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I have questioned this issue for some time and have been consistently led
back to the same conclusion. I will offer you my findings in this page.
First, let me assure you that I do indeed believe in Eternal Salvation.
However, I think that one can indeed fall from that position in Christ and
from His salvation. I suppose one could conclude that I believe that
one can obtain and maintain an eternal salvation as long as he desires to
have it.
I understand that the Word tells us that no man can remove us from the hand
of God (John 1029). And this is
quite true. Once we are in God's hand, we are there and no man, a human
being, can take us from it. Nothing can remove us from the Love that is
God (Romans 835-39) because no matter
what will come upon us, we will either be able to cope with it
(Philippians 413), or if we cannot
handle it, there will be a way out (1 Corinthians 1013).
But since we have all these benefits like the way out and the strength to
endure through any temptations
(which all believers will have)
(James 12-4) , we are free will
agents and have the freedom to do what we want. We have the ability
to sin after accepting Christ since sin is in the flesh and we are still in
flesh. However, we won't sin if we stay committed to Christ. If
we seek God and God's righteousness for our lives
(Matthew 633), then indeed, we will
surely remain in His hand and maintain our salvation
(1 John 518). We must remember
that if we willingly and knowingly commit sin, we are not living a committed
life for Christ (Hebrews 314) but if
(1 John 38) we hold fast to God and
His righteousness, we have that definite and sure Eternal Salvation.
Let's get into the passages that support this thought:
I find scripture shows that by accepting the understanding that Jesus of
Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God
(2 John 17-11)(1 John 41-3),
we can escape the sinful pollutions of worldly living. However, I can
see also that we can become entangled again and overcome by those sinful
pollutions (2 Peter 220). It's
by far better for one to never have accepted Christ in the first place than
to turn from the Word and the God who's Word it is
(2 Peter 221).
How can this happen? Simple, according to James. He first warns
that one falls under the power of temptation not by God, but rather when his
own lusts (1 John 216) attempt to gain
dominance in one's life (James 113,14).
In fact we are clearly warned that we could fall from our faith when we
are led away by the error of our worldly lusts. That error is sin
(2 Peter 317).
After that lust has taken over it causes sin and that sin brings death...
not physical death but spiritual death (James 115).
If our bodies would die while in spiritual death, then how could the
spirit conceivably enter Heaven (Revelation 218;
2215)?
After all this, we are told in a stern warning that we are not to make a
mistake because of the risk of falling into sin and death
(Hebrews 312)(James 116).
So if we know the good things of God and have experienced them and been a part
of them... how does one 'slide' back into sin?
I find that we can retain God in our minds and hearts. We are instructed
to live in righteousness by the renewing of our minds
(Romans 122). However, are we
forced to keep God and His righteousness in our lives and minds? No!
and if we don't we can be in serious trouble
(Romans 128).
I see how one can easily turn from God. We are told to "repent" which
simply means to turn away from sin and toward God and His righteousness.
However, we can indeed turn back from God and toward sin
(Galatians 49).
Ultimately, and in closing of this subject, I must say that we are part of
the Family of God. We are instructed to hold fast unto the end...
either the end of our individual physical lives, or unto the end of the Church
on earth and it is caught up when Christ returns for it. We are told to
hold firmly to the confidence and joy of a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ unto whatever end we might reach (Hebrews 36).
I now offer the same clear warning which James offered... My Dear
and Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, "Do not err." Hold tightly
to your righteousness which God has provided for you so that you will be found
as a "Good and Faithful Servant" when meeting God face to face
(Matthew 2523).
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