Once Saved Always Saved?

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2003031

Subject: falling from grace

Preached Originally: 06/15/03 – Rapid City, SD

 

Introduction:

A.    Many believe once a sinner redeemed by Christ – it is impossible to sin so as to fall from God’s grace & be eternally lost.

1.    Is this true?  We’ll explore the answer to this question today.

B.    Little doubt God gave man a free will – as to determine the course of life pursued.

1.    Living for God

2.    Living for self.

C.   But many who agree man has free will – still argue that after man saved he is helpless to refuse God’s election & so live as to be lost.

1.    Consistent?  Hardly!

D.   But what about Rom. 8:35-39?  1 Pet. 1:5?  John 10:27-29?

1.    Is God able to do what He promised?  Certainly!

2.    If one falls into apostasy – not due to any failure on God’s part!

3.    ….not due to a lack of power on God’s part.

4.    And…we DO know no one can pluck the saved out of God’s hand – if we choose to remain faithful!

E.    Disagreement comes when we ask, “Can a believer choose to quit obeying God & thereby cease believing?”

1.    Scriptures answer with a resounding “yes!”

2.    Ezek. 18:20-24

 

I.  Saving Faith is Not the Act of a Moment – but a way of life!

A.    Can one believe temporarily?  Jesus said so – Lk. 8:11-15

1.    what about the branches which would be cut off?  Jhn. 15:1-6

2.    What about Heb. 3:12-14?

a)    Remember Israelites who perished in unbelief?

b)    3:15-19- CHOSE to quit obeying God!

c)    4:1, 11 – we can have the promise but come short of it.

B.    These passages tell me I must keep believing to continue in God’s grace.

1.    Saving faith seen in Lk. 8:15.  Contrast to 8:13.

C.   Two possible directions for a disciple to go after obedience to the gospel.

1.    Col. 1:21-23; 2 Tim. 3:13-15 – “continue in the faith.”

2.    Heb. 10:37-38 – draw back.

D.   1 John 3:7-10 - Christian is expected to put on righteousness & quit sinning.

1.    There’s a course of life being described here – 3:9  This is the person who no longer “serves sin.”

2.    See also Rom. 6:1-16.

a)    6:6 – no longer “slaves of sin.”

b)    6:12 – “not letting sin reign in mortal body.”

c)    6:14 – doesn’t let sin be a master over him.

3.    2 Cor. 5:14-15 – who are we living for?  Are we seeking to put on holiness & righteousness?

 

II. Examples of some who fell away.

A.    Acts 8:5-24 – Simon.

1.    8:13 – believed & baptized.  Mk. 16:16 – how can anyone deny his being saved?

2.    8:18-20 – sin explained.

3.    8:23 – Peter describes the condition of Simon’s heart.

4.    8:22, 24 – told to repent.

B.    Gal. 5:3-4 – those who sought to be justified by the law.

C.   1 Tim. 1:19-20 – Hymenaeus & Alexander – faith was shipwrecked.

D.   Acts 5:1-10 – Ananias & Sapphira

E.    2 Tim. 2:16-18 – Hymenaeus & Philetus & other unnamed men.

 

III. Are we willing to heed the warnings?

A.    1 Cor. 9:27 – are we like Paul?

B.    1 Cor. 10:12 – are we following this admonition?

1.    Those who espouse the OSAS doctrine ignore this passage & give people a license to sin.

2.    contrary to Rom. 6:1-2

C.   Heb. 6:4-6 – some can develop conscience hardened to truth – making it impossible to repent.

1.    6:4-5 – they were saved

2.    6:6 – they fell away.

D.   Heb. 10:26-31 – received knowledge of truth; sanctified by blood of Christ.

1.    But sinned willfully; trampled under foot the son of God.

E.    Note Peter’s warning – 2 Pet. 2:20-22.

 

IV. Promise of salvation has conditions!

A.    Unbelievers have the promise of being lost.  Jhn. 3:18; 3:36

1.    Can they change their destiny?  Certainly!  Ezek 18:20-24.  Free moral agent.

B.    Salvation based on our continuing to hear & believe.

1.    John 5:24; 1 John 5:11-13

2.    This is true IF one remains a believer!

3.    One can cease from hearing & believing & therefore go back to condemnation.  Heb. 3:12

C.   Robert Harkrider:  Eternal life is not the consequence of a moments act of faith sometime in the past – but it is our promised possession based on the continuation of a present living faith.

 

Conclusion:

A.     Someone says that emphasis on maintaining salvation – Phil 2:12 – shifts the emphasis off of salvation through God’s grace to meritorious works.

1.    Not so.  Titus 2:11-12 – God’s grace (salvation) has appeared & we have responsibility to live in accordance w/His conditions.

B.     Are you meeting those responsibilities?  If not, why not?

1.    2 Cor. 6:1-2

C.    Not a Christian?  This is not an impossible task!  YOU can live for Christ!  Eph. 3:21.

D.  I N V I T A T I O N