The issue of once saved, always saved is a hot discussion topic in the Christianity circle. As far as what the bible has mentioned, there seems to be contradicting proofs to it. Over here I too would like to share my view on this issue biblically.
In John 3:16, God said that all who believes in His Son, Jesus, will not perish but has eternal life. So many Christians takes this verse to mean that once we believe in Christ, we will have eternal life. So is this true? Yes it is if you were to understand the biblical meaning of the word 'believes' in that verse. That word means believing till the end of your day. Not just for a moment. And believing means to live by faith in Christ which can be interpreted as to trust and obey. Infact, if we were to understand not just this verse alone but the entire Bible, it will prove this point.
It is indeed true that if you come before the Lord and confess of your sins and proclaim Him as your Lord and Saviour, you will be saved. This is better known as SALVATION. Upon this, God will give you His Holy Spirit to dwell in you and this Spirit will baptise you into Jesus. All these happened because you have repented and God has forgiven you of your past sins. But that is not the end of it. For after your salvation, there will be a progressive period of SANTIFICATION whereby God will cleanse you up day by day through the His Spirit in you, that's if you abide and obey Him, so that you will be made pure and holy. This progressive santification is life-long. This is done so as to prepare us for our future glorification upon the 2nd coming of Christ.
But if you choose not to allow the Holy Spirit to work into your life, then the santifying works of God cannot be executed into you. If so, then the Truth is not in you. And if the Truth is not in you, you will not be able to live in righteousness that is of God but rather living in your sinful nature. - (Galatians 5:19-21) As mentioned in the verses, you will not get to inherit the kingdom of God. Just as Jesus said that not all who called Him 'Lord, Lord will get to enter the kingdom of heaven but the one who does the will of His Father who is in heaven.' - (Matthew 7:21)
In 1 John 2:3-6, it also clearly stated that those who claimed to know Jesus must obey His command. Anything less is just lip-service and makes the man a liar. It went on to stress that 'if anyone obeys His Word, God's love is truly made complete in Him. This is how we know we are in Him. Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 3:24 adds that 'Those who obey His command live in Him and He in them. And this is how we know it, by the Spirit He gave us.'
From the above verses, we can come to understand that salvation is just the 1st step in which God openly accepts you and that the heavenly gates are opened for you to enter if you are willing to obey Him through Jesus, our Lord.
People whose lives are characterised by those acts mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21, will be separated from God and lost in darkness. It matters not even if you go to church, or were baptised, and so on. For as long as you do not do the Will of God, by total submission to Him, you will be judged and punished.
To God be the glory. |
