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Many Christians say that they are "saved" when they believe in Jesus. Does the following disprove that?
Once a person is saved, is he always saved?
Jude 5, RS: “I desire to remind you, though you were once for all fully informed, that he who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.” (Italics added.)
Matt. 24:13, RS: “He who endures to the end will be saved.” (So a person’s final salvation is not determined at the moment that he begins to put faith in Jesus.)
Phil. 2:12, RS: “As you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more i
in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (This was addressed to “the saints,” or holy ones, at Philippi, as stated in Philippians 1:1. Paul urged them not to be overly confident but to realize that their final salvation was not yet assured.)
8 Answers
- Anonymous7 years agoFavorite Answer
yep!!!
- ?Lv 77 years ago
In the Sermon on the Mount (Mathew 5-7), Jesus made a point bearing on this thread or question.
"Go in through the narrow gate,+ because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it." (Matt 7:13)
Here are described two roads or paths, one like a freeway and the other like a narrow side road hard to follow. Jesus said this difficult road is the one leading to life. And he pointed out only a few would find it.
Then in verse 14, Jesus cautioned the ones on the narrow path to beware of "false prophets". He described these as being like a hungry wolf. So what happens? A person is encouraged to leave the narrow path in favor of the freeway, safer right? But he also said these wolves would appear to be good folks with your best interests at heart. His caution included this advice. He said to identify these wolves you would have to examine what they actually do, their life course. Are they only after money? Fame? Sex?
Then he bluntly told us some who apparently were on the narrow road were not. They would be convinced of their position before God & Jesus and doing much good. How did he do that? What does he say? Look at Vs, 21-23 closely. Does he not say in v. 21 only those actually doing what God wants will be saved. Then he went on to call attention to the argument these ones would use, "‘Lord, Lord,+ did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’"
It makes no difference how convinced a person is that they are doing right. The question all must ask and find then follow is; "What does God expect of me? What kind of a person will he bless? How can I be sure I am actually doing what he wants?"
Look to the rest of the Bible for the answers. What is written is the key. Since each individual is accountable and will render an account for himself alone, I will not presume to give specific direction. All I will do is point to a clue.
Take a good concordance of your favorite Bible translation and research the word "wisdom" and the related words "Knowledge", "understanding" and "heart" in the Bible. One area of the Bible comes to mind to find answers first. PROVERBS, ECCLESIASTES, the Gospels and the letters of Paul, James, Peter and John. Research those words and look for Bible counsel on how to be pleasing to God.
You will find belief is important. But much more is needed. If you are sincere that you already know. Do not turn down help. But make sure you follow the counsel at 1 John 4:1 and not believe everything you hear. Those wolves that appear in sheeps clothing are very adroit. in twisting truth.
I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. And I include myself in this warning. You do not know if I am a real JW. Some have left the narrow path and have been conned by Satan & his followers and their own desires. ALWAYS verify what you learn from the Bible. God is so strong as to make sure the Bible contains truth. I learned from the King James. The truth is their, But language has changed so as to make understanding harder. That is one reason I prefer 21st century English. Nonetheless, the truth is in all real Bibles. Paraphrases? No. They are all biased and are not to be trusted.
Have fun. Ask questions. Demand Bible answers. Seek wisdom & understanding. And above all else follow the counsel in James 4. Draw close to God and he WILL draw close to you. How? Prayer is essential. And do not become discouraged when many you know try and discourage you from your quest.
- ?Lv 77 years ago
Exactly
I am a christian and believe that putting faith in Jesus and what he did for us is just part of it and that I must keep up my faith every single day, every single minute etc and it is the one who reaches the end, ie death or at Armageddon who is the one saved!
It is an ongoing process which is why many fall away because they do not like the notion that they have to keep trying; they rather go with: I can do what ever I like, because I believe and thus am saved!
- ?Lv 77 years ago
'You are saved when you believe in Jesus, based on Romans
10v9 initially and on the basis of being called Born Again or a Christian, versus being a non-believer or not being Born Again.
Your context is also correct.
I do not agree with your term "final salvation"
You are either saved or not saved.
Salvation is through Jesus Christ only, and based on those who come to God through faith and by faith in Jesus Finished Work on the Cross.
We are Pardoned in the salvation process, but we are still living in a sinful body, and a sinful world, and we would be tempted, and tried and tested and challenged.
Philiippians 1-V6: The definite article might imply that these men thought of themselves as Christian workers par excellence, but since the Greek text does not have the definite article (the), it should be rendered "servants [lit. 'bondservants' or 'slaves'] belonging to Christ Jesus."
Saints is a technical term referring not to the spiritual elite, but to all Christians. The term means "separated ones"
Believers are "separated" in a dual sense: (1)they are separated from all that is profane and set apart or reserved for God and His use, and (2) because they are separated from evil, they are morally pure, and holy.
The word "sanctification" means "to be set apart".
The Holy Spirit is attempting to make the believer holy (set apart) and spiritual (reflecting the character of God).
This in being accomplished in three phases. First, the believer is forgiven and set apart to God at his conversion (positional sanctification). Second, the believer is constantly being set apart from sin when he 'utilizes' the means of grace (e.g. the Word and prayer) in his life (progressive sanctification). Third, complete sanctification' begins at death, or at the Rapture, and is completed when the believer's spirit is reunited with his resurrection body.
We Christians should recognize that God uses all things to accomplish His purpose of making us like Jesus; so we should cooperate with the Holy Spirit Romans 8:28.
Source(s): The Bible KJV - grnlowLv 77 years ago
For this James 2:19 is useful. Where James complements those believing in,God. However, the demons also believe in God and in Christ---and shudder.
The stated references give scriptures noting Jesus casting out demons. As they saw him approach on two occasions, they thought he was coming to torment them or destroy them before God's appointed time fir them to die.
Knowing who God and who Jesus were never SAVED any of them.
- NousLv 77 years ago
Actually it is the members of the sects and cults that say you have to be saved that are lost!
CHRISTIAN – A follower or believer in Jesus Christ.
Anyone who claims anything else is needed is a member of a sect or cult and will no doubt be very surprised when welcomed in person to eternity by the devil!
- JohnnyLv 67 years ago
Thank you for asking , I agree with Suzanne.
God's Son Christ Jesus said this.......
(Matthew 7:21-23) “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of MY FATHER who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew You! Get away from me, You workers of lawlessness."
We must back up our Faith with the Works that prove it, as mentioned in the Bible book of James.......and then we must endure. Also as clearly stated we must do His Fathers will, we must obey Jehovah.
Thanks again and have a great day.
- Annsan_In_HimLv 77 years ago
The scriptures you use are relevant. Let's have a closer look at them.
Jude 5 is speaking of the Hebrews being saved from literal slavery in literal Egypt. Their salvation from slavery happened and could not be undone. They were saved. They continued to be saved from that slavery during their 40 years in the wilderness. Of course, such a literal salvation from literal slavery did not prevent that generation dying physically, nor did it prevent most of the nation choosing to show a great lack of faith in their Deliverer so that they did not have faith to go ahead to enter the Promised Land. They suffered for that lack of faith - God punished their lack of faith with 40 years in the wilderness, dying there, with only the faithful ones then entering the Promised Land. Note, however, that although Moses had great faith and did not sin as the people did, God also prevented him from entering the Promised Land. Yet Moses remained God's friend, the meekest of all men.
The reason Jude mentioned that historic event was to warn them about faithless people creeping into the Christian congregation, causing others to suffer. Jude had wanted to write to them about the salvation they all shared, but had to change tack to deal with that problem. So the example here is NOT about salvation, but about faithless people creeping into the church claiming that God's grace allowed them to live immoral lives. Context clears this up.
Second, you use Mat 24:13 where Jesus urges Christians to remain faithful to Himself, despite persecution. Here, 'the end' may refer to the end of one's own life, the judgment on Israel in AD 70, or the end of history when Jesus ushers in the Day of Judgment. Yes, it is obvious that faithfulness must be maintained. It would be absurd for anyone to think they could claim to have faith in Jesus at the outset, then live a life that did not show faith in Jesus being maintained. The lovely thing is this, the Bible assures Christians that, "I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (Phil 1:6 NLT) That is because faith is a gift from God. Would God give you a gift, only to snatch it back? Consider these scriptures:
"What must I do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ..." Acts 16:30-31
"...whoever believes in him [Jesus] should not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16
"God saved you [past tense] by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT
Our confidence is in God, not in ourselves. As we trust God and believe Him, we remain in His love. Of course, only those who are indwelt with His Holy Spirit can have and maintain such saving faith that results in a faithful, God-honouring life, right to death, or till Jesus returns.
Third, Philippians 2:12. Go back to where I quoted 1:6, and now link that with 2:12 and keep reading till the end of that sentence. Do not truncate it! The rest of that sentence says, "for God is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases him." You see what a critical difference the last part of that sentence makes? Only those who have God working in them (via the Holy Spirit's indwelling) know that their desires have been changed, and that they now have God's power to do what pleases him.
Sadly, many who claim to be saved, or who hope to be saved eventually, do not have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and that is why they have feelings of insecurity about their salvation. Yet to those who have been born from above by the Holy Spirit (John chapter 3), they know the power of God at work in them, continuing to make them conform more to the likeness of Christ, and they utterly trust in God's power and His promises - not in their own efforts. So, the scriptures you quote do not disprove the assurance of salvation that believers are blessed with.