Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Lbooth1955 - 9 months ago
    To all that be in Christ,

    i'm curious, who believes you can lose your salvation and who believes once saved always saved?

    For years I believed you could lose your salvation, that is no longer the case.

    Ephesians 1: 10-13

    Would we be so kind as to respond with supporting scripture?

    God Bless!
  • Chris - In Reply - 9 months ago
    Hello Lbooth1955. I'll share some Scriptures that show that a true believer, baptized with the Holy Spirit, has been fully redeemed and adopted into the family of God. He can never be un-adopted, nor will he ever desire to depart from his most Holy Faith - for it is not in him to ever to do so, having been forgiven from the weight of sin having no salvation in any other, than Jesus, the Son of God. Sure, there are also as many Scriptures that purportedly show that a believer can lose his salvation, so the matter comes down to: if a 'believer' can decide to shun Christ and His Salvation, he probably came to Christ under his own desire, without the drawing in of the Holy Spirit and the resulting conviction of sin. Anyone who comes to Jesus without a deep sense of being a filthy despicable sinner deserving of nothing but hell and not fleeing to the Cross for forgiveness, cleansing & redemption, has just been fooling himself and very likely attending Church and reading the Bible for reasons other than a deep love, devotion and commitment to living and serving His Lord. That being said, I submit the following few Scriptures as requested (with notes):

    John 3:16: God's Promise to save all who come to Him, assuring them of everlasting life.

    John 5:24: The one believing in Jesus has everlasting life, without any condemnation or hell.

    John 6:37: God makes no mistakes about whom He gives to His Son, and Jesus promises to never let them go.

    John 10:27-29: Christ's sheep always hear His Voice and follow Him. Nothing nor anyone can separate the sheep from the Shepherd. If they stray, the Shepherd will draw them back into the fold, for that is the job of the Shepherd.

    Romans 8:38,39: if all these things cannot separate us from God's Love in & through His Son, then what is our strength or ability (or even any inclination) to do the job ourselves? To Page 2.
  • Chris - In Reply - 9 months ago
    Page 2. Lbooth1955.

    2 Corinthians 1:21,22: God has established us in Christ, anointed us, as sealed us with the guarantee of the Spirit, and is certainly not going to let us go. Also Ephesians 1:3-14.

    Ephesians 2:8,9: it is only by God's Grace, as His Gift, that we are saved. If we are saved any other way, it is according to our way of salvation - not God's, which is endures & secures.

    Philippians 1:6: If God has begun His Work in us, we can be confident He will always continue to work in us by His Spirit till the day we see Jesus in His Glory.

    Jude 1:24: God alone can keep us from falling & present us faultless when we see Him.

    A few verses that should teach us & assure us that the one who is truly is in Christ is truly secure forever. He will neither want to leave this most valuable Holy Faith, nor even be persuaded to do so even under the threat of death - for our lives are new, seated in the heavenly places, no longer of the Earth, hidden with Christ in God.
  • Lbooth1955 - In Reply - 9 months ago
    Hi Chris,

    Beautifully written, thanks.

    I think we're pretty close with this one...

    Here's my take!

    Paul never teaches that believers in the Body of Christ can lose salvation, though some verses are misread that way. For example, 1 Corinthians 9:27 warns of being a "castaway," but Paul is referring to disqualification from reward or service, not loss of eternal life. In Galatians 5:4, "fallen from grace" means leaving the principle of grace for law-keeping, not forfeiting salvation. 2 Corinthians 13:5 calls for self-examination of genuine faith, not teaching that salvation can be undone. Likewise, Colossians 1:23 emphasizes perseverance as evidence of true faith.

    In contrast, Paul repeatedly assures believers of eternal security. Romans 8:38-39 declares that nothing can separate us from Christ's love. Ephesians 1:13-14 teaches that believers are sealed with the Spirit until redemption. Philippians 1:6 promises that God will complete His saving work. 2 Timothy 1:12 affirms Christ's power to keep what is entrusted to Him. Romans 11:29 states that God's gifts and calling are without repentance.

    Thus, the "warning" passages deal with reward, service, and testimony, while Paul's consistent teaching is that salvation itself is secure in Christ.

    God Bless.
  • Azzan77 - In Reply - 9 months ago
    Matthew 7:19 "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

    Romans 2:13 "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified."

    John 5:29 "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."

    Romans 11:22 "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off."

    Matthew 19:17 "And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."

    Revelation 22:14 "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

    Blessings



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