Once Saved Always Saved?
(by Sandra Hooper)
2007

Why the website about eternal security? To be honest, I've heard some teachings and I have seen some things that have not been adding up. Lately I've been reading the Bible, the New Testament alone, without any agendas, without preconceived doctrines, without the dispensational teachings echoing in the corner of my mind, but to just take the Bible for what it says. And I have found that what Jesus taught is very consistent with what Paul also teaches, as well as the other apostles. It's very consistent.

I know of a professed Christian who is living in fornication, drunkenness, lying, causes strife, and strung out on crack. She has stolen thousands of dollars, has been arrested a few times, pawned her kids Christmas gifts for drugs, and the list goes on. The police called me one day to pick her up. She gave them my number. I talked it over with my husband and decided to get her. She was stopped for driving under the influence. The cop wanted her out of his district. I went to pick her up and it was obvious she was very drunk. As I started to take her home she kept telling me how the kids were making fun of her because she tried to say grace before a meal the day before. I didn't want to sound unsympathetic, but I asked her, "Jean (not her real name), what did you expect? Look at the way you are living. She got very angry. She kept going over how God loves her and has not abandoned her, but yet she persisted in the justification of her lifestyle. She went to the same church I did, but I have since left the institutional church and she claimed I was in sin for leaving and have given up on God and what did the pastor think about that. This same pastor is also one who teaches eternal security. And to be honest, I was once an advocate of such a doctrine until recently. I saw her life and those who claimed to be saved, but their lifestyle said otherwise. While trying to make her face the reality of her life, I could no longer use Romans 7 (as it is commonly taught) as I did once before with her. I had learned the truth since then how it is mistakenly taught that Romans 7 was Paul's normal life as a Christian. When examined more closely, it definitely is not. And after reading such passages as Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 5:1-11; 1 Cor. 6:9-10. I asked her, "Do you think God is pleased with how you are living?" She only got angrier and said how we are all sinners and God forgives us and we are going to heaven anyway." I told her, "If that is the case, then I might as well live such a life style. I might as well do crack, get drunk and fool around with another man. In all reality, what is the difference?" This realism only made her angrier. She began to yell at me as I was driving. I told her if she did not calm down I would have to drop her off and she would have to walk the rest of the way home. She did not stop. She wanted to know if I were sinless and what was the difference. "Oh, you think you are such a saint!" she yelled. Her anger was getting worse and by this time she is sitting on the edge of her seat, and at the same time I was getting angry. I pulled off to the side of the road and had to tell her to leave the car. She would not stop with her ranting and finger waving. I had to tell her the second time to get out. I care for this person, but I was just so angry over this hellish doctrine. I felt terrible that I had to leave her stranded on the side of the road, but I did have someone come to get her.

There was no contact for several months until a few nights ago. I thought I would be the last person she would call. She again was drunk, but now the boyfriend has taken an interest in another woman and her children are basically through with her. She had called a few people (which I found out later) and told them the same thing; she was threatening suicide. Through her tears and sobs she finally came out saying she doesn't want to live anymore, and what did I think about her committing suicide. This is actually not a subject I like discussing at one in the morning. All I could say was, "Jean, really think about what you plan to do because I am going to tell you that this is one sin you cannot repent of. If you succeed, there is no turning back."

The reader might think of me as a cold person, but I will tell the reader he does not know me well enough or the person I mention to make a quick judgment. I have witnessed things and could write much about it, but I believe the information above is sufficient to get the point across of why I question the doctrine of "once saved always saved" (from this point forward referred to as "OSAS"), or better known as "Eternal Security." I am just about convinced that this doctrine leads many people on the road to Hell. It gives them a license to sin.

I have just started this website and eventually I will be adding more material as time goes on. I don't have this thing down pat yet because I am still searching for answers, so please bear with me.

Right now I can hear the OSAS advocates, "Boy, she's really gone off the deep end now. Now she's questioning eternal security. I knew that "Sinful Nature" page would take her off in that direction. Now she's teaching a 'works salvation' (which would be a lie, but people like to jump to conclusions anyway, so it's a no win situation). She even has people who quote from those "other bibles" and not the King James Bible only. Now she's really gone totally apostate." Do you know what I find ironic, what's the big deal? According to this doctrine of OSAS, what does it really matter? So no matter how far I go off the deep end, since there was a point in time where I accepted Jesus as my Saviour, there is not one sin that will keep me from God. Remember such passages as nobody being able to pluck me out of the Father's hand? No matter how apostate you think I am, according to your doctrine, you will be spending eternity with me. Of course we can use the ole, "Well, she was never really saved in the first place" (and elsewhere claim with piety that we really can't judge a person's heart and their salvation!). I know all the arguments, because I've been there and learned the same things and repeated them as well.

As far as the Bible is concerned. I'll let you in on a little secret. Lately I've been reading from the NKJV before bedtime. Gasp! I guess I'm going to Hell. So what about that Bible? What about those who tell me the King James Bible is their final authority? When I get on the topic of how the King James Bible does not even have the phrase "sinful nature" (the Greek word only translates "sarx" as "flesh," meaning to do with the body of humans or animals), or how the Bible does not say one is "born in sin," you bite back at me or break off fellowship. You teach the doctrine with terms the other bibles use, but yet will condemn me for teaching "doctrines of devils" and label me as an apostate when you yourself do not hold to words found in what you call the "infallible word of God." Again, it's a no win situation. One is damned if you do, and damned if you don't. But hey, again, with the OSAS doctrine, I'm going to heaven anyway!

I believe the reader can now understand why there is some confusion. I'm looking at the other side of the argument of OSAS, but my conclusion will be based on the Bible. I would say, just read the Bible. It's good to learn from other people, but always go back to the Bible and see whether these things be so (Acts 17:11). I have the Holy Spirit living in me and Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth, unless of course, the truth is solely for those who believe they are the only ones who are right!

As I stated earlier, I've been reading through the Bible and I find the Bible consistent in what Jesus teaches and what the apostles teach, including Paul. From what I am reading, a person can lose his salvation. This is based on passages that has the word "if" in it. Note these are from the Apostle Paul and it shows that salvation is conditional.

  1. Romans 11:20-23 (Branches grafted then broken off)

  2. I Corinthians 10:11 & 12 (take heed lest he fall.)
  3. Galatians 5:4 (Can fall from grace)
  4. Galatians 6:9 (we shall reap, IF faint not.)
  5. Colossians 1:23 (IF ye continue in the faith )
  6. I Thessalonians 3:8 (IF ye stand fast in the Lord)
  7. I Timothy 2:15 (IF they continue in faith)
  8. I Timothy 4:1 (Some will depart from the faith)
  9. Hebrews 3:6 ( IF we hold fast to the end)
  10. Hebrews 3:14 (Partakers of Christ, IF we hold steadfast)
  11. Hebrews 6:4-6 (If they fall away...)

 It appears that the true saving salvation is based on the person's faith and keeping it, not based on works for salvation, but rather, keeping the faith. Paul talked about how he fought the good fight and kept the faith. He was faithful until the end.

Also note I never once said a person has to "earn" his salvation. Salvation is a free gift. We either guard that gift or lose it.

That's it in a nutshell. I am in the midst of studying this further and I will share with you my questions, thoughts, and answers, but each person must make up their own mind.

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