Originally published August 25, 2013
I recently read the column “Salvation and Rejection” published in The Freeman, which discussed Luke 13:22–30 and challenged the belief commonly expressed as “once saved, always saved.”
The passage begins with a question directed to Jesus:
“Lord, are there few that be saved?”
Jesus answered by telling His listeners to strive to enter through the narrow gate, warning that many would seek to enter but would not be able to do so.
The column raised several arguments, including that Luke 13 contradicts the doctrine of eternal security, that “once saved, always saved” is specifically Calvinist, and that salvation may be possible in different ways.
I disagree.
What Must I Do to Be Saved?
Perhaps the clearest question concerning salvation appears in Acts 16:30, when the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas:
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
Their answer was direct:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” — Acts 16:31
Romans 10:9 likewise teaches that if a person confesses the Lord Jesus and believes that God raised Him from the dead, he shall be saved.
Why is faith in Christ central to salvation?
Because Scripture presents Jesus Christ as the Savior.
Acts 4:12 declares that salvation is found in no other name under heaven, while Jesus Himself said in John 14:6:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Salvation, therefore, is not based on membership in a particular church, nationality, social status, or simply being considered a good person. Christianity teaches that reconciliation with God comes through Jesus Christ.
Salvation Is a Gift
Another major issue is whether salvation must be earned.
Romans 6:23 says:
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Notice the contrast: wages are earned, but a gift is given.
Romans 5:15–18 repeatedly describes salvation in terms of God's grace and a “free gift.” John 3:16 expresses the same idea: God gave His Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Christ did not come because humanity had earned salvation.
Romans 5:8 says:
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
And 1 Timothy 1:15 declares that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
Saved by Grace Through Faith
Perhaps one of the clearest passages is Ephesians 2:8–9:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Salvation is therefore not a reward for giving alms, doing community service, attending church, praying regularly, reading the Bible, or accumulating enough good works.
Good works have their proper place in the Christian life, but according to this passage, they are not the price of salvation.
Salvation is by grace through faith.
Colossians 1:13–14 likewise speaks of believers as having redemption and forgiveness through Christ, while the New Testament repeatedly connects eternal life with faith in Him.
What About “Once Saved, Always Saved”?
The exact phrase “once saved, always saved” does not appear in Scripture, just as many theological terms used by Christians are later summaries of biblical ideas.
The real question, therefore, is not whether the phrase itself appears in the Bible, but whether Scripture teaches that the eternal life God gives through Christ is truly eternal.
Jesus said:
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” — John 10:28
The debate over eternal security has continued among Christians for centuries, and different Christian traditions interpret some passages differently. But the foundation of my conviction remains this: salvation rests upon the grace of God and the finished work of Jesus Christ rather than upon a person's ability to earn it.
Saved by Grace
So, who can be saved?
The biblical answer is not simply “good people,” members of one denomination, or people who have accumulated enough religious works.
The Gospel points instead to Christ.
We must recognize our need for salvation, turn to God, and place our faith in Jesus Christ.
Salvation is not something we can boast about earning.
It is a gift.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith.”
— JP Abecilla, August 2013
YOU DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT
ReplyDeleteDo believers who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the only Son of God believe because they heard the gospel preached and believed of their own free-will or because God forced them to believe it?
The proponents of the five points of Calvinism make the point that a believer in Jesus only believes because of "Irresistible grace." In other words "You didn't believe that," God believed it for you.
"Irresistible grace:" This doctrine, also called "efficacious grace", asserts that that saving grace of God is effectually applied to those whom he has determined to save (that is, the elect) and in God's timing, overcomes their resistance to obeying the call of the gospel, bringing them to a saving faith. This means that when God sovereignly purposes to save someone, that individual certainly will be saved. The doctrine holds that this purposeful influence of God Holy Spirit cannot be resisted, but that the Holy Spirit, "graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ." (Ref:Calvinism-Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
First, if the Holy Spirit cannot be resisted, then it is not free-will. God believed for you. "YOU DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT."
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
The Calvinistic interpretation of John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, to save a few preselected men and to let the remainder burn in hell for all eternity."
The "grace alone" advocates proclaim that God forced you to believe. Their unspoken motto, "YOU DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT."
John 3:18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Why would God judge men who do not believe if the only avenue to belief is through the "irresistible grace" of the Holy Spirit. The non-believers motto would be "I DIDN'T NOT BELIEVE THAT." Their plea would be, "The Holy Spirit did not force me to believe."
John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
If "irresistible grace" were factually correct, it would be impossible to disobey God and not believe.
2 Corinthians 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.
The unbelieving have been blinded by the god of this world. God want all men to be saved. If there is "irresistible grace" then Satan could not blind anyone from seeing the light of the gospel. Men choose not to believe, they have free-will.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of GodHe might taste death for everyone.
Jesus died for everyone, not a select few who are saved by so-called "irresistible grace."
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who week Him.
God is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
God does not select a certain few who He saves by "irresistible grace."
GRACE ALONE ADVOCATES ARE IN ERROR WHEN THE IMPLY THAT CHRISTIANS "DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT."
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