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Most who believe OSAS/eternal security are not honestly seeking to apprehend and embrace the truth, they’re looking to justify a mere cliché which actually, blatantly contradicts what’s in black and white in the Bible, God’s Word.

Is salvation a “one and done”?

Recently, a firestorm erupted and continued for days on end, around the clock, when I made a brief statement on social media concerning the teaching of Jesus and His apostles concerning the necessity of abiding, continuing in Christ, and enduring to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Luke 21:19; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; Revelation 2-3, etc.).

Also recently, a meme was posted containing who Jesus’ disciples are in Him, our salvation. These points were stated from an eternal security/OSAS (Once Saved Always Saved) perspective. Of the list of 20 benefits of being “in Christ,” the list contained 3 popular heresies or points that needed clarification. Here they are in the exact wording of the meme:

1. “You Possess Eternal Life”

Yes when Jesus saves a person, they presently possess eternal life (John 6:47). The error though is to teach against Holy Scripture by saying that the now saved person cannot ever lose his place with God. There is heresy. Never mind the un-scriptural clichés, it’s simply not biblical.

Here’s yet another Bible verse intentionally taken out of context and misconstrued by eternal securists:

“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” Hebrews 5:9

“Eternal salvation” is promised “unto all them that obey him;” (Hebrews 5:9) Initial and ongoing “obedience to the faith” is required to be in eternal glory with Christ (Romans 1:5). Though eternal life is eternal, the possession of it is not necessarily eternal, is not un-forfeitable. Such can and will be lost if the recipient does not continue, does not abide (remain) in Christ to the end of his life on earth (Luke 8:13; Matthew 25:1-13, etc.). Jesus and His holy apostles taught that after initial salvation, enduring to the end of one’s life is essential to final salvation (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 25:1-13; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Revelation 2:26; 3:5, etc.).

OSAS/eternal security wolves teach a no-personal-responsibility, antinomian, law-less doctrine of “lasciviousness”, just as Jude warned us (Jude 4). “lasciviousness” = license to live in sin.

Seems to me that in “grace” circles grace itself is deified instead of the One who alone granted that grace?

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

Our identity, our salvation is first and foremost in CHRIST JESUS Himself and not in the grace He brought and provided via His death on the cross! First things first! Keeping the main thing the main thing! (1 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 2:20; 6:14; Hebrews 2:9)

Profile of the typical eternal securist: They want no part of personal responsibility to literally obey God’s Word (Matthew 7:21; 1 John 2:4, etc.).

OSAS people are those who want the guarantee that they are going to Heaven no matter how they live on earth. Jesus gave no such guarantee. This is the band of moral cowards who refuse any real accountability or personal responsibility. They force a lie on God’s Word, manipulating it, taking it out of context to say that they are “eternally secure” without following, worshiping, remaining in fellowship with, and obeying Jesus ON HIS STATED TERMS to the end of their life on earth. These are the vilest of snakes in the church world today of which Jude specifically warned us about (Jude 4). BEWARE.

2. “You are forgiven of all your sins”

Yes, initially and yet, many falsely teach that all past, present, and future sins of the initially saved person are automatically forgiven. That would mean that the now saved person has no personal responsibility to continue with Christ, to abide in Christ, to obey Christ, and to endure to the end. That’s an absolute heresy which has damned the souls of many.

According to Holy Scripture, present and future sins are forgiven as the believer confesses them, acknowledges, and approaches the throne of God’s grace where Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father making intercession for His saints (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26; 1 John 1:6-2:2).

There is no “one and done” in Christ’s kingdom! Receiving salvation initially is where our walk with Him begins and yet it’s a lifelong relationship, experience, and not a one-time event. It’s the false teachers who peddle OSAS and paint that “one and done” picture. these wolves are guilty of the damnation of many (2 Peter 2:1-3). They teach people to play upon, to abuse, to presume upon the good grace of god, “ungodly men” who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (license to sin). (Romans 6:1-2; Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 2:16; Jude 4).

Any person who’s been saved and continues in sin, will forfeit the saving grace of Christ until and only if he repents – before it’s too late. Paul asks this very question and answers it in profound fashion:

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2

Sin separates men from God – regardless of their past place with Him. There was no sin when God made man. There was perfect relationship between God and Adam/Eve until SATAN told them they would not be separated from God if they sinned against Him (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).

The wages of sin is still death – separation from He who is “Holy, holy, holy” and any person who tells you differently than God has told us, is absolutely an agent of Satan (Isaiah 6:3; Romans 6:23; Revelation 4:8).

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 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; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” Hebrews 12:14-17

Jesus came and died for the purpose of providing His grace to free, to deliver His beloved people from “ALL iniquity” and not just some iniquity (Titus 2:11-14).

God is always able and desires to deliver and will do so as we submit to HIS terms, HIS will, HIS Word.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”  Romans 6:14

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Honest people who’ve been poisoned by wolves with the OSAS teaching, when they read God’s Word for themselves, will see this heresy for what it is – a doctrine of devils (Luke 8:13, 15; 1 Timothy 4:1-2).

The eternal securist, and the calvinist migrate to these flesh-flattering lies because he wants an excuse to dismiss his sin instead of dealing with it the only way God’s Word prescribes – through the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.).

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

The forgiveness of present and future sins is contingent upon the abiding walk of the once saved person. He must remain in Christ to continue to receive divine forgiveness.

Romans speaks specifically of the “sins that are past” and not present and future sins. God had all the opportunity in the world to use the words “past, present, and future” here and He didn’t.

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” Romans 3:25

Present and future sins are forgiven as the divinely stated conditions of repentance and confession of sin are adhered to.

“IF”

“But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

IF we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house we are, IF WE HOLD FAST THE CONFIDENCE and the rejoicing of the hope FIRM UNTO THE END.” Hebrews 3:6 

“For we are made partakers of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence (obedient faith) stedfast UNTO THE END.” Hebrews 3:14

“And you…hath he reconciled (saved)…to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: IF you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel…” Colossians 1:21-23

We see here in Colossians 1 that it is possible for those who have been “reconciled” to be “moved away” from eternal life, which is “the hope of the gospel.”

The eternal securist is willingly indoctrinated and intentionally, deceitfully selective in the way he interprets Scripture. Beware.

In Romans 11 Paul warned non-Jewish believers to take heed to what God did to His own covenant people who rebelled against Him:

“Be not highminded, but FEAR: For IF God spared not the natural branches (Israel), take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold (take hold of) therefore the goodness AND severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, IF THOU CONTINUE in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be CUT OFF.” Romans 11:20-22

“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 2:20-22

The eternal securists are dishonest and therefore love the “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” promise yet act like “if we deny him, he also will deny us” isn’t in the Bible (Hebrews 13:5; 2 Timothy 2:12). Eternal securists hate conditions because they wish to live as they wish and still vainly believe they are saved and going to Heaven, no matter what.

“IF” AND “AGAIN”: Death Nails to OSAS/Eternal Security

3. “You are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption”

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto (not until) the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

The eternal security deception, as usual is heresy, biblical truth that is twisted by Satan and his human agents. Notice that they use the word “until” but the Bible used the word “unto.” “Unto” denotes what Scripture consistently conveys – that born again believers are saved, are being saved, and will finally be saved – AS they “abide” to the end with and in Christ on HIS terms:

The Greek word for “unto” in Ephesians 4:30 and its definition is interesting, and telling:

A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.) concerning, + continual, to the intent that, perish, throughout, till, to (be, the end, -ward), expressing motion

Eternal securists are famous for ignoring boat loads of Holy Scripture. This is moral cowardice.

“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.” John 15:6

WHAT’S BEHIND THE BELIEF IN OSAS? OSAS is for weak, moral cowards who refuse to truly repent, lay down their life in this sinful world, take up the cross, and follow Jesus for real. Hell awaits (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

When you expose the lie of OSAS, those who hide behind this heresy for a security blanket become highly enraged. The demons behind this teaching now possess them and become hyper-indignant (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Eternal securists are intentionally dishonest with Holy Writ. Yes they will ignore and don’t even care to know the words of Jesus above and yet, they hold to the words of Jesus in John 10, just 5 chapters earlier. They take this John 10:28-29 promise out of its context by ignoring verse 27 which is the condition Jesus gives, the qualifier. Notice:

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29

Notice that Jesus first qualifies who this promise (vv. 28-29) applies to – “My sheep” and what do His sheep presently do? They “hear my voice (present tense), and I know them, and they follow me.”

The Twisting of John 10:28-29 by Eternal Securists

The eternal securist simply does not want to truly obey Jesus by denying the self-life, living a crucified life in this sinful world, and therefore rejects the biblical truth of a conditional, not unconditional, eternal security.

Believing the heresy of eternal security/OSAS is your ticket to being lukewarm and rejected by Christ (Revelation 3:15-16).

Enduring to the end of one’s life is essential to final salvation into glory. To say otherwise is to call the Son of God and His apostles liars and false teachers (Matthew 10:22; 24:13, etc.). An Explosive Look at what “Sealed” means and what it does not mean.

Lie of the Ages [book] 

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2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. A. Christian

    March 10, 2025 at 5:51 pm

    Liar and slanderer.

  2. Todd

    March 10, 2025 at 10:55 pm

    Those demons that control your life presently are upset for sure. The truth of God is over the target. Repent for real, sinner, lay down your life in this fleeting world, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus. If not your will continue to be a mere pretender and no authentic. For now you are a moral coward searching for ways to excuse your sin.

    Read 1 John 3 if you have the guts. “Faith” that does not result in an obedient life is a lie.

    The apostle Paul, the divinely inspired grace teacher, stated here in our theme verse (please re-read Titus 2:11-12 above) that when God’s grace is genuinely at work in a person, that person is being taught and learning certain things. Let’s go to the divine source, God’s Word, to discover what these things are:

    According to Titus 2:11-12, just what does God’s grace teach one who possesses it?

    To “deny ungodliness…in this present world”
    To “deny…worldly lusts…in this present world”
    To “live soberly…in this present world”
    To “live…righteously…in this present world”
    To live “godly, in this present world”

    If a person claims to be saved (secure for Heaven) and yet is not “denying ungodliness” and “worldly lusts…living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world,” he is simply deluded. See also Matthew 7:21; Titus 1:16; James 1:22; 4:4 and 1 John 2:3-6.

    Unrepentant rebels who claim to be saved lack the discernment and ability to rightly divide the word of God because they refuse to turn their hearts over to the LORD – 2 Corinthians 3:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. OSAS dupes reject the mountains of Scripture that teach a conditional eternal security because they simply do not want to repent and lay down their lives in this sinful world.

    The Correlation of Grace and Good Works [podcast]
    https://safeguardyoursoul.com/the-correlation-of-grace-and-good-works/

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Abiding

Man Shall not Live by Bread Alone [podcast]


“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2

Spiritual growth occurs when we ingest the words of God, embrace, incorporate, and walk them out.

“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12

The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”Psalms 33:11

The graphic message below is from a dear sister in Christ named Cassandra, on SubStack:

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, thank You for finding and forgiving me and saving me into Your eternal family. Help me realize the utter importance of feeding on Your Word daily. I love You dear LORD Jesus. Help me to love You more LORD. Help me to feed, to nourish the members of Your body with Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Abiding

The Prayer Life of Jesus [podcast]


Prayer is communion, communing with God. Those who earnestly seek God in prayer, who earnestly seek to know Him and to fulfill His will for their temporary lives in this world…. will glorify Him here and to be with Him eternally.

What do we learn from the prayer life of our LORD Jesus?

“Luke 5:16 PRAYERS OF JESUS. Luke stresses more than the other gospels the place of prayer in the life and work of Jesus. When the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at the Jordan, He was ‘praying’ (3:21), at times He withdrew from the multitudes ‘and prayed (5:16);  ‘and He continued all night in prayer before choosing the twelve disciples (6:12). He was ‘alone praying’ before He asked His disciples an important question (9:18); at His transfiguration He climbed the mountain ‘to pray’ (9:28); the actual transfiguration occurred while ‘he prayed’ (9:29); and He ‘was praying’ just before He taught the disciple’s the Lord’s Prayer (11:1). In Gethsemane He ‘prayed more earnestly’ (22:44); on the cross He prayed for others (23:34); and His last words uttered before His death were a prayer (23:46). Luke also mentions that He prayed after His resurrection (24:30).

In examining the life of Jesus in the other Gospels, we note that He prayed before extending the invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labour …’ (Mat. 11:25-28); He prayed at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:41-42), for Peter (Luke 22:32), and during the institution of the Lord’s Supper (John 17).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible

“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23

“14:23 PRAY ALONE. While on earth, Jesus often sought time to be alone with God (cf. Mark 1:35; 6:46; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18; 22:41-42; Heb. 5:7). Time alone with God is essential to the spiritual well-being of every believer. We must continually remember that the lack of desire for solitary prayer to our heavenly Father is an unmistakable sign that the spiritual life within us is in a process of decline. If this is happening, we must turn from all that offends the Lord and renew our commitment to persevere in seeking God and His saving grace.” Life in the Spirit Study Bible

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” Luke 18:1

“18:1 MEN OUGHT ALWAYS TO PRAY. Jesus was frequently concerned that His followers pray continually in order to accomplish God’s will for their lives. From this parable of the widow who persevered we learn several things; (1) We must persevere in prayer with regard to all matters until Jesus returns (vv 7-8; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17). (2) In this life we have an adversary (v. 3), Satan (1 Pet. 5:8). Prayer can protect us from the evil one (Mat. 6:13). (3) In our prayers we should cry out against sin and for justice (v 7). (4) Persistent prayer is counted as faith (v. 8). (5) In the final days before the return of Christ, there will be increased diabolical opposition to the prayers of the faithful (1 Tim. 4:1). Because of Satan and the pleasures of the world many will cease having a persistent prayer life (8:14; Mat. 13:22; Mark 4:19).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible

SUMMATION you might ask?

Following Jesus by living a life of prayer with the Father and Himself – living your life in complete submission to and dependency upon the LORD …. daily declaring with John the Baptist that “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Be persistent. Be relentless – in praying, communing with your God!

Read aloud, begin to memorize and live out:

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

Prayer

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Articles

IS DOUBTING YOUR SALVATION ALWAYS A BAD THING? [podcast]


Making Sure We are Truly Saved While We Still Can

Obviously, the assurance of salvation should concern each and every one of us.

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

Notice if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” Note that those who honestly assess and amend their ways in the LORD will not be judged with the wicked. Those who don’t, will be. They will fall away and not endure to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21, etc.).

Are you judging yourself, testing and discerning your life against Holy Scripture?

“Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” Proverbs 28:5

Counterfeits refuse to judge their actual fruit, their lives. They want the assurance of eternal glory with no responsibility of actual repentance and an abiding, obedient relationship with the Savior they claim. They want the crown without the cross. They do not wish to be bothered with truly engaging in an abiding relationship with Jesus on His stated terms but rather seek to use Him to get them out of hell. Jesus tells all who’ve been saved that abiding, remaining in Him to the end of their lives is essential to eternity with Him (John 15:6, etc.).

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Is believing the biblical truth that a saved person can backslide, fall away, and forfeit their place with God (lose salvation) a bad thing? No. It’s only a bad thing in the minds of those who want to live on their own depraved, self-serving terms while deluding themselves into thinking they are going to God’s holy Heaven.

WHY are we so afraid of doubting if we are truly saved – born again AND presently abiding in Christ? (John 15:1-6). It will be too late when we die which could be today. Think about this. NOW is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2) and so today is the day to honestly examine ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:31-32; 2 Corinthians 13:5). Please read the LORD’s book of Ezekiel. You will discover many divine treasures in this magnificent volume. Share this message if you wish to help others.

“A disciplined conscience is a man’s best friend. It may not be his most amiable, but it is his most faithful monitor.” Austin Phelps

LORD Jesus, please grant me the Holy Fear of God!” should be the daily prayer of every true saint.

“Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalms 86:11

I told someone recently that I love listening to a preacher or reading Scripture that can make me doubt my salvation because it further quickens my spirit in the fear of God to scamper to the feet of Jesus afresh.

Assurance of salvation and how it possesses the authentic disciple and not the counterfeit.

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” 1 John 3:19-21

As we see in the passage above, assurance of salvation fills the hearts of all born again believers are who working out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13 

There are conditions the LORD requires to procure and walk in His blessings.

Assurance of salvation is biblical. Eternal security is not. The idea that one is eternally secure no matter what they do after being saved, is a lie from hell. Jesus told us that among those He saves, any who don’t abide, continue with Him, will be cast into the fire (John 15:6).

The lack of a clear conscience, the lack of assurance in one’s heart, is due to the lack of present abiding, obedience. All who are Christ’s and presently abiding, are filled with the assurance of His salvation. Read John 15.

Wolves among us, when addressing assurance, nearly never speak of the personal responsibility God gives to all He saves – to obey Him (John 14:15, 21-23, etc.). When one lacks assurance, it’s only because they have chosen to lack obeying the Savior (2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Jude 3-4).

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22

WHAT ABOUT WHEN SOMEONE ELSE DOUBTS THAT YOU ARE TRULY SAVED?

When a true believer in Jesus Christ questions someone’s salvation, it is in no way to be rude, but rather out of godly concern. Jesus told us to “know” (discern) people “by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16, 20). Good “fruit” (produce) can only come forth from the born again, abiding disciple of Jesus. Good fruit comes forth from a real relationship with Christ (John 15). One must know Him and that begins at the moment of true repentance and faith (Acts 20:21).

If the overall fruit of someone’s life is not that which the Bible teaches is consistent with truly knowing Jesus and having been regenerated, then there should be concern.

There are some among us who violently object to doubting someone’s salvation, Yet, based on the biblical mandate to “know” (discern) others “by their fruits,” this will happen at times (Matthew 7:16, 20). When a professing Christian’s salvation is doubted based upon lack of good fruit to prove it, some become irate with a “How dare you doubt my/that person’s salvation! Just who are you to do such a thing!?”  But wait a minute – didn’t Jesus instruct us to “know” others based on their “fruits”? (Matthew 7:16, 20).  And if there are no counterfeits who pose as Christ’s people, why did Jesus say that there are chaff among the wheat? (Matthew 13). Yes He did and so why are we surprised if some of those around us are found to be lost even though they think they are saved? And yes the chaff are going to be separated by the angels in the end but for now Jesus told us to discern (to distinguish between) or to “know” them “by their fruits” and that’s done by fruit inspection.

One man said that he believed that over 90% of church goers in America have never been genuinely born again as we “must be” in order to be brought into God’s kingdom (John 3:3, 7).

Repentance is where and when regeneration happens. In the modern church world, such a foundational biblical doctrine is rarely mentioned much less preached or correctly taught to define what it is and bring conviction to the hearers. In the vast majority of churches today, salvation is never or seldom presented. So how can the sinner respond in repentance and be saved? Is it any wonder so few are saved? People are rarely if ever called to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ today as they were publicly called to do by the apostles of Jesus (Acts 2:38; 3:19).

There are some people who hang around with the Christian body that I just never got a peace about. There doesn’t seem to be the presence of the divine Person of the Holy Spirit and therefore the fruit He alone can produce is absent (Galatians 5:22-23). One must be born again and given a new nature by the LORD or we are not His. When this conversion takes place, there will be good fruit (Matthew 3:7-10).

Should we float people all the way into hell instead of helping make sure they have truly repented and been born again? Is that love or hatred?

If someone questions our salvation, how should we react? How about this way: “Well, thank you for being concerned about my eternal soul. I am open and willing to investigate (biblically) the possibility that I may not have truly repented (laid down my life) and placed my faith in Jesus Christ. Or, since He saved me in the past, perhaps I have backslidden and no longer know Him due to allowing sin in my life.”

HONEST CONCERN VERSUS CRUEL CONDEMNATION

There are going to be children of the enemy that will come in and attempt to confuse and to derail you by doubting that you are saved. They do this to bring “confusion and every evil work” instead of “godly edifying” (James 3:16; 1 Timothy 1:4).

David, the man after God’s own heart, was often persecuted by the wicked, his place with God being the central attack of the enemy.

“My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? … As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?” Psalms 42:3, 10

Those who are His have the “witness” of His Spirit in them:

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16

Why are you bothered when someone else doubts your salvation? Do you have the bearing witness of the Holy Spirit as a witness in your heart? (Romans 8:16). If you are assured by God (not self or mere man) of your salvation, why would you be concerned if someone else doubted it? Can you say with Paul “nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”? (2 Timothy 1:12). Did God not say that we who have and are believing the record He gave of His Son have HIS “witness” within us?

“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:9-13

David told us that our “sentence” comes from the LORD Himself not man:

“Let my sentence (verdict) come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.” Psalms 17:2

The Hebrew word that is translated “sentence” here means: act of deciding a case, decision, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable), sentence of formal decree.

By reason of creation, God Himself is the only One who can determine judicially that one is righteous or unrighteous, just or unjust, justified or not justified. The Almighty is the only One qualified to sentence any individual to Heaven or hell. Either He approves of us or He disapproves of us (Ezekiel 18:4).

“STRONG CONFIDENCE”

“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27

The key to having “strong confidence” and escaping “the snares of death,” is fearing God.

God’s Word tells us that “The fear of the Lord is clean” (Psalms 19:9). The heart that truly fears God is made “clean” from any doubt and has full and “strong confidence” or assurance and strength of conviction.

The key is being with Jesus – being in Christ. Jesus told us that those who are “with” Him are His and all others are “against” Him (Matthew 12:30). The whole of Holy Scripture is the very testimony of God and we can plainly observe that being presently and truly “in Christ” is the determining factor.

The Father spoke from Heaven audibly, declaring of Christ, “This is my beloved Son, iwhom I awell pleased” (Matthew 3:17). ALL who are presently in Christ, are well pleasing to God – justified, sentenced and declared righteous. Justification, to be declared righteous by God, is always “by faith” (Romans 3:21-5:17; Hebrews 11:4-7).

Ultimately, your “sentence” or sentencing comes forth from God alone who is the only Judge of your eternal soul. In light of this, Paul writes:

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34

According to the whole counsel of God’s Word, believers in Jesus Christ – those who genuinely turn to God in repentance, placing their faith in Jesus Christ – have been shown mercy by God. This gift of eternal life was made possible through the finished and perfect work of the One sinless, perfect Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who bled on the cross, was buried, and rose again from the dead. He is “the Son of God with power.”

“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” Romans 1:4

Being rooted and grounded in God’s love is so very important to being “sound in the faith,” having a “sound heart” and a “sound mind” (Proverbs 14:30; 2 Timothy 1:7; Titus 1:13). This all comes from learning and believing “sound doctrine” (Titus 1:9; 2:1).

GOING DEEP

Heeding the apostle Paul’s exhortation to all those whom the LORD has saved, is essential to an ever-deepening, abiding, assured place with the LORD.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

Only going on to perfection (spiritual maturity) by learning and obeying the truth of God can make one free from doubting that He is God’s child (Hebrews 5:11-6:3).

“As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:30-32, 36

As the born again disciple of Christ continues to walk in the light of truth with Jesus, He is kept in Christ and assured of salvation.

“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7

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