By Cindy Phillips
In my opinion, the most dangerous doctrine in the Body of Christ is the “once saved, always saved” doctrine. Let me explain.
The core of this doctrine is true in that if a person truly calls upon the Name of the Lord, with continued corresponding action, they are eternally saved (John 3:16). It is also true that no one can pluck a believer out of the hand of Jesus (John 10:28). All who call upon the Name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
But (don’t you hate “buts”?). There is a difference between saying a prayer with your lips and meaning it in your heart. Some Churches teach all you have to do is say a prayer like “God, I know I am a sinner and need a Savior. I ask Jesus into my heart. Amen” and *WHAM* you are all set. You have your permanent ticket to heaven and reprieve from Hell. The person never understands repentance. Rather than now changing their lifestyle and pursuing God, they live the same way they lived before (except maybe attend Church from time to time, may even read the Bible and give). I submit to you this person never accepted Jesus as Lord. There are so many Scriptures that bear this out. A change in heart will ALWAYS result in a change in behavior. Some will also genuinely believe but, after a time, will walk in the ways of the world again. While no one can pluck a believer out of the hands of Jesus, anyone can choose to walk away.
Prayerfully consider these Scriptures;
Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
2 Peter 2:20-21 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will DEPART from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.
Matthew 24:9-13 Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will TURN AWAY from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
John 15:1-6 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. IF a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is THROWN AWAY and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into THE FIRE and burned.”
There are more, but these are the ones that came to my mind. All that said, don’t doubt your salvation but do examine your heart. A person who truly repents and accepts Jesus as Savior, and submits to Him as Lord, will have the love of God shed abroad in their heart. If you love Him, you will obey Him (John 14:15). That doesn’t mean you won’t make mistakes. When you do miss it, you should sense the error and repent. If you truly love God, you will bear the fruits of this for all to see. Can you see the difference? The false convert, or the seed that goes back to the world, does not have a deep love for God. Those who are truly saved are SECURE in His love. I think the biggest mistake the Church makes today is telling people how easy it is to get saved, then abandoning them. Let’s make disciples and teach people from the Word how to truly live for God. After all, Jesus Himself explains the requirements for Eternal Life; John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. To know God, and be known by Him, implies intimacy and relationship.
You will not want to hear Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’