Response to Heaven Bound

 
Someone brought to my attention an article titled Heaven Bound, written by Kevin Rae. I thought I would take the time to respond to it since a lot of the Scriptures quoted are the ones often used to try and prove an unconditional eternal security.

 I notice the term "inscurists" often used in this article. The opposite of that would be "securists". I believe the terminology is misleading for the issue is not about who is secure and who is not secure. Those who have come to know the truth about eternal life with Christ still know that they are secure. The issue is not about securitst vs. inscurists, the issue is conditional security vs. unconditional security. The doctrine of unconditional security avoids many passages of Scripture and distorts and gives private interpretation to the verses used to try and prove unconditional security of the believer, as we shall see.

I have updated this page for there is a brother in the Lord who has read this article and has given some more suggested information, which I am pleased to add. Thank you, Bro. Tom.

Blood Bought Believer Cannot Lose Salvation?

In the article the author says a blood bought born again believer in Jesus Christ cannot ever lose salvation. The reason for the belief was quoted with the following passages from Scripture (John 3:15, John 10:28, Rom. 6:23, 1John 2:25, 1John 5:11, 1John 5:13). He claims that eternal life means eternal life.

I want the reader to observe the condition is present tense belief (John 3:15), and present tense hearing and following (John 10:25-28) in these verses. For those who use the King James Bible, note the "eth." That is a continuous tense, not just a one time act. One must continue to believe in Jesus Christ and in the end will receive the promise of eternal life. (1 John 2:25)

Romans 6:22 says, ".....and the end everlasting life."

Brother Tom Lamb shares, "Eternal life is gifted to us now as the pearl of great price. It is what we do with this treasure that will count in the end. We can embrace it, or later discard it, and even throw it away becoming enemies of the cross instead of the friends they begun out to be (like Judas and others throughout the NT). These apostates will no doubt lose the gift of eternal life. (Ecc. 7:8)" (see Tom Lamb's Beyond Camp)

The New Testament has many solemn warnings that our privilege of participating in that eternal life is directly dependent on our continuing to abide in Him in whom, alone, that life is available to men. One must have a present-tense possession of the Son to have eternal life. One must remain in the Son once we have him. The very verses (1 John 5:11-13; 2:24-25) as quoted above, within context, has conditions, "Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If 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."

Our having eternal life in the Son is conditional as can be seen from samples of the following texts.

 Col. 1:21-23

 "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister."

1 Cor. 15:1-2

 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

1 Cor. 10:12

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Acts 14:21-22

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God

Romans 11:18-21

Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 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.

Php 2:12

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.

Eternal life is much more than just a gift and present tense possession. It is also a hope (Titus 3:) and promise (1 John 2:24,25), yet to be reaped (Gal. 6:8,), in the age to come (Mk. 10:30), but only for those who persist in doing good (Rom. 2:7) and who don't grow weary and give up sowing to please the Spirit of God and not the flesh (Gal. 6:8,)

Everlasting Life Means Everlasting?

The author goes on to say that "everlasting life means everlasting life" and he follows with these Scriptures: John 3:16, John 3:36, John 5:24, John 6:40, John 6:47; Rom. 6:22.

Everlasting, or eternal life is still everlasting or eternal whether one possesses it or not. John 5:24 states, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, (present tense action) and believeth (present tense action) on him that sent me, hath everlasting life (present tense action, based upon the conditions of present hearing and believing on Christ). John 3:36 also establishes the same conditions for possessing eternal life. "He that believeth (present tense, "is believing, now") hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life." If you cease to believe and trust with a saving faith, you shall not see life.

It's also interesting that the author would point out Romans 6:22. Do you believe it's possible that when one gets saved that he will be made free from sin? The very person who made that comment in Romans said in verse 22, "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life, but yet you make him, elsewhere in your articles, the chief of sinners in his saved state by quoting Romans 7 out of context and making 1 Tim. 1:15 proof of Paul's sinful state as a saved man, which contradicts everything else he said.

This same Paul whom you and others accuse of being the chief of sinners in his saved state is the same person who also said, “Awake to righteousness, and sin not.”(-I Cor. 15:34.) And again Paul asks the question, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Rom. 6:1-2.) The Paul of the Bible no longer resembles the same man, just as Mary of the Bible no longer resembles the same person. It's interesting that Paul exhorts others to quit sinning, but it's okay for him to continue in sin?

Jesus defined eternal life in terms of a relationship with God. Read John 17:3 and notice how Jesus defines eternal life:

  "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

Note that "eternal life" doesn't simply mean "existing eternally," because those who are not saved will also exist eternally, eternally in the fires of Hell. However, only the righteous saints will have "life" eternally, because we are in a relationship with God. Jesus says that HE is the "life," and again He puts this in the context of a relationship with God (see John 14:6,7; 1 John 1:1,2; 1 John 2:24,25; 1 John 5:11,12; John 5:20).

The author of the article then turns to insult by calling those believers who believe in a conditional security as "inscurist (or screw loose)." This bears false witness with an unnecessary derogatory remark. What this person calls an "insecurist," equating it with "screw loose," does not understand that those who believe in a conditional security are very secure in Christ. They hold onto the same promises, but do not disregard other passages of Scripture for the whole truth. What commonly happens when trying to defend OSAS is to give partial truth as though it is the whole truth.

I quoted several passages above that proves a believers salvation is conditional (which there are many more), but Scriptures like these are ignored.

Jesus Will Not Lose Anyone?

The author to Heaven Bound then says, "God has made a promise to the believer. John 6:39  And  this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.;

It is true that the Lord does keep us, but I do have to ask you, Is it not true that Jesus did lose one that was given to him? Let's take a look at the apostle Judas who was picked by the Lord himself. "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled."-John 17:12

Is it not true that all the Father gives to Jesus that it is possible to lose one?

This verse proves Judas was a saved man just as the other apostles were, for Jesus protected and kept them all safe, that is, until Judas became lost. Even though the Father gave Jesus Judas, along with the other apostles, Jesus could not force Judas to keep following him

The Scriptures are clear that God is not willing that ANY should perish, but the fact is some will. Jesus tells us that it's not God’s will for Him to lose any; but yet Jesus admits to losing Judas (Jn. 17:12). Remember, one must have something in order to lose it!

Judas was a believer and he fell! "By transgression fell..." (Acts 1:25. cf. Luke 8:13). Undeniable proof from the word of God!

Right now Jesus is praying for us from the right hand of the Father according to Rom. 8:34 and Heb. 7:25. Does this mean that those who are saved can't be deceived by false teachers to the point where they fall from grace where Christ would be of no value to them (Gal. 5:2-4)? Is it not possible for those who are saved to be lukewarm and get spewed out of the body of Christ (Rev. 3:15,16)? Does it mean there is no death through sin (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 5:19-21; James 1:14,15)?

If the OSAS doctrine is true (which it is not), why would Jesus need to pray for us if it was all over and a done deal.....saved..... permanently..... period.....with nothing to fear or be watchful for or over....unconditionally??!!

My Sheep

The author then quotes John 10:2-29 that is supposed to prove OSAS.

"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."

We must take note of something here. Who are the ones promised eternal life? Are they not the ones who know him and follow him? Note: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me..."

The verbs hear and follow express a continuous action. In other words, as long as we remain faithful and continue to follow Jesus, we are assured we will indeed never perish.

As Tom also gives input on this matter, "Also, remember the condition is to be in the hand of Jesus (or bosom, or will). In Him, in other words. What happens when someone places their hand on the plow then looks back? A warning is given in the NT about Lot's wife. As long as we are in Jesus' hand (in Christ) we are secure. The moment we leave the NT Ark, or strong tower, is there still guarantees of security? Nowhere, unless there is repentance and a renewal of the faith. This is not to do with slipping or falling in our walk or sinning daily [Webmaster's Note: I don't understand the "sinning daily," for there is no need for one to sin daily since Christ delivers us from sin. We are no longer in bondage to sin and no longer serve sin (Rom. 6), however, it is possible for a Christian to sin and we have an advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). It's not the life of a Christian to practice sin, but to practice righteousness. 1 John 3:7,10. I'm sure Tom would agree.], or being bound to the point it is hard to live in the Spirit if the individual is still looking to Jesus for forgiveness and mercy. Saul, Judas, Demas and Jezebel (and others in the NT) were 100% determined to walk away and do their own thing and go to their own place (Acts 1:25). Jesus does not allow leaven in heaven so why would he receive the reprobate after the reprobate has known the way? By the way ... that's what an apostate is! ... someone who has deviated from or forsaken or fallen away from the faith!"

Note that the promise of never perish is not applied to those whose dedication to Christ ceases to exist. It is possible for saved people to stop hearing and following. Paul gives us the example of the widows who turned from Christ and started to follow Satan (1 Tim. 5:11-15). Paul knew there would be believers who would depart from the faith. Would you say that the widows, who were once saved and then followed after Satan, are still safe in the Father's hand?

Tom mentions, "Paul was very clear that there was going to be a large falling away from the faith in the end time. Are these ones that depart from the faith still going to be saved? Paul makes it clear that this was in actual fact going to help clear the way for the man of sin to appear on the world scene by this great departure and he mentions God handing those over to delusion who will not receive a love for the truth. Now if this passage was just a warning for those outside the faith why does he finish with? ... "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." Don't let things slip in other words (Heb. 2:1)!"

Name Calling and Accusations

He then goes on to quote John 10:11-16 and then says, "By claiming a saved person can LOSE his/her salvation, these unscrupulous screw loose insecurists are calling the Lord Jesus a hireling who will forsake His sheep!"

It's unfortunate that this person has to resort to name calling and falsely accusing the brethren of calling Jesus a hireling.

The problem isn't with Jesus forsaking the sheep, the problem is the sheep forsaking Him! The Bible is clear that there will be some saved people who will depart from the faith ( 1 Tim. 4:1 Departing from the faith doesn't happen to lost people! ). We see in Scripture where the widows turned from Christ and started following Satan (1 Tim. 5:11-15). Also look at Demas. He was a traveling companion of Paul (Col. 4:14; Phm. 1:24). They worked together and endured various troubles and persecutions preaching the kingdom of God. But what happened to Demas? Paul said, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia" (2 Tim. 4:10). Demas, a saved man, fell away and went back to loving this present world. We all know what that means. He loved the world more than God. The god of this world is Satan! (2 Cor. 4:4). Demas got deceived, and it affected his behavior. In his unrepentant state, he lost his salvation, he did not endure! "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15) "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4).

Would you call Jesus a hireling since the Scriptures clearly show that there are sheep who do go astray? If it were not possible for the sheep to stray, why the warnings from Jesus to beware of false prophets, false christs, false shepherds, false teachers, etc.? Instead of dealing with the passages that can prove conditional security, one must resort to accusations, bearing false witness, and name calling.

Heaven Is Reserved

Another passage used to prove unconditional security....1 Peter 1:4. He only quotes part of the verse, "HEAVEN IS RESERVED FOR HIM 1 Peter 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, When God makes the reservation in Heaven for the believer you can be assured that nothing will foil His plans, not even a doubting Thomas!"

Let's read it in context, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and which fadeth not away, RESERVED in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God "THROUGH FAITH." (1 Peter 1:3-5)

We have an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and which fadeth not away, RESERVED in heaven, who are kept by the power of God on what condition? Through faith!

Do you have Scriptural evidence that promises heaven to those who cease to remain, abide, and continue in the faith? Praise God that the inheritance is imperishable! It's only for the believers through faith, not unbelief.

The Seal

Like bro. Rowley, this author also appeals to the seal by quoting Ephesians 1:13.14; 4:30 and letting us know that, "NOWHERE! in the scriptures can you find God’s seal  broken. NOWHERE!   HE IS SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION!"

First, there isn't a verse in Scripture that says we cannot break God's seal. Not being able to break the Father’s seal is a human argument and not a Scriptural one. The Seal is not something we break. The Seal is the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 1:13.) Secondly, it says the person is sealed, not salvation. There are plenty of warnings in other passages of Scripture for believers concerning the Holy Spirit. In 1 Thess. 5:19 we are told, "Quench not the Spirit." Quench means to extinguish, to put out; as, to quench flame. The Holy Spirit can be resisted (Acts 7:51), and in Eph. 4:30 we are warned not to grieve the Holy Spirit. When we resist, grieve, and quench the Holy Spirit, we are breaking His hold on us. There is no purpose to these warnings if there is no danger!

Paul never taught that the seal of the holy Ghost was as an absolute guarantee that all who were once saved would enter the kingdom no matter what their behavior, even to the point of denying Jesus. This is apparent from his warnings (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 6:8,; etc.) and from verses like 1 Tim. 3:6, which also implies that a believe's seal won't prevail over the soul-damning sin of pride. Moreover, sins like envy, strife, anger and the like are all very serious and will exclude a believer from the kingdom if this is what he practices in his life. (Gal. 5:15; 5:1-21 cf. Mt. 18:1-3). Christ also warned the church that those who don't repent he will spue them out of his mouth! (Rev. 3:16)

The Holy Spirit

Another verse used to defend the OSAS doctrine is John 14:16-17, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

 If this verse were the only one in the bible, then we would have to conclude it would be impossible for a believer to forfeit his salvation. However, there are many more verses that clearly make the statement above conditional upon the believer who will continue to abide in and have faith in Jesus (John 15:1-6; Luke 8:13; Matt. 12:31; Heb. 3:12,19; Heb. 10:26,29; 2 Pet. 2:20-21).

Also note Jesus says, "...that He may abide with you forever," He didn't say "...that he will abide with you forever." The grammatical construction using "may" is significantly weaker than "will", and leaves the door open for illumination from other Scripture.

In the following chapter Jesus gives the command "Abide in me and I in you." Abiding in Jesus is not automatic. Abiding in Him is a human responsibility. As long as you abide in Him, He will abide in you. Abiding in Jesus, the True Vine, is a matter of personal commitment on the part of the believer. If a believer fails to abide, there is no prospect of a fruitful life. Failure to abide in Christ has serious consequences:

• The Father takes away branches that are not fruitful.
  

• The unfruitful branches are cast out and cut off from Christ and His children.
  
• The unfruitful branches wither and are thrown into the fire, perishing forever.

Nothing in this passage guarantees or states the impossibility of falling from the faith.

Cannot Be Unborn?

And then we have the old argument of one being born again (John 1:12-13) into the family of God and how the "believer CANNOT be unborn again when he sins."

This type of argument is based on natural fact, then applied to the spiritual. It is a mistake to argue from the natural to the spiritual just to defend the OSAS doctrine. It is clear from the Bible that before we ever came to trust in Christ we were known as "children of the devil" (Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:10) and "sons of the evil one" (Mt. 13:38). This means that the devil was our spiritual father (John 8:44). However, this relationship changed at the point of salvation according to Scripture. To get back to having the devil as our spiritual father does not mean one would have to be "unborn," he simply ceases to abide in Christ and walk after the flesh and loving this present world. He switches fathers as Demas did!

Nowhere does the Bible speak of anyone being unborn. There's no such language or thought. It's just an invented argument to defend an unbiblical doctrine. Nowhere does one become "unborn," they simply die. The opposite of birth is death. One will eventually die physically, but he can also die spiritually (Luke 15:24,32; Rom. 8:13; James 1:14,15; etc.). It is possible to stop believing (Luke 8:13), have our faith destroyed (2 Tim. 2:18), and for our faith to become shipwrecked (1 Tim. 1:19,20)

New Creatures In Christ

The next argument used is the fact how believers are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). He states, "The new creature is new for the rest of his days on earth. The believer doesn’t live for 50 years and become an old crony creature. His body might become decrepit but he is still a new creature in Christ."

Since "all things are become new," the verse implies there will be a change in one's character, not a change in his physical body. The old man is gone and he is now a new man. There will be a change in his values and attitudes about sin, and about the Scriptures, etc., that results in a behavioral change. The "new creature" proves his repentance by his deeds (Acts 26:20).

This does not negate the other passages of Scripture where a Christian can become spiritually dead and lost again (Luke 15:24,32), an enemy of God again (James 4:4), and back to following Satan again (1 Tim. 5:11-15).

In Christ, the believer is indeed a "new creature," God's "workmanship, created in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:10). But he is such only in Christ, from whom it is possible to be severed (John 15:1-6).

The Believer Preserved

"HE IS PRESERVED" is another attempt to prove OSAS by quoting 2 Tim. 4:18. Read it carefully. This passage is not about a universal promise of unconditional eternal security, except for those who want to read it into the passage! It's a personal passage. Paul says, "And the Lord shall deliver me...." Paul's faith was in the fact of the power of God to continue to deliver him from every evil work. Paul was near the end of his pilgrimage and warfare when he wrote to Timothy. "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (2 Tim. 4:18). Paul could say that with confidence because he fought the good fight and finished his course and had kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7)

Shall Not Come Into Condemnation

The next verse he uses is John 5:24 about not coming into condemnation concerning salvation.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

Note again the "eth." The verbs heareth and believeth are both in the present tense. It's as long as we are hearing and believing right now! This is not about a past act to secure the promise of everlasting life. It's continually abiding in Him. As long as they continue as believers, they have the assurance of not coming into condemnation or of perishing.

John 5:24 is a promise only to those who have a present tense belief, who will not come in to condemnation concerning salvation. It does not apply to those who started in the faith, then made shipwreck of the faith, turned and followed Satan, and departed from the faith, etc.. Again, God did not null and void human responsibility and personal decision.

Has Already Overcome

The next topic brought up is about how a "Christian has ALREADY overcome (1 John 4:4) and will NOT  be judged concerning entry into heaven."

In the Bible there is initial salvation which is the moment a person puts his trust in Jesus Christ for his salvation and instantly receives the gift of salvation. His past sins are forgiven (Rom. 3:25; 2 Peter 1:9). He passes from spiritual death to life, from darkness to light, and freed from the power of Satan to the power of God (John 5:24; Acts 26:18; 1 John 3:14). He is also set free from being a servant of sin (John 8:32-36; Rom. 6:22). The newly born again child is also declared righteous in God's sight and made a son of God because of his faith in Christ (Rom. 3:22; Gal. 3:26).

However, there is also final salvation. This refers to entering the perfect when it has come, which are only for those who meet the conditions of continuing in the faith. Those who believe in a conditional security are not insecurist at all. God will always care for the believer, and He gives us strong assurance that we can persevere to the end. Believers do have security, but not without responsibility, as proven from Scripture.

Any Christian alive today is between his past conversion experience and his future entrance into the kingdom, that is, assuming he endures to the end. Though we may possess eternal life now, we are also on the road that leads to [eternal] life (Matt. 7:14 cf. Matt. 25:46) with the possibility of wandering off (1 Tim. 6:10,21; 2 Tim. 2:18; 2 Peter 2:15), turning back (John 6:66; 1 Tim. 5:15), falling away (Luke 8:13; Matt. 11:6; 26:31), etc. In fact, turning away from the Lord is somewhat commonplace (Matt. 24:10; 2 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 4:4).

Also note Revelation 22:19, "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." It is clear that anyone altering the word of God who had an opportunity to enter the holy city may end up barred from that place.

Note, "If any man...God shall...his part." The Holy Spirit renders null and void all the fatalistic doctrines of unconditional eternal security.

Sinning Christians

Now we come to what supposedly happens to a Christian who practices sin and how God handles that disobedient child. He states, "If the Christian is carnally minded and walks after the flesh, God might take the Christian's joy, or health, or He might even kill the Christian, but the Christian STILL  goes to Heaven. The things that a rebel  Christian can lose are his rewards."

This is crazy logic and doctrine! I also can't believe that I once believed such a lie! To teach that God would kill a sinful, disobedient son because of his sins and then let him enter heaven is indirectly promoting sin! (Jude 1:4) After all, the disobedient child of God supposedly has nothing to lose, as far as salvation is concerned, by sinning unrepentantly. If anything, he will be rewarded by God taking him to heaven that much quicker.

If the OSAS doctrine is completely true (which it is not), then a person could actually sin all they want and still be saved.

 I have a question for the readers. This is very serious and I really want you to think about it. Do you believe, without repentance and making short accounts with the Lord, that a Christian can be drunk and still go to heaven? Do you believe that a Christian who is involved in pornography will still go to heaven? What about one living in fornication? What about a Christian who goes back to his homosexual lifestyle? I'm not asking for all the learned answers, because I know if the reader is a believer, he would not want to promote sin. I would just like the bottom line. Would they still be saved? If your answer is yes, then you just went against Scripture (Eph. 5:5-7; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:10, etc.) The OSAS doctrine supercedes God's word!

We will be told that carnal Christians cannot be distinguished from an unbeliever. We may be told one may act like an unbeliever, but if he ever had a moment in the past where he believed in Christ, he is still a believer but just simply out of fellowship.

It is impossible to be in relationship with God without being in fellowship with Him. Being out of fellowship with God is the same as being out of relationship with Him.

Read Chuck Swindoll's definition of a carnal Christian:

And it may surprise some of you to hear this because you weren't perhaps raised under this theology. Fourth, the carnal Christian resembles non-Christians&ldots; Do you realize the scandal I am declaring? If given full reign, our flesh will come across exactly as those who are not even born again. That explains how a Christian can steal and lie. That explains how a Christian can lack integrity and commit adultery and turn against the very things he or she once taught." ⁽¹⁾

 (For more information see: The Meaning of the Word Carnal)

This doctrine is so dangerous because it leans toward antinomianism. It doesn't matter how many wilful sins he commits or practices, he will still make it to heaven!

The OSAS doctrine is that all sins past, present, and future are forgiven. In other words, the believer is automatically free from any penalty of sin he'll ever commit. This teaching prevails in spite of the fact that the apostle John tells us about confessing our sin (1 John 1:9), and if the Christian does sin, he has an advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). A Christian is not going to habitually sin. Should he sin, the Holy Spirit will convict him and he must repent of that sin. If he persists on sinning, and resists the Holy Spirit, he is on dangerous ground.

I have seen first hand how this doctrine messes up a lot of Christians. I know personally of a person guilty of being a crack addict, thief, drunkard, and fornicator who thinks heaven is her home because she has been taught this doctrine! Is this your own experience as well? We are to believe these sins will only cost them their rewards, but they are still saved? If that were the case, I might as well go out and do the same thing! After all, in heaven there will be no more sorrow, no more pain, no more tears, so what's the loss of a few or all rewards? According to this doctrine of OSAS, I'm still going to make it to heaven! This absolutely does not make any sense! Not only does it not make sense, it goes against Scripture. (Mark 7:21-23; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:1-21; Eph. 5:5-7; etc. etc.).

To say that a Christian who practices sin will just lose some rewards is absurd if one were to really sit down and think about it. God delivers one from sin, not keep him in bondage to it! God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit." (1 Thess. 4:8, also see Titus 2:11,12)

Christian Has Full Assurance

He quotes Romans 8:38-39 for a Christian's full assurance. The Scripture says otherwise! "Keep yourselves in the love of God!" (Jude 21 ) Romans 8 only deals with the security of the believer who remains "in Christ". The passage of Rom. 8:38-39 deals with external forces that attack believers. Regardless of what type of persecution a believer may suffer, the love of Christ will always be there.

There is nothing about the impossibility of being separated from Christ because of rebellion and sin. There is nothing here that promises the apostate security.

The Believer Is Part Of Christ

He quotes Ephesians 5:30 and states, "Every believer is a part of Christ’s body. How anyone can suppose that when a Christian sins, the Lord snaps off a big toe or nose is just ridiculous. Picture it in your mind, the Lord has built his church, his bride is just perfect awaiting the wedding feast.  Alas! catastrophe, one of the ears backslide and has to be flung in the fire, but that's no trouble; we’ll just get someone else.  What do you think happens? The new ear doesn’t match the other ear, it’s bigger than the old ear and it’s the wrong colour! NO! I don’t think so!"

What has this to do with unconditional eternal security?

Jesus said,

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: -Mark 9:43-47

Imagine entering the kingdom of God with one eye missing! One couldn't even look for another eye in order to get a match set! I'd rather enter the kingdom of God with one eye missing than two cast into hell fire.

This is not about Jesus snapping off his big toe. We are a member of Christ's body in a figurative sense only, which could never be affected if one of its members falls away (Heb. 6:6), becomes an enemy of God (James 4:4), or turns away and follow Satan (1 Tim. 5:11-13), etc., etc.. Also, we are Christ's body (1 Cor. 12:27) only in the sense that Paul meant it to be understood, that is, in that each member of the body needs the other members and has a specific, unique purpose. To use it in some other sense it to take this figure of speech out of its context.

The believer can also be spewed out of Jesus' mouth (Rev. 3:16) and be cut off from the Vine, who is Christ (John 15:5,6)! These are all figurative phrases conveying spiritual truths.

God Is Able To Keep Him

In quoting 2 Tim. 1:12 he states, "The believer’s salvation doesn’t rely on keeping himself perfect until death, but rather as the verse says God is able to keep the believer safe and secure unto that day ( Judgement Day)."

The verse did not say, "God is able to keep the believer....." 2 Tim. 1:12 states:

For the which cause I also suffer these things: 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.

There is a habit of quoting a verse and then adding one's own words and reasoning, which negates other passages of Scripture which is very obvious by now. As we have seen, this false doctrine supercedes other passages of Scripture!

God certainly is able, but this is not a promise that God will keep those who once believed at a certain moment in time and then went back to practicing sin. Nowhere does the Bible say a believer's salvation doesn't rely on keeping himself perfect unto death...."

Are you going to deny that it's impossible for a believer to depart from the faith and fall from grace?

The Lord Will Not Rely On Man To Do Right

This person says, "The Lord will not rely on man to do right and stay sin free and make the Lord look like a fool with His promises. We don’t get into heaven by God looking at our righteousness. We get into Heaven by God looking at the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. That means that He became “sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:21)"

How Satan must drool with laughter to finally get millions of Christians to believe this damning lie!

It is true that no one will get to heaven earned by his own righteousness. As far as "imputed righteousness"? It is conditioned upon a continuous belief in Christ. Let's read a passage of Scripture"

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. -Rom. 9:30-10:4

If one would take that important passage and connect it with Rom. 2:7; 8:13 and 11:19-23, it would give a clear, more accurate presentation of the Gospel in conveying imputed righteousness and a conditional security for the believer. Moreover, there is another passage that adds to our understanding of imputed righteousness. Read carefully the following,

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: -Rom. 3:21-24

 There is a condition when it comes to salvation and the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. The rendering of a verb believe is an active and ongoing form. It's a continuous tense. There are passages of Scripture which bears this out (Col. 1:21-23; 1 Cor. 15:1-2; Romans 11:18-21, etc.).

The OSAS advocates will quote Romans 3:23 as though verse 22 never existed. Why? Because it teaches a continuous belief for imputed righteousness. (See "A Christian's Future Sin Are NOT Forgiven")

Ezekiel 33:12,13 states:

Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

Paul taught much on the imputed righteousness of Christ (Rom. 3:22; 4:5,11,13; 9:30-10:4; Gal. 3:6; Phil. 3:9; etc.). Yet Paul, just as Jesus did (Mark 9:43-47), continually warns believers, who received imputed righteousness, that they could miss the kingdom through sin (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:8,9). Therefore, this righteousness isn't guaranteed to be unchangeable or permanent, as OSAS advocates teach.

According to the New Testament, imputed righteousness does not mean that the recipient can afterwards live according to the flesh and not die (Rom. 8:13), or sow to please the flesh and not reap destruction (Gal. 6:8)!

Furthermore, Rom. 3:22 uses a continuous tense believe for imputed righteousness! Hence, if we stop believing on Jesus we forfeit this standing, which is clearly a possibility (2 Tim. 2:18; 1 Tim. 1:18-20; etc.). It is definitely clear in 1 Tim. 1:18-20 that Paul believed Timothy could have even shipwrecked his faith or he wouldn't have given him the safeguards stated there against such, holding faith, and a good conscience.

 The consequence of this doctrine as taught by Calvinist use the imputation of Christ's sinless life to teach "once saved, always saved."

"....the Father embraces us in Christ when he clothes us with the innocence of Christ, and accepts it as ours, so that in consideration of it he regards us as holy, pure, and innocent.... Provided with this righteousness, we constantly obtain the remission of sins through faith. Our imperfection and impurity, covered with this purity, are not imputed, but are as it were buried, so as not to come under judgment...." - Calvin, Institutes, Book III, chap. 14, #12.

So it is said that once a person is a believer, the sinless life of Jesus is imputed to him. The believer's eternal destiny has nothing to do with his personal conduct, because the only thing God sees now is the sinless life of Jesus, which has been imputed to that believer. Hence, "once saved, always saved." If such a person were to believe this doctrine, that Christ's own personal righteousness is awarded to the child of God, without further acts of obedience to God, then from the moment of being born again, any sin he commits cannot cause him any guilt. No matter what sin he commits, he cannot be found guilty because this teaching says that the perfect righteousness of Jesus is now possessed by the believer. The new creature who succumbs to sin (1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:1), those sins will not be held against him.

As one person put it,

Whatever sin is committed by the believer who is united with Christ has no bearing at all on his eternal salvation, if the theory is true. By virtue of faith, the sins of the believer are never seen by God. Some describe imputed righteousness as an “umbrella” placed over the believer at the point of faith, which “covers the believer so completely, God does not see his sins.” That expression has always made me wonder how God manages to see the good things a believer does if He cannot see the sins of the believer. Naturally God can see or not see as He pleases, but this false theory puts God into a position of having to ignore the sins of His own children. The believer cannot be less than complete and perfect under this imaginary “umbrella.” Therefore, the believer may sin (and all do) but it is really the same as if he had not sinned. Sin means nothing to the believer. Whether one is a mass murderer or a pious and godly saint is all the same, if this theory is true -- but it isn’t, is it? (see "The Biblical View of Imputation")

Jesus Cannot Deny?

The author in his article states, "We are made righteous in Jesus, and He cannot deny himself regardless what we do" and then quotes 2 Tim. 2:13. He states, "Even if a saved person falls into sin, he will NEVER be cast out of the body of Christ." Nowhere does the Bible ever say such a thing.

"We are made righteous in Jesus.....regardless what we do?" The teaching of Calvinism of imputed righteousness basically boils down to teaching that once a person is saved he is holy and righteous without living holy and righteously. In other words, a Christian takes on Jesus’ righteousness at the point of salvation and this righteous and holy standing before God can never be changed, even by the most vile and heinous evils that could afterwards be committed. They also tell us sometimes: God can’t see the Christian’s sin. Instead, he only sees Jesus’ blood and grace, but never the sin. That is their interpretation and teaching, which is both devilish and lethal.

That verse never tells us God cannot deny himself regardless what we do. This is a dangerous distortion of the truth where it concerns God's faithfulness. The dangerous distortion begins to surface by interpreting this verse in a way in which it was never intended to be used. Let's consider the immediate context.

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. -2 Tim. 2:11-14

Popular teachers of our day interpret verse 13 is very disturbing and violates the immediate context. Furthermore, it goes against the whole tenure of Scripture regarding God's faithfulness to carry out his threats! It is clear that Paul had Jesus' teachings (doctrine) in mind when he penned those verses.

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. -Matt. 10:33

But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. -Luke 12:9

And here in verse 12 Paul dogmatically asserts:

"if we deny him, he also will deny us:"

But we have popular teachers who incredibly negate this truth.

"If you have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are still a child of God. You may deny Him, but He will never deny you. Though you are faithless, He will remain faithful. And the grace of God, the seal of the Holy Spirit, preserves you permanently. This is called the doctrine of eternal security." ⁽¹⁾

From the Scripture verses quoted above, it is plain to see that Chuck Swindoll says the exact opposite of our Lord Jesus and Paul (Mt. 10:33; Luke 9:12; 2 Tim. 2:12) say. They make this related to the doctrine of eternal security, which gives an unscriptural view of God's faithfulness.

Read the following dangerous distortions by these teachers.

Charles Stanley:

"....believers who lose or abandon their faith will retain their salvation, for God remains faithful. ⁽²⁾

Charles Ryrie writes:

"....a believer may come to the place of not believing, and yet god will not disown him, since He cannot deny Himself. ⁽³⁾

Zane Hodges writes:

"And even if we stop believing all this, He remains faithful! For Him to renege on such promises would be nothing less than a denial of His own character and fidelity. But, as the apostle points out, He cannot deny Himself." ⁽⁴⁾

Robert Thieme, Jr. teaches:

"Eternal security depends on the faithfulness of God.^{" (5)}

Robert Lightner refers to 2 Tim. 2:13:

"The Holy Spirit brought conviction of sin and regeneration to the sinner. He has become the seal of our eternal salvation (Eph. 4:30). We have been received into the family of God. The only ones who cold possible break the seal would be the members of the Godhead. And they have given us their word they will never do this (2 Tim.2:13)." ⁽⁶⁾

Though there are many others, here is one from Charles Spurgeon:

"The faithfulness of God is the foundation and cornerstone of our hope of final perseverance." ⁽⁷⁾

This is the interpretation of the OSAS doctrine. They teach the exact opposite of what Christ and Paul taught. By the very words of Jesus and Paul, it is very obvious that one cannot remain saved and "disown" Christ, and therefore we should not be surprised that OSAS teachers would employ such an interpretation. The only reason for this type of interpretation is because they do not want to give up this beloved doctrine even though it is thoroughly unscriptural. It doesn't matter what the Scriptures teach, all that matters is what the majority teaches.

No one can escape the inference of interpreting 2 Tim. 2:13 in such a manner as these teachers have done. It simply makes Jesus to be a liar by saying he won't disown us if we become unfaithful to the point of disowning him.

Only those who have been previously saved could become disowned by Christ according to the context of Matt. 10:33.

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. -Deut. 7:9-10

We don't have to worry about God's faithfulness, we should be concerned about our own!

Indeed God is faithful at all times who will carry out his many precious promises, but he will also be faithful to carry out his most solemn warnings and threats. God is a faithful God. He will remain faithful to both (promises and warnings) for he cannot disown himself. God does not keep saved believers who become unbelievers. Their persistence in the denial of Christ will result in His denial of them (cf. Matt. 10:22-33; Luke 12:9). Salvation is conditional. The condition is faith, which is a believing obedience that characterizes the entire Christian life (Rom. 1:17). To cease to believe is to cease to be saved.

Salvation a Free Gift

Romans 5:18. The author of the article states, "A FREE GIFT is given with NO conditions. God is NOT an Indian-giver. He doesn't give and then take back. "The gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Rom. 11:29), and one of the gifts of God is eternal life, for "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23)

It is true that salvation is a free gift. Quoting verses like Romans 5:18 and Romans 6:23 does not speak for the whole tenure of Scripture as seen elsewhere. It does not say anything of how to get saved and it has no conditions, because it is not an appeal to believe and repent. It does not void the Scriptures that assert that one must have faith in order to be saved; it has a condition. A gift is free, but it can be thrown out, trampled, and disowned. Being a gift has no bearing on an unconditional eternal security. The impossibility of rejecting this gift, or "forfeiting" it, is not asserted by these passages.

Also, you quote Romans 11:29. Look at the context. A person's free gift of salvation is not the topic according to the context.

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. -Rom. 11:25-29

The nation of Israel is the subject. Israel is still loved on account of the patriarchs, even though they are enemies of the Gospel. So the gifts and calling mentioned in verse 29 refers to this love God has for Israel! "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" means that the covenant God has made with Israel is secure. God has made an irrevocable call to His people and offered them gifts (privileges) of the covenant (9:4,5). God's plan for Israel, as well as the Gentiles, included the response of faith before it could be fulfilled.

Also back up to verse 18 in the same chapter where believers are given a warning:

Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 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.

It is fruitless to use human reasoning ("God is NOT an Indian-giver. He doesn't give and then take back.") to prove an unbiblical doctrine as unconditional eternal security, which negates other passages of Scripture. Humans can accept or reject God's plan of salvation. Humans may receive or resist the Holy Spirit, but God does not give up on us. His patience and our responsibility cannot be magnified more than they are in Romans 2:4-10. Our freedom provides the basis of our responsibility before God.

Never Be Cast Out

The Scripture used here to prove OSAS is taken from John 6:37. Please read carefully.

 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

 The verse is dealing with people coming to him, not about believers who are abiding in Him! The Gospel is truly to whosoever will.

All Things Work Together For Good

Romans 8:28 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

  Note:  "....TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD," it doesn't say to those who forsake him, depart from the faith, deny him, or continue in rebellion. Willfully walking after the flesh is not loving God.

God Cannot Lie 

Scripture verse is Titus 1:2. The author states, "Once God has saved a believer, he CANNOT go back on His word.

God says, “He who sins is of the devil” (1 Jn. 3:9). “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). GOD CANNOT LIE! The passage has nothing to do with a doctrine of unconditional eternal security!

Eternal life is much more than just a gift and a present tense possession. It is also a hope (Titus 3:7) and promise (1 John 2:24,25), yet to be reaped (Gal. 6:8,9), in the world to come (Mark 10:30), but only for those who persist in doing good (Rom. 2:7) and who don't grow weary and give up sowing to please the Spirit of God and not the flesh (Gal. 6:8,9)

Sins Gone Forever?

The passage quoted by the author is Col. 2:14 and that a believer's "sins are gone forever." The implication, even though he does not come right out and say it here, is that all past, present and future sins are forgiven, regardless of the fact that the verse says no such thing.

The believer's past sins, up to the point of being saved, are gone forever, not his future sins. The OSAS doctrine hinges on the theory that all sin (past, present, and future) are automatically forgiven. The Bible says the opposite. There is not one single passage in any of the Scriptures that says all future sins of the believer are automatically forgiven (this should be quite evident if the reader has read up to this point). The Scriptures only tell us that sins past are atoned for (Romans 3:25; 2 Peter 1:9).

Jesus says in Matthew 6:14-15:

 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

How can the Father not forgive your trespasses if they were already forgiven? (past, present, and future)

If this doctrine is true (it isn't), then there is no need for 1 John 1: 9 and for our Advocate (1 John 2:1). (See: A Christian’s Future Sins Are NOT Automatically Forgiven)

Romans 3:24-25 states:

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 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;

Past sins!

And in 2 Peter 1:9 we read:

But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

The atonement is a provision that is available through our Advocate if we sin.

GOD WILL FINISH WHAT HE STARTED

Philippians 1:6 

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

This is true as long as one is abiding in Christ. Christ is no longer working in the one who departs from the faith, turns and follows Satan, and have made shipwreck of the faith.

This is not a promise but a statement towards those who “fellowship in the gospel FROM THE FIRST DAY UNTIL NOW” (v.5). Because of their faithfulness, Paul thought it was “meet” for him to think this of them! (v.7). No unconditional eternal security here, or anywhere else in Scripture! Have you continued from the first day of your conversion until now? Will you always continue? If so, then it would be fit to have the same confidence in you!

The Bible is clear that there will be some saved people who will depart from the faith (departing from the faith doesn't happen to lost people!....1 Tim. 4:1). We see in Scripture where the widows turned from Christ and started following Satan (1 Tim. 5:11-15). Also look at Demas. He was a traveling companion of Paul (Col. 4:14; Phm. 1:24). They worked together and endured various troubles and persecutions preaching the kingdom of God. But what happened to Demas? Paul said, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia" (2 Tim. 4:10). Demas, a saved man, fell away and went back to loving this present world. We all know what that means. He loved the world more than God. The god of this world is Satan! (2 Cor. 4:4). Demas got deceived, and it affected his behaviour. In his unrepentant state, he lost his salvation, he did not endure! "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15) "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4).

Kept From Falling

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." -Jude 1:24

It also says in Jude 1:21, "Keep yourselves in the love of God.” The verse says that Jesus is “able” to keep you from falling, not that He is going to force it upon you! Christ is able, if you continue to “Keep yourselves in the love of God.”

God Will Not Forsake Thee

The Scripture passages quotes are Heb 13:5 and Mt 28:20,

 "....and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. -Mt 28:20

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." -Heb 13:5

Here are some reasons why those who believe in conditional security are very secure. This assurance is the antidote to fear and anxiety. Yet this promise of God's presence and His other promises are realized only for those who receive them by faith. God is sovereign and is able to help His people, but His sovereign power only works in the lives of those who avail themselves of it.

It is also interesting that one would pull verses out of Matthew and Hebrews (which is claimed was written to the Jews in a different dispensation!) to defend the false doctrine of unconditional eternal security, but will not consider the other passages in the same books that warns how one can lose their standing in respect to salvation!

In the book of Matthew, here are passages establishing the doctrine of conditional security:

• Matt. 18:21-35
  

• Matt. 24:4,5, 11-13, 23-26
  
• Matt. 25:1-13

In the book of Hebrews are passages establishing the doctrine of conditional security:

• Heb. 2:1-3
  

• Heb. 3:6-19
  
• Heb. 4:1-16
  
• Heb. 5:8,9
  
• Heb. 6:4-9
  
• Heb. 6:10-20
  
• Heb 10:32-39
  
• Heb. 11:13-16
  
• Heb. 12:25-29
  
• Heb. 13:9-14
  
• Heb. 13:17,7

Indeed, it's interesting that certain parts of the NT are hand picked to defend the unbiblical doctrine of OSAS while ignoring many other passages which show otherwise. This whole article demonstrates how partial truth is presented as the whole truth.

We had better heed to the doctrine of Christ. If he says you don't forgive, he will not forgive you. If he says he will deny you because you deny him, he'll do it! Do not let anyone tell you some of Jesus' teachings do not apply to us! Don't let them intimidate you with false accusations as claiming you are calling Jesus a liar. Pay attention to the doctrine of Christ, not the insults of man. Doctrine simply means teachings. In fact, abide in the doctrine of Christ, for those who don't do not have God ( 2 Jo 1:9).

Know about the true grace of God and what it is.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; -Titus 2:11,12

The true grace of God that bringeth salvation will not say it's okay to sin, that you can rebel and live according to the flesh and still go to heaven, or that you'll just lose rewards. Don't listen to the majority....please read your Bible.

I will not bother with the rest of his article for it is not very edifying, for the rest of his post just continues with a hateful, sarcastic tone, and making false accusations. (See 10 Common Misconceptions About A Conditional Security)

Nowhere does the Bible teach Unconditional Eternal Security (as he teaches); however, the Bible does teach a Conditional Eternal Security, Here are Scripture passages establishing the doctrine of conditional security. Look them up and decide for yourself. I pray that you study this matter out further and let the Holy Spirit guide you into ALL TRUTH (John 16:13).

Matt. 18:21-35 Matt. 24:4,5, 11-13, 23-26 Matt. 25:1-13Luke 8:11-15 Luke 11:24-28 Luke 12:42-46 John 6:66-71 John 8:31,32 John 8:51 John 13:8 John 15:1-6 Acts 11:21-23 Acts 14:21,22 Rom. 8:1 Rom. 8:12-14,17 Rom. 11:20-22 Rom. 14:15-23 1 Cor. 9:23-27 1 Cor. 10:1-21 1 Cor. 11:29-32 1 Cor. 15:1,2 2 Cor. 1:24 2 Cor. 11:2-4 2 Cor. 12:21-13:5 Gal. 5:1-4 Gal. 6:7-9 Eph. 3:17 Phil. 2:12-16 Philp. 3:4-4:1

Col. 1:21-23 Col. 2:4-8 Col. 2:18-19 1 Thess. 3:1-8 1 Tim. 1:3-7, 18-20 1 Tim. 2:11-15 1 Tim. 4:1-16 1 Tim. 5:8 1 Tim. 5:11-15, 5, 6 1 Tim. 6:-12 1 Tim. 6:17-19 1 TIm. 6:20,21 2 Tim. 2:11-18 2 Tim. 2:22-26 2 Tim. 3:13-15 Heb. 2:1-3 Heb. 3:6-19 Heb. 4:1-16 Heb. 5:8,9 Heb. 6:4-9 Heb. 6:10-20 Heb 10:32-39 Heb. 11:13-16 Heb. 12:25-29 Heb. 13:9-14 Heb. 13:17,7 Jas. 1:12-16

Jas. 1:21,22 Jas. 2:14-26 Jas. 4:4-10 Jas. 5:19, 20 1 Pet. 1:5-9, 13 2 Pet. 1:5-11 2 Pet. 2:1-22 2 Pet. 3:16,17 1 John 1:5-2:11 1 John 2:15-28 1 John 2:29-3:10 1 John 5:4,5 1 John 5:16 2 John 6-9 Jude 5-12 Jude 20,21 Rev. 2:7 Rev. 2:10,11 Rev. 2:17 Rev. 2:18-26 Rev. 3:4,5 Rev. 3:8-12 Rev. 3:14-22 Rev. 12:11 Rev. 17:14 Rev. 21:7,8 Rev. 22:18,19

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(1) Chuck Swindoll, The Problem of Defection, audiotape YYP 6A. Swindoll is the current president of Dallas Theological Seminary.

(2) Charles Stanley, Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure? (Nashville: Oliver Nelson Book, 10), p. 94

(3) Charles C. Ryrie, So Great Salvation (Victor Book, 1989), p. 141

(4) Zane C. Hodges, Absolutely Free! (Dallas, TX: Redencion Viva, 189), p. 112

(5) R.B. Thieme, Doctrine of Eternal Security, Confidence (Houston, TX: BIble Doctrine Cassettes, 1981), lesson 186-1 Jn. 4:17b, 1981 1 John,, 9/25/81.

(6) Robert P. Lightner, Sin, the Savior, and Salvation (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991) p. 238

(7) Charles H. Spurgeon, All of Grace, Classic Books for Today (Newton, KS: Herald of His Coming, 1994), #171, p. 30