People – especially Christians (myself included and YouTube is the worst for this) often talk as if they know everything – so let me break a bad habit (I’m sorry to say) and admit now that I see through a glass darkly. I sometimes fail but try to use common sense, Biblical reading and the quiet still voice to make sense of the Bible’s teachings.
That said – a lot of Christians do believe in once saved always saved – but a lot don’t. I believe in a mix of the two ‘left’ and ‘right’ doctrines – what I believe to be what the Bible actually teaches – MHO of course.
This debate has raged forever – despite the Bible telling us to avoid debate. I would suggest we’re better off just reading the Gospels back to back ourselves – or even better for not missing things and a great way to compare the gospels – listening via audio gospels back to back on YouTube (KJV as NIV is rather messed up and contradictory in many places for anyone looking for clear answers). But here’s by two cents.
Are Christians Guaranteed Salvation?
First off – believers in Jesus are guaranteed salvation but there is a caveat (by my reading and as far as common sense would go in my opinion – and the Bible thankfully always follows the ‘law of common sense’ so children can understand it). Regarding endless doctrinal debates – it’s sometimes as if God would hand out passes to heaven only to people who get their doctrine right. This cannot be the benchmark to entering heaven or how would all those millions upon millions that never even saw a bible stand a chance?
Doctrine is very important to get right where possible – search for treasure for sure – but salvation is clearly NOT about the head – but about the heart – in my opinion it has to be. The question is; do you love God, and do you love truth? It’s which way you’re facing that God can work with to reform and purify you and our job is simply remain facing in that direction – in fact it’s about all we can do properly and consistently for any length of time and amazingly that’s all He asks – “remain in the vine” (our link to the living water).
But the fact is, I can if i choose – turn away ANY time I like and a few times when the pressure is too much nearly have. So yes I believe in once saved always saved – but only in as far as you remain in the vine (and those are the bible’s words not mine) – in other words if you don’t in facing the stream living water, you WILL dry up and die – just like any green plant that can be revived even when it is almost dead if the water supply is turned back on and allowed to flow. Making it our goal to be perfect always would be impossible and a little futile but simply staying facing God and thus connected to the vine is possible – every day. What a great God!
Note – you don’t have to keep making down-payments by being good to be saved and this thankfully is very simple and possible – just remain facing Him and He will complete your salvation – that’s a promise and no man can take that away from you (but you are asked in the bible to be good where possible and keep God’s commandments – not to be saved – so that others will see God in you and be saved – not least to please the one you love – God).
But can you imagine how hard it would be to be saved if it was just a matter of getting doctrine right! Heaven would only be filled with proud scholars!
Thankfully we are saved by faith in Christ and his teachings and truthfulness. After all – what sort of person would reject Christ’s words and actions – even if the narrative of Jesus life death and resurrection never happened (I believe it did) you have to agree he would have been a good (perfect) man/God to do that? – and as far as I can see he was the perfect Messiah – all powerful yet true humble servant – not a warrior spreading his message through force but submission and servitude of his people unto death – which incidentally we ARE to model.
I love God, Christ, The Bible. art, painting, playing music, improvising music, guitar (first instrument), drumming (not very good at it:), and anything musical or art related. Quick note – my articles are usually spun off in minutes so forgive any errors – hopefully you get the essence of the article and I’ll pick up mistakes later. If you want to write of 101ChristianMagazine and inspire and edify Christians with articles on faith, general news, hobbies or anything that interests you email me at: epgb101@gmail.com:)
