By John Wesley
(text from the 1872 edition – Thomas Jackson, editor)
Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son: — Whom he did predestinate, them he also called. And whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:29, 30
- Our beloved brother Paul, says St. Peter, “according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his Epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:15, 16)
- It is not improbable, that among those things spoken by St. Paul, which are hard to be understood, the Apostle Peter might place what he speaks on this subject in the eighth and ninth chapters of his epistle to the Romans. And it is certain not only the unlearned, but many of the most learned men in the world, and not the “unstable” only, but many who seemed to be well established in the truths of the gospel, have for several centuries, “wrested” these passages “to their own destruction.”
- “Hard to be understood” we may well allow them to be, when we consider how men of the strongest understanding, improved by all the advantages of education, have continually differed in judgment concerning them. And this very consideration, that there is so wide a difference upon the head between men of the greatest learning, sense, and piety, one might imagine would make all who now speak upon the subject exceedingly wary and self-diffident. But I know not how it is, that just the reverse is observed in every part of the Christian world. No writers upon earth appear more positive than those who write on this difficult subject. Nay, the same men, who, writing upon any other subject, are remarkably modest and humble, on this alone lay aside all self-distrust,
And speak ex cathedra infallible.
This is peculiarly observable of almost all those who assert the absolute decrees. But surely it is possible to avoid this: Whatever we propose, may be proposed with modesty, and with deference to those wise and good men who are of a contrary opinion; and the rather, because so much has been said already, on every part of the question, so many volumes have been written, that it is scarcely possible to say anything which has not been said before. All I would offer at present, not to the lovers of contention, but to men of piety and candour, are a few short hints, which perhaps may cast some light on the text above recited.
- The more frequently and carefully I have considered it, the more I have been inclined to think that the apostle is not here (as many have supposed) describing a chain of causes and effects; (this does not seem to have entered into his heart;) but simply showing the method in which God works; the order in which the several branches of salvation constantly follow each other. And this, I apprehend, will be clear to any serious and impartial inquirer, surveying the work of God either forward or backward; either from the beginning to the end, or from the end to the beginning.
- And, First, let us look forward on the whole work of God in the salvation of man; considering it from the beginning, the first point, till it terminates in glory. The first point is, the foreknowledge of God. God foreknew those in every nation, those who would believe, from the beginning of the world to the consummation of all things. But, in order to throw light upon this dark question, it should be well observed, that when we speak of God’s foreknowledge, we do not speak according to the nature of things, but after the manner of men. For, if we speak properly, there is no such thing as either foreknowledge or afterknowledge in God. All time, or rather all eternity, (for the children of men,) being present to him at once, he does not know one thing in one point of view from everlasting to everlasting. As all time, with everything that exists therein, is present with him at once, so he sees at once, whatever was is, or will be, to the end of time. But observe: We must not think they are because he knows them. No: he knows them because they are. Just as I (if one may be allowed to compare the things of men with the deep things of God) now know the sun shines: Yet the sun does not shine because I know it, but I know it because he shines. My knowledge supposes the sun to shine; but does not in anywise cause it. In like manner, God knows that man sins; for he knows all things: Yet we do not sin because he knows it, but he knows it because we sin; and his knowledge supposes our sin, but does not in anywise cause it. In a word, God, looking on all ages, from the creation to the consummation, as a moment, and seeing at once whatever is in the hearts of all the children of men, knows every one that does or does not believe, in every age or nation. Yet what he knows, whether faith or unbelief, is in nowise caused by his knowledge. Men are as free in believing or not believing as if he did not know it at all.
- Indeed, if man were not free, he could not be accountable either for his thoughts, word, or actions. If he were not free, he would not be capable either of reward or punishment; he would be incapable either of virtue or vice, of being either morally good or bad. If he had no more freedom than the sun, the moon, or the stars, he would be no more accountable than them. On supposition that he had no more freedom than them, the stones of the earth would be as capable of reward, and as liable to punishment, as man: One would be as accountable as the other. Yea, and it would be as absurd to ascribe either virtue or vice to him as to ascribe it to the stock of a tree.
- But to proceed: “Whom he did foreknow, them he did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.” This is the Second step: (To speak after the manner of men: For in fact, there is nothing before or after in God:) In other words, God decrees, from everlasting to everlasting, that all who believe in the Son of his love, shall be conformed to his image; shall be saved from all inward and outward sin, into all inward and outward holiness. Accordingly, it is a plain undeniable fact all who truly believe in the name of the Son of God do now “receive the end of their faith, the salvation of their souls;” and this in virtue of the unchangeable, irreversible, irresistible decree of God, — “He that believeth shall be saved;” “he that believeth not, shall be damned.”
- “Whom he did predestinate, them he also called.” This is the Third step: (Still remembering that we speak after the manner of men:) To express it a little more largely: According to his fixed decree, that believers shall be saved, those whom he foreknows as such, he calls both outwardly and inwardly, — outwardly by the word of his grace, and inwardly by his Spirit. This inward application of his word to the heart, seems to be what some term “effectual calling:” And it implies, the calling them children of God; the accepting them “in the Beloved;” the justifying them “freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.”
- “Whom he called, them he justified.” This is the Fourth step. It is generally allowed that the word “justified” here is taken in a peculiar sense; that it means he made them just or righteous. He executed his decree, “conforming them to the image of his Son;” or, as we usually speak, sanctified them.
- It remains, “whom he justified, them he also glorified.” This is the Last step. Having made them “meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light,” he gives them “the kingdom which was prepared for them before the world began.” This is the order wherein, “according to the counsel of his will,” the plan he has laid down from eternity, he saves those whom he foreknew; the true believers in every place and generation.
- The same great work of salvation by faith, according to the foreknowledge and decree of God, may appear in a still clearer light, if we view it backward, from the end to the beginning. Suppose then you stood with the “great multitude which no man can number, out of every nation, and tongue, and kindred, and people,” who “give praise unto Him that stretch upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever;” you would not find one among them all that were entered into glory, who was not a witness of that great truth, “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord;” “not one of all that innumerable company who was not sanctified before he was glorified. By holiness he was prepared for glory; according to the invariable will of the Lord, that the crown, purchased by the blood of his son, should be given to none but those who are renewed by his Spirit. He is become “the author of eternal salvation” only “to them that obey him;” “that obey him inwardly and outwardly; that are holy in heart, and holy in all manner of conversation.”
- And could you take view of all those upon earth who are now sanctified, you would find no one of these had been sanctified till after he was called. He was first called, not only with an outward call, by the word and the messengers of God, but likewise with an inward call, by his Spirit applying his word, enabling him to believe in the only-begotten Son of God, and bearing testimony with his spirit that he was a child of God. And it was by this very means they were all sanctified. It was by a sense of the love of God shed abroad in his heart, that everyone of them was enabled to love God. Loving God, he loved his neighbor as himself, and had power to walk in all his commandments blameless. This is a rule which admits of no exception. God calls a sinner his own, that is, justifies him, before he sanctifies. And by this very thing, the consciousness of his favour, he works in him that grateful, filial affection, from which spring every good temper, and word, and work.
- And who are they that are thus called of God, but those whom he had before predestinated, or decreed, to “conform to the image of his Son?” This decree (still speaking after the manner of men) precedes every man’s calling: Every believer was predestinated before he was called. For God calls none, but “according to the counsel of his will,” according to this Orothesis, or plan of acting, which he had laid down before the foundation of the world.
- Once more: As all that are called were predestinated, so all whom God has predestinated he foreknew. He knew, he saw them as believers, and as such predestinated them to salvation, according to his eternal decree, “He that believeth shall be saved.” Thus we see the whole process of the work of God, from the end to the beginning. Who are glorified? None but those who were first sanctified. Who are sanctified? None but those who were first justified. Who are justified? None but those who were first predestinated? Who are predestinated? None but those whom God foreknew as believers. Thus the purpose and word of God stand unshaken as the pillars of heaven: — “He that believeth shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned.” And thus God is clear from the blood of all men; since whoever perishes, perishes by his own act and deed. “They will not come unto me,” says the Savior of men; and “there is no salvation in any other.” They “will not believe;” and there is no other way either to present or eternal salvation. Therefore, their blood is upon their own head; and God is still “justified in his saying” that he “willeth all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of his truth.”
- The sum of all is this: the almighty, all-wise God sees and knows, from everlasting to everlasting, all that is, that was, and that is to come, through one eternal now. With him nothing is either past or future, but all things equally present. He has, therefore, if we speak according to the truth of things, no foreknowledge, no afterknowledge. This would be ill consistent with the Apostle’s words, “With him is no variableness or shadow of turning;” and with the account he gives of himself by the Prophet, “I the Lord change not.” Yet when he speaks to us, knowing whereof we are made, knowing the scantiness of our understanding, he lets himself down to our capacity, and speaks of himself after the manner of men. Thus, in condescension to our weakness, he speaks of his own purpose, counsel, plan, foreknowledge. Not that God has any need of counsel, of purpose, or of planning his work beforehand. Far be it from us to impute these to the Most High; to measure him by ourselves! It is merely in compassion to us that he speaks thus of himself, as foreknowing the things in heaven or earth, and as predestinating or fore-ordaining them. But can we possibly imagine that these expressions are to be taken literally? To one who was so gross in his conceptions might he not say, “Thinkest thou I am such an one as thyself?” Not so: As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than thy ways. I know, decree, work, in such a manner as it is not possible for thee to conceive: But to give thee some faint, glimmering knowledge of my ways, I use the language of men, and suit myself to thy apprehensions in this thy infant state of existence.
- What is it, then, that we learn from this whole account? It is this, and no more: — (1) God knows all believers; (2) wills that they should be saved from sin; (3) to that end, justifies them, (4) sanctifies and (5) takes them to glory.
O that men would praise the Lord for this his goodness; and that they would be content with this plain account of it, and not endeavour to wade into those mysteries which are too deep for angels to fathom!
More on Eternal Security/OSAS
Accounted Worthy to Escape [podcast] | Eternal Security Exposed | Sealed?
Eternal Security / Once Saved Always Saved Exposed
10 Questions about Eternal Security
The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast]
Apostasy
Eternal Security / OSAS DEVILS Slammed! 1 John 2:19 [podcast]
THE DEVIL IS A LIAR: Another “eternal security” proof text plundered!
1 John 2:19
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1 John 2:19
Interestingly, the word “never” does not appear in this verse above which is so often used to “prove” OSAS. Let’s read it again with an objective mind. And, also remember what Jesus says about the primary importance of His teaching of the seed and the soil, the sower and the Word:
“And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?” Mark 4:13
The honest student of the whole Counsel of God’s Word knows that numerous clear Bible truths reveal that a saved person can turn away from the LORD, so we know that the apostle John could not possibly be saying that a saved person could never depart from the LORD. In my opinion, this verse is the best argument the eternal security proponent has, yet it’s not enough. There must be two or three witnesses and not just one (2 Cor. 13:1). After a closer examination of this text, one will find that verse 19 does not teach or justify “once saved always saved.” When any one verse is taken to the exclusion of the whole Word of God, one will certainly misunderstand the doctrine of the LORD which can only be apprehended by “study.” (2 Tim. 2:15) This verse is like any other verse of Scripture – it must be taken in light of the entire Counsel of God. The context to be considered is 1 John 2:18-29).
In examining the context in which 1 John 2:19 is set, we see that false teachers whom John calls “many antichrists,” had come and were telling these believers that Jesus was not the Christ (v22).
Let’s look at verses 18 and 19 together:
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1 John 2:18-19
Note here that it is specifically of these “antichrists” that John speaks and says that “if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
John was speaking of those who were once saved but then departed from the faith (1 Tim 4:1), they believed and then fell away (Luke 8:12-13) …. then departed from the believers in that fellowship.
Teddy Caldwell writes:
“OSAS insists that those are professing believers, but 1 John 2:18 says such people are antichrists. 1 John 2:22 says an antichrist is one who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Anyone who does that isn’t a believer and isn’t even trying to look like one.”
Concerning 1 John 2:19, Donald Stamps, in the Life in the Spirit Study Bible, writes:
“‘THEY WENT OUT FROM US.’ When the antichrists departed from their fellowship with true believers, they were not in a saving relationship with Christ. This allows for two possibilities: (1) They were never true believers to begin with, or (2) they had once been in a saving relationship with Christ but afterward abandoned their faith in Christ.”
Right here in verse 24 of this passage we see the doctrine of personal responsibility to “remain” in faithful obedience to the LORD or lose one’s place with God (1 Cor. 15:2; Gal. 6:9; Col. 1:23). This is a teaching found throughout Holy Writ – the divine requirement to stay saved or lose all in eternity, “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 7)
“Let that therefore abide (remain) in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. IF (denotes condition) that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” 1 John 2:24-25
Verse 24 alone tells us that we cannot think that verse 19 means that someone who is at some point in right standing with God can never depart from Him and lose out. Also, verse 25 tells us that “eternal life” (not just rewards) is at stake and the promise contingent upon the believer abiding or remaining in that “which ye have heard from the beginning” which is the Gospel. “Eternal life” is assured as long as one is remaining rooted in Jesus Christ. This is the overwhelmingly consistent message of God’s Word.
In verse 26 John says “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” Verse 19 is written about the deceivers who sought to “seduce” these disciples John was addressing and not of true believers.
With all of Scripture in consideration, we can conclude that 1 John 2:19 is a specific example and not a rule of doctrine.
If you truly wish to search out this matter, let me encourage you to closely examine, break down and study this entire text (1 Jn. 2:18-29). In order to ascertain truth, one must compare the verse in question with all other related Scriptures, beginning with the context in which the verse is set (Isa. 28:9-10; 1 Cor. 2:13).
Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages
Which Came First? Faith or Regeneration | Eternal Security/OSAS Busted and Exposed
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Abiding
Can a Born Again Man be Un-Born Again? [podcast]
This is the question asked by those who do not like what the Word of God clearly reveals. They do not like God’s answer…. they do not like that they are personally accountable and will be judged for every thought, word, and deed in this life.
Can a born again man be then unborn again?
Can a born man die physically? All do and so obviously a born again man (spiritually) can be unborn again – can die spirit by sin (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23).
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth AGAIN until Christ be formed in you,” Galatians 4:19
Biblical question: Can a dog return to his own vomit? Yes. In other words, can a sinner return back to his own sin – backslide?
“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. 21 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. 22 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
If their judgment is going to be worse for returning, how is it that they had only a mere head knowledge?
If they had a mere head knowledge, how could they possibly have “escaped the pollutions of the world”?
Many of God’s people were delivered out of Egypt (salvation) and then perished for their sins – being forbidden from entering in the promised land (Heaven). See 1 Corinthians 10:1-12.
“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Titus 3:9-11
“These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: CLOUDS THEY ARE WITHOUT WATER (contain little or no divine substance), carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;” Jude 12
Being “Cut off” will happen to all who do not continue in the LORD on HIS terms.
“Well; because of unbelief they (the Jews, God’s people) 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
IF you leave the LORD, HE’s leaving you…. let’s get a clue. You are personally responsible to be saved and to “abide” which simply means to continue, to remain rooted and grounded in Christ (John 15:1-6, etc.). If not, you will be cast into the fire (John 15:6). Every person peddling the once saved always saved/eternal security heresy is incontrovertibly an “ungodly” man, an agent of Satan himself (Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Jude 4, etc.).
“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
They disrespect the holiness of God and grossly underestimate the power of sin against the holiness of God.
“That’s the dangers when you attend a church that teaches the false doctrine of ETERNAL SECURITY. You are Eternally secured, if your walk with Jesus, and you don’t have any secret practicing sin. But if backslide back into Sin, Salvation is lost. You have to do your 1st works over. Repentance, receive Jesus and walk faithfully with him and turn and resist sin.” Terrence Przybylski
SIN SEPARATES – SO WE MUST HONESTLY CONFESS IT IN REPENTANCE AND FORSAKE IT (Proverbs 28:13)
“But your iniquities (sins) have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” ~ Isaiah 59:2
It’s only “IF” we confess our sins that God is going to “forgive us our sins.” Disprove it! “If” denotes condition.
“IFFFF 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
After being saved, the recipient of that salvation must repent as needed and confess sin in order to have sin forgiven. The LORD decided this and we just read it. To obey or disobey is the God-giving choice of the individual (Joshua 24:15). Obedience leads to life and disobedience leads to death.
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16
WHY did Jesus come and die on the cross? How much sin does the LORD require that we be purified from?
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from ALLLL iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14
How much sin does God expect and command us to “cleanse ourselves from”?:
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from ALLLL filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
“A real encounter, a real relationship with the only true and living God causes your heart to repent and change your ways and confess all sin.” Meme A.
These heretics think that you’re obligated to answer their evil intended questions and will call you names like “coward” if you don’t. Was Jesus a coward for not answering the questions of the enemies, the pharisees or for answering their questions with questions? No. He saw right through their sham. Again, their whole mode of operation is to block the truth, to deny it, to evade it. Why? Because they are the moral cowards who refuse to truly repent, lay down their lives in this fleeting world, deny self, take up the cross, and follow Jesus for real.
If Adam and Eve had only lost their fellowship with God and not their relationship, WHY did Jesus have to come to the earth and die a horrible death to bring mankind back?
The evil intent of those who divert from the very words of God tells you exactly who they really are. They are the modern pharisees who….
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:6-9
Notice that they “reject” the Word of God. They demote it, they “reject” it and put it lower than their heretical “tradition.” They don’t want God’s answer because they are not submitted to Him. They’ve made up a god in their own image that panders to their own sinful whims, allowing them to live as they wish and not has He has commanded and requires (Matthew 3:7-10; 1 Peter 1:15-16, etc.). …. they are not interested in what the whole testimony of Scripture communicates. Instead, they ignore Holy Scriptures that directly confront the lie they believe and close their ears to that divine truth…. because they are not in this for God, to serve God but rather self (Read John 8).
Regrettably, their goal is not to apprehend and know the truth of God but rather to defend their own position. They have made up their evil minds and nothing going to change it and they will “perish in their own corruption.” Of these false teachers, God’s Word says:
“But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;” 2 Peter 2:12
Those who balk at and ignore that Jesus says you MUST “endure to the end” to be “saved” into eternal glory, simply do not love Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13, etc.). Jesus is not worth their life. They were worth His life which He gave for them on the cross, yet the Son of God is not worth giving up their own life in this fleeting world. Counterfeits. These are the frauds who hide behind the eternal security sham.
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
Recently I had a calvinist ask me with evil intent this question. When you hear this question from heretics it’s simply because they do not like God’s answer to this question and are smoke screening or trying to cloud the issue with evil intended questions no different than when Trump’s press secretary was bombarded with questions by people of evil intent. They are not interested in what God’s Word really says and seek to interrupt the flow of the very Word of God by introducing questions in an attempt to sidetrack their opponent. This is clearly a tactic, a scheme of the enemy himself. Jesus says:
“He that is OF GOD heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are NOT OF GOD.” John 8:47
We must ask ourselves the hard questions. Are we really “FREE INDEED” or are we in bondage to sin? Are we servants to sin?
“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth (remains) not in the house for ever (not guaranteed un-conditional eternal salvation): but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:34-36
“And every man that hath this hope (the return of Christ) in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” 1 John 3:3-10
John Wesley slays the doctrine of devils called “eternal security” or “once saved always saved,” or “perseverance of the saints.”
John Wesley on Calvinism, Once Saved Always Saved, and Conditional Security
“Calvinists, who deny that salvation can ever be lost, reason on the subject in a marvelous way. They tell us, that no virgin’s lamp can go out; no promising harvest be choked with thorns; no branch in Christ can ever be cut off from unfruitfulness; no pardon can ever be forfeited, and no name blotted out of God’s book! They insist that no salt can ever lose its savor; nobody can ever ‘receive the grace of God in vain’; ‘bury his talents’; ‘neglect such great salvation’; trifle away ‘a day of grace’; ‘look back’ after putting his hand to the gospel plow. Nobody can ‘grieve the Spirit’ till He is ‘quenched,’ and strives no more, nor ‘deny the Lord that bought them’; nor ‘bring upon themselves swift destruction.’ Nobody, or body of believers, can ever get so lukewarm that Jesus will spew them out of His mouth. They use reams of paper to argue that if one ever got lost he was never found (John 17:12); that if one falls, he never stood (Rom. 11:16-22 and Heb. 6:4-6); if one was ever ‘cast forth,’ he was never in, and ‘if one ever withered,’ he was never green (John 15:1-6); and that ‘if any man draws back,’ it proves that he never had anything to draw back from (Heb. 10:38,39); that if one ever ‘falls away into spiritual darkness,’ he was never enlightened (Heb 6:4-6); that if you ‘again get entangled in the pollutions of the world,’ it shows that you never escaped (2 Pet 2:20); that if you ‘put salvation away’ you never had it to put away, and if you make shipwreck of faith, there was no ship of faith there!! In short they say: If you get it, you can’t lose it; and if you lose it you never had it. May God save us from accepting a doctrine, that must be defended by such fallacious reasoning!” ~ John Wesley
OSAS people make a vain attempt at redefining the words of Scripture to fit their own self-serving agenda of lukewarmness, cross-less rebellion. For example they hyper-focus on “eternal” in the term “eternal life” while intentionally refusing to synthesize the whole of what Scripture states. Purposely, they do not distinguish between initial and final salvation and refuse to believe that after being saved, the recipient of His salvation must “endure to the end” to be “saved.” (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15:6; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21; Revelation 2-3, etc.) They hyper-focus on the word “gift” and teach that a gift could never be lost which the rest of Scripture does not agree with. They then take the word “sealed” and make it to be permanent which it cannot possibly be because the same Greek word for “sealed” is used of Jesus’ tomb which we all know was NOT permanently sealed – it was unsealed when Jesus came out of that grave! (Matthew 27:66) In this they bear false witness against the LORD and act like some Scriptures are more divinely inspired than others. This practice reveals the evil and deceit of their own hearts. While they scream, “context, context, context,” they themselves syphon things out of the immediate and overall context of Scripture. Not just some Scripture in the Bible but rather “ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) It must all be synthesized, put together, compared (1 Corinthians 2:13). Error will result in the hearts and lives of those who do not search, study, and revere “ALL scripture” in God’s Word.
The Cancer of Calvinism | Eternal Security/OSAS is a Scam
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Articles
The Possibility of Falling Away [podcast]
“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
God is gracious to us. Check out Luke 8:13 and 1 Timothy 4:1. The possibility of falling away after being saved is crystal clear. See also John 15:6.
“If a man abide (remain, continue) 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
Abiding, remaining in Christ to the end is essential according to Jesus. To abide simply means to stay with Him on His stated terms, the cross. There are so many who are “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18-19).
by Sherry Todd (below):
“Calvinists, and eternal securists who deny that salvation can ever be lost, reason on the subject in a marvelous way. They tell us that no virgin’s lamp can go out; no promising harvest can be choked with thorns; no branch in Christ can ever be cut off from unfruitfulness; no pardon can ever be forfeited, and no name blotted out of God’s book! They insist that no salt can ever lose its savor; nobody can ever ‘receive the grace of God in vain’; ‘bury his talents’; ‘neglect such great salvation’; trifle away ‘a day of grace’; ‘look back’ after putting his hand to the gospel plow. Nobody can ‘grieve the Spirit’ till He is ‘quenched,’ and strives no more, nor ‘deny the Lord that bought them’; nor ‘bring upon themselves swift destruction.’ Nobody, or body of believers, can ever get so lukewarm that Jesus will spew them out of His mouth.
“They use reams of paper to argue that if one ever got lost he was never found. John 17:12; that if one falls, he never stood. Rom. 11:16-22 and Heb. 6:4-6; if one was ever ‘cast forth,’ he was never in, and ‘if one ever withered,’ he was never green. John 15:1-6; and that ‘if any man draws back,’ it proves that he never had anything to draw back from. Heb. 10:38,39; that if one ever ‘falls away into spiritual darkness,’ he was never enlightened. Heb 6:4-6; that if you ‘again get entangled in the pollutions of the world,’ it shows that you never escaped. 2 Pet 2:20; that if you ‘put salvation away’ you never had it to put away, and if you make shipwreck of faith, there was no ship of faith there!! In short they say: If you get it, you can’t lose it; and if you lose it you never had it. May God save us from accepting a doctrine, that must be defended by such fallacious reasoning!“
When a doctrine teaches there is nothing you can do to lose your salvation, even allowing for the taking the Mark of the Beast, it is straight from the pit of hell! For those who believe in the perseverance of the Saints: How does one lose their “first love,” if they were never in love to begin with? (Revelation 2:4-5) That is like divorcing someone you were never married to. How exactly is there a great falling away in the end times, if these people were never saved to begin with? What exactly are they falling away from if they were already lost, they can’t be more lost than being hell bound. That is the logical equivalent of being kicked off a football team that you never played for.
Please explain to me this, how exactly does one’s name get blotted out from the Book of Life, if it was never written down there in the first place? (Revelation 3:5; 22:18) That would be like getting your name removed from the credits of a film even though you had nothing to do with the movie production. Lastly, why does the Bible command us to endure to the end and fight the good fight of faith, if the battle is already won the moment we put on our Christian cloak? That is the equivalent of screaming at the Sun to heat up the Earth! What a waste of breath! Of course the sun is going to heat up the Earth, and of course if OSAS is true, you are going to be saved regardless of what you do, what you (those) who deny that salvation can ever be lost, reason on the subject in a marvelous way.
When it comes to doctrine, we need to bow to one authority which is the sacred Scriptures. So here are verses which annihilate the doctrine of Eternal Security.
You can fall from Grace
Galatians 5:4 says: “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
You must continue in the faith
John 8:31-32 declares: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
You must continue in good works – which proves you are truly abiding, remaining in Christ (John 14:21; 15:1-6).
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26
You must behold, embrace the “goodness AND severity” (severe judgment of a holy God) of God.
Romans 11:20-22 articulates: “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 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.”
You must endure to the end to be saved into Heaven
Matthew 24:13 affirms: “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Your faith must be grounded
Luke 8:11,15 asserts: “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God…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.”
You must keep your garments undefiled (hold fast and repent).
Revelation 3:3-5 explains: “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. … 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
You must “abide” (remain) in Christ
John 15:5-6 declares: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 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.”
You must continue to hold to Biblical Truth
2 Peter 2:1-2,4 affirms: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of… 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9
You can fall back into bondage
2 Peter 2:20-22 explains: “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 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.”
In order not to “fall”, you must “give diligence to make your calling and election sure.”
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” 2 Peter 1:10
You cannot continue, you cannot live in sin after being saved and still remain saved.
“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
You must remain holy. You CAN “fail of the (saving) grace of God.”
“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;” Hebrews 12:14-15
A passage eternal security wolves refuse to tend to.
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
Only 5 of the 10 Virgins made it into the bridal chamber of eternal glory. The other 5, who were also engaged to the Great Bridegroom were shut out!
“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus died for and is coming back for “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
So it should be evidently clear from both the Bible and reason that the OSAS IS another way.
This is a daily walk. Jesus says to take up your cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23.
The Heresy of “Once Saved Always Saved” and “Eternal Security” Exposed!
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