The top text used to prove that salvation can be lost is in Hebrews.
For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (Heb 6:4-6)Some argue that the description isn't real Christians. I find that hard to believe. "Enlightened" alone is a sure indication, given 1 Corinthians 2:14. And non-believers don't get to share in the Holy Spirit. The whole list appears to prove a real believer, not a "hit and run." See? Case proved. Except ... almost none of those who favor this text ... agree with it. The text says if that happens, it is impossible to restore them again to repentance. That is, once lost, always lost. If you have salvation and lose it, you lose it forever. No second chances. No repentance possible. Are we actually going with that one? Of course, that's only one, but it's a prime example of me and my responsibilities ... and the seriousness of obedience. On the other hand, there is God. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:27-28). No one. (And, let me ask you, how is it "eternal life" if it can be lost?) Paul said, "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Php 1:6). Was Paul misguided? Jude said He is "able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy" (Jude 1:24). Is He? Or is He dependent on us? In Ephesians, Paul says that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3) and goes on to list some of them, including being chosen before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4), being predestined for adoption (Eph 1:5) and having the seal and guarantee of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14). Does my failure to be all I should be nullify those blessings already given?
If you look at Scripture, we are commanded and warned and cautioned regarding maintaining salvation. It's true. So ... are we dependent on our own proper obedience? Paul said, "Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Gal 3:2-3). If we can lose our salvation, the answer is "Yes ... we are perfected by the flesh." Paul assured us salvation was a gift so that none should boast (Eph 2:8-9). If I get to heaven because I properly maintained my salvation, that's quite an achievement. So I'm delighted that it's God who is at work in me to will (to choose) and to work (to have the power for) His good pleasure (Php 2:13). So I will "work out my salvation" (Php 2:12) based on His work in me and trust Him to keep me to the end ... not keeping myself.
Is He able to save and keep us saved? Of course! The will of God is never thwarted. As you wrote, “Jude said He is ‘able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy’ (Jude 1:24).” And is He willing? Yes! “The Lord…is not willing that any [of the elect, to whom Peter is writing] should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). God is able and willing to keep His own; He is neither depending nor dependent upon my efforts--fortunately for me!
ReplyDeleteStan, you wrote, “If you look at Scripture, we are commanded and warned and cautioned regarding maintaining salvation. It's true.” Could you clarify how you meant “maintaining salvation” there? Since God maintains our salvation, i.e. keeps and preserves us in Christ, and our disobedient actions don’t rescind His gift of eternal life, I am unsure what Scripture you are thinking of--unless it is those addressing continuing to walk in the faith through the end and thereby proving or confirming our salvation. Is that it? (You do make clear throughout this post that your salvation doesn’t rest in your efforts, so the statement of yours that I quoted is a bit confusing, I believe.)
ReplyDeleteThere are warnings, things He tells us to do or avoid. Most clearly, Paul tells us to "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Php 2:12). He says we were saved for good works (Eph 2:10). Paul explicitly states that it is God who is at work in us to will and to do ... we don't do it on our own ... but we do work.
DeleteSo it seems you were thinking of the process of sanctification, rather than salvation, i.e. using “maintaining” here as in “managing” or “attending to” (as, say, homeowners maintain their property). I concur that “we do work,” but it’s not to achieve or preserve salvation, which is a “done deal” and not contingent nor retractable. I had the following statement in my original comment above but edited it out: “In my walk with Christ, I have responsibilities and assignments, so to speak, but they relate to my sanctification--i.e. my earthly journey--and not my salvation--i.e. my eternal destination.” I am sure we are on the same page on this--i.e. that while our perseverance in the faith might hold a synergistic aspect in which I cooperate with the Holy Spirit to grow in Christlikeness, regeneration is monergistic and entirely of and from God.
DeleteI'm not the first to say it, but if I were necessary for maintaining my salvation, I lost it minutes after gaining it. And I like your point about Hebrews that it teaches once lost always lost. I've never heard anyone articulate that before.
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