Question from a WordTruth.Com friend:
>> Is it possible, because of sin and apathy, to fail in the Christian Life?
>> In other words...is there any foundation in the statement "once
>> saved....always saved"?WordTruth.Com Response:
This question comes up a lot among God's people. Peter thought he had failed completely after denying Christ 3 times -- he went back to the fishing business. Paul despaired of life itself as he endured incredible persecution in his missionary journeys. Does God still love me and can he still use me after I fail him? I think that your inquiry may involve two distinct questions: (1) can a Christian fail to live the "Christian life?" and (2) is salvation permanent or temporary? Let's try to address those two questions in reverse order and then you'll see why.(2) Is salvation permanent or temporary? Salvation is an act of God's grace whereby He reaches out to the lost person with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. By the Holy Spirit, the lost person is able to understand the gospel and make personal application of that truth to his/her life. Salvation occurs when the lost person humbles himself before God and trusts in the LORD Jesus Christ as his Savior from sin. At that point, you are the recipient of an amazing gift from God. You are made into a "new creation in Christ" (2 Cor. 5:17), created in "true righteousness and holiness" (Eph. 4:24). You are forever declared "holy and blameless" in Christ (Eph. 1:3). In Christ, that is having entrusted your life to the person and work of Christ, you have been justified before God -- put into a right standing, forever righteous, just as though you had never sinned (Rom. 5:1 and many others). You are granted eternal life (John 3:16) -- the word eternal from the original Greek definitely means forever.
(1) Can a Christian fail to live the "Christian life?" I think the answer to this question is all around us. Christians sin every day. Remember God's standard is perfect holiness (Lev. 11:44; 1 Pet. 1:15-16). This is why it is crucial to keep the answer to question (2) in mind before you answer question (1).
Though your position in Christ is holy and righteous, on a practical basis you still sin. You have righteous desires but fall prey to the three enemies of the Christian: Satan, the world system, and the lusts of the flesh. Is it possible for the Christian to sin? Absolutely. Read I John the first chapter where the Bible addresses this specific issue and the remedy for the Christian (1 John 1:9). Is it possible for the Christian to sin so badly that he/she is disqualified from salvation? If the answer to this question were yes (and it is not), then one would have the ability to maintain or earn one's salvation. Since we see in Scripture that salvation is accomplished by faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), it cannot then be maintained by the believer. Paul said either it is grace or works, cannot be a combination or mixture of the two (Romans 11:6). Salvation is accomplished by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone (2 Tim. 1:9). It is a permanent work of conversion, a crossing over from death to life (John 5:24). And once you have crossed over with Jesus Christ, there is no going back (Romans 10:11).
May the LORD Jesus Christ bless you with His wisdom and the courage to follow Him!
Randy Lariscy :-)
Director - WordTruth Ministries
Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please send your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.ComCopyright 3/16/2002, Randy Lariscy.
