The doctrine of the eternal security of the Christian is a controversial subject on which scholars take several diverse positions. On one end of the debate are those who say that a Christian cannot ever lose his salvation once he is saved. This is the famous "once saved, forever saved" school of thought. On the other end are those who believe that even the slightest slip on the part of a Christian who is saved could lead to him losing his salvation. Then, there are those who are somewhere in between.
One pillar of this debate is the role of human agency in salvation. Does the person who is to be saved—the potential Christian—have any role to play in his own salvation? That God is involved is not in dispute but to what extent can the individual affect his own salvation? Generally, those who believe in OSFS argue that the Christian plays no role in his salvation—everything is up to God—while those who reject the OSFS teaching argue that the individual plays a role. Those who uphold the OSFS teaching then argue further that since the Christian plays no role in his salvation, there is no way he could cause himself to lose it by his actions or inactions.
Some verses of Scripture suggest that the Christian is involved in his salvation.
1. Romans 10:9-10 says that to be saved one must express his belief that Jesus is Lord by confessing it with his mouth. That shows human agency.
2. Jesus said in John 3:14-15 that just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, the son of man must be lifted up so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. When Moses lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness in Numbers 21, an invitation was thrown to all who were bitten by the poisonous snakes and they all had the option to express their faith by looking at Moses’ brazen serpent and live or to decline the offer and die. Jesus likening himself to that serpent suggests that now that he has been sacrificed for the sins of all, all sinners have the option to look at him (accept him) and live or to reject him and suffer eternal death. Jesus said if he is lifted up from the earth, he will draw all men unto himself. (John 12.32) Hence, all men have the opportunity to decide.
Further, the zeal with which the early church and Jesus’ disciples obeyed Jesus’ command to preach the gospel suggests that they did not share the view that one does not have any part to play in his salvation. They believed they could persuade men to be saved with the power of the gospel. If someone believes that the people he is going to preach to will be saved whether he goes or not, it is unlikely that he will risk his life to go. Yet, it was customary for the early disciples to defy death threats and other sanctions for preaching the gospel. Like all Christian doctrine, one's position on this subject has serious consequences for both personal and church life. If you believe that what will be will be so that those whom God wants saved will by all means be saved, there may be no reason to preach the gospel or reach out to the lost. But Jude admonishes us to save some people by snatching them from fire. (Jude 23) Peter also says in 2 Peter 3:3-10 that because God does not want anyone to perish, he has given men ample time to repent and come to him. This means that with an extension of time, more people would be saved who would otherwise not be saved if the coming of Jesus were not delayed.
Hebrews 6:4-6 presents another challenge to the OSFS teaching. It describes a falling away of some people who were once enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age. It says that after such people have fallen away, it is impossible to restore them to repentance because it would require crucifying the son of God all over again, subjecting him to public disgrace. If the people who are said to be permanently damned when they fall away are not Christians, or people who believe, then from what do they fall away? And if they never repented then what need would there be to “restore” them to repentance? The writer in the book of Hebrews was talking to Christians and in this case about Christians. Yet, to hold to OSFS, one has to deny that those described were Christians.
Apostle Paul told us in Philippians 2:12 “to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling “. Yes, there is no doubt about the fact that salvation is a free gift of God, and man does not contribute anything towards his salvation. Nevertheless having been saved by God’s grace, we have to duty to ensure that we do things that can grant our salvation to the end. In the days of Moses God told him He will blot the names of some of Jews who rebelled and disobeyed Him the the book of life. This means that yes, one can get saved through God’s grace and mercy but can lose it through disobedience and rebellion. In fact, if once I am saved I am forever saved, then there is no motivation for me for whatsoever to live a godly , holy, and righteous life. Frankly speaking, sinful lifestyle is “sweet “. If I can do everything at all to satisfy my flesh and I will still be saved if I die, then who can’t be a Christian? Then where is denying oneself and carrying one’s own cross? Please don’t let us deceive ourselves, after having been saved, the saved person has a work to do to make their eternal life secured.
ReplyDeleteRev. Agyeman Sarfo Isaac
ReplyDeleteWe read this in Colossians 1:22, 23a, “But now he (God) has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.” Folks there is such great importance in the word “if.” Notice please, … if you continue in your faith.
Charles Stanley teaches also, “That it is impossible for a Christian to out sin God’s grace.” This is false teaching that invites people to trample on God’s grace. Galatians 5:19-21 warns us, “The acts of the sinful nature (flesh) are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Friends, does this sound like we can never out sin the grace of God? Certainly not. Does this seem to you that OSAS is true or false? Ephesians 5:3-6 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 speak similarly as the above Galatians verses do.
In chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, John writes seven letters to seven churches as he was instructed to do so by Jesus. There is one word that appears in each of the seven letters, the word “overcome,” or as some translations might say, “conquer.” What is it that Jesus is telling Christians to overcome? Would it not be the world, our own flesh, but especially sin?
We must overcome or conquer sin, every sin. In Revelation 3:5 Jesus states this: “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, …” Just in mentioning not blotting out someone’s name means that it is possible for Jesus to do so, which again, shoots down the false teaching of OSAS.
Jesus has promised, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” This, and other such promises are absolutely reliable and sure. The Lord will never initiate a separation with a believer, but it is possible for us to walk away or to stop believing for various reasons that are mentioned in Scripture.
Jesus said in Matthew 26:28, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” A covenant is a binding agreement with each party having responsibility. Jesus has already fulfilled his responsibility. Each Christian’s responsibility is to continue believing. We were justified by faith when we first believed and we must continue to believe in order to maintain our relationship with the Lord so that we can grow and persevere. True Biblical faith encompasses so very much.
OSAS is not only erroneous and a twisting of God’s written word, but it is dangerous. Dangerous because it often puts people at ease by thinking since they can’t lose their salvation, then they don’t have to overcome sin, so they can do pretty much what they want. May God bless you all by leading you into all truth