Subject: if you are saved are you always saved? |
Bible Note: Hi winningside, And so goes the eternal question... I side with the Perseverance of the saints:-) How did you arrive at the conclusion that you, "do not know how people can believe that after doing an in depth study on the subject?" For what it's worth, I wouldn't call the matter of eternal security simply "an opinion". There are (orthodox) views on both sides of the issue that can be (more or less) supported by scripture. I don't honestly think there are hundreds of different opinions- shall we say, 2?! C.H. Spurgeon in commenting on the doctrine of final perseverance, said this about 2 Timothy 1:9: "The apostle in stating his doctrine in the following words, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” declares God to be the author of salvation, “Who hath saved us and called us.” The whole tenor of the verse is towards a strong affirmation of Jonah’s doctrine, “that salvation is of the Lord.” It would require very great twisting, involving more than ingenuity, it would need dishonesty, to make out salvation by man out of this text; but to find salvation altogether of God in it is to perceive the truth which lies upon the very surface. No need for profound inquiry, the wayfaring man though a fool shall not err therein; for the text says as plainly as words can say, “God hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling.” The apostle, then, in order to bring forth the truth that salvation is of grace declares that it is of God, that it springs directly and entirely from him and from him only. Is not this according to the teaching of the Holy Spirit in other places, where he affirms over and over again that the alpha and omega of our salvation must be found not in ourselves but in our God?" Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |