Okay, if you know me, you know I have had quite a varied denominational past and now consider myself Non Denominational. The funny thing is, as I disciple new folks I get asked questions that I just don't ask myself every day. One of those is...what about the doctrine of Eternal Security...sometimes referred to as "Once saved, always saved". I would say that I don't give it much thought because I believe that I have been saved by grace and my heart desires to know Christ more...and stay in a place of repentance in my heart. So, I don't live every day questioning my salvation....which makes me feel secure. I also was taught about Predestination and the majority of my doctrinal training in Calvinistic in nature...so, no problems for me. Except when I ponder the folks that look like they have genuine experiences with the Lord and do "get saved" and then later "fall away" in some of the BIG sins....usually imorality type stuff. What do I think about them? If they die while in the midst of their sin, do they go to heaven? I have answered this in my mind that they weren't saved in the first place...but I am interested to hear what you all have to say. I am afraid that my blog readers might be a lot alike on this topic...but I hope to see a variation in responses.
Has anyone studied this? I did a google search and found this link that I thought was interesting... http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/misconceptions.htm .
What do you think?
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6 comments:
Eternal Security is also more formally known as the doctrine of the "Perserverance of the Saints."
I bet that it's more important to you than you let on. For one, isn't it a comfort to know that Christ is making petitions on your behalf, with the express purpose of your sanctification (Rom. 8:29)(Heb. 7:25).
It's hard to imagine that Christ would make a request of the Father that the Father would ignore or reject.
Jesus: Father, send the Holy Spirit for Charlene's edification, salvation, and sanctification.
God: Sorry Jesus, I know you spilled your blood for her, but I've decided not to answer your petition.
Secondly, if God can't keep His flock here from straying, what makes us have hope in heaven, where we would have to spend eternity not sinning. After all Lucifer and his demonic legends fell.
We were saved by grace and we are maintained by grace. None of us were good enough to be saved and the truth is none of us are "good enough" to "stay saved". Calvin said, that our works are at best "splendid vices." We have an infants understanding of holiness.
If "once saved, always saved," weren't true, the most gracious, kindest act we could do for new believers would be to kill them instantly rather than have them potentially fall away and die a "sinner" with eternal damnation as their prospects.
The "prodical" "fell away" but he was always the son of the father, and the true sons will always come back to the father.
You may not appreciate this doctrine because you have always been a Calvinist, but I have known Christians who have tortured themselves with worry over this issue.
As far as not committing "big sins" goes, our problem isn't "big sins" but rather that God requires holiness, which even our small "peccadillos" would therefore disqualify us. After all who can truly say that they love God with ALL their heart (the first and greatest commandment). I'm afraid I have never had a minute of my life where I have truly loved God with ALL my heart.
Charnock
Charnock-
Thank you for your response...who are you? Do I know you?
Hello Charlene ,
Great topic , I hear people always debating on it , this article is far from truth , and (as you know ) doesn't show all the scriptures on this issue , I believe in Eternal security , because it's based on Jesus not on me , once I'm a believer I'm a Son , once I'm a Son , I don't belong to my self , and he said in john that he will keep his sheep , no one will be missed . so no matter what path I choose after salavation , he's responsible to correct me , may be even let me get under discepline , but my name is not written , then taken off , then written , then taken off , God doesn't joke about eternal life , he paid blood for it .
There are actually three positions commonly taken on eternal security. Here's an article comparing the three:
http://www.bcbsr.com/topics/posp.html
It's very important not to conflate them, as some very important issues are at stake.
-John, husband of Hilarie
Evangelical outreach site is a great site..
Tons of good info...
personally, I think OSAS is a lie... There's too many warnings in the Bible about falling away..
bless ya,
-igy
http://math10-28.blogspot.com/
Hi,
Evangelical outreach site is good..
a lot of good info..
Personally I think OSAS is a lie.
The Bible has too many warnings about falling away..(Mat 7:21-23)
bless ya,
-Igy
http://math10-28.blogspot.com/
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