It is spelled out in plain terms this
is all about entering into the eternal kingdom of God. The two are
connected with a condition that we must meet. It could not be stated any
more clearly that this is a conditional relationship, not a guaranteed,
unconditional relationship. If we are diligent, the entrance to the
eternal kingdom will be richly supplied to us. It is clearly conditional
and dependent upon our upholding the specific part required by us.
Therefore if we neglect or fail to be diligent, the entrance to the
eternal kingdom will not be richly supplied to us. In other words, we
were once saved could still miss entering into heaven.
For if God didn’t spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down
to Tartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved to
judgment; and didn’t spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah with
seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood on
the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
into ashes, condemned them to destruction, having made them an example
to those who would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, very
distressed by the lustful life of the wicked (for that righteous man
dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, tormented his righteous soul
from day to day with lawless deeds): the Lord knows how to deliver the
godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment to
the day of judgment; but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the
lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are
not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries; whereas angels, though greater
in might and power, don’t bring a railing judgment against them before
the Lord. But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to
be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are
ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed, receiving the
wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the
day-time, spots and blemishes, reveling in their deceit while they feast
with you; having eyes full of adultery, and who can’t cease from sin;
enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of
cursing; forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the
way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrong-doing; but
he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A mute donkey spoke with man’s
voice and stopped the madness of the prophet. These are wells without
water, clouds driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has
been reserved forever. For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness,
they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are
indeed escaping from those who live in error; promising them liberty,
while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for by whom a man
is overcome, by the same is he also brought into bondage. For if, after
they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of
the Lord and Savior, Yeshua the Messiah, they are again entangled
therein and overcome, the last state has become worse with them than the
first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of
righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy
mitzvah delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the
true proverb, “The dog turns to his own vomit again,” and “the sow that
had washed to wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:4-22)
Comments:
Verses 20-22 make it clear this warning applies to believers as well as
unbelievers. The false teaching of once saved, always saved, is proven
false by verse, 20 which clearly states these are people who have
escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord
and Savior, Yeshua the Messiah. It is impossible to escape the
defilement of the world without knowing the power of Yeshua. These
people not only had heard about Yeshua and been somewhat interested in
his teaching, they actually knew him and received power from him to be
set free from their sins. Verse 21 further clarifies that they knew the
way of righteousness. Jesus said he is the way. Then after all that,
they returned to their old sins again and got entangled and overcome.
Verse 21 says it would be better for them not to have known than to turn
back after knowing. How could this possibly be true if they are locked
into being always saved? If they were still going to heaven you could
not say they would be better off to have never known the Lord. This
could only be true if they were not only going to hell but to a worse
place within hell than they otherwise would have gone. Hell has varying
levels of torment. The worse torment is given to those who knew the Lord
but later turned away from him because to whom much is given, much will
be required. All believers should take note of this, turn away from all
sin and fear God.
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so
that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall
from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the
day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:17, 18 NASB)
Comments:
Peter warns believers to beware of evil men who twist the scriptures
lest you be carried away with their errors and fall from your own
steadfastness. To avoid this fate, Peter advises believers to grow in
the grace and knowledge of Yeshua. Why would Peter warn believers of the
danger of falling from their steadfastness if they could not fall? Why
would he advise them to grow in grace and knowledge if it were not
necessary to attain salvation. The Greek word stayrigmos is translated
here as steadfastness but can also be translated as ‘firm condition’.
The once saved, always saved doctrine teaches that believers are granted
a permanent firm condition when they get saved. But Peter makes it
clear it is not permanent but rather it is conditional, depending on
choices we make. If believers avoid following after the teachings of
evil people and instead make wise choices, they can be in a firm
condition. However, if they foolishly listen to evil people and follow
them, believers can fall from that firm condition to shaky ground, where
they are in danger of losing their salvation. Otherwise, this warning
would not be needed.
Why would we need to be warned to be on
our guard? Verse 17 gives us the answer, so we are not carried away by
error and fall from our steadfastness. If the doctrine of ‘once saved
always saved’ were true, this warning would not be needed because the
end result would be the same regardless of what we do.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the
darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the
Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1
John 1:6-7 NASB)
Comments:
Contrary to the ‘once saved always saved’ doctrine, this scripture
makes it clear that if you walk in darkness you do not have fellowship
with him, which means the blood of Jesus does not cleanse you from your
sins, which means you are not saved. His blood only cleanses the sins of
those who walk in the light. There is no forgiveness of sins for those
who walk in darkness, even if they formerly walked in the light. There
is no scripture to support that idea. No matter how much light you
walked in in the past, even if you prayed the sinner’s prayer and were
born again and walked close with God, you must continue walking in the
light until the end or you will lose your salvation. Faith without works
is dead.
They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they
had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so
that it would be shown that they all are not of us. (1 John 2:19 NASB)
Comments:
People who believe the doctrine of ‘once saved always saved’ will
likely use this verse to support their view that those who fall away
were never really saved. However, that view contradicts many other
scriptures.
The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17 NASB)
Comments:
This is why the doctrine of ‘once saved always saved’ cannot possibly
be true. Eternal life is given only to those who do the will of God. If
you say you have been saved but you do not do the will of God then you
are deceived and on your way to hell. This is consistent with what Jesus
said in Matthew 7:21 when he explained that there will be many people
who claim to be Christians who will go to hell because they did not do
the will of God.
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who
does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. (3 John
1:11 NASB)Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 1:5-7 NASB)
‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place-unless you repent. (Revelation 2:2-5 NASB)
He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:26-28 NASB)
Comments:
This passage shows how authority is given only to those whose deeds are
obedient to the Lord until the end. It is not given to those who were
obedient for a season but then fell away. Everything is based on deeds
and continuing until the end. While salvation is not addressed here,
this passage shows how God will judge and reward his people. Would God
have a different standard for judging salvation? This is clearly
contrary to the doctrine of ‘once saved always saved’.
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write:He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (Revelation 3:1-5 NASB)
Comments:
In this passage, overcoming is clearly defined as having deeds obedient
to God and having avoided immoral behavior. A few people in Sardis had
been obedient. They had not soiled their garments. They had not
participated in immoral deeds. They had remained faithful to God. The
rest of the church in Sardis was claiming to be alive spiritually but
the Lord tells them plainly here they were dead because their deeds were
not right in the sight of God. They did not remain faithful until the
end. Only a few people in that church were found worthy. The Lord
rewards only those faithful few with three rewards. First, they will be
clothed in white garments. Second, they will not have their names erased
from the book of life. Third, the Lord Jesus will confess their name
before His Father and before His angels. These three rewards go together
as a package deal. If you qualify for one you qualify for all three. If
this is true, then it follows that the corollary must also be true. He
who does not overcome will not be clothed in white garments and the Lord
Jesus will erase his name from the book of life and will not confess
his name before the Father or before His angels. If the doctrine of
‘once saved always saved was true, then there would be no distinction
made here between those who overcome and those who do not overcome.
There would be no mention of erasing any names from the book of life. If
any names can be erased from the book of life then the doctrine of
‘once saved always saved’ cannot be true.
I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will
take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the
temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will
write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the
new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new
name. (Revelation 3:11, 12 NASB)
Comments:
Jesus commands believers to hold fast what they have so that no one
will take their crown. From the previous chapter, in Revelations 2:10,
the crown is referred to as the crown of life, which is given to those
who remain faithful to the Lord until death. This same warning is being
repeated here in slightly different words. Repeating the warning adds
greater emphasis and importance. It follows that those who fail to heed
this warning by failing to hold fast what they have will have their
crown of life taken away from them by someone else. Otherwise, the
warning would be meaningless. These people must have possessed the crown
at one time or else it could not be taken away from them. This is a
clear proof that it is possible to possess salvation and then lose it.
The warning continues with a list of rewards, which will be given only
to those who overcome. To suggest that all believers are automatically
granted the status of over-comers would require taking this verse out of
context. He who overcomes refers to the people in the previous sentence
who hold fast what they have. These are the only ones who qualify to
keep the crown of life and receive the other rewards listed.
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that
you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor
cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and
have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that
you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise
you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and
white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of
your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes
so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline;
therefore be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:15-19 NASB)
Comments:
Does God ever reach the point of giving up on us? According to this
passage He does. Other passages give a variety of reasons for losing
your salvation including failing to overcome, failing to hold fast what
you have, having deeds that are not perfected in the sight of God, and
not doing the will of God. Here we see another reason, which is for
being lukewarm in our relationship with God. He would prefer us to be
either cold or hot. If we are lukewarm He will spit us out of His mouth.
By comparing it to spitting, the Lord shows how unpleasant our lukewarm
condition is to Him. In verse 17 He explains what it means to be
lukewarm. It means we have misjudged ourselves by thinking too highly of
ourselves spiritually. We think we are spiritually rich, needing
nothing, but in reality we are wretched and miserable and poor and blind
and naked. In verse 18 He gives us the remedy for getting free from
being lukewarm. He advises us to buy from Him gold refined by fire so
that we can become truly rich and white garments so that we may clothe
ourselves and eye salve to anoint our eyes so that we may see. We buy
from him by investing our time and efforts into doing things that are
pleasing to Him as we have been taught by other scriptures such as
spending time seeking Him in prayer, studying the word, helping the poor
and ministering to the needs of His people. He ends this rebuke in
verse 19 with encouraging words explaining that it is only because He
loves us that He corrects us. He also gives us the final instructions
for fixing our lukewarm condition, which is to be zealous and repent. To
be zealous means to act with zeal, with ardent interest, to pursue the
things of God with passion, eagerness and fervor.
He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and
he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable
and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all
liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and
brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7, 8 NASB)
Comments:
Salvation belongs only to over-comers. In other words, obedience to
God’s commandments is required. This is consistent with Matthew 7:21.
All liars will go to hell regardless of whether or not they call Jesus
their Lord. All means all. This is very bad news for most of the people
who are now on the earth because the world is filled with liars,
including many who think they are born again and on their way to heaven.
We would be wise to fear God and take heed, working out our salvation
with fear and trembling (see Philippians 2:12).
Not Chosen To
Salvation (an excellent online book by
Dr. Max D. Younce | PDF)
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