Eternal Security? - Can you lose your salvation? ...

Davep · Veteran Joined: 02 Apr 2002 Posts: 463

Having faith together with Jesus Christ's death gets us into heaven, that is the good news. As long as that faith is alive in you, whether its a matter of minutes or years you're in. The key is the faith needs to be real and activated. Things always start off real and hot, but once they cool, they need to be reheated, and activated faith is one that stays hot.

Faith is a living, breathing, beating gift. If one stops breathing, for an extended period of time they will die. Same with one faith, we need to keep it alive and well. Faith is not a driver's license that you renew every fours years and then stick it back in your wallet. Faith is not the pledge of allegiance that you rattle off once a year. Faith need to infect every part of your being and be kept alive.

I like the T-shirt that says "Are you a Christian? Is there enough evidence to convict you?" Well is there enough evidence that you have faith? We ask kids to apologize to express regret for doing something wrong, but we want a sincere apology. I think God is looking for sincere faith. Faith that he can look down on from heaven and see and be pleased by.
:inlove:

Heb 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

R.C. Spoul
"I frequently say that it is one thing to believe in God, but quite another to believe God. When our faith moves beyond a mere intellectual assent to the existence of God to actually trusting His word, then we experience faith .

But always remember you can loose your faith in God and Jesus Christ; that after all is what satan is working on everyday. Satan has won some souls over the years, people shouldn't take their faith for granted it will be tested, often in the most of subtle ways.
:sleepy:

danielle · Full Member Joined: 19 Apr 2002 Posts: 232

My pastor always points out a scripture frequently about once saved, always saved. I need to find it, but in short, we can't lose our salvation.

SAM · Veteran Joined: 03 Mar 2001 Posts: 2041 Location: Chicago

After all this discussion, it appears we have some differences of opinion on "Once Saved, Always Saved". We have sure hit on some touchy issues this week.

I'm looking for the verse too, Danielle. There is one that comes to mind - Hebrews 7:25.

"Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them."

SAM · Veteran Joined: 03 Mar 2001 Posts: 2041 Location: Chicago

Another thought -

It has been "DONE" for us through Christ's death on the cross.
How unreasonable do we think God is that we will have to continue DO, DO, DOING to continue to earn his favor into Heaven. Can we ever do enough to make up for our sin? It's been DONE through Christ and Christ alone.

I always think about Peter. He rejected Christ three times. Did he lose his salvation?

Can we lose our way? Can we walk away? What about the prodigal son? He was welcomed back with open arms and a celebration.

God knows our sinful nature. When I look at the verse in Hebrews, I see Jesus standing there intereceding for me and talking with His Father -

"Father, I know she has walked away from me again and denied me for the 400th time, but remember she gave her life to me in October 1986. She will always be one of our children."

Davep · Veteran Joined: 02 Apr 2002 Posts: 463

danielle · Full Member Joined: 19 Apr 2002 Posts: 232

Has anyone read Charles Stanley's book on this? Here's the description:

Description: Can you lose your salvation? How can you be sure you're going to heaven? The ''lordship'' debates, which have sparked much current controversy, are only the most modern form of a centuries-old argument. In clear, understandable language, Stanley surveys the historic positions of Arminianism and Calvinism, describes how thinking Christians arrived at differing positions, and explains his own freeing conviction that Christians do indeed have eternal security in Jesus. 192 pages, hardcover from Nelson.

Here's the verse I think my pastor mentions alot:

Eph 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

SAM · Veteran Joined: 03 Mar 2001 Posts: 2041 Location: Chicago

I think Webacus expounded on this somewhere in the forum.
It's a process of believing, then receiving. Receiving the gift of Christ. By receiving we are specifically saying a prayer to God. We are asking Christ to be the leader of our lives, the forgiver of our sins, we are telling him we are sorry for all of our foul-ups. We are thanking God for giving us the gift of His Son who died on the cross for us. We are willingly opening our hearts to Him.

I agree, so many people believe. They believe in God and even believe in Christ, but so does Satan. So believing is not enough. It's the receiving part that is missing in so many people's lives. After taking the step of receiving His forgiveness, then God will help you to become the person He wants you to be.

Thanks for the verse Danielle, I came across that one this afternoon. Charles Stanley's book is a great one.

GIC · Full Member Joined: 02 Mar 2001 Posts: 102 Location: IL.

Isn't the book of 1 John about assurance and false teachers? 1 John 2:4-6
The man who says, "I know him, but does not is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truely made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
I believe after we accept Christ ~ heart change, we still need to keep walking toward Heaven. I feel that after that "defining moment" Webacus described, we are compelled to walk as Christ did! Even though we are unable to reach the perfection, the desire needs to be there.
great forum, wish I had seen it earlier. GIC

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