"Eternal Security" .. otherwise known as "once saved, always saved" is a doctrine being taught to multitudes today, and is a doctrine put forth by John Calvin, a very well known leader of the "reformation". However, it is not without some very legitimate questions AND some very serious flaws. "Saved" means to "deliver" or to rescue from danger or destruction. **IF** it meant standing before the Great White Throne Judgment, and actually hearing the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" then I would be in total agreement with this eternal security doctrine of today. However, many of the denominational churches of the world put forth this doctrine, and assert that after a person "believes", and has "accepted the Lord", they are "saved", and can never lose that status. And, **IF** anyone who has done so, does turn back out into sin and really messes up, then (as I had one minister say) they weren’t really saved to start with. Think about it. What else could they say? But, something about that just doesn’t pass the old smell test. And, neither does it hold up under careful scrutiny of the Word of God, either.
As I explained in a previous study, our relationship with God is very much like that of a marriage. He will always remain faithful and true. **IF** there is ever any infidelity, it will most definitely be on our part. That said, no one can pluck us out of His hand. But, that does NOT mean that it is impossible for one to choose to turn back, and walk away from Him. There are just too many examples of "unfaithfulness" being very harshly judged in the Bible for any serious Bible student to believe God will accept anything less than that of being entirely faithful. Does this mean that a child of God will never fail to pass a test, or stumble and have to repent, and ask forgiveness from the one(s) they’ve injured ... IN ADDITION TO ASKING GOD’S FORGIVENESS? No siree! These things MUST be done! But, after many years of independent Bible study, research and prayer, there is one thing I am convinced of:: NOBODY will be allowed to enter into Heaven if they are harboring unrepented sin(s). WE MUST LIVE A REPENTANT LIFE ... DAILY ... ***IF*** WE EXPECT TO MAKE HEAVEN OUR HOME. Any how, getting back on track, if anything in the Bible should be an example of the seriousness of being "unfaithful", the nation of Israel should be an example.
According to God’s Word, only a "remnant" is going to be saved (Romans 9:27), which reinforces my assertion that the crowd is "wrong", and also confirms Jesus’ teaching that the way which leads to destruction is wide and broad, and many there be which go in there at. But, the way which leads to eternal life is strait and narrow, and few there be that find it. Also, the Bible tells us that many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 20:16 & 22:14). Not all of Israel will be saved, just a remnant (a small part). Just as not all who came out of Egypt made it to Canaan. A whole generation died off in the wilderness.
Even though Israel was the apple of God’s eye, they backslid over and over and over again. He would send prophets who would plead with them to return to God. And, if you know anything at all about the Biblical history of the nation of Israel, you know that it is one of some high highs and very low lows ..., turning from God, and doing wickedly and being punished, returning to God and being blessed and turning from God ... over and over. And, **IF** there is anything which should be learned from their history, it should be that "unfaithfulness" has some very serious consequences. God would raise someone up with a burden and a vision to fulfill the mission, to "redeem" ... or deliver ... Israel. And, Israel would do good for a while. Then they would turn aside again. This is the story of Israel throughout the Old Testament. And, in the New Testament, only a remnant acknowledged Jesus for who He really is. The majority rejected Him .. and still do
There are a number of lessons to be learned from all of this, among which are: 1) God’s grace is NOT a license to continue in sin and do stupid stuff. 2) God does NOT reward disobedience, sin and rebellion in a positive way, and 3) just because God "redeems" (delivers) someone doesn’t mean they will be found faithful
Exodus 19:5-6 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Did this happen in a sustained way in the Old Testament? Not that I can find. However, Exodus 19:5-6 was fulfilled after Jesus came and the New Testament Church was born on the Day of Pentecost, in Acts Chapter 2. Therefore, we now know that Israel ... the Israel of God ... is not necessarily referring to those who are "natural" Jews. Instead, it refers to them who have repented of their sins, been baptized in the precious name of Jesus for the remission of sins (which is also the very act where one takes upon themselves the name of the Lord). And, last but certainly not least, receiving the Holy Ghost (the Bible way), and living holy ...
Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Romans 9:4-18 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
1 Peter 2:1-25 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Brothers and Sisters, there is a whole lot more to being "saved", and living for God, than being a church member, or having your name of a church roll somewhere. Furthermore, I am NOT putting forth the notion that anything in this study is a matter of being "born" then "unborn" and "born" all over again. That is NOT what I am putting forth. A person can be "saved" ... redeemed ... and fall away. But, **IF** their relationship with God is ever restored, it will be as the prodigal son coming back to his father’s house ... NOT being born all over again. By the way, for those who say that the prodigal son still enjoyed all of the rights and benefits in the pig pen that he enjoyed before he left his father’s house, I say, "show me". I haven’t read that in the Bible. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am very glad there is a story in the Bible about the prodigal son. But, reckon how many wayward children never made it back to their father’s house? I’d say there are many times more who didn’t make it back than those who did. And, I thank God that I am one of those who did. Also, for those who don’t believe a person can be "saved" and later be lost, I say you need consider Jesus’ warnings in the Book of Revelation about Him removing candle sticks AND also, in Revelation 3:5, saying ... He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life,... **IF** a name can be blotted out, then it is possible for one to be saved and later lose out with God. In addition, Jesus said in Luke 9:62 ... No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. So, don’t look back unless you plan to go that way. At any rate, the Bible has a good bit to say about the Hebrew Word "cuwg" pronounced "soog" which means to move, go, turn back, move away, backslide. There are just too many examples in the Bible of those who once had a good relationship with God, and later forfeited that relationship, for whatever reason. So, for those who believe it is impossible to be saved, and later be lost, I’ll leave you with some things to consider ... from the little Book of Jude ... (verses 5-7) I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
It is this Bible student’s position that we are living in the Last Days. There are lots of opportunities. There’s lots of hurting people out there, who hunger and thirst for righteousness. And, at the same time, there are those who are "falling away", who aren’t going to "endure to the end" (see Matthew 24:13 & Mark 13:13)
