Are we "Once Saved Always Saved"?

I am pretty sure that this is one of the most commonly believed doctrines in the American church today. The reason it has become so popular is that it relieves the "believer" of any personal responsibility for their actions and words. We convince ourselves that this doctrine is about God's saving power so as to eliminate any would be counterpoints. If we do not hear the truth it cannot affect us. But maybe we should look at scripture and see what does God tell us about this doctrine of salvation.

The "once saved always saved" doctrine, also known as eternal security or perseverance of the saints, asserts that once a person genuinely puts their faith in Jesus Christ and accepts Him as their Savior, they are guaranteed salvation and cannot lose it regardless of their subsequent actions or choices.

Misinterpretation of Assurance:

One of the key issues with the "once saved always saved" doctrine is the misinterpretation of the assurance of salvation.

Scriptures like John 10:28-29  "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand." and Romans 8:38-39 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." , which demonstrate God's everlasting love and protection for His children, are often used as proof texts for this doctrine. However, these passages speak of God's faithfulness and the inability of external forces to separate believers from His love, rather than guaranteeing unqualified salvation regardless of personal choices or willful denials of faith.

Warnings against Falling Away:

There are several biblical warnings throughout both the Old and New Testaments that caution against falling away from faith in God. For instance, Hebrews 3:12-14 advises believers to be wary of an "evil, unbelieving heart" and exhorts them to "hold firm to the end." Similarly, 2 Peter 2:20-21 talks about the danger of being entangled and overcome by the defilements of the world, with the implication that salvation can be lost through deliberate rejection or a child of God turning their back on the truth.

1. Hebrews 6:4-6: "For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt."

2. 2 Peter 2:20-22: "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: 'The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.'"

3. 1 Timothy 4:1: "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons."

4. Matthew 24:9-13: "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

5. Galatians 5:4: "You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace."

These verses warn about the possibility of falling away from the faith, either by intentionally turning away, being entangled by worldly influences, following false teachings, or succumbing to persecution or tribulations. They emphasize the need for perseverance, to remain rooted in Christ and His teachings, and to guard against the temptations and pressures that could lead to apostasy.

Judgement and Accountability:

Scriptures such as Matthew 7:21-23, which warns that not everyone who claims to know Jesus will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and James 2:14-26, which emphasizes the importance of living out one's faith through good works, suggest that faith without action is not sufficient for salvation or in other words not faith at all. You cannot be saved by works, but only by faith in Christ which is manifest in your works. To be clear, you are saved by faith. Your faith produces fruit. That fruit is the evidence of your faith. No fruit means no faith. These passages highlight the importance of both faith and works together, indicating that genuine faith will produce visible fruit and obedience to God's commandments. The "once saved always saved" doctrine can overlook this vital aspect of accountability and judgment based on actions.

Personal Responsibility and Free Will:

The Bible continually stresses personal responsibility and the exercise of free will in making choices. While God's grace is undeniably necessary for salvation, Scriptures like 2 Peter 3:9 reveal that God desires all to come to repentance, implying that one's salvation can be rejected and genuine faith can be abandoned through the exercise of free will. Ignoring the existence of free will and personal responsibility in the "once saved always saved" doctrine oversimplifies the complex nature of human choice and agency in the reception and retention of salvation.

In the parable of the seeds or the sower, found in Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15, Jesus illustrates the different responses individuals have to the message of the Kingdom of God (the Gospel). By examining this parable, we can find an argument supporting the possibility of apostasy, or falling away from faith.

The parable describes a sower who spreads seed on different types of soil. The seed represents the word of God, while the various soils represent the hearts of people who receive the message.

One type of soil mentioned is rocky ground: "Others fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away." Matthew 13:5-6

This portion of the parable indicates that some individuals receive the word of God with joy and enthusiasm, but their faith is short-lived and does not withstand trials or opposition. They fall away due to their lack of deep roots. This example suggests the possibility of apostasy, where initial faith is abandoned or lost.

Furthermore, Jesus Himself explains the meaning of the rocky ground:

"As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away." Matthew 13:20-21

Here, Jesus explicitly states that some individuals who initially receive the word of God with joy will fall away under the pressure of tribulations or persecution. This implies that faith can be lost or abandoned due to external or internal challenges.

Additionally, in the parable, Jesus refers to thorns that choke the plants:

"As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." Matthew 13:22

This scenario presents another reason for possible apostasy. Jesus emphasizes that the cares of the world and worldly desires can choke one's faith, preventing it from bearing fruit. This indicates that individuals can be entangled by worldly concerns and priorities, leading them to abandon or compromise their faith.

The parable of the seeds provides support for the possibility of apostasy. It presents scenarios where initial faith is abandoned due to shallow roots, tribulations, persecution, or the influence of worldly concerns. While the parable emphasizes the need for fertile soil (heart) and perseverance, it also highlights the reality that some individuals may ultimately fall away from their faith. This interpretation aligns with other Scriptures warning against falling away, emphasizing personal responsibility, and acknowledging the potential for individuals to turn away from God's truth.

There is a true danger in the teaching of "once saved always saved" and that danger is a false teaching that can lead to the eternal destruction of those we love. Persevere not because you are strong enough, but because Jesus is strong enough, holding on to Him every hour of the day. Philippians 4:13.