I was raised spiritually in the teaching of "Once Saved Always Saved". I believe this is biblical because the Bible is teaching that God have been secured the salvation of the elect. There are lot of verses in the Scripture that validate "Once Saved Always Saved Teaching". Jesus told the Jews that in no one can snatch them out of His hand thus, on His Father's hand (John 10:29-30). Another verse is 'who will bring charge against God's elect?' (Romans 8:33) and 'who will separate us from the love of Christ?' (Romans 8:36). God's gift and His call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). In the first chapter of Ephesians secures the salvation of man from election, redemption and glorification with the seal of the Holy Spirit.
Many Christians today believe that God secures the salvation of man even without change of life. Even if their faith will fail soon, even they live a life like the unbelievers, even they departed from the truth, and to the worst, even a so called faith will turn to unbelief. I've been with the people who profess to be a Christian but after a long time they departed from truth and they love the world. I'd been with those active Christians in their ministry especially in music ministry (the ministry I've been with) most of them are gone. They never attend worship service again and they are totally departed from grace. This implies that they never received grace. They are not elect. Jesus did not die for them. They did not have Holy Spirit from the very beginning not unless, they repent and believe.
There is no question about God's power to secure the salvation of man. There is no problem in the security in the hands of God nor in the love of God. The issue is not the power of God in saving His people but the issue is the assurance of salvation. How do we know that we are in His hands? How do we know that we are in His love? How do we know that God had elected us before the foundation of the world? And how do we know that Jesus died for us to inherit eternal life? How?
The Gospel is not only teaching the security of salvation but also the assurance of salvation. John 10:27 says that Jesus knows His sheep and hear His voice and follow Him. What does it mean "He knows.."? In Matthew 7:23 said "Away from me I do not know you, you workers of iniquities". These people were confessing Jesus as Lord, Lord. They have ministries but Jesus did not know them. They were in the church and confident that they are saved but not. What's wrong with them? Is it the security of salvation that has something wrong or they do not have any salvation. What should be the problem?
The problem is no other than the false assurance of salvation because of wrong presentation of "Once Saved Always saved". They forgot to tell them that those who are always saved must come to the point of new life, new perspective of life. Hating the sins and obeying God and these are the proofs of the true faith granted by God to His elect. God is commanding His people to repent and believe, to deny one's life and to carry the cross daily, to walk in faith, to pursue holiness and to grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.
OSAS failed to explain the assurance of salvation. The Scripture is teaching in the first epistles of John the nature of the true Christians, This is not adding works to the grace but this is the product of grace of God through the real faith. Remember that all the desires, decision and will to hate sins and obey Him comes from God because of grace through faith in Christ Jesus.
I beseech all the pastors, preachers, evangelists and even teachers in the church continue to teach the doctrine of Security of Salvation (OSAS) warn them about the false assurance because God gave evidences and proofs about being a true Christian. Paul urge the Corinthian Church to examine whether they were still in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) and Peter to be more eager to make the calling and election sure (@Peter 1:10-11).
Reference in giving warning for those who are professing Christians but still live and found joy in darkness:
1) Philippians 1:6
2) 1Peter 1:13
3) Jude 4
4) James 2:14-26
5) Titus 1:16
6) 2Timothy 2:19
7) 1John3:24
8) Matthew 7:21
May the grace and peace of the Lord be with us all!
Your loyal yoke fellow in Christ.
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