Once Saved, Always Saved
John 10:28
I have seen so many posts across social media, debating “once saved, always saved”.
“Once saved, always saved” depends on the person. It cannot be a blanket label that covers everyone who professes to be a Christian. None of us are in charge of our salvation. It’s not our decision to “ask Jesus into our heart” or “accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior” when WE are ready. Who are we to say, “Okay, God, I’m ready now”? Such an attitude is bred from pure arrogance and pride, acting as though we’re the ones in control of God’s purpose.
Christianity is not an aesthetic fashion statement or a monetized platform to “sell merch”. It’s not confined to sharing Bible verses on social media or taking selfies boasting of charity work. It’s not showing off a cute little cup that says, “This girl runs on Jesus and coffee” or putting on a cross pendant or Christian t-shirt to reflect Christianity without applying it to daily life. It’s not showing up for a concert of worship music or an hour at mass to make a “Look at me, I’m a good person” statement. It’s not outwardly “appearing” to be a good person while sinning in secret or bearing bad fruit. It’s not insisting one is a Christian just because one claims to be one.
Christianity is a DAILY walk, amid a profoundly changed life. A true Christian:
has a changed heart, from stone to flesh, indwelled by the Holy Spirit.
is born again, becoming a new creature after the old “self/ego” passes away.
is Spirit-led, willing to trade free will for God’s will.
admits to being a sinner in need of a Savior, and knows the goodness in their heart comes from God, not from “self”.
fervently seeks God in everything.
has read the Bible from cover to cover, and hungers for God’s Word every day.
is grieved when others blaspheme God’s holy name and celebrate sin.
agrees with God about the ugliness of sin.
confesses every sin only to God, as soon as possible, and repents.
is open to rebuke and correction, and understands the importance of being teachable.
stands in God’s absolute truth, and rejects individual truth.
bears good fruit, and glorifies God’s name, even through the most difficult trials.
refuses to give attention to anyone who or anything which glorifies sin.
boldly shares the gospel with others to warn of the eternal consequences of sin.
endures persecution from the world, regardless of personal cost - relationships, approval, applause, and even life. They would rather stand with God and be judged by the world than to stand with the world and be judged by God.
God puts His Holy Spirit into the hearts of His humble, faithful, repentant, obedient children who have made the commitment to know Him fully through His Word. Would He honestly entrust His Spirit to someone if He knew that person would eventually become an apostate? Absolutely not. Salvation is not attained by professing to be a Christian. We cannot do that ourselves. God is the One who saves us. And once He has us firmly secured in His loving arms, He will not allow us to slip away from Him.
Further, a true Christian with God’s indwelling Spirit experiences a profound change - inner joy, inner peace, inner comfort, overwhelming love for God and love for neighbors, willingness to serve others, without fear of anything, including death. Once that change happens, the idea of going back to the old ways is unfathomable. Nobody who truly has a heart indwelled by the Holy Spirit would ever reject Him, nor would they return to their old ways.
Once saved, always saved holds true, but only for those who are saved in the first place.
Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” - John 10:22-30
I pray for this message to fall upon good soil, and that the seeds planted will lead to the growth of strong faith in the Lord.
✝️🤍🙏🏻