We all have a choice to believe in something, I choose to believe in God!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED OR NOT?

Recently I had a discussion about "once saved always saved" with a dear sister of the faith. This discussion really opened my heart to search to greater depths for this Truth. Although there's often 2 interpretations when 2 people discuss biblical things, one Truth can easily be found. I began in a mindset that we can lose our salvation. Well, true but false. Here's what I now believe based on scripture and not of my opinion. We can lose our salvation, but it's not because He takes it away. It's because we choose to leave it behind. I suppose one could call that "losing your salvation." It is something lost. So, first I found this little pamphlet at the doctor's office that explained how good God is and how he uses certain disciplinary measures to keep us in line and close to Him, like a good parent. The author of that pamphlet, a preacher, used Hebrews 12:5-6 to explain that God "chastens," "scourges," and "rebukes" (using His word [the Bible]) to discipline His children. And instead of just casting us off, He first uses these measures to keep us where we are supposed to be. But then, there's those who "fall away." This is the "losing of the salvation." Yes, it can be lost by us. God will hold us and love us, and discipline us, if necessary. But He won't force us to stay with Him and His beautiful family. It's hard to beleive that there's those out there who would walk away from Him but they do. In the event that a saved person chooses  to give up the "good fight of faith" and walk away from it, that's it. Back into the world they go, lost and undone once again. How do I know? God told me through His word. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (v.5) and have tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (v.6) if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:4-6. See, however, it doesn't imply that God casts us off, but that WE cast Him off. I think this is where the church fails to teach the Truth. The churches I've been in don't teach this scripture, they teach St. John 10:28, "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." I, too, have quoted this particular verse in reference to being saved always. But this is not for those who "fall away" or "walk away" or "return to the worldly ways." This verse is for those who are steadfast in the faith. Unwavering. Immovable. We shall never be plucked from His hand. But God's nature isn't to put a noose around our necks and hold us despite our protests to go free. He will, indeed, release you..immediately. Nobody wants to be with someone who doesn't want to be with them. God epitomizes this. Personally, I'm finally at rest about this subject. The Lord wanted me to know the Truth and He wasted no time in teaching me. He says to me, "Yes, I save you forever daughter. But if this gift isn't wanted by you, then I'll take it back as you offer, but it can't be returned to you once you've given it back." He's wise and all-knowing and who are we to question One such as He?