Have you heard this statement, “Once saved always saved?” Is this true?
The short version of the gospel message is often told in reference to Romans 10 – believe in your heart Jesus died on the cross for your sins, God raised him from the dead, confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and you are saved.
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Ro 10:9-10
That’s it. Just say a simple prayer and you have secured eternal fire insurance. Is it really that simple?
My intent in writing this post is to prompt introspection and discussion. I hope it draws you to seek the Word of God for further understanding.
I know the following to be true based on scripture references. Salvation is a gift we receive. It’s impossible to earn it. We receive salvation by grace. Jesus paid the price required for us to be cleansed and restored to right relationship with the Father. We only get access to the Father through Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
So, receiving Jesus is the first step in salvation. That is when our relationship with Him begins. How do we build a good relationship with Him? In my simple mind, a good relationship requires good communication and quality time! I often think of Matthew chapter 7 in regards to the relationship qualifier.
True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matt 7:21-23
Matthew chapter 7 teaches salvation is more than believing and confessing– there is a requirement to also take action to do the will of God. It specifically tells us that doing the will of God is essential to entering the kingdom of heaven. What is the will of God? God’s will is found in God’s word. His character and His will is written down in plain sight. To follow God’s will means we need to know what His will is. It also means we have to make a decision to follow it. If we choose to ignore His word, and do things our own way, we risk our relationship with Jesus. According to Matthew chapter 7 we risk our entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Relationship with Jesus is the essential requirement for salvation.
If you are wondering how to improve your relationship with Jesus it can be boiled down to: 1) reading the Bible daily and 2) talking to Him continually. Invite Him into your day. In John 15 He tells us to abide in Him and His word and He will abide in us. He is talking to us continually. But we must first look for Him to see and hear Him. I haven’t heard any reports of Him shouting to get our attention. He is a friend – He talks to us with a gentle kind voice. He tells us when we seek Him we will find him. He likes hide-and-seek 😊. Stand at the door and knock and He will answer (Matt 7:7-8).
Another scripture to think on regarding this topic is in 1 Corinthians 9 when Paul tells us to run our race as if running for a prize. If we are running a race to win, doesn’t that imply we can lose? What are we winning and what are we losing?
The Need for Self-Discipline
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Cor 9:24-27
Paul also tells us in Philippians to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Fear and trembling are pointing us to the reverent fear of God. My bible study notes say, “it is a deep awe and sober awareness of God’s power, holiness, and judgment against sin. God’s people must possess a holy fear that grows out of our true awareness of God’s supreme power and authority and our deepest sense of accountability to Him.” We cannot take this relationship and assignment lightly. To be a disciple of Jesus and live out the full salvation of Christ it requires moment by moment decisions. It requires decisions to trust and obey Him in everything. It requires us to stand firm on His Word, His principles, and to persevere through the trials of life.
Do Everything Without Grumbling
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Philippians 2:12-16
An essential element to the gospel message is repentance. Repentance means changing your mind. Salvation requires a turning away from doing things your own way and turning towards Jesus to do things His way. Hebrews 10 is a powerful summation of what we have discussed:
A Call to Persevere in Faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Hebrews 10:19-27
We are either with God or against Him (Matt 12:30). We can’t have one foot in darkness and one foot in light. That is what we call compromise. Compromise is the gateway that leads to death and destruction.
Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin. 1 John 1:5-7
So, what do you think? Do you agree or disagree, “Once saved always saved,” is biblical? How would you explain the gospel message?
Rachel, I love the constant reminder that we are active participants in our relationship with God. We not only accept it, but like all relationships we truly care about, we have to spend time with God and His word. It makes our relationship with Him more fruitful!