Standing… Survey… YES or NO………………?ONCE SAV-ED…SAV-ED FOREVER [OSAS)?

[Taken]

YES

 

[Rockerduck]

Yes

 

[Nameaboveallnames]

No.

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

Based on the whole counsel of the Lord, NO

 

[Jesus Wept]

I knew a guy who went to my church years ago, we weren't friends, he was just another brother. I don't know much about his life, but I know enough about my own life to fill in some of the blanks. His upbringing was obviously tragic, he became a very bad dude and eventually went to prison. This was the kind of man who before he met Christ in prison would have robbed and maybe even killed you, just for looking at him the wrong way.

When he was released he came to our church. After service, he would slip around the corner of the building and have a smoke. There were several people who had some very harsh criticism of this habit, and made it known, he didn't stick around long.

This was a man who's entire life had been completely changed by Christ. And yet, there were those who couldn't get past this one small habit that he was still dealing with.
Some might say that he was unrepentant, and they would have been wrong. He was just another brother doing the best he could at the time.

God looks at the heart. God knows who His children are, what they struggle with, and exactly how to keep them safe and secure through whatever trials may beset them.
I'm not sure why this is so difficult for some to understand. But I presume that it is because there are some among us who actually believe that they have conquered sin in their personal lives, and that it is their mission to get others to do likewise. These same people think nothing of harassing, insulting or condemning those who disagree with them. The bible says somewhere that there will come a time when people will kill us thinking that they are doing Gods work.
I see the same spirit in those people who make it their life's work to condemn everyone around them for not being holy enough. And trust me, I'm a big proponent of personal holiness. But not to the point where I would ever judge another brother in his relationship with God, that's above my pay grade.

1 Peter 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

"Kept by the power of God..."
"Through manifold temptations..."

We all sin, some of us worse than others, but all sin is evil, and that's why we need a Savior. We can't save ourselves.

God does not tempt, but he allows temptations, and its for our good that He does. Through trials and temptations we learn to love and trust our Father.

Show me a man who claims to be above temptation and sin, and I will show you a liar, perhaps a damned liar, but that's not my call.

 

[Rockerduck]

I knew a guy who went to my church years ago, we weren't friends, he was just another brother. I don't know much about his life, but I know enough about my own life to fill in some of the blanks. His upbringing was obviously tragic, he became a very bad dude and eventually went to prison. This was the kind of man who before he met Christ in prison would have robbed and maybe even killed you, just for looking at him the wrong way.

When he was released he came to our church. After service, he would slip around the corner of the building and have a smoke. There were several people who had some very harsh criticism of this habit, and made it known, he didn't stick around long.

This was a man who's entire life had been completely changed by Christ. And yet, there were those who couldn't get past this one small habit that he was still dealing with.
Some might say that he was unrepentant, and they would have been wrong. He was just another brother doing the best he could at the time.

God looks at the heart. God knows who His children are, what they struggle with, and exactly how to keep them safe and secure through whatever trials may beset them.
I'm not sure why this is so difficult for some to understand. But I presume that it is because there are some among us who actually believe that they have conquered sin in their personal lives, and that it is their mission to get others to do likewise. These same people think nothing of harassing, insulting or condemning those who disagree with them. The bible says somewhere that there will come a time when people will kill us thinking that they are doing Gods work.
I see the same spirit in those people who make it their life's work to condemn everyone around them for not being holy enough. And trust me, I'm a big proponent of personal holiness. But not to the point where I would ever judge another brother in his relationship with God, that's above my pay grade.

1 Peter 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

"Kept by the power of God..."
"Through manifold temptations..."

We all sin, some of us worse than others, but all sin is evil, and that's why we need a Savior. We can't save ourselves.

God does not tempt, but he allows temptations, and its for our good that He does. Through trials and temptations we learn to love and trust our Father.

Show me a man who claims to be above temptation and sin, and I will show you a liar, perhaps a damned liar, but that's not my call.

I have been to many churches. A regular Church for regular folks is not the place for an ex hardened prisoner. There are churches that would make your friend welcome. Just as there are biker churches for outlaw bikers that have changed. Your friend needs ex prisoner churches that understand and are made up of ex prisoners. They bind together with a common bond that, regular people can't relate to. He needs to start there first and after a few years of growth as a Christian, move to regular churches.

 

[Pearl]

Yes

 

[Jesus Wept]

I have been to many churches. A regular Church for regular folks is not the place for an ex hardened prisoner. There are churches that would make your friend welcome. Just as there are biker churches for outlaw bikers that have changed. Your friend needs ex prisoner churches that understand and are made up of ex prisoners. They bind together with a common bond that, regular people can't relate to. He needs to start there first and after a few years of growth as a Christian, move to regular churches.

No. But that's an interesting take.

 

[Taken]

No.

Thanks for your response.

 

[Taken]

@Pearl
@Rockerduck

God Bless you,
Taken

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

When he was released he came to our church. After service, he would slip around the corner of the building and have a smoke. There were several people who had some very harsh criticism of this habit, and made it known, he didn't stick around long.

Too bad your pastor (or a competent elder) didn't pull the guy aside and teach him that smoking cigarettes is sinful and then talk to him about how to be delivered from cigarettes and why.

Some might say that he was unrepentant, and they would have been wrong.

No matter how you slice it, smoking is sinful behavior and he was still involved in sinful behavior.
You are making excuses for sin which is not being led by the Holy Spirit

The man needed to be taught and discipled and the pastor (or a competent elder) should have taught him to not smoke on church property as doing so can cause others to stumble and be tempted such as young people.

God looks at the heart. God knows who His children are, what they struggle with, and exactly how to keep them safe and secure through whatever trials may beset them.

Do you say this about child molesters too? Maybe they are smuggling but still molesting like the cigarette guy.

If a child molester gets saved, are you good with them molesting fewer kids each week?

OR would you advise the guy he needs to repent immediately and STOP his sin or molesting children

We all sin

Really? Dude, you really need to get to know God's Word better!

What happened to "I can do all things THRU Christ Who strengthens me" in Philippians 4:13 ???

What happened to "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" in Galatians 5:16 ???

What happened to "Awake to righteousness and sin not" in 1 Corinthians 15:34 ???

What happened to "these things write I unto you, that ye sin not" in 1 John 2:1 ???

God does not tempt, but he allows temptations

Are you not aware that the Lord provides a way of escape from temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) ????

Show me a man who claims to be above temptation and sin, and I will show you a liar, perhaps a damned liar, but that's not my call.

Wow, so you are obviously not very knowledgeable in God's Word at all.

You must go to one of those churches that teach "reformed theology", amiright?

I have been to many churches. A regular Church for regular folks is not the place for an ex hardened prisoner. There are churches that would make your friend welcome. Just as there are biker churches for outlaw bikers that have changed. Your friend needs ex prisoner churches that understand and are made up of ex prisoners. They bind together with a common bond that, regular people can't relate to. He needs to start there first and after a few years of growth as a Christian, move to regular churches.

Yep, as long as it's not a biker church that teaches OSAS as some of them do as they drink beer and smoke weed at the pot luck dinner after Sunday morning church service.

 

[NotTheRock]

I believe that Jesus's sacrifice saved ALL beings from forever death. I further believe that faith in Jesus, as demonstrated by faithfully following his commandments, saves Christians from a trip/experience in the "Lake of Fire". However, I also believe that ALL beings will be in God's future Kingdom, albeit some will NOT be "saved" from an unpleasant but necessary visit to the LOF to get there.

So, no, I don't believe in "once saved always saved" because I believe that some Christians may regress to the point that the LOF becomes necessary for them. Of course, only Jesus can and will make those determinations and I certainly may be mistaken about "once saved always saved".

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

When he was released he came to our church. After service, he would slip around the corner of the building and have a smoke. There were several people who had some very harsh criticism of this habit, and made it known, he didn't stick around long.

Too bad your pastor (or a competent elder) didn't pull the guy aside and teach him that smoking cigarettes is sinful and then talk to him about how to be delivered from cigarettes and why.

Some might say that he was unrepentant, and they would have been wrong.

No matter how you slice it, smoking is sinful behavior and he was still involved in sinful behavior.
You are making excuses for sin which is not being led by the Holy Spirit

The man needed to be taught and discipled and the pastor (or a competent elder) should have taught him to not smoke on church property as doing so can cause others to stumble and be tempted such as young people.

God looks at the heart. God knows who His children are, what they struggle with, and exactly how to keep them safe and secure through whatever trials may beset them.

Do you say this about child molesters too?

We all sin

Really? Dude, you really need to get to know God's Word better!

What happened to "I can do all things THRU Christ Who strengthens me" in Philippians 4:13 ???

What happened to "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" in Galatians 5:16 ???

What happened to "Awake to righteousness and sin not" in 1 Corinthians 15:34 ???

What happened to "these things write I unto you, that ye sin not" in 1 John 2:1 ???

God does not tempt, but he allows temptations

Are you not aware that the Lord provides a way of escape from temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) ????

Show me a man who claims to be above temptation and sin, and I will show you a liar, perhaps a damned liar, but that's not my call.

Wow, so you are obviously not very knowledgeable in God's Word at all.

You must go to one of those churches that teach "reformed theology", amiright?

I have been to many churches. A regular Church for regular folks is not the place for an ex hardened prisoner. There are churches that would make your friend welcome. Just as there are biker churches for outlaw bikers that have changed. Your friend needs ex prisoner churches that understand and are made up of ex prisoners. They bind together with a common bond that, regular people can't relate to. He needs to start there first and after a few years of growth as a Christian, move to regular churches.

Yep, as long as it's not a biker church that teaches OSAS as some of them do as they drink beer and smoke weed at the pot luck dinner after Sunday morning church service.