THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER

The bible clearly teaches that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8: 38). Nothing, that is, except ourselves. Excluded from the list in Romans 8 is the individual himself.

Calvin went far beyond this to the extreme position which is often stated as "once saved always saved." Since many people allow their personal, moral and spiritual decisions to be influenced by this doctrine, we ought to evaluate it in light of the teachings of the scriptures.

First, is there any scripture in the bible that states that once a person is saved, that person cannot fall from grace? If a teacher is to teach such a thing, he dare not do it without such a clear "thus saith the Lord" (2 Jn. 9). The burden of proof is on the teacher; but it just is not there.

Perhaps the most definitive teaching on the subject is given in Galatians 5. Paul was writing to the members of the churches at Galatia (Gal. 1: 2). In chapter 5 he addresses the Jewish Christians who were trying to bind gentile Christians to observe the Jewish rite of circumcision (please read the context). He states in verse 4: "Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace."

The typical response is that "they never were saved." But how can someone be "severed from Christ" who was never joined to Christ? And, how can one "fall away from grace" who was never in a state of grace? If those who so sin as to be lost never were saved, how can any of us be sure that we ever were saved?

But let's get back to plain old common sense. An honest reader cannot read more than a few pages in a row in the letters written to Christians without encountering very clear statements indicating that those who are saved can be lost. Let us start with the Roman epistle to see that this is true. Consider some of the more definitive scriptures that warn the saved that they CAN be lost:

Romans 6:1-23; 7:7-11; 8:12-13; 11:17-22. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 9: 23-27; 10:1-13. 2 Corinthians 5:10; 6:14-18; 11:3. Galatians 2:11-14; 4:8-11; 5:2-12,16-21; 6:1. Ephesians 5: 3-6. Philippians 3:10-14. Colossians 2:18, 3:5-11. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8. 2 Thes. 2: 3-4, 3:14-15. 1 Timothy 1:20, 4:1-3, 6:9-10. 2 Tim. 4:3-4. Titus 3:9-11. Hebrews 2:2-3, 3:12-19, 4:1-4, 6:4-8, 10:26-31, 12:14-17. James 3:1, 5:7-11, 19-20. 1 Peter 4:17. 2 Peter 2: 1-9. 1 John 2:15-17. 2 John 7-11. 3 John 9-10. Jude 5-16. Revelation 2-3.

If you are not certain on this issue, please do not take our word for it. We have absolutely no doubt that if you open your heart and read the scriptures listed above, you will have no trouble understanding what God has said on this subject.