Why I Don't Believe In Reformed Eternal Security

plugging my ears

If I joined the You Can't Lose Your Salvation (once saved always saved, no matter what) Crowd...

Here are some of the Scriptures I'd have to ignore whenever I read or listened to my audio Bible.

"But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died." [Romans 14:15] IF I tempt my Christian brother by eating something that he feels is a sin to eat and I eat it right in front of him, and I grieve him and cause his faith in God to flounder, Saint Paul indicates that it is possible to trip the brother so much that he could be destroyed! When something is destroyed it is fully ruined, not limited damage, but total, ultimate and complete damage! That means my Christian brother could lose his salvation because of some unwise thing I might do. Why would Paul have written such a thing if there is no way that a once saved believer can be lost??
"But whoever has doubts is CONDEMNED if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." [Romans 14:23 ESV]    "CONDEMNED" is a very, very strong word. This scripture is not speaking to sinners, but to Christians. Christians who fail to have the faith that God has okayed them to do a questionable thing, will surely bring "condemnation" to their eternal life and set themselves on a course toward eternal death in Hell! One legal dictionary defines "condemnation" as a "legal process by which government invokes it powers of conviction." The Bible says that sin brings death. Nineteen verses in the Bible tell us that sin will ultimately bring death, speaking of "eternal death." I would have to take a pair of scissors and cut this verse from my Bible if I believe that it is impossible for a born again Christian to lose their salvation. Those who believe in eternal security no matter how a Christian lives or acts can't believe this Scripture means what it says and says what it means! The simple understanding of this Scripture is that we must have true belief that something we are doing is okay with the Lord, or we better not do it because any doubt puts us in the position of disobeying the Lord (even if HE does okay that thing). And, disobedience to the Lord brings damnation, which is to fall back and be lost if one fails to repent and pray through concerning that disobedience.
"We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." [2nd Corinthians 6:1]   If it is impossible for a born again Christian to miss Heaven, then how can we receive "the grace of God in vain??" "In vain" means to no advantage, a total waste. Paul is warning his readers not to let the salvation effort turn out to be a total waste. How could the Christian life turn into a total waste if a Christian can't possibly receive "the grace of God in vain."
"But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be DISQUALIFIED." [1st Corinthians 9:27 ESV]   Saint Paul admits that he must actively resist the fleshly nature or risk himself becoming "DISQUALIFIED." I like the word the original Greek uses, which is "DISAPPROVED!   "A "disqualified or disapproved" athlete is rejected totally from the game! An athlete in the olympics found to be using steroids gets dumped! Paul's talking about ultimate loss here. So how do I take this scripture seriously if I believe that there is no way a born again Christian can backslide so throughly that they miss Heaven?? Only God-approved people will enter Heaven. They must all be "approved" or "qualified" by the Lord God Almighty!
"And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." [Mark 9:43-44]   Jesus warns HIS disciples that if a part of their body somehow should cause them to have such a serious problem that their salvation and eternal life is jeopardized, then they ought to cut off that part, or pluck it out. It is better to enter eternal life "maimed" than to enter eternal destruction in Hell as a perfect physical specimen. I'm fairly sure that if the disciples had read John Calvin one of them might have interrupted at this point and said, "Wait a minute, Lord!! Why are you saying this?? A believer cannot lose their salvation. Once you are saved you are saved and you cannot lose out. Remember, Lord, once-in-grace-always-in-grace, right??" Why in the world would Jesus have spoken this way to HIS chosen, believing, dedicated followers telling them that they had better get serious enough to amputate a hand if there was any danger that hand might draw them into Hell??? Why would HE say such a thing if it is impossible or even improbable for a true believer to lose out???? Losing out must be a looming possibility, because Jesus would never confuse us. The modern "eternal security" teaching just doesn't even ring true with the sayings of Jesus Christ from the dusty roads of The Holy Land!! So why do so many people believe this doctrine of John Calvin over the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ??? As you read further down this page you are going to find many, many Scriptures that contradict the modern teaching of "eternal security NO MATTER WHAT."
"And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended." [Mark 4:16-17]   So Jesus tells us that some people who receive the Gospel, "endure but for a time..." In other words Jesus says that some will be "once in grace," but will not endure or remain in that grace. Jesus is saying that some come fully into HIS Kingdom and then go fully out and return back into darkness! I can't be a "once saved always saved no matter what" (O.S.A.S.) and listen to that Scripture! I would need to cut that scripture right out of my Bible if I was an O.S.A.S.
"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." [Mark 11:25-26]    Jesus tells his disciples (not sinners, but believers) that if they fail to forgive people who offend them or sin against them,... HE tells them that our Heavenly Father in Heaven will refuse to forgive we believers of our wrong doings. This saying of Jesus certainly is a scripture I would have to ignore if I was a follower of the "once saved always saved no matter what" tradition. How can a Christian who refuses to forgive his brother and who loses the forgiveness of the Heavenly Father....how can that believer enter Heaven??? How can an unforgiven person still be Heaven bound??? How can a Christian who fails to forgive, who is once-saved-always-saved-no-matter-what enter Heaven unforgiven??? The bottom line has to be that the teaching of "once saved always saved no matter what" can't be believed unless you ignore much scripture, stand on your head, close one eye, turn off part of your brain and believe the vain teachings of men with great stubbornness.
"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." [Luke 8:13]    Jesus says that the seed of the Word of God will enter the hearts of some who will believe and will receive the Word of God, but in time of temptation "fall away." When a sailor falls off the ship he is totally and completely lost at sea, until or unless they go back and pull him out of the ocean. When sky divers "fall away" from their plane they don't make land fall with the pilot! They stop being airplane passengers in mid-flight! Their plane ride is all over! Jesus is plainly telling us that some people will become Christians and later backslide completely out of the faith. Therefore, Jesus is telling us that "once in grace always in grace, no matter what" is not the truth! Jesus is saying that some true believers will fall from grace and become apostate, dead, Hell-bound, unless they get revived, repent and do their first works over again!!
"For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned." [Hebrews 6:4-8 ESV]    The writer of the Book of Hebrews tells us that very advanced believers who come into the advanced fullness of the Holy Spirit, receive a gift of the Spirit, experience the powers of the world to come, should they backslide, there may not be a way back for them. I imagine this Scripture is referring to those who sin against the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us that those who sin against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. But my point is that Hebrews tells us that it is possible for the most advanced believers to totally lose out with God and miss Heaven! If it is possible for the most advanced to lose out and be lost, it only stands to reason that it is possible for all and any believer to make a choice that will erase them from the Lambs Book of Life!
"Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done." [Acts 8:13]    "But Peter said unto him [Simon], Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." [Acts 8:20]    Simon apparently received Jesus and became a Christian. The Scripture says that he believed and was baptized. But when Simon offered Peter money in order to try and purchase a gift of God to release the Holy Spirit upon people's lives, Peter said something very harsh in the original language of Greek.. Peter said something like, "May your money go into the pit of destruction along with you!" So Peter, basically did not believe in "once in grace always in grace for any and all." Simon was told that he and his money were going to Hell together. So Simon begged for Peter to pray that this prediction would not come true for him. It sounds as though Simon was repentent. We are not told the end of that story. Did Simon make it to Heaven?
"For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." [1st Corinthians 8:10-13]    St. Paul indicates that he firmly believed that it is possible to offend another Christian brother and cause that brother to "PERISH." Paul warns all Christians down through history to be careful, and not to do anything that brings temptation to another Christian. In fact Paul concludes that we should even greatly inconvenience ourselves to prevent such a tragedy. It is a matter of life and death! The KJV uses the word "PERISH".  In the original Greek the word "perish" is translated from a Greek word meaning "IS DESTROYED." So "Perish" is a pretty good translation into English. "PERISH" is a fatal word! When people "PERISH" in an accident, they are fatalities whose next stop is the morgue!! Paul surely must have believed that Christians could backslide so thoroughly that they could fall from God's graces into the evil one's kingdom. That is why the KJV translates to the word "PERISH." If Paul believed in the "once saved always saved no matter what" doctrine, then he would NOT have written these verses. If the "once saved always saved" doctrine were correct, then we could always say to an offended Christian brother or sister: "GET OVER IT! IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT I DO, GROW UP AND TOUGHEN UP!""
"...but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." [Matthew 10:22b]    These are the words of Jesus Christ. He was speaking of the many trials and tribulations that HIS followers might endure. He tells us that those that "...endureth to the end shall be saved." Jesus didn't believe "once saved always saved no matter what."    Jesus teaches us that it is where you are at the end of your journey that makes all the difference. It isn't that you were "once saved" that matters. It is if you endure to the end and stay saved that you can be eternally secured.    Why would Jesus Christ say this if Christians automatically endure to the end and cannot be lost once they are born again??? If you believe in "once saved always saved no matter what," then you need to get your scissors out and cut these words of Jesus Christ from the book of Matthew!
"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things." [Acts 5:1-11] "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men." [Matthew 12:31]

The "once saved always saved, no matter what" doctrine teaches that if anyone who appears to be a Christian, but sins in such a way as to prove that they can't possibly be a Christian, then the doctrine proclaims that the person in question never was a Christian in the first place. That is because it is believed that once you are in grace, you will always remain in the grace of a Christian on the way to Heaven. Therefore people who turn out to be totally wicked, but moved in church circles, must have been infiltrators and not real Christians, because Christians, they say, can't fall totally into apostasy.

Ananias and Sapphira could not have been sinners who infiltrated the early church. If that were the case then Peter would have had to say something different to them than he did speak! Peter might have had to apologize to Ananias and Sapphira and might have had to say, "Sadly we are lacking in the gift of discernment around here, because we thought you were true believers, but apparently you never were, because "once saved always saved" means that anyone who did what you did must never have known Christ in the first place!! And you fooled us into thinking you were Christians!"

But Peter did not speak to them as pagan infiltrators. He spoke to them as one believer to another. He asked them "...why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost...?" That isn't a question for a pagan infiltrator. That is a question for a person who has known the Lord and turned back into darkness. A pagan infiltrator would certainly, already have had their heart given over to lies. It isn't a matter of a pagan suddenly letting Satan do anything. Pagans and sinners are already Satan's slaves. Ananias and Sapphira had to be believers who scuttled their relationship with God. Peter says that Ananias' heart was filled by Satan "...to lie to the Holy Ghost."

The reason this event struck fear in the hearts of every believer who heard the story is because it defined just how easy it is to commit "blasphemy against the Holy Ghost!" Jesus said blasphemy against the Spirit of God was unforgivable. This shocking event in the life of the early church underlined the fact that the Holy Spirit was the controller of that First Century church and that, truly, the Holy Spirit has been selected by God the Father and God the Son to be the governor of the church in all areas. Bringing a lie into the church is to lie to the Holy Spirit of God Almighty. That is why Ananias and Sapphira immediately fell dead. I might add that it is my opinion that the reason we have not seen such things in modern times is that the Holy Spirit is not allowed to be the governor of the Church of Jesus Christ today. The Spirit of God has been replaced by committees, clergy and church bosses.

Ananias and Sapphira had rigorously grieved the Holy Spirit, who is the carrier of forgiveness and all the supernatural operations of the church of Jesus Christ. When a believer grievously wounds the very bridge that can carry them back to God, then there is no hope for that person. The Holy Spirit is that bridge. There was no reason for these two to go on living. They had become a cancer that would do the church no good. There was no chance for them to be redeemed. They had made themselves Satan's permanent property. They had sealed their own doom for all eternity. There was no reason for them to live on earth another second. There is no way that this story makes any sense, whatsoever, if the "once saved always saved no matter what" doctrine is a reality. Let me show you why.

Let's suppose that the doctrine of O.S.A.S. is a reality. That means that Ananias and Sapphira were never believers in the first place. They were infiltrators, or confused people who thought they were Christians. That means that they would not understand very much about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would just be a name to them. Jesus tells us that unbelievers do not know, nor are they aware of the Holy Spirit.

"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." [John 14:17]

Somehow the punishment doesn't exactly fit the crime if they don't even know what they are doing. Also, if they were never Christians, in the first place, Peter doesn't seem to know that. So, Peter appears out of touch with the Spirit of God. How could he know, by the Spirit of God, that they were going to drop dead in the next second, but not even bring up the fact that they were imposters when he confronted them??

If O.S.A.S. is the true doctrine, then in this story they lose their lives because they are infiltrators and fakes. Satan couldn't have tricked them because they were already his tricked children. The whole episode doesn't add up if you believe in O.S.A.S.

Here is another very interesting point for you to think about. Above I've quoted two Scriptures concerning the Holy Spirit. In one scripture Jesus says that a sin against the Holy Spirit cannot and will not be forgiven. In The second verse Jesus says that non-Christians don't even fathom who or what exactly the Holy Spirit is. Those two Scriptures together make a very strong case that a born again believer would probably be the person who might sin against the Holy Spirit because only a born again believer would be able to understand enough to be considered guilty of such a sin. But if "once saved always saved" is the only possibility for a believer then you come up against a big problem. A Christian who sins against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven...but he would never lose his salvation either. So how can that add up??? Does that mean that Christians who sinned against the Holy Spirit will be in Heaven anyway. Unforgiven sinners can't enter Heaven! So here again is another reason why I cannot receive the teaching that it is impossible for believers to lose out with God.

"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he FALL." [1st Corinthians 10:12]    This scripture appears right after Paul has been talking about how the children of Israel died like flies for all their disobedience in their 40 year journey to the Promised Land. Like for example verse five really sets us up for verse 12!

"But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness." [1st Corinthians 10:5]

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that many Israelites bit the dust in the desert because of disobedience and unthankfulness. Two million died, and only Joshua and Caleb made it to the Promised Land, of those who exited Egypt! Even Moses didn't make it! So, when Paul warns me that I better "...take heed lest.." I "...FALL;" and he uses the disobedience and overthrow of two million Jews in the wilderness as a back-up, I know Paul is not messing around. I know Paul isn't going to all this trouble of writing this warning just to save me from getting my mansion majorly down-sized in Heaven. Paul is talking about ultimate loss. Why would Paul waste his valuable time trying to keep me from ending up in an RV park in Heaven rather than a golden Mansion?? Just getting to Heaven is awesome! Even if I ended up in a pup-tent in Heaven, it would be wonderful and glorious! Paul wouldn't take his valuable time to warn me of such a limited loss. NO! Paul is talking about big-time falling, big-time losses!! He's talking about Christians missing Heaven and ending up in a devil's Hell, if they stray from the faith!

But then Saint Paul is inspired to add something else to this truth:

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." [1st Corinthians 10:13 ESV]

That raises my eyebrows! So God Almighty will limit the level or power of a temptation so that the temptation is not beyond my ability to resist the temptation. If that is true...and I'm sure Paul is not lying...then God wants to protect me from falling. Here's my question: If a true Christian cannot lose their salvation why does God bother protecting us from a temptation, stronger than we can resist, causing us to fall?? Once saved always saved, no matter what, must not be a reality. God isn't going to protect HIS people from something that cannot happen to them, is HE???
"For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body (of Jesus Christ) eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be CONDEMNED along with the world." [1st Corinthians 11:29-32 ESV]    If Christians happened to be "CONDEMNED along with the world" that is not God giving your Heavenly mansion to someone else, and demoting you down to being a mansionless person in Heaven! "CONDEMNED along with the world" is total loss! And Paul warns Christians that if they don't prepare themselves spiritually and judge themselves and repent and get right before they take Holy Communion that they are playing around with a ticket to possible sickness, early death and possibly even a one way trip to Hell! Holy Communion is a very serious sacrament!
"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short." [Matthew 24:21-22 ESV]

It appears that Jesus (who spoke these words) is saying that the awful Great Tribulation is going to be so horrible that God is limiting the length of time in which it will occur because even some of the elect, chosen of God, would lose their salvation should the Tribulation go longer. But according to once in grace always in grace, no matter what, the elect cannot be lost. Why then would the elect be in danger in a prolonged Tribulation???? Wouldn't the elect be protected if once in grace aways in grace, no matter what, is in force?
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." [Galatians 5:4]    St. Paul proves that he doesn't believe in O.S.A.S., because he warns the Galatians who are turning back from faith in Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit to obedience to Jewish Ceremonial Laws that they will have "fallen from grace!!" Fallen is fallen! "Fallen from grace" will be eternally fatal if you don't rectify that condition!
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh....Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that THEY WHICH DO SUCH THINGS SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD." [Galatians 5:16, 19-21]    St. Paul warns the Galatian believers in his entire letter about the fact that someone has come along and convinced them that they should turn back to Jewish ceremonial laws. Paul is very concerned because that move is a move against the Holy Spirit of God and a move against the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When God's people move away from the leadership of the Holy Spirit sin begins to grow like mold in the church. Today we are seeing sins like Paul mentions appearing inside churches! We need the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The Galatian church was in big trouble when they moved against the Spirit of God. Such a move will lead to sin and Paul is concerned because such a move can cause the Galatian Christians to end up losing their inheritance in the Kingdom of God. If "once saved always saved, no matter what" is a true doctrine then much of the writings of St. Paul are a big waste of time!! If Christians cannot fall back and lose out then there is absolutely NO gigantic reason for Paul to be so upset and concerned about sin in the church. In fact we could even argue that Paul was a "worry wart" because if a Christian cannot lose out on Heaven then Paul is meddling and scaring believers and we can warn people not to read Paul's letters. I believe St. Paul to be correct. Don't you agree??
"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;.." [Colossians 1:21-23]

Paul tells the Colossian Christians that they are "reconciled" and will be presented "holy and unblameable and unreproveable,"...IF ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel..."

Paul warns the Colossians that they can only be presented holy "if" they "CONTINUE in the faith." If I accept O.S.A.S., then I must admit that Paul was confused here. There can be no "ifs" on the Heavenly outcome for those who once believed and received. O.S.A.S. says that the saints will remain in the faith no matter what! Those who accept O.S.A.S. believe salvation once attained is "a done deal that cannot be altered, and your ticket to Heaven is certain. Relax! Live a little!"
"For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain." [1st Thessalonians 3:5]    This verse of Scripture will have to be ignored if I accept O.S.A.S., because if that doctrine is true there is no way that Paul could have labored in vain, even if the faith of the Thessalonians had failed. They would not miss Heaven. They were guaranteed entrance, according to O.S.A.S. So Paul's labor would succeed no matter what. The Thessalonians might have lost all their Heavenly treasures. They might have to go to Heaven and get a pup-tent for a mansion...but at least they couldn't go to Hell, because O.S.A.S. says they made their "decision for Christ," and they can't miss Heaven, right??" Seriously, though, isn't it very clear here that Saint Paul was not a believer in Once Saved Always Saved no matter what (O.S.A.S). If Paul's labor was in vain then that has to mean a total waste. A total waste is the lose of everything, the loss of the salvation of the Thessalonians. That is why Paul wrote his epistles: to make sure his converts didn't fall away and lose their souls!
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;.." [1st Timothy 4:1-2]    This Scripture is a big problem if I am O.S.A.S.!! The Bible says in another place that liars cannot enter Heaven. In this verse Paul tells us that some will depart from the faith and speak lies! To further complicate this Scripture for the O.S.A.S. folks we hear Paul saying that the Holy Spirit, HIMSELF, spoke this truth "expressly!" I can't be an O.S.A.S. because I would have to fight the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is NEVER wrong. If the Holy Spirit says Christians are going to depart from the faith, then it will happen! No, I CAN'T agree with this O.S.A.S. stuff! I would have to plug my ears against the Spirit of God, and that is too big a "no no" for me!
"Having damnation (Greek uses the word "judgment"), because they have cast off their first faith." [1st Timothy 5:12]    Oh no! Paul comes out and bluntly says that young Christian widows, if they don't control themselves, can throw away their faith and be damned!
"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction." [1st Timothy 6:9 ESV]  Ruin and destruction have got to be total loss of salvation. "Ruin" means falling into disarray. "Destruction" is to be crushed to powder, nothing left but garbage!   If I were an O.S.A.S. person I would have to plug my ears to this Scripture for sure! That's because Paul tells Timothy here that Christians that desire riches can fall into temptation that can "drown" them in "ruin and destruction." That means if there is no revival, no repentance, that punishment in Hell is all that lies ahead! Oh, that just doesn't fit with the O.S.A.S. doctrine, no matter what!
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and OVERCOME, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." [2 Peter 2:20-22]    Saint Peter definitely didn't believe in O.S.A.S.!! In this Scripture Peter comes out and tells what happens to a believer who has "...escaped the pollutions of the world through...Christ,..." but falls back into darkness again, and is "OVERCOME". "Overcome" is one of those absolute words. When a person is "overcome" by smoke it means they are defeated by the smoke, rendered unconscious, and on the way out of this world, unless someone gets to them very, very quickly! Peter says when they fall back they are worse off than a person who never knew Christ and remained a career sinner.
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" [2 Corinthians 13:5]    Saint Paul wanted the Corinthians to check themselves out to see if they were still "in the faith!" Why in the world would Paul ask them to check to see if they were still "in the faith" if falling out of the faith is impossible???? The dictionary says that the word "reprobate" means, "One who is predestined to damnation." Paul is asking them to check themselves out to see if they are still in the faith or they are predestined to damnation. It certainly sounds to me like God doesn't lock the door behind me and swallow the key when I receive Jesus Christ as my Savior. God is NOT a kidnapper! I can't be an O.S.A.S. or I'd have to plug my ears every time somebody read this verse!
"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. [Luke 21:36]   Jesus, Himself, hints that believers must pray and watch, seeking the Lord very fervently and seriously because to fail in the last days to do this could be disastrous! Apparently there is some chance that a believer could be disqualified for the privilege of standing before the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, in that later hour. In other words, a believer might slip back such that the believer could not stand erect in the glory of the Christ, but would fall upon their face as a derelict, a failure, a lost one! If O.S.A.S. is true there is no reason for such an occurrence. The believer remains under the blood of Christ no matter what. But Jesus apparently believes there is enough danger to warn us to pray and watch!
"And his lord was wroth, [angry] and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." [Matthew 18:34-35]    In this parable of Jesus Christ's [See Matthew 18:23-35], our Lord tells the story of a servant who owes a huge amount of money to his master. He begs for time to repay. The master in great mercy decides to totally forgive the huge debt. Then the forgiven servant goes to a lower servant who owes him a small amount. He demands payment immediately. The lesser servant begs for time, but is thrown into debtors prison. Other servants go to the master or king of them all and tell what has happened. The King, who represents our Heavenly Father, removes HIS pardon from off the head of the servant who was forgiven much! Then the King turns that unforgiving servant over to the tormentors, until the servant totally pays back the once forgiven bill. We know that it takes eons of eternities in the Lake of Fire to pay back for our sins. A servant given over to the tormentors and imprisoned in a torture chamber has no chance to run any side jobs to make extra money to pay back a debt. So we know that this servant who was once forgiven has sealed his own doom.

This parable is a very strong evidence that God HIMSELF does not believe in O.S.A.S. no matter what. It does not seem plausible that Jesus would have confused us with such a parable that hints one can fall from God's grace and forgiveness. Would Jesus Christ spin such a parable if it is not possible to totally fall from our Father's grace only to end up in Hell????!
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, IF indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.   [Hebrews 3:12-14 ESV]   The writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews is inspired by the Holy Spirit to tell us that our connection with Jesus Christ and ultimate union with Jesus Christ is not based merely on what we do at the beginning of our Christian walk!   Instead the outcome of our faith is based predominantly on whether we "hold our original confidence firm TO THE END." This Scripture basically denies the possibility that all Christ's children will automatically persist and enter Heaven solely based on their initial salvation experience. Instead this Scripture tells us that it isn't how we start as much as it is how we finish our pilgrimage that determines our outcome with or without Christ. Verse 12 also strengthens this when it says, "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God." So the writer of the book of Hebrews is very concerned that some believers who start out well can actually fall away completely. He is so concerned that he is inspired to write about it and God has allowed these words to come down to us and to be heard clearly some 2,000 years later! He calls them "brethren... lest there be in any of you an evil heart...departing from the living God." [KJV translation]    So the writer of the Book of Hebrews is definitely talking to born again believers, warning them to not fall backwards, because it could be fatal.
"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, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." [Revelation 3:5]   Here we have a very interesting statement made by Christ in the Heavenly vision to John the beloved. Basically the Lord Jesus says that if one of HIS followers meets the Lord God's conditions HE "will NOT blot out that person's name from the book of life..." That statement is very intriguing because if believer's names are indelibly or permanently penned into the Book of Life this promise of our Lord would be very empty. We could then say, "Lord, you never remove anyone's name from your book anyway, because of 'once in grace always in grace.' So Lord, why do you even bring this up?? Lord, Heaven is already irreversibly in the bag for me, according to that 'great' teacher John Calvin." This is another verse I would have to make sure and pay no attention to if I want to be in the "once in grace always in grace" camp. In fact, if I take this scripture seriously, which I do, I must conclude after reading it that Jesus could not even utter these words unless somebody, somewhere who once was a believer is going to get erased from the Book of Life because of wrong doings. Also, it occurs to me that all these warnings to the Seven Churches, in the Book of Revelation, are a big waste of time if no believer is going to lose out under any circumstances. Why did Jesus go to all this trouble to get John to write warnings to the churches if everyone in those churches who is a true believer has an irrevocable reservation to glory????
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer [worse] punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite [outrage and insult] unto the Spirit of grace? [Hebrews 10:26-29]    In this passage the writer of the Book of Hebrews is inspired to tell us that those who stood against the Law of God given at Mount Sinai, blatantly breaking that law, were executed. Then the writer of Hebrews goes on to ask a leading question. He asks us just how much more severe will the punishment be for one who goes all the way into the sanctified life, [in other words the deepest things of God] and then does an about face and sins with determination, trampling the precious shed blood of Jesus and insulting and outraging the Holy Spirit of God. It doesn't take a genius to see what the writer of the Hebrews is telling us by inspiration. He is telling us that even a person who has gone into the deepest realms of the Christian life can willfully lose their eternal life. Remember he is talking about a Christian who turns on God with determination and evil vigor. I don't believe this is referring to our stumbling. It is talking about a determined rebellion against God. If a believer has gone that far, that deep and that high into salvation and the gifts of the Holy Spirt and majorly rebells, it will so harm and sin against the Holy Spirit that that person will very possibly be lost forever in eternal death.
"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." [Matthew 24:13] "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. [Mark 13:13]   In these passages we clearly see that it isn't how we start out in the faith as much as how we finally end, when we take our last breath or when Christ returns that determines our salvation. If once saved always saved was the overriding rule then these two scriptures would be very difficult to explain. Once in grace always in grace teaches that every person who meaningfully receives Christ "shall endure to the end" no matter what. If that is indeed the case then these two warnings make no sense. Why would Christ warn us that only those who endure to the end will be saved if God has pre-arranged that all who begin to be Christians always endure to the very end as overcomers???? These are two Scriptures I would be forced to ignore if I was in the once saved always saved no matter what camp.
"If a man abide not in me," [Jesus speaking] "he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." [John 15:6]   Jesus teaches us that abiding or remaining in HIM is ultimately important. Those who cease to abide or stay in Christ wither. Anyone who has seen a plant wither understands that it is dead or dying. We know that this is what Jesus means because he says that dead and dried branches are burned in fire. He is using grape vine branches as his illustration. Green, living grape vine branches are difficult to burn. But dry grape vines burn explosively because they are dead, dead, dead! In the light of these words of Jesus, how can anyone believe that all who have ever accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord cannot fall totally away and be totally lost if they choose not to remain or abide in Christ??? If I should choose to believe the doctrine held by some that once you are saved it is not possible to be totally lost, I would have to take a pair of scissors and cut this verse out of my Bible, or at least ignore this verse. NO! I choose to believe God's Word and not the winds of doctrine that come from the reasonings and teachings of mankind!
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." [1st Peter 5:8]   Saint Peter was so concerned for his fellow believers that he warned them that they needed to be very "on-the-alert" about looking out for the attack of their enemy, the devil, because Satan is on the prowl to devour them. If a starving, ferocious lion comes upon it's prey and DEVOURS that prey it is obvious that the prey met total, final, absolute and complete defeat! The clear and simple implication of this Scripture is that the devil can and will, if the believer gives Satan an opportunity, totally destroy the spiritual life of a believer causing them to suffer total, ultimate and absolute loss in Hell! So here is another Scripture that I would have to ignore or plug my ears to if I subscribed to the once saved always saved, no matter what, teaching.
"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition [destruction in Hell]; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." [Hebrews 10:38-39]   The writer of the book of Hebrews was concerned for his fellow believers. He is inspired to warn them that there are those who have and will draw back from the Lord after entering into the body of Christ as a believer. He immediately lets them know that he does not suspect that the Hebrews he is writing to, or he himself are doing this: ("we are not of them..."). Nevertheless he points out very clearly that those who draw away from the faith open up the distinct possibility of "perdition" as their ultimate fate. The original Greek uses a word that translates as "destruction!" "Perdition"or "destruction" clearly means eternal death in Hell followed by the Lake of Fire! It is very hard for me to understand how so many people can believe it is impossible to lose your salvation by sloppy Christian living when the Bible gives so many clear warnings about the fate of those who choose to draw back. I'm coming to believe that the powers of darkness are blinding people in order to trick them into not seeing all these Scriptures.
"But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for IF ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" [2nd Peter 1:9-10]   Just prior to verses 9 and 10 Saint Peter tells us that we need to add to our faith, virtue, and to our virtue, knowledge, and temperance and patience and so on. He intimates that IF we fail to do these things as believers that our calling and election may not be sure. We could fall. But notice that Peter did not add in, ...but if you fall, sadly you will lose your mansion...however, don't despair, you can still see Michael or Gabriel for a pup tent." I just cannot believe that Peter would have so seriously warned us to avoid falling, if falling didn't mean ultimate and horrendous loss.
"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from DEATH and will cover a multitude of sins." [James 5:19 & 20 ESV]   How much plainer can God's Word be?? James tells us that if one of the brothers or sisters strays from the truth and another brother or sister comes along and helps convert that one or helps bring that one back on course with God, the one who does this good work has saved a soul from DEATH. Saving a soul from death sounds to me like keeping someone from falling into eternal damnation. Isn't that the simple understanding of this passage?? I might add that those who believe that once you are saved you can never sin away your place in Heaven...those who believe that a Christian cannot lose their salvation under any circumstance or sin have to ignore so many passages of Scripture in the New Testament in order to hold their belief. That makes the Lord God look like HE cannot inspire his book with clarity. God Almighty and HIS Son and HIS Holy Spirit are not failures but total successes in the creation of the Bible. The Gospel is very, very clear. God is not a kidnapper. When we are saved God does not lock the door of salvation and swallow the key! Why would God take from us, who live today, what HE gave Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were allowed to fail and to fall. We have that same privilege today. We can choose to fail and to fall or we we can choose to follow our Lord with great faith and great vigor!

I now reject the popular teaching of "once saved always saved no matter what." I reject it because by doing so I am set free to listen to and receive every verse in God's Holy Word. Truly I hope that the Once Saved Always Saved (O.S.A.S.) crowd is correct, because if they are correct there's going to be many more people in Heaven. But, there are just too many Scriptures I'd have to plug my ears to, in order to believe that "once saved always saved no matter what" doctrine!!

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