Eternal Security

[civic]

Salvation in the Bible is not just a one-time event. Being born again, or being justified by faith, is the "door" into salvation, but the Bible tells us that, after we enter the door of justification, we need sanctification and transformation into the image of Christ.

Salvation is not just a ticket that guarantees that you're going to heaven when you die. Salvation occurs over our entire lifetime as we "work out our salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." But the entire teaching of the New Testament makes it clear that His will cannot be done in our lives, unless WE are willing - over the period of our entire lives. Jesus told us to pray that His will would be done in our lives. If we don't want His will, then we are free to NOT pray for that.

Yes, we do have a part to play in our salvation - NOT our justification - only Christ did that, yet even there we HAD TO BE WILLING TO BE JUSTIFIED. God did not justify us apart from our free will. But now that we are "in the door" we are given MANY instructions and commandments. We are commanded to ABIDE IN JESUS, the VINE, to bear much fruit. We are commanded to KEEP the faith. We are commanded to CONTINUE IN THE FAITH. We are to OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS. We are commanded to DO GOOD DEEDS OR GOOD WORKS. There are grave warnings if we choose to disobey His commands.

Did you know that Biblical salvation INCLUDES GOOD WORKS OR GOOD DEEDS? James and Paul both said that if your faith is not producing good works, then your faith is dead - it's of NO VALUE. We didn't enter into the door of salvation by good works, but now that we're in Christ, we are to be zealous to practice good deeds. Titus 2:14

Can a saved person become unsaved? Well, can a married person become unmarried?

Paul said: " ... for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ."

We are called the Bride of Christ. He is our husband. A bride must remain faithful to her husband until she dies, to stay married. Christ, our husband, will NEVER be unfaithful to us. So the question is: Will we remain faithful to Him until we die? If not, we're no longer married to Him.

How many sins do we have to commit to nullify our marriage or our salvation? He is gracious and willing to forgive - 1 John 1:9. But if we get to the point where we totally reject our Husband, Jesus, then our marriage/salvation is over. "If we deny Him, He also will deny us." (2 Timothy 2:12) Peter said that we are to live "in fear" of God:

1 Peter 1:17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, CONDUCT YOURSELVES IN FEAR during the time of your stay on earth.

Just as we must be vigilant to keep our spouse and our marriage until death, so we must be vigilant to keep our Lord Jesus and our salvation until death.

Is the new birth a one time event ?

Was your physical birth a one time event ?

How can the spiritual birth not be a one time event ?

Thanks !

 

[dwight92070]

First, there is scriptural evidence that all true Christians Are eternally secure. In John 6:38–40, Jesus says: “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Of course that's God's will. But is His will always done? NO! IT'S NOT! God is not WILLING that ANY should perish, but do many perish anyway? Of course they do! So this passage does not guarantee eternal security at all! Aeliana is greatly misinterpreting these verses.

Here Jesus says that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. He says that he will raise that person up at the last day, giving that person eternal life with him. Moreover, Jesus says it is God’s will that he “lose nothing” of all God has given him. It's called salvation, that's what I'm talking about.

The key words: "everyone who believes in Him". Once they stop believing in Him, they are no longer promised anything, much less salvation.

Jesus makes a similar promise in John 10:27–29: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

The key words: "My sheep", that is believers, again, NOT people who USED TO BELIEVE.

In John 10:28 specifically, Jesus says two things about his followers. First, he says, “no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Second, he says, “they will never perish.” These phrases, taken together, drive home the wonderful promise that those to whom Jesus gives eternal life will never lose that life.

The key words: "His followers", not those who USED TO FOLLOW HIM.

These are just two of the promises given by Jesus regarding eternal security. From these two passages, it seems clear that Jesus understood that those who received eternal life from him would keep that eternal life for all eternity.

The key words: "promises given by Jesus" to who? ONLY to CURRENT BELIEVERS AND FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, not those who fell away from the faith or returned to their vomit like a dog, or returned to their mud like a pig.

 

[Speculator]

Of course that's God's will. But is His will always done? NO! IT'S NOT! God is not WILLING that ANY should perish, but do many perish anyway? Of course they do! So this passage does not guarantee eternal security at all! Aeliana is greatly misinterpreting these verses.

The key words: "everyone who believes in Him". Once they stop believing in Him, they are no longer promised anything, much less salvation.

The key words: "My sheep", that is believers, again, NOT people who USED TO BELIEVE.

The key words: "His followers", not those who USED TO FOLLOW HIM.

The key words: "promises given by Jesus" to who? ONLY to CURRENT BELIEVERS AND FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, not those who fell away from the faith or returned to their vomit like a dog, or returned to their mud like a pig.

Isn't the promise for whoever shall believe? Is pigs returning to their mud in the Bible? I don't think I ever saw that. Definitely never had it preached to me. I know The Sermon on the mount talks about not casting your pearls before Swine.

Here's all I could find about pigs.

Swine. The Hebrew people had nothing to do with pigs, but these animals still received much attention in the Bible. In Psalm 80:13, Israel’s enemies were likened to a “boar out of the woods.” Vicious wild pigs (boars) ranged throughout Canaan. Owners of vineyards hated them, because they devoured grapes and trampled their vines. Dogs and men alike feared their razor-sharp tusks. In modern times, the boar is the largest game animal in Israel.

Domesticated pigs (swine) were also raised in Canaan—by Gentiles or unorthodox Jews. Pigs were ceremonially unclean, supposedly because they did not “chew the cud.” The symbol of greed and filth, pigs symbolized a person’s unredeemed nature (2 Pet. 2:22). Jesus told a story of a prodigal son who really hit bottom when he had to take care of hogs and even eat food intended for them (Luke 15:15–16).

 

[brightfame52]

Indeed, IF we are children of God. Yet, how do we become children of God?
John 1:9-13 says, "This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God."
Notice that it is to those who receive Jesus that He gives the right to become children of God. Even though Jesus made everyone, not everyone is God's child. Yet, what is the condition and what is the result? It does not say that His children will believe in Him, but that those who believe in Him will become His children. These that believe will be born of God.

So IF we become children of God, then we will be joint heirs with Christ, and we become children of God because we believe (not just mental assent, but the exhibition of faith).

Now, the debate that rages around the world is whether we believe because He chose us to believe, or if He chose us because we believe. Both wordings are in Scripture, but from our perspective it is a moot point:
If we do not demonstrate our belief through obedience to Christ, then we are lost and will spend eternity in Hell.
If we do demonstrate our belief through obedience to Christ, then we will be saved and spend eternity in Heaven.
It then is the responsibility of all who believe to preach the Word as if it makes a difference to the listener if he responds or not. Because if he responds then he will be saved.

We are Heirs/Children before we believe, and thats why we believe. Isaac was an Heir before he was born, and he was a type of believer Gal 4:28

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Gen 15:2-4

2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

As Isaac was, all believers were children of promise, heirs, eternally secure

 

[Burdock]

Scripture teaches that believers must persevere until the end, but also that believers will persevere until the end by God’s grace. As the Westminster Assembly concluded, Christians might temporarily yield to Satan’s temptations, even to excess, but like Peter when he denied Christ three times, God will still restore and preserve the faith of the Christian, a faith which God gave in the first place! Peter went on to be chief among the apostles!

Rest assured God will not allow you to lose your salvation. He didn't go to all the trouble to die on a cross to provide it And he's not going to allow us to play around with it. You either have it or you don't. It's not here today and gone tomorrow by the whims of man. If you've made Jesus Lord of your life and you become a Living Sacrifice you are eternally secure whether you know it or not.

 

[dwight92070]

Is the new birth a one time event ?

Was your physical birth a one time event ?

How can the spiritual birth not be a one time event ?

Thanks !

Yes it is. Yes it was. I already said that the spiritual birth is a one time event.
But SALVATION IS NOT! The new birth is the doorway into salvation. Salvation starts there but continues as long as we continue in our faith in and love for Jesus.

Paul said " ... for now salvation is nearer to us THAN WHEN WE FIRST BELIEVED." Romans 13:11 (That is, we are closer to finishing the course.)
2 Corinthians 1:6 "But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort AND SALVATION; (But they were already saved. But their salvation would be encouraged by Paul's example and the comfort God gave him.)
Philippians 1:28 " ... in no way alarmed by your opponents - which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God."
(salvation here is a confident trust in God)
Philippians 2:12 - " ... work out your salvation with fear and trembling ..." (shows how our salvation continues throughout our lives as we trust Jesus)
1 Thessalonians 5:9 - "For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ..." (speaks of a FUTURE salvation)
1 Timothy 4:16 "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this YOU WILL SAVE BOTH YOURSELF AND THOSE WHO HEAR YOU." (But I thought that Timothy was already saved.)
Hebrews 9:28 " ... Christ ... will appear a second time for salvation ..." ( I thought we were already saved)
1 Peter 1:5 " ... who are protected by the power of God through faith FOR A SALVATION ready to be revealed in the last time. (again, a FUTURE salvation)
1 Peter 1:9 " ... obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls (you mean we don't have salvation now?)
1 Peter 2:2 " ... so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation." (So salvation is a process?)

So salvation is a life-long relationship with Jesus - trusting Him, loving Him, obeying Him. It is not ONE event, like the new birth IS.

 

[Doug Brents]

We are Heirs/Children before we believe, and thats why we believe. Isaac was an Heir before he was born, and he was a type of believer Gal 4:28

That is not what Scripture says. We are heirs because we believe (Acts 16:31, 1 Cor 1:21, Heb 10:39, Eph 2:8, and many others).

As Isaac was, all believers were children of promise, heirs, eternally secure

Precisely, ALL BELIEVERS are children of promise. It is the believing that brings about the "becoming a child of God".

 

[civic]

That is not what Scripture says. We are heirs because we believe (Acts 16:31, 1 Cor 1:21, Heb 10:39, Eph 2:8, and many others).

Precisely, ALL BELIEVERS are children of promise. It is the believing that brings about the "becoming a child of God".

Yes faith precedes life, salvation.

 

[Doug Brents]

Scripture teaches that believers must persevere until the end, but also that believers will persevere until the end by God’s grace. As the Westminster Assembly concluded, Christians might temporarily yield to Satan’s temptations, even to excess, but like Peter when he denied Christ three times, God will still restore and preserve the faith of the Christian, a faith which God gave in the first place! Peter went on to be chief among the apostles!

Rest assured God will not allow you to lose your salvation. He didn't go to all the trouble to die on a cross to provide it And he's not going to allow us to play around with it. You either have it or you don't. It's not here today and gone tomorrow by the whims of man. If you've made Jesus Lord of your life and you become a Living Sacrifice you are eternally secure whether you know it or not.

Please look at James 5:19-20 - "My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."
Anyone among you is most certainly someone who was saved.
This person is then called a sinner again.
And that person's soul is destined for death in sin if he were to continue in that sin.

But God does give us people to turn us back to the Narrow Way, if we are willing to heed them.

 

[dwight92070]

Scripture teaches that believers must persevere until the end, but also that believers will persevere until the end by God’s grace.

It does say that believers must persevere - it does not predict that all who claim to be believers will necessarily persevere.

As the Westminster Assembly concluded, Christians might temporarily yield to Satan’s temptations, even to excess, but like Peter when he denied Christ three times, God will still restore and preserve the faith of the Christian, a faith which God gave in the first place!

The Westminster Assembly may have said that, but the Bible doesn't say that. Some Christians have denied Christ and NEVER returned. God doesn't micro-manage your faith - He gave you the free will to use it or not as you choose.

Peter went on to be chief among the apostles!

Rest assured God will not allow you to lose your salvation.

If you choose to NOT abide in Christ, then you yourself lose your salvation.

He didn't go to all the trouble to die on a cross to provide it

Yes He did, but He won't force you to keep it.

And he's not going to allow us to play around with it.

Many have done just that, because He DOES ALLOW us free will.

You either have it or you don't.

"He who has (abides in) the Son has the life; he who does not have (abide in) the Son of God does not have the life." 1 John 5:12

It's not here today and gone tomorrow by the whims of man.

That's exactly why some lose it - the whims and sins of man.

If you've made Jesus Lord of your life and you become a Living Sacrifice you are eternally secure whether you know it or not.

The key word: "IF" and many have MADE (past tense) Jesus Lord of their life, some have even become a living sacrifice for a period of time. But IF they don't continue in faith in Jesus until death - it's of no value whatsoever.

 

[dwight92070]

Please look at James 5:19-20 - "My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."
Anyone among you is most certainly someone who was saved.
This person is then called a sinner again.
And that person's soul is destined for death in sin if he were to continue in that sin.

But God does give us people to turn us back to the Narrow Way, if we are willing to heed them.

Amen Doug. You're speaking the truth!

 

[Doug Brents]

But IF they don't continue in faith in Jesus until death - it's of no value whatsoever.

It is actually worse for them, because they, in eternity, will know that they had life in their hands but they gave it up and will suffer eternal death instead (2 Pet 2:20).

 

[Anja]

So salvation is a life-long relationship with Jesus - trusting Him, loving Him, obeying Him. It is not ONE event, like the new birth IS.

The new birth is the start of a ongoing process of the gift of salvation. God never takes back that gift.

Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:3, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” He was speaking to all of us when he said that. Nicodemus was not a special case. You and I must be born again, or we will not see the kingdom of God. That means we will not be saved; we will not be part of God’s family, and not go to heaven, but instead will go to hell.

Jesus explained that this new birth is not physical, but spiritual. The new birth that we must experience in order to “see the kingdom of God” is a work of the Holy Spirit. Just as a mother does all the work in physical birth, so the Holy Spirit does all the work in the new birth. Upon our faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit enters our spirits, regenerates us, and begins His work of transforming us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are born again.

Then there is a lifetime transformation found in sanctification.

 

[Anja]

We will persevere because God preserves us. God will keep us from falling—not one will be lost of all those who belong to the Son. True believers are not able to leave Christ, for Christ is at work within them.

John 6:38–40
For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me.
39 And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day.
40 For this is My Father’s will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.

John 10:28–29
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.
29 My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand.

Romans 8:28–39
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
29 For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

Philippians 1:4–6
In every prayer of mine I always make my entreaty and petition for you all with joy (delight).
5 [I thank my God] for your fellowship (your sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now.
6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

Philippians 2:12–13
Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

1 John 2:19
They went out from our number, but they did not [really] belong to us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But [they withdrew] that it might be plain that they all are not of us.

So can professing Christians fall away? Yes, and they will perish. Can true Christians fall away? No, for they are kept by the invincible power of God in Christ. The Bible teaches us that professing Christians who leave the faith were never truly believers.

Notice the qualification even in Hebrews 10:39
But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul.

 

[dwight92070]

We are Heirs/Children before we believe, and thats why we believe. Isaac was an Heir before he was born, and he was a type of believer Gal 4:28

It appears that God predestined Isaac to be the "child of promise" for Abraham and Sarah. But that says nothing about his personal salvation. God did not MAKE him a man of faith. He had to choose whether he to put his faith in God or not. It appears that he made the right choice.
We must BELIEVE FIRST before we can be the children of promise of the children of Abraham. With God, FAITH always PRECEDES Sonship.

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Yes, IF we choose the faith in God that Abraham did.

Gen 15:2-4

2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

As Isaac was, all believers were children of promise, heirs, eternally secure

The only reason Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob could be eternally secure, is that they DECIDED TO PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD UNTIL DEATH - and they followed through until death.
None of them were chosen to be saved, they were chosen to be the origin of the nation of Israel and the line of the Messiah. They each had to personally choose whether they would put their faith in God or not. It appears that they all made the right choice. God did not MAKE them willing, that was their choice.

 

[dwight92070]

We will persevere because God preserves us. God will keep us from falling—not one will be lost of all those who belong to the Son. True believers are not able to leave Christ, for Christ is at work within them.

John 6:38–40
For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me.
39 And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day.
40 For this is My Father’s will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.

John 10:28–29
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.
29 My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand.

Romans 8:28–39
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
29 For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

Philippians 1:4–6
In every prayer of mine I always make my entreaty and petition for you all with joy (delight).
5 [I thank my God] for your fellowship (your sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now.
6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

Philippians 2:12–13
Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

1 John 2:19
They went out from our number, but they did not [really] belong to us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But [they withdrew] that it might be plain that they all are not of us.

So can professing Christians fall away? Yes, and they will perish. Can true Christians fall away? No, for they are kept by the invincible power of God in Christ. The Bible teaches us that professing Christians who leave the faith were never truly believers.

No it doesn't. Can you give me the scripture that teaches that? I agree that SOME fall into that category, but where does the Bible teach that ALL professing Christians who leave the faith were never truly believers. It's NOT in the Bible. That is a teaching of John Calvin and others, not the Bible.

Notice the qualification even in Hebrews 10:39
But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed,

So even this verses itself acknowledge that SOME DO DRAW BACK TO ETERNAL MISERY AND ARE UTTERLY DESTROYED. EVEN VERSE 38 ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SOME "SHRINK BACK".

but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul.

 

[dwight92070]

We will persevere because God preserves us. God will keep us from falling—not one will be lost of all those who belong to the Son. True believers are not able to leave Christ, for Christ is at work within them.

So they are FORCED to stay with Christ? They lose their FREE WILL? Where does the Bible say that? Nowhere.

John 6:38–40
For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me.
39 And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day.
40 For this is My Father’s will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.

John 10:28–29
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.
29 My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand.

Romans 8:28–39
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
29 For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

Philippians 1:4–6
In every prayer of mine I always make my entreaty and petition for you all with joy (delight).
5 [I thank my God] for your fellowship (your sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now.
6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

Philippians 2:12–13
Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

1 John 2:19
They went out from our number, but they did not [really] belong to us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But [they withdrew] that it might be plain that they all are not of us.

So can professing Christians fall away? Yes, and they will perish. Can true Christians fall away? No, for they are kept by the invincible power of God in Christ. The Bible teaches us that professing Christians who leave the faith were never truly believers.

Notice the qualification even in Hebrews 10:39
But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery (perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul.

 

[Anja]

So they are FORCED to stay with Christ? They lose their FREE WILL? Where does the Bible say that? Nowhere.

Who said anything about Forced? Who said anything about losing free will? Where did you see that in my post? Nowhere. A True Believer obeys Christ out of love Willingly. Force involves fear. "Where God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears." 1 John 4:18

Try Rebuking the scriptures I posted. Tell me how those show you can lose your salvation.

 

[dwight92070]

Bright, I have earned a thousand dollars, and it is a gift to you. If you come to Atlanta, GA in the next 5 hours you can spend it any way you like.

Now, I have fulfilled all the conditions for you to own this money: I have earned it, I have designated it as yours, and it is ready for you. But you do not have possession of it, and will not unless you meet the conditions I have set for you to receive it. This is the position you are in with God. He has paid for your salvation and designated it for you. But you have not received it until you obey Him. This comes directly from Scripture, and is my last word on this subject with you.

Yes, that is correct. Salvation is a gift of God, but there are conditions to receive it, and those conditions must be met until we die.

 

[Handaan]

Love and logic. If you were to ask most people, they’d tell you that one often precludes the other. Logic is all about the mind. Love is all about the heart. Logic is about reason. Love is about relationships. Logic is concerned with principles whereas love is all about passion.

Salvation is all about love. John 3:16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

I like that.... believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) If you really believe you keep On Believing. Once you have Jesus in your life and you look back and realize how messed up your life was before you came to Christ you would never want to leave him. That's love.

Now logic on the other hand is always looking for a loophole. You can keep your logic I'll take the love of Christ any day.

This topic is so practical and helpful to think about because of what it reveals about God. This doctrine is a window into the heart of our heavenly Father. This truth pulls back the curtain on the mystery of God’s ways and shines a light into the depths of how he thinks and feels and what his purposes are for you and me.

And nowhere is this better seen than in Romans 5:6–11:
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

The point of the apostle here is that our hope is as secure as God’s love is sincere. We are secure in our salvation as long as God loves us. But what if God should stop loving us? What if something should happen to diminish his passion for his people? Paul’s purpose in the above verses is to prove that such A thing will never happen. God's the author and the finisher of our faith.

I know the works salvation folks want to have their hand in it somehow someway, sorry it's not the way it works. We love him because he first loved us and love never fails.