₦airaland Forum

There I was on my bed in my small dungeon hostel whilst the ears piercing mega phone of a neighbourhood church (one of the mega church around) when I heard the district pastor feeding the church with what I call deception and heresy. I have listened to several messages on forgiveness, repentance and total turning away from sins; but never for once have I in my theological and escathological knowledge of the scriptures seen undoubtful truth about eternal security. Brethren, is it true that, "once saved always saved" or can we lose our salvation through disobedience or unbelief?

What is the doctrine of Eternal Security?

Eternal Security is the doctrine that salvation cannot be lost because it is kept secure by Christ. Since it is not gained by anything we do, it cannot be lost by anything we do and that once saved is forever saved.

Brethren, the following scriptural versses contradicts the doctrine of Eternal Security

John 15:6 ( KJV )
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

2 Peter 2:20-22 ( KJV )
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 3:14-18 ( KJV )
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2 Peter 1:9-10 ( KJV )
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:

1 Timothy 5:15 ( KJV )
For some are already turned aside after Satan.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 ( KJV )
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;

2 Timothy 2:12 ( KJV )
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Hebrews 3:12-14 ( KJV )
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

Hebrews 6:4-8 ( KJV )
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

Hebrews 10:26-29 ( KJV )
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 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 unto the Spirit of grace?

Hebrews 10:38-39 ( KJV )
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; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul

Hebrews 12:14-16 ( KJV )
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 ( KJV )
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Galatians 6:9 ( KJV )
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

1 Corinthians 9:27 ( KJV )
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (Words of the apostle Paul)

Colossians 1:21-23 ( KJV )
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;

1 John 2:18-19 ( KJV )
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Eternal security is characterized by counterfeit holiness, spurious sanctification, and work of deception. Exhibiting itself under various forms, the same spirit as in the days of the early Reformers, diverting minds from the scriptures and leading men to follow their own feelings and impressions all in the name of grace and liberty for all, which rather than to yield obedience to the doctrines and law of God. This Satan has successfully devices to cast reproach, impurity, unrighteousness and sin upon purity and truth.
This teaching has led many Christians who were once fervent in the Lord relapse into sin. They refused to heed the warning of Jesus which says Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; - Matthew 26;41
Christians who do not keep on their guard against sin, self and satan will be overtaken and brought into bondage. Believers therefore, must be vigilant in living a godly life, since Satan is seeking those he may devour.

Does this mean that a Christian can live any way he wants to and still be saved? This is essentially a hypothetical question, because the Bible makes it clear that a true Christian will not live "any way he wants to." Christians are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Christians demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), not the acts of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). First John 3:6-9 clearly states that a true Christian will not live in continual sin. In response to the accusation that grace promotes sin, the apostle Paul declared, "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:1-2).

Eternal security is not a license to sin. Rather, it is the security of knowing that God's love is guaranteed for those who trust in Christ. Knowing and understanding God's tremendous gift of salvation accomplishes the opposite of giving a license to sin. How could anyone, knowing the price Jesus Christ paid for us, go on to live a life of sin (Romans 6:15-23)? How could anyone who understands God's unconditional and guaranteed love for those who believe, take that love and throw it back in God's face? Such a person is demonstrating not that eternal security has given him a license to sin, but rather that he or she has not truly experienced salvation through Jesus Christ. "No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him". (1 John 3:6)

My take:Contemporary Eternal security is a false gospel and counterfeit grace message, which is built upon partial truths and Scripture removed from its context. Many are in hell now because of the once saved always saved doctrine.

what's your own opinion? Should a true Christian believe in such doctrines, or sway it aside as heresy?

What I know is that it takes grace to run this race...
My prayer is that I make heaven at last and this I pray for you too

Incase

Samneer:
There I was on my bed in my small dungeon hostel whilst the ears piercing mega phone of a neighbourhood church (one of the mega church around) when I heard the district pastor feeding the church with what I call deception and heresy. I have listened to several messages on forgiveness, repentance and total turning away from sins; but never for once have I in my theological and escathological knowledge of the scriptures seen undoubtful truth about eternal security. Brethren, is it true that, "once saved always saved" or can we lose our salvation through disobedience or unbelief?
My take: Contemporary Eternal security is a false gospel and counterfeit grace message, which is built upon partial truths and Scripture removed from its context. Many are in hell now because of the once saved always saved doctrine.

what's your own opinion? Should a true Christian believe in such doctrines, or sway it aside as heresy?

Here's hoping you still hold this very opinion even after all this time...I don't believe in the doctrines of men myself, but may I ask what you believe Salvation to be?

Samneer:
What is the doctrine of Eternal Security?Eternal Security is the doctrine that salvation cannot be lost because it is kept secure by Christ. Since it is not gained by anything we do, it cannot be lost by anything we do and that once saved is forever saved.
Brethren, the following scriptural versses contradicts the doctrine of Eternal Security
-------------------------------
Eternal security is characterized by counterfeit holiness, spurious sanctification, and work of deception. Exhibiting itself under various forms, the same spirit as in the days of the early Reformers, diverting minds from the scriptures and leading men to follow their own feelings and impressions all in the name of grace and liberty for all, which rather than to yield obedience to the doctrines and law of God. This Satan has successfully devices to cast reproach, impurity, unrighteousness and sin upon purity and truth.
This teaching has led many Christians who were once fervent in the Lord relapse into sin. They refused to heed the warning of Jesus which says Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; - Matthew 26;41
Christians who do not keep on their guard against sin, self and satan will be overtaken and brought into bondage. Believers therefore, must be vigilant in living a godly life, since Satan is seeking those he may devour.

Does this mean that a Christian can live any way he wants to and still be saved? This is essentially a hypothetical question, because the Bible makes it clear that a true Christian will not live "any way he wants to." Christians are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Christians demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), not the acts of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). First John 3:6-9 clearly states that a true Christian will not live in continual sin. In response to the accusation that grace promotes sin, the apostle Paul declared, "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:1-2).

Eternal security is not a license to sin. Rather, it is the security of knowing that God's love is guaranteed for those who trust in Christ. Knowing and understanding God's tremendous gift of salvation accomplishes the opposite of giving a license to sin. How could anyone, knowing the price Jesus Christ paid for us, go on to live a life of sin (Romans 6:15-23)? How could anyone who understands God's unconditional and guaranteed love for those who believe, take that love and throw it back in God's face? Such a person is demonstrating not that eternal security has given him a license to sin, but rather that he or she has not truly experienced salvation through Jesus Christ. "No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him". (1 John 3:6)

According to John 3 vs 16-21, Jesus Christ, who came to save unbelievers from the condemnation of sin(Death) gifts all those who believe in Him(believe He is who He says He is, baptized and eats communion)with eternal life(grace). In the same passage, we are told that the one who receives eternal life(grace) is no longer condemned...

John 3 vs 16-21 (ERV)
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16. “For God so loved the world,[i] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
17. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
18. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
19. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. [/b]
20. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
21. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”[/quote]Gifted with eternal life(grace) in place of Death, what risk is there if the choice is made by the same to continue instead in sin? Well, Jesus Christ who declared that He has not come to condemn but to save... will not revoke the gift of eternal life given in place of Death. However, He does include that those who reject His teachings/commandments will have a place in Hell upon His return.

Matthew 25 vs 41-40 (ESV)
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41. “Then the king will say to the evil people on his left, ‘Get away from me. God has already decided that you will be punished. Go into the fire that burns forever—the fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels.
42. You must go away because when I was hungry, you gave me nothing to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me nothing to drink.
43. When I had no place to stay, you did not welcome me into your home. When I was without clothes, you gave me nothing to wear. When I was sick and in prison, you did not care for me.’
44. “Then those people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty? When did we see you without a place to stay? Or when did we see you without clothes or sick or in prison? When did we see any of this and not help you?’
45. “The king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you refused to do for any of my people here, you refused to do for me.’
46. “Then these evil people will go away to be punished forever. But the godly people will go and enjoy eternal life.”

Hell is a place of eternal damnation implying that those who are destined for Hell indeed have eternal life(grace) which they are to spend in Hell - i.e. they are saved and of His flock only they are goats among His herd.

Samneer:
what's your own opinion? Should a true Christian believe in such doctrines, or sway it aside as heresy?

It is Written All shall be judged for their works whether it be good or it be evil as the Parable of the Talents has told us.

There is No Parable where A Sinner escaped unpunished!

davuvid:
What I know is that it takes grace to run this race...

My prayer is that I make heaven at last and this I pray for you too

Man Already and Did have Grace because God is Good but when is man going to utilise The Law of "All thy Strength and with All thy Might and with All thy heart"?

davuvid:
What I know is that it takes grace to run this race...
My prayer is that I make heaven at last and this I pray for you too

What grace? The grace told you of by men or the eternal life(grace) which you receive when you choose to believe in the person of Jesus Christ, eternal life(grace) which can be spent, in the end, in either Heaven or Hell?