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QUESTION 8
If you are once saved are you always saved?

ANSWER:
This is a question that has divided Christianity in two major groups. The two extremes are called Calvinists (once saved always) and Armenian (saved and lost) Usual if you can find the middle of two extreme you will find the Bible answer. First it is important to understand the plan and way of salvation. They are different. The plan is very simple. Christ died for our sins. He took our place, bearing our sins in His own body on the cross. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

The way of salvation is how you get in on the benefits of this plan. It is by grace (on God's part and faith on our part)- Ephesians 2:8. It is not of works, Ephesians 2:9.

Once we trust Christ as our Saviour we have embraced the plan and provision. He has made FOR US, then, by His Spirit He begins a work IN US. Philippians 1:6 says, "He which hath begun a good work in us WILL PERFORM it UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST." That is the day when He comes again. I believe this and many other scriptures teach that the salvation that He gives is eternal- Hebrews 5:8-9. He gives His sheep eternal life and they shall never perish, John 10:28. But what I do not believe the Bible teaches is that a professing Christian living in wilful sin was necessarily saved. In 2 Timothy 2:18-19 Paul speaks of two men who were not walking right before God. He says in 2 Timothy 2:19, "The Lord knows them that are His (he is saying I don't) but let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." We have not biblical right to regard someone as saved that is living in sin and away from God. They MIGHT be but they are not living as if they were. God knows, but we must know them by their fruit, Matthew 7:20. If you are saved and KNOW it then SHOW it.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen