 I absolutely believe in Eternal Security for the believer! I do not believe that a true believer can ever lose their Salvation that God has given. In looking at the way this is phrased though, do you think this can cause issues by saying "once saved always saved"? As someone who believes in Reformed Theology, holding to the Doctrines of Grace I believe in the Perseverance of the Saints (What God begins, he finishes Psa 138:8; Ecc 3:14; Isa 46:4; Jer 32:40; Rom 11:29; Phi 1:6; 2Tim 4:18 Of all whom he has called and brought to Christ, none will be lost John 6:39-40; John 10:27-29; Rom 8:28-31; Rom 8:35-39; Heb 7:25; Heb 10:14 God's preservation of the saints is not irrespective of their continuance in the faith 1Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:5; Heb 3:14; Heb 6:4-6; Heb 10:26-27; Heb 12:14; Rev 21:7-8; Rev 22:14-15 However, it is God who sanctifies us and causes us to persevere John 15:16; 1Cor 1:30-31; 1Cor 6:11; 1Cor 12:3; 1Cor 15:10; Gal 3:1-6; Eph 2:10; Phi 2:12-13; 1The 5:23-24; Heb 13:20-21; 1John 2:29; Jud 1:24-25). However in my life growing up in a Church, even though I only became a Christian 5 years ago. I have seen so many people who served as deacons, song leaders, choir directors, teachers and pastors walk away from the faith completely. Not to mention the parents who have adult children who constantly say their children are saved, their just not walking with Jesus but they are praying they will get back into church. When the truth is their adult children our out living life unchanged and looking no different from the world, but are considered to be saved because they professed Jesus in their youth group or VBS. So there are times when because of the phrase once saved always saved they believe their children are on their way to heaven even though they show no signs of bearing good fruit. (Matthew 7:15-20 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits). I believe at times this can and has led to many false converts to believe they are saved Christians. All because at some time in their life they said a prayer and maybe was even baptized, their Christian parents seeing the way they are living their lives as if they are unsaved continue to hold on to their “profession” of Christ. They just keep telling them you know you should be in Church, you need to get back to walking with the Lord again. When in fact they may have never walked with Him to begin with. (1 John 2: 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us).A person who is truly saved will persevere until the end and continue in the faith, so in that case someone who is truly saved is always saved. What are your thoughts and opinions on this topic? Would love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Written By Ricky Gantz
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