Bible Question:
It says a few times in the bible to be careful not to lose your salvation. I thought that "once saved" is "always saved". Any comments. Thanks! D.D.1961 |
Bible Answer: Dear DD, You are right in believing that once we are renewed by the Holy Spirit (Born again or born from above) we are eternaly secure in Christ. Some folks will throw a lot of verses at you to "prove" their point. They may even appear to be quite pious. But verses can be taken out of context. Be carefull to examine any verse as it relates to the entire passage from which it is taken. For instance: 1 Tim 5:15...for some have already turned aside to follow Satan. Paul is instructing timothy on how Timothy should insruct and discipline members of the church. Does church membership automatically mean a person is saved. Of course not! 1 Tim. 4:1 the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. Departing from the faith does not mean losing one's faith or salvation. I know one man personally who had been a deacon. He sought to divorce his wife without a scrap of scripual justification. The church sought to correct him, but sadly he denied Christ and was excommunicated by the Elders. If he dies in his sin (God forbid) unrepentant, it will prove him to have been a false brother all along. Not that He lost his salvation. Any discerning saint could point out error in any verse which is misused to support false doctrine. Keep Studying John Reformed |