Once saved forever saved is a true statement but it is a half truth, there is more to it. The reason will be unveiled later. Some are today shrouding the fullness of this statement because of their ulterior motives. This is motivated by various reason(s)
- Quest to outrightly deceive
- Project a theology of convenience
- Blind the eyes of the elect and sow seeds of discord in the body
- Encourage living in the flesh and Ignorance
Phil Johnson in his introduction statement in Michael Flips book, Five Half Truths of Christianity, says,
a half-truth is a deliberate pastiche of truth and falsehood, designed to have the appearance of candour and credibility while undermining, obscuring or contradicting the real truth. Half truths can be even more deadly than blatant lies because the deny truth with such blatant subtlety
There are many types of lie, but perhaps the most dangerous and deceptive of all is the half–truth. A manipulative distortion of truth, it sounds convincing but is destructively distant from what is true. (Reformers.com.au)
2 Timothy 4:2-4 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their
own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
The challenge of falsehood
Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
One of the greatest dangers facing Christianity today is that of enemies within. Persons who have become tools in the hands of the enemy to lead even God’s very elect astray. It is important for the word of God to be preached in its purity without any sort of personal embellishments.
2 Peter 1:19-21 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: [20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost
The plan of God from the onset was for man to dwell in a relationship filled with love and harmony with Him. Even when man fell through the sin of Adam and Eve, He had always offered a way for repentance and forgiveness of sins. God has also always desired righteous living for His people. Whether in the Old or New Testament. It is important to lay some foundation that underlies the departure point of this message so make things clear
The Bible is a whole book
The Bible cannot be preached from an isolationist perspective, it is a book that can only be complete just like a jigsaw puzzle when all the parts are together. God showed His mercy towards the waywardness of man through atonement of sins by sacrifice of animals in the Old Testament, His plan for an absolute sacrifice that will usher in the fullness of His grace was announced in the Old Testament (Isaiah 7:14) and actualised in the New Testament.(Luke 1:30-31)
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel
Luke 1:30-31 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. [31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS
Romans 5:11-12, 16-21 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. [12] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: [16] And not as it was by one that sinned, so is
the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. [17] For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift
of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) [18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. [19] For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. [20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: [21] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord
God’s love for the world
John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have ever lasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
God love the world so much that He sent only begotten Son to be the once and for all sacrifice for spiritual redemption at no cost to all who believe and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. The stance of God towards sin in both the Old and New Testaments are uniform. God does not excuse or lighten the burden or consequences of living in sin. It will be therefore irresponsible and callous for any man to do same. No man, no matter how highly placed or educated supersedes The inerrant word of God. Apostle Paul stated,
Galatians 1:8-9 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed
Believing in one’s heart, confessing with the mouth and accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour is the requirement for salvation. This is only the beginning of a life long journey that will demand all of the believer. Good works cannot earn anyone salvation, only Jesus’ sacrifice can.
Acts 10:22,34-35 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. [34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: [35] But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him
Romans 10:9-10,13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the
Lord shall be saved.
Jesus Christ saved us, He justified us and continue to justify us before His Father and He sanctifies us. Those who have heard of Jesus’ saving grace and do not believe in and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and unfortunately die in that state are already condemned
Christ the source of grace
John 3:18-19 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by
Jesus Christ.
There are three categories of people who are presented the Bible:
- Those who utterly reject it
- Those who accept it but through the challenges they face depart from the truth
- Those who believe and hold on tenaciously till the end.
The focus of this article is on the second and third categories. Is once saved forever saved an outright truth? It is of urgent importance to address this issue because there is a growing group within Christianity that are promoting what I will refer to as ‘toxic theology’. They say that once you have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord, it does not matter how you live, your salvation is sealed and it cannot be changed. Is God an author of confusion? Did Jesus Christ suffer and die that we just confess Him but live on our own terms but yet believe that we will be saved at the end?
Sinning after receiving Christ
As long as we exist in this earthly vessel (flesh), everyone after receiving Jesus Christ will at some point sin. This is the battle the Christian is involved in, the enemy strives to sabotage the spiritual journey and make it of non effect. God has yet given a way for our weakness. We are told that there is grace at our time of need and that this grace is sufficient in our weakness. Grace is released for us and forgiveness is offered unto us when we recognise where we have fallen and come before Him in sincerity, confessing our sins.
Sinning after receiving Christ
1 John 1:5-10 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all[6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar,and his word is not in us..
Conditionality “If”
Anyone who says he has fellowship with God and walk in darkness is a liar and in self deception. God offers a path for reconciliation and forgiveness when we sin and come to our senses. However, God’s grace does not abound for those who are insensitive to sin and believe that a mere confession of Jesus suffices for them. They are not ready to submit and obey God. The conditionality In both both Testaments, the conditionality, ‘IF’ rings loudly without ambiguity Paul wrote extensively about God’s grace in his letters, but never supported deliberately sinning while expecting God’s grace to be available.
Continuing in what have been heard
1 John 2:22-26 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. [23] Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. [24] Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. [25] And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. [26] These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce
you.
Condition of our relationship with Christ
John 8:30-32 As he spake these words, many believed on him. [31] Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; [32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Jesus Christ was in no way ambiguous about the condition for the relationship with Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit. He proceeded to state in
Matthew 7:21-23
[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Has God changed His stance towards sin?
Apostle Paul is the one who preached and expanded the most on grace but he also gave a clear warning. We cannot deliberately continue in sin and expect God’s grace to abound. His love does not accommodate irresponsibility and lack of reverence and honour for the price His Son paid.
Romans 6:1-2, 3-23 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Jeremiah 7: 8-16 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; 10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? 11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD. 12 But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. 13 And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; 14Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. 15 And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim. 16 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.
Jeremiah 15:1-4 Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent
Revelation 22:13-15 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” 14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. 15But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood
God frowned at sin in the Old Testament just as He does in our dispensation of grace. Our salvation is guaranteed when we continue to walk with Christ and when we fall, we are quick to cry out for mercy and forgiveness with a sincere heart. It will be mere confession with the lips without involvement of the heart for anyone who thinks that he/she can walk with disregard for God’s authority and yet expect to to be justified without repentance. It is once saved forever saved only for those who continue to submit in humility unto Jesus Christ even when they fall. Those who merely confess Christ with their lips will be in for a great shock, they will have no access because Jesus Christ will deny them. Now is the time to amend our ways.