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IS Salvation ETERNAL?

Hebrews 5:9 – “Eternal Salvation”

“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation UNTO ALL THEM THAT OBEY HIM.” Hebrews 5:9

IS Salvation ETERNAL? Is the possession of eternal life eternal, or can it be forfeited?

The proponent of “once truly saved always saved” surmises that “eternal salvation” means that the salvation God grants brings upon the recipient an eternally fixed state of justification. But this violates other known truths and so cannot be concluded by the honest student of Scripture. There is no argument that salvation is eternal, but is it a possession that can be forfeited? What condition does God put upon men to receive and keep His “so great salvation”? (Heb. 2:3) Did you notice in Hebrews 5:9 that it is “unto all them that obey him” that He grants “eternal salvation?” Salvation is eternal, yet not an un-forfeitable possession. “Eternal salvation” is only promised to “them that obey him.” This would include faith and obedience to the end of one’s life (Matt. 7:21, 10:22; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; Revelation 2:26).

“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26

Jesus told His own 12 that they must “endure to the end” to be saved – final salvation (Matthew 10:22; 24:13). Christ also taught that people could believe (be saved) and then “fall away.” (Luke 8:12-13) Such is possible, otherwise Jesus would never have spoken such words.

While eternal life is eternal, the possession of eternal life is not eternal but rather conditional. Saving faith to the end which always produces Obedience, is the divinely given condition.

In the context of believing unto salvation and being saved, Jesus Christ invented the term “fall away” and so we know such is possible.

“They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” Luke 8:13

Some believe that because Jesus died once for man, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice, that this automatically cements the saved person into a state of irrevocable grace and salvation. Paul destroys this argument in Romans 11:19-23 when he tells us that the Jews who were chosen and made God’s covenant people, were “cut off” from Him. The LORD told us in Jeremiah 3:8 that God divorced His own people for their sin.

The inspired writer of Hebrews said more about the finished and completely sufficient work of Christ to redeem men than any other Bible writer, yet this same book contains numerous warnings concerning slipping, falling away and losing out on eternity in Heaven with Christ for departing from the LORD (Heb. 2:2-3; 3:6, 12-15; 6:4-6; 10:26-39; 12:14-15). So, Christ’s finished and perfect work of salvation for mankind does not automatically mean that one who initially partakes of this gift of salvation is forced to remain in it. In the face of volumes of Scripture truth, the Calvinist ardently seeks to force man’s will out of the picture, yet in God’s economy men have the ongoing choice to love and serve Him or not to. The personal decision of the individual is pivotal and will determine his eternal home (Rom. 6:16).

The finished work of Christ is a foundational truth of Christianity, but His accomplishment does not arbitrarily guarantee the final salvation of the individual believer. Christ’s perfect and completed work to save mankind does not change the God-given free will of each human being.

The OSAS counterfeits selectively choose the Bible truths they will observe and those they reject, ignore. Notice that they never mention the original Gospel necessity of repentance, true saving faith which always produce the fruit of good works, denying self, holiness, fearing God, the daily cross, laying down and losing ones life, etc. Yet they run around arguing that they are “once saved always saved” and “eternally secure.”

“My Sin Cannot Separate me from God!”

First of all, this statement is a brazen and blatant attack against the one true God who is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isa. 6:3) How audaciously pompous to imagine that He who is holy is going to receive and keep one who retains the stain of sin after all Christ did to remove it all!

The LORD told His own covenant people:

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2

Sin separates man from God and must be repented of for fellowship to be restored (1 Jn. 1:6-10). This is the most basic fact of Scripture. To ignore such is to deny the mission and need for Jesus Christ to come to the earth (Matt. 1:21; Jn. 1:29).

Did Adam and Eve have perfect fellowship with God before the fall? Obviously. What broke that fellowship? Sin. Were they automatically forgiven and restored? No. They had to receive the redemption that the LORD provided as a prefiguring of the blood of Christ to be shed (Gen. 3:21). Without the shedding of life blood can be no forgiveness or protection from the wrath of God and without repentance there is no contact with the divine blood and grace (Lev. 17:11; Rom. 5:9; Heb. 9:22).

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21

The eternal security proponent will say “Everlasting life is everlasting … eternal life is eternal … eternal life can never end. It is everlasting regardless of the believer’s behavior.”

Is this biblical?

In response to this position, Jeff Paton says: “Regardless of behavior? This is rank antinomianism! (lawlessness) It renders all exhortations to holiness in the Scriptures to be absolutely useless.”

The unconditional eternal security proponent will also suppose that according to 1 Peter 1:4 that “Salvation (the inheritance of it) is incorruptible…No one can corrupt something God has made incorruptible.” But they don’t seem to acknowledge the very next words in the next verse. Let’s take a look at both verses together:

“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:4-5

What is the prerequisite for receiving this “inheritance incorruptible” and being “kept” to receive it? “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation…” We are kept “through faith” which is volitional and never forced upon any soul. Those who endure in faithfulness to the LORD will receive this glorious “inheritance incorruptible.”

Of this topic, Jeff Paton says “Thank God that the inheritance is imperishable! We know that it will be there for genuine believers! But don’t miss it! It is there through faith, (v.5) not unbelief! The inheritance is incorruptible, not our possession of it!”

Like Adam, Lucifer was in perfect union with God until they chose to sin and at that point were “cut off” from the LORD as was Israel when she rebelled (Romans 11:20-22). God gave His creation free will and is “Holy, holy, holy” and when one rebels, He ejects them ultimately (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). It’s amazing how some act like the Almighty has no ability to reject someone who rebels when HIS-story paints of far different picture. Remember what we read about God cutting off His own covenant people?

“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold 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

Having the Son of God doesn’t mean one can’t “depart” from the Son and “fall away” both of which the Bible specifically states are possible (Luke 8:13; Galatians 5:4; 1 Timothy 4:1). Eternal securists have been taught to isolate a few verses and hyper-interpret, read into the word eternal and to ignore all other Scripture that doesn’t buy into that “can’t lose it” heresy. If being removed from Christ’s kingdom is impossible, please explain why Paul warns Gentile New Testament believers of how God “cut off” Israel, His own people, and how He will “cut off” any Gentile believer who doesn’t continue in the LORD. Why would the Holy Spirit have given such a warning, if being “cut off” from the LORD after knowing Him wasn’t possible?

**Did Jesus come to save us in or from our sins?**

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people FROM their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Why do lists of soul-damning sins appear in the New Testament canon? If ones eternal life were not in jeopardy if he were to live in sin, why were these sins cited to believers? Why do these passages end with the warning that no one living in these sins will inherit eternal life? See Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Revelation 21:8, 27.

IF you teach “eternal security” – words nor concept that appear in Scripture – the Bible specifically says you are an “ungodly man” – Jude 4 … you are perverting the grace of God, making it a license for sin, denying that it / He has the full power in the life of one of His own to cause them to overcome – Titus 2:11-12.

OSAS is the sin-justifying heresy which excuses the delusional ones who espouse it from true repentance and forsaking sin (Proverbs 28:13).

“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

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

IF you are teaching Satan’s OSAS lie, it proves you are His, not Christ’s-repent devil – Genesis 2:17; 3:4.

OSAS is a doctrine of devils peddled by grace-perverting frauds whom we are divinely mandated to “earnestly contend” against (Jude 3-4).

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Accounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] | Eternal Security Exposed | Sealed?