Once saved can we lose our salvation??

[Stickz]

Someone mentioned earlier in this thread that grace was "unmerited favor" and I just want to post a verse here that would not look right in this case, and I think proving that the word cannot be defined in this manner.

Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

This verse is referring to Jesus.

There are others too but I'm not going to list them here. If you are interested, look up the word "grace" in a concordance and read for yourself the verses where the word shows up.

Jude 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

There was a good reason for the reminder. And I have always loved how this verse actually uses the word "saved" here.

Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The Bible along with it's many warnings was written to believers NOT unbelievers. Writing to people who would never read it makes no sense. But then again we have a lot of people who claim to be Christian believers that don't read and study the book that God supplied for them. Most of them, I'm sure, in that it makes perfect sense, are believers of Once Saved, Always Saved. John 3:16 is all that they need to be saved, everything else is just meaningless details. You have your reward.

And most that claim to take verses in their most literal sense DO NOT read ALL verses literally. They apply interpretive rules as needed for defending their belief. So, to ever even mention that you read a verse in it's literal sense is pointless. The same people that say things like, "The words 'lose salvation' aren't even in those verses that you mention," defend the Trinity and the Rapture even though these words can't be found ANYWHERE in the Bible.

Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.

This short little verse here, when read in context, tells me that people that believe in OSAS believe in something that contradicts scripture.

The Bible is full of verses that SEEM to contradict, but it was constructed this way to test, to separate believers from unbelievers. Just like when God told Abraham that he and Sarah would one day have a son and that that son's descendants would one day inherit the land of Israel. Then, after Abraham had witnessed the miracle of Isaac's birth, God asked Abraham to take Isaac three days journey into the mountain and sacrifice him there. Abraham had to consider the things that God, whom cannot lie, had said. There was only one answer for what appeared to be contradicting statements made by God, and it involved something that had probably never been heard of before that time: resurrection from the dead. And Abraham received a blessing from God that no other man before him or after him would ever attain again.

II Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Isaac001: What a great point you made "There is a warning though. Only God knows the heart of men." So often Christians rush to judgement with statements like "They are not saved" or "They where never saved to begin with" they attempt to judge only what God can judge, the heart of man.

Yes, but Jesus did say that you would know them by their fruits ( not their words ). And faith, coincidentally, cannot be "viewed" without the "works" that should accompany it. One can say that they have faith all day long, and could even preach the right words ( taught by someone else ) but words are just words after all. Real faith involves more than just "saying" that you have it. If you can't "do" anything with your faith then it's worthless, or as James put it "dead".

 

[Isaac001]

Yes, but Jesus did say that you would know them by their fruits ( not their words ). And faith, coincidentally, cannot be "viewed" without the "works" that should accompany it. One can say that they have faith all day long, and could even preach the right words ( taught by someone else ) but words are just words after all. Real faith involves more than just "saying" that you have it. If you can't "do" anything with your faith then it's worthless, or as James put it "dead".

Just to be clear, I think we are in agreement when it comes to the OSAS issue, That a person can in fact forfeit their salvation.
As to your point with faith and works, I understand what you are saying but I think that clarity is needed.
Works cannot save us, nor can works sustain us. Works is the external expression of a believers faith but works are not the means to a person’s salvation.

Now in regards to what you were saying about the word grace, In the English New Testament the word "grace" is always a translation of (charis) How that is interpreted is dependent upon context

 

[Michelle71]

Someone mentioned earlier in this thread that grace was "unmerited favor" and I just want to post a verse here that would not look right in this case, and I think proving that the word cannot be defined in this manner.

Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

This verse is referring to Jesus.

There are others too but I'm not going to list them here. If you are interested, look up the word "grace" in a concordance and read for yourself the verses where the word shows up.

Jude 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

There was a good reason for the reminder. And I have always loved how this verse actually uses the word "saved" here.

Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The Bible along with it's many warnings was written to believers NOT unbelievers. Writing to people who would never read it makes no sense. But then again we have a lot of people who claim to be Christian believers that don't read and study the book that God supplied for them. Most of them, I'm sure, in that it makes perfect sense, are believers of Once Saved, Always Saved. John 3:16 is all that they need to be saved, everything else is just meaningless details. You have your reward.

And most that claim to take verses in their most literal sense DO NOT read ALL verses literally. They apply interpretive rules as needed for defending their belief. So, to ever even mention that you read a verse in it's literal sense is pointless. The same people that say things like, "The words 'lose salvation' aren't even in those verses that you mention," defend the Trinity and the Rapture even though these words can't be found ANYWHERE in the Bible.

Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.

This short little verse here, when read in context, tells me that people that believe in OSAS believe in something that contradicts scripture.

The Bible is full of verses that SEEM to contradict, but it was constructed this way to test, to separate believers from unbelievers. Just like when God told Abraham that he and Sarah would one day have a son and that that son's descendants would one day inherit the land of Israel. Then, after Abraham had witnessed the miracle of Isaac's birth, God asked Abraham to take Isaac three days journey into the mountain and sacrifice him there. Abraham had to consider the things that God, whom cannot lie, had said. There was only one answer for what appeared to be contradicting statements made by God, and it involved something that had probably never been heard of before that time: resurrection from the dead. And Abraham received a blessing from God that no other man before him or after him would ever attain again.

II Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.



Yes, but Jesus did say that you would know them by their fruits ( not their words ). And faith, coincidentally, cannot be "viewed" without the "works" that should accompany it. One can say that they have faith all day long, and could even preach the right words ( taught by someone else ) but words are just words after all. Real faith involves more than just "saying" that you have it. If you can't "do" anything with your faith then it's worthless, or as James put it "dead".

OSAS is a doctrine that keeps people from true repentance, and can lead them to falling away. We are instructed to examine ourselves to make sure we are in the faith. That is our perspective.

If someone is falling away, then we are supposed to work with that person in an attempt to bring them back into a solid foundation with the Lord through repentance and prayer. That is the other members of the Body of Christ's perspective (or should be, rather than say, they are not saved, or were never saved...they are a lost cause etc, or if the fall away, it is the will of God. We are to stay the course and be led of the Spirit in these instances. David committed adultary and murder, but was saved by God at the end of the day)
There is a point though, that the person can fall so far that this type of thing is needed:

1Co 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

The main thing I see within the organized religions and the religious Christians of the day is that they are not willing to bear with each other at all. A low tolerance for those who are working things out. That is not how the early Christians worked with each other. Sometimes a person who is saved, but going off course, can appear to not be bearing any good fruit that would suggest to others they are of the faith.

Then there is Jesus' perspective.

Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

The problem is, is there can be the mindset that "oh well, they are going off course. It must be the will of God because Jesus doesn't lose any the Father has given Him." Then that person is ostrasized, thrown out, excommunicated etc. God works through His creation, and Jesus works through His Body. Who then is called to work with those who are falling away. Sometimes that does not look "nice", but it should be Christ centered in humility working to restore that person back to the faith rather than through self righteousness that is so prevelant within Christians today.

 

[faithfulservant]

Allow me to point out something interesting: We are exhorted to seek the "Kingdom of God" and "His righteousness." That's two things, isn't it? Paul preached the "Good news" in addition to what he called "His gospel." Isn't that interesting? Two things.

The Word of God does not contradict itself, but reconciles itself perfectly for God is perfect.We have a hard time with this, though, because we come to these scriptures with a carnal mindset and with preconceived strongholds that we refuse to let go of in order to receive truth.

 

[jari]

The same people that say things like, "The words 'lose salvation' aren't even in those verses that you mention," defend the Trinity and the Rapture even though these words can't be found ANYWHERE in the Bible.

Hehe a generalization? poor one. if your referring to me..

and what does that even have to do with anything? seems like you took me too literally when i said "words loose salvation" arent in scripture.. what i meant was that anything even near like that isnt there. because people interpret somethings to mean that. though it evidently doesn't ever say in bible that some one can "loose salvation".

 

[jari]

Paul preached the "Good news" in addition to what he called "His gospel."

to this i must digress........
no they are the same. Paul just meant the Gospel he has, you know the gospel he is preaching. His gospel and not some false apostoles "gospel". but his gospel. which is the one and only right one.

 

[jari]

The Bible along with it's many warnings was written to believers NOT unbelievers. Writing to people who would never read it makes no sense.

actually there was possibly lot people in churches whom the letters were written (by apostoles) who didnt yet "believe". it's possible people goto church but have not begun to believe in Jesus.. maybe they would like to and maybe they know they dont. some churches back then could have also been just as secular influenced as some are today... people forming religion attending church , but no faith in God at all and even all ways lead to heaven type beliefs. They also had jewish persecuation , false brothers, false teachers so it could very well be that the influence and everything didnt help to make everyone believers. And apostoles knew this and were often evengelizing in their letters in the bible. I believe you can see this from many of Pauls letters.

 

[jari]

OSAS is a doctrine that keeps people from true repentance, and can lead them to falling away. We are instructed to examine ourselves to make sure we are in the faith. That is our perspective.

it's interesting everytime some one says something agaisnt OSAS the argument goes like this, you have to do something to keep your salvation.

well keeping faith is good idea. But if Jesus is author and finished of our faith then Check to verify you have the faith should be sufficient. But you can also grow in faith. which again helps you tell you are saved. But do we need to keep certain faith level up? scripture doesn't say that. if you believe in God you believe it always. Why because it's divine faith by holy spirit and it will stick with you. unbelief can overcome us but in reality I believe faith given by God always remains under the hood.

 

[Stickz]

Isaac001: Just to be clear, I think we are in agreement when it comes to the OSAS issue, That a person can in fact forfeit their salvation.
As to your point with faith and works, I understand what you are saying but I think that clarity is needed.
Works cannot save us, nor can works sustain us. Works is the external expression of a believers faith but works are not the means to a person’s salvation.

Now in regards to what you were saying about the word grace, In the English New Testament the word "grace" is always a translation of (charis) How that is interpreted is dependent upon context

I'd love to hear your explanation of how a person can lose their salvation, or forfeit it ( as you say ) without it having ANYTHING to do with works, Isaac001. The way that I understand it is if one believes that salvation can be lost they, by default, believe in "works" salvation. I actually learned THAT here in Talk Jesus. If you would, could you give me a clear example of someone forfeiting their salvation?

And James 1:11 gives a use of the word "grace" that didn't come from the word charis. Furthermore, I was only trying to say what you have said about the word grace. Someone said that it meant "unmerited favor" earlier in this thread and I was ATTEMPTING to show that it could not ONLY mean that. Most words, English or otherwise, have more than one meaning and are left up to the interpreter to decide which meaning to apply to it.

 

[Stickz]

Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Is this greeting to unbelievers or believers? Believers, correct? And Paul never veers from this to include unbelievers anywhere in the letter to Romans, so the warnings about various things in the letter to the Romans was for believers not unbelievers.

I Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

To believers, or unbelievers?

The first chapter of Galatians can be read through a little and I'm sure that it's pretty clear that that letter was meant for believers as well.

Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

If you look at who the letters of the New Testament were addressed to you should be able to see that they were all addressed to people that had heard AND believed the message that they had received. Most of Paul's letters were written to churches that he himself had been to personally to preach the word. So, when you run across a warning or an urging anywhere in the New Testament ( unless otherwise noted, and there are very few ) the warning was meant for the believers that had been addressed in the letters.

 

[Isaac001]

I'd love to hear your explanation of how a person can lose their salvation, or forfeit it ( as you say ) without it having ANYTHING to do with works

First I believe we must look at the nature of salvation:
1. Works cannot obtain salvation
a. Ephesians 2:7-9
b. Romans 10:8-10
c. Galatians 2:16-19

2. The second point we must look at is, if works cannot obtain salvation, works cannot sustain salvation. How can works sustain salvation if it was too weak to even obtain salvation, this is the question you will have to ask yourself. The second question we must ask then is what does sustain a believer’s salvation? Well it would have to logically follow that a believer’s salvation is sustained by faith.

a. Our justification is by Grace alone through Faith alone in Christ alone, those who seek justification by works or any other means fall into dangerous water
i. Galatians 3:1-3
ii. Galatians 5:4-5

3. So then to answer your question “how a person can lose their salvation, or forfeit it (as you say) without it having ANYTHING to do with works?”
a. A person loses there salvation when they lose their faith in the finished work of Christ
i. This is expressed in a person’s life when they chose to believe the lies of this world or other religions about God and not the truth of the scriptures, and in return harden there heart and no longer believe in the God, (They lose faith)
1.1 Timothy 4:1
b. A person loses there salvation when they choose to follow there lustful desires and reject the truth of God

None of these things have anything to do with works.

The way that I understand it is if one believes that salvation can be lost they, by default, believe in "works" salvation.

Let me be the first to tell you, I believe a person can forfeit their salvation for the reasons I explained above, but I in no way believe in the view of works salvation, and I believe that the above comments make that very clear.

And James 1:11 gives a use of the word "grace" that didn't come from the word charis.

As to your point about James 1:11, I assume you’re reading the KJV. The word grace there is more accurately translated into beauty as in the NASB, NIV and AMP

 

[Peace Seeker]

But then again brother you have churches and many congregations who have no problem with homosexuality and would call themselves born again. Would not surprise me to find some of who you've mentioned telling folks that they are born again Christians. Truth is in short supply in this world. Yet what you mentioned brought to mind Salvation, and sin. So in the event that they are simply mislead to believe that sin is not to be accorded the same validity to them since they are now saved, against the person who is not. How then would one deal with the following situation?


There is a verse in Matthew 12:32 talks of the unpardonable sin. Yet does not attribute this specifically to either unbeliever or believer from what I can tell (I am open to correction.) Many Christians, myself included at one time (no longer), have been terribly concerned about this verse. Have we done it, maybe by accident, or even in a moment of weakness? We know through Christ Jesus we are cleansed of all sins, however, the Lord does mention this one exception that there is no forgiveness for.


I'd be curious of how either side deals with this verse as OSAS or as brother Peace Seeker mentioned OSGL?
This question is not necessarily just directed to you Peace Seeker, just so you know. You just happened to be the post which opened the door to this line of thought!
YBIC
C4E

Hi, brother. Homosexuals can call themselves born-again all they want, but it doesn't mean they are. They are wrong because the bible tells us we must repent of our sins, and clearly states that man shall not lie with man, it is an abomination. And churches and congregations that support abominations and sinful living are wrong.

Which brings me back to my question (regarding OSAS as presumably being "a license to immorality"): "Do you know of any born-again Christians that are wife-swapping and hanging out with the Hell's Angels?"

No born-again believer would do such things, how could they when they are dead to sin, as new creations in Christ, being led by and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live for Christ?

About the unpardonable sin, can a house be divided? We are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in us, so I don't think a believer can commit that sin. God bless!

 

[Stickz]

Would you admit to sinning every day, Peace Seeker?

Peace Seeker: Which brings me back to my question ( regarding OSAS as presumably being "a license to immorality" ): "Do you know of any born-again Christians that are wife-swapping and hanging out with the Hell's Angels?"

I know people like this, that claim to be saved by the grace of God. Premarital sex with as many different partners as they can get, drinking pretty much every night. But they've been taught that they are saved by the grace of God. Are they? They believe they are and that's all that matters, I guess. I haven't been able to change their minds about it, and have decided that speaking with people who don't claim any faith in God is a much better way to spend my time.

 

[Beans]

3. So then to answer your question “how a person can lose their salvation, or forfeit it (as you say) without it having ANYTHING to do with works?”
a. A person loses there salvation when they lose their faith in the finished work of Christ
i. This is expressed in a person’s life when they chose to believe the lies of this world or other religions about God and not the truth of the scriptures, and in return harden there heart and no longer believe in the God, (They lose faith)
1.1 Timothy 4:1
b. A person loses there salvation when they choose to follow there lustful desires and reject the truth of God

None of these things have anything to do with works.

What you seem to be trying to do is to separate Faith from Works. How is it that you believe that you can lose your salvation through works ("follow there lustful desires and reject the truth of God) , but can't see the role that works plays in salvation?
It's not that works save you, just that faith without works is dead. Can dead faith save you?

 

[DutchChristian]

Be ye wise and reject OSAS!

 

[Stickz]

Thank you, Beans. I was actually hoping that someone else would see it the way that I was seeing it, and say something.

Isaac001: 2. The second point we must look at is, if works cannot obtain salvation, works cannot sustain salvation. How can works sustain salvation if it was too weak to even obtain salvation, this is the question you will have to ask yourself. The second question we must ask then is what does sustain a believer’s salvation? Well it would have to logically follow that a believer’s salvation is sustained by faith.

You say this as though it's like the Law of Gravity or something, something that has been proven time and again by scientists all over the world. The Law of Obtaining and Sustaining. If something cannot be obtained by one thing it can also not be sustained by the same? Well, there are a lot of people that cannot cut their own hair, but they can later help sustain the style that someone else gives them. You see how both the hair-stylist AND the person that got their hair cut and styled play a part in keeping it up?

Most of us admit to playing a part in our accepting Christ. It was OUR choice, right? God does NOT force it on anyone. The grace would not have been there had it not been for God, but it was my choice to accept it, or not. I didn't try to gain it by keeping the Ten Commandments, or by keeping the Passover perfectly as described in the Old Testament, or by sacrificing any of my pets, etc .... But, according to MOST people, "works" is ANY part that you play in salvation. I had a part in receiving the Grace of God and I also have a part in maintaining it. Could I do it WITHOUT Jesus? No. It seems easy enough to explain, I don't get why it's so hard to understand.

A lot of people attempt to discredit "Lordship Salvation" but the simple fact is is that Jesus IS Lord. Anyone disagree? A lot of people speak against "Works Salvation" as though the Bible specifically and clearly states that it's wrong ( the number of people against it end up scaring people so that they become afraid to admit that that's what they believe ), BUT when we are also COMMANDED to do things, or not do things, by the same man that wrote the verses that everyone is interpreting as though he were saying that "works" plays NO part in salvation, then we have the situation that we are now in, where some have decided to go with THEIR INTERPRETATION of a couple of verses and COMPLETELY DISREGARD many others. The sad thing is is that the verses that are disregarded are the verses that help to clarify what was meant when he said that we are not saved because of our works.

Paul himself explains it when he states that he labored much more than the other disciples. But, his having taken the gospel to a lot more people than Peter and John combined does nothing to add to his salvation in any way. Had he screwed up and started disobeying God, the things that he had done would not gain him any favor with God either. The things that Paul did, the things that he suffered, was God's plans for Paul, what He wanted from Paul's life. But, disobeying the Lord IS disobeying the Lord and it doesn't matter whether you believe that you are saved, or not.

 

[Isaac001]

What you seem to be trying to do is to separate Faith from Works. How is it that you believe that you can lose your salvation through works ("follow there lustful desires and reject the truth of God) , but can't see the role that works plays in salvation?
It's not that works save you, just that faith without works is dead. Can dead faith save you?

To understand this topic deeper we need to break it down further.
What do we mean when we us the word “Works”
There are 3 types of “Works”
Works of righteousness (Good works)
These types of works are a product of one’s faithfulness
Works of self-righteousness (dead works)
These type of works are a product of someone seeking to justify themselves through what they do and not what was done on the cross of Christ.
Works of unrighteousness
These are sinful acts which one commits which can lead to a harden heart and finally a rejection of the faith and God.

What you seem to be trying to do is to separate Faith from Works.

This is a good observation that you made, allow me to clarify.

Biblically speaking, saving faith is separated form works, what works can we ever do to earn the gift of salvation? We can do nothing…
Good works is nothing more than an external expression of my faith but good works is not necessarily the evidence or reason for my saving faith.

How is it that you believe that you can lose your salvation through works.

I don’t believe a person can lose the salvation by works. The answer to this may be somewhat controversial but it is biblical none the less. I do not believe that a person can lose their salvation because they sin Romans 5:20-21. If you disagree with that statement, look at your life in the last 30days and just begin to tally up all of the times that you fell short of Gods perfect standard. A person can only lose their salvation by losing their faith or choosing to worship the created and not the creator God. Faith is lost by rejecting God.

Now the question I have for you. You said

but can't see the role that works plays in salvation?

What role does works play in salvation?

 

[jari]

A lot of people attempt to discredit "Lordship Salvation" but the simple fact is is that Jesus IS Lord. Anyone disagree? A lot of people speak against "Works Salvation" as though the Bible specifically and clearly states that it's wrong ( the number of people against it end up scaring people so that they become afraid to admit that that's what they believe ), BUT when we are also COMMANDED to do things, or not do things, by the same man that wrote the verses that everyone is interpreting as though he were saying that "works" plays NO part in salvation, then we have the situation that we are now in, where some have decided to go with THEIR INTERPRETATION of a couple of verses and COMPLETELY DISREGARD many others. The sad thing is is that the verses that are disregarded are the verses that help to clarify what was meant when he said that we are not saved because of our works.

do we believe we must do what Lord says or he will reject us over disobedience? or do we believe Jesus paid our price for heaven?

 

[Michelle71]

do we believe we must do what Lord says or he will reject us over disobedience? or do we believe Jesus paid our price for heaven?

Disobedience does not mean a loss of salvation, and obedience does not secure salvation. Disobedience can lead a person to rejecting God and Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and then they can loose their salvation. The warning is not to bring a fear that it is easy to loose salvation, the warning is to check often that a falling away is not happening.

Obedience leads to rewards, which are seperate from salvation which is shown here..

1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Notice the last line. Those who do not wish to put their selves through the refining fire now, and do what the Lord says, will have to later. Even though they will be saved themselves, if they do not fall completely away, but they will have nothing to lay at the Lord's feet when they get there.

Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 

[Isaac001]

Disobedience does not mean a loss of salvation, and obedience does not secure salvation. Disobedience can lead a person to rejecting God and Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and then they can loose their salvation. The warning is not to bring a fear that it is easy to loose salvation, the warning is to check often that a falling away is not happening.

Obedience leads to rewards, which are seperate from salvation which is shown here..



Notice the last line. Those who do not wish to put their selves through the refining fire now, and do what the Lord says, will have to later. Even though they will be saved themselves, if they do not fall completely away, but they will have nothing to lay at the Lord's feet when they get there.

Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Amen. Amen and Amen, Very good post.