Conditional Salvation

[Craig]

This topic may have already been discussed even though I cannot find it. So I'm starting a new thread. I was wondering what other Christians believe about Once saved, always saved. Is it a false doctrine? Can we lose our salvation? Paul talks about falling from grace. Is this permanent? If one can lose his salvation then how is this so? Are some sins worse than others?

[Gayla]

it is a topic that has been discussed many times, by many people, however, it is one that I don't think can be proved either way, having heard the arguments for both sides.

I do believe that God will chastise an erring child, however, he will do it in love, just like a good father would, he will never condemn us, but, he will draw us to himself in love.

I believe he will dig around our tree.... and fertilize it...... however, if it still does not bare fruit...it will be cast into the fire....
(of adversity) and burned. Many would say that this means one has lost their salvation, I will not agree with that, I will say that if and when he finds he must back up, out of our lives.....for a time, he will not allow anything to come upon us that we are not able to endure.

He will allow us to get out from under the umbrella of his protection, so that Satan can touch us, and the intent for that, is to drive us back to Him..


He is always on our side, however, if we turn against him often enough, it may be a very long long time, before
he returns, if he does so.

Best way to not have to find out, is to stay close to him, and keep our sins under the blood.....

To receive his power, to enable us to move forward in him.

As long as we are willing to turn to him, when we have done wrong, he is willing to forgive us, and keep on loving us, however, we are drawing near to the end of the ages.....

AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE FOUND DEAD, WITHOUT HAVING CHRIST AS MY SAVIOR. AMEN

[LT]

This discussion has been addressed in several forums. The following had over 100 replies.

http://www.allaboutgod.net/forum/topics/can-we-lose-our-salvation

Regarding some sins being worse than others depends of the exact question. All sin equally separate us from God and thus we deserved condemnation and are only spared that judgment through faith in Christ and His redeeming work that leads us to being born-again. All sin is not equal in regards to the punishemnt that will be experienced by the unsaved. There are a number of verses that differenciate between sins and punishment. One passage that does this is found in Luke 12. The Scripture say, " LK 12:47 "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (NIV)

Lord Bless,
LT

[Ron Payne]

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 is known as the Golden verse of the Bible. But if quoted on it's own without reference to other verses explaining the requirements of the word BELIEVE it will then be quoted out of context. John in his use of the words "should not perish" clearly shows that mere belief may not be sufficient.

Belief requires action. James qualifies this when he says "Even the devils believe and tremble (James 2:19)
We say we believe, but Do we tremble when falling into sin?

Acts 1:44-47 "And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
Belief on its own is of no use. There has to be fruit, of which steadfastness in the faith is a part, as shown above.

Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

We see in Acts chapter 8:13 "Simon himself believed also: and he was baptized.",
But, Simon only believed what he saw and wanted the power. For Simon it was not faith it was seeing is believing. His Belief was null and void in that he even wanted to pay for the gift that Peter displayed. So belief and with baptism following does not necessarily mean one is saved.
We also have the story of Annanias and Saphira who were obviously considered Believers, but again we see not true believers.

So..... Can a Believer lose his salvation? YES! If he is only a Believer and shows no growth in the faith and no works.
Therefore we return to Jas 2:18 "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."

Finally can works alone save you? NO! "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8.

Now with what has been said above..... The question must be asked again: "Can a truly Born Again Believer with faith in Christ, tuned to Good works through the Holy Spirit and the Love of God well established in the heart, ever lose his/her salvation? Definitely NO! NEVER! God never gives a gift to a truly born again believer and then want to take it back..

The Lord Bless us all
Ron.