A concept that is held by many Christian people is that eternal salvation IS ASSURED once we have accepted Christ as our personal Savior and have become a "new creature" in Christ.
But if this were so, that once we have received God's grace, it is impossible to lose it . . . THEN . . .
. . . WHY does Paul say, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest
. . . I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY?" 1 Corinthians 9:27
. . . WHY can some RECEIVE "THE GRACE OF GOD IN VAIN?" 2 Corinthians 6:1
. . . WHY must we be "FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH" to receive a "crown of life?" Revelation 2:10
. . . WHY does Peter say, "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, THE LATTER END IS WORSE WITH THEM THAN THE BEGINNING. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to return from the holy commandment delivered unto them?" 2 Peter 2:20, 21
. . . WHY are we told that only "he that ENDURETH TO THE END shall be saved?" Matthew 10:22.
. . . WHY are we told "For it is IMPOSSIBLE for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, . . . If they shall fall away, to RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE?" Hebrews 6:4-6
. . . WHY must we KEEP OURSELVES into the LOVE OF GOD? Jude 21
. . . WHY are RESURRECTED SAINTS the only ones upon whom the "SECOND DEATH hath NO POWER?" Revelation 20:6
. . . WHY are we told "IF WE SIN WILFULLY after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, He that despised Moses's law died without mercy . . . OF HOW MUCH SORER PUNISHMENT . . . shall he be . . . worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing?" Hebrews 10:26, 28, 29
. . . WHY must we "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling?" Philippians 2:12
. . . WHY are we told "IF WE BE DEAD with him, we shall also live with him: IF WE SUFFER, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, HE ALSO WILL DENY US?" 2 Timothy 2:11-13
. . . WHY are we told "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? SO RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN?" 1 Corinthians 9:24
. . . WHY are we told "add to your faith virtue . . . knowledge . . . temperance . . .
patience . . . godliness . . . brotherly love . . . charity . . . he that lacketh these things is blind, . . . and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins . . . give diligence to MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE, for IF ye do these things ye shall never fall?" 2 Peter 1:5-10
From the above Scriptures it becomes readily apparent that heavenly salvation is dependent on more than JUST BECOMING a true Christian. Faithfulness unto death will be required for all who will obtain the crown of life. Revelation 2:10
As we consider these Scriptures, further questions come to mind:
What is implied by being faithful unto Death? What happens to those who fail?
Will only Christians receive salvation? Will all Christians go to heaven? How
will God's will be done in earth as it is in heaven? Matthew 6:10.
"By their Fruits you shall know them," says our Lord [Matthew 7:18-21]. But fruits aren't grown instantaneously; they neither come in a fit of ecstasy, nor should they come at the moment death
closes our eyes. This process is one which the Apostle Paul terms "being transformed by the
renewing of your mind." [Romans 12:2] These fruits of character can come in only one way -- and that is the way of the cross, the strait and narrow gate, a way of self denial, of daily taking up our crosses, presenting our bodies, "living sacrifices," and being dead "with Him." This class is termed by our Lord as his "little flock," [Luke 12:32] for they are a "peculiar people zealous of good works" [Titus 2:14], to whom the scriptures promise the chief blessings as overcomers [Revelation 3:20].
But if this were so, that once we have received God's grace, it is impossible to lose it . . . THEN . . .
. . . WHY does Paul say, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest
. . . I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY?" 1 Corinthians 9:27
. . . WHY can some RECEIVE "THE GRACE OF GOD IN VAIN?" 2 Corinthians 6:1
. . . WHY must we be "FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH" to receive a "crown of life?" Revelation 2:10
. . . WHY does Peter say, "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, THE LATTER END IS WORSE WITH THEM THAN THE BEGINNING. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to return from the holy commandment delivered unto them?" 2 Peter 2:20, 21
. . . WHY are we told that only "he that ENDURETH TO THE END shall be saved?" Matthew 10:22.
. . . WHY are we told "For it is IMPOSSIBLE for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, . . . If they shall fall away, to RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE?" Hebrews 6:4-6
. . . WHY must we KEEP OURSELVES into the LOVE OF GOD? Jude 21
. . . WHY are RESURRECTED SAINTS the only ones upon whom the "SECOND DEATH hath NO POWER?" Revelation 20:6
. . . WHY are we told "IF WE SIN WILFULLY after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, He that despised Moses's law died without mercy . . . OF HOW MUCH SORER PUNISHMENT . . . shall he be . . . worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing?" Hebrews 10:26, 28, 29
. . . WHY must we "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling?" Philippians 2:12
. . . WHY are we told "IF WE BE DEAD with him, we shall also live with him: IF WE SUFFER, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, HE ALSO WILL DENY US?" 2 Timothy 2:11-13
. . . WHY are we told "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? SO RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN?" 1 Corinthians 9:24
. . . WHY are we told "add to your faith virtue . . . knowledge . . . temperance . . .
patience . . . godliness . . . brotherly love . . . charity . . . he that lacketh these things is blind, . . . and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins . . . give diligence to MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE, for IF ye do these things ye shall never fall?" 2 Peter 1:5-10
From the above Scriptures it becomes readily apparent that heavenly salvation is dependent on more than JUST BECOMING a true Christian. Faithfulness unto death will be required for all who will obtain the crown of life. Revelation 2:10
As we consider these Scriptures, further questions come to mind:
What is implied by being faithful unto Death? What happens to those who fail?
Will only Christians receive salvation? Will all Christians go to heaven? How
will God's will be done in earth as it is in heaven? Matthew 6:10.
"By their Fruits you shall know them," says our Lord [Matthew 7:18-21]. But fruits aren't grown instantaneously; they neither come in a fit of ecstasy, nor should they come at the moment death
closes our eyes. This process is one which the Apostle Paul terms "being transformed by the
renewing of your mind." [Romans 12:2] These fruits of character can come in only one way -- and that is the way of the cross, the strait and narrow gate, a way of self denial, of daily taking up our crosses, presenting our bodies, "living sacrifices," and being dead "with Him." This class is termed by our Lord as his "little flock," [Luke 12:32] for they are a "peculiar people zealous of good works" [Titus 2:14], to whom the scriptures promise the chief blessings as overcomers [Revelation 3:20].