Once Saved, Now Lost - Part 3c

Covenant Responsibilities

We have examined so far in this series the various texts in the New Testament which illustrate that man can forfeit the salvation found in Jesus Christ. We have also seen how the Abrahamic covenant - a pattern for the new covenant relationship - also required Abraham and his seed to keep the covenant God had established.

Yet, that leads to the logical question of, "What does it mean to keep God's covenant? What responsibilities do man have to stay in the covenant relationship with God?"

In His word, God provides the perfect illustration for this in the institution of marriage.

The Bride of Christ

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church." Ephesians 5:26-32

This is a great mystery, yet God makes it clear: our relationship in covenant with Him is reflected in the covenant of marriage between a husband and wife. This depiction not only portrays how much God loves and cherishes us, but it speaks to the type of relationship we have with Him. Therefore, examining ancient Jewish traditions around marriage can provide us with a greater understanding of our own covenant with the Lord.

During a betrothal, a man prepares a marriage contract (called a Ketubah) and presents that to the bride and her father. One of the stipulations of the contract is the "bride price". This is the amount the man is willing to compensate the bride's family for the honor of marrying her. The Bride of Christ is the Church; and the "bride price" paid was His own life.

"For ye are bought with a price..." I Corinthians 6:20a

Once the terms of the marriage contract were agreed upon, the bride and groom would appear in the Chuppah (canopy) to seal the betrothal vows.

The young man would pour the bride a glass of wine. If the bride drank the wine, this then signified her acceptance of the proposal and the two were now betrothed. The bride had a choice in this matter and ensuring that she was willing to marry was a critical part of the betrothal process.

"And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Matthew 26:27-28

The bridegroom would then bestow gifts unto the Bride as a token of his love and to remind her of him in their absence.

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38

After the betrothal was concluded, the bridegroom would go back to his father's house to prepare a honeymoon chamber for him and his bride.

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2-3

Although the official marriage ceremony has not yet taken place, the betrothal was legally binding and could only be undone via a bill of divorcement.

The Bride's responsibility during this time was to prepare herself for her groom's return and wait for him.

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." II Peter 3:10-14

As part of these preparations, she would undergo a Mikveh, which was a cleansing bath. Mikveh also means baptism, representing the spiritual cleansing that the Bride of Christ goes through for her groom, Jesus.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25-27

Once the honeymoon chamber is ready and the wedding is to begin, the groom - along with his groomsmen - go to retrieve the bride. They announce their coming by blowing the shofar, which signifies to the bride that the time has come. Upon hearing the shofar, the bride and her bridesmaids - who have been waiting for this moment - can trim their lamps and be ready to greet him.

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." Matthew 25:1-10

The most important thing the Bride has to do during the groom's absence is making herself ready and waiting for the groom's return. Those who are not ready and prepared do not make it in.

The bride and groom then go into the honeymoon chamber for 7 days to consummate the marriage. This time would also verify the purity of the bride by bearing witness to her virginity, usually in a blood-stained bed sheet. It was grounds for divorce if a bride was found not to be a virgin. Once the seven days were concluded, there would be a great feast celebrated with friends and family, which then concludes the marriage process.

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God." Revelation 19:7-9

Unlike the sheet spotted with blood, the evidence of righteousness for believers in Jesus will be fine white linen washed clean by His precious blood.

An Exchange of Vows

In examining the ancient Jewish wedding rites, we gain more understanding of our covenant with Jesus. It provides an historical and accurate depiction of "covenant responsibilities" that both the bride and the bridegroom have in preparing for the marriage covenant.

The vows associated with this covenant are represented by each step in the marriage process and were signified in the exchange of rings. In modern marriages, even in Judaism, verbal vows are spoken at this time to capture the commitment that both parties make to the covenant of marriage.

Typical vows include references such as, "I promise to love you for better or worse, though sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, until death do we part." What is the picture conveyed here? That each will honor this covenant of love no matter what happens, no matter what comes, even until death. Each is committing to stay in covenant with the other until the end.

A reflection of these "vows" are also illustrated in Scripture. Interestingly enough, this text is often perverted to make it seem as if it supports Once Saved Always Saved doctrine, but the reality of the text is something far from that...and much more beautiful.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39

These are God's promises to us in this covenant...and our promises to Him.

The first part reflects our vows to God. It depicts things that we experience as His children; it is written from our perspective. God, I won't let the things I encounter in this earth - even unpleasant and threatening things - deter me from the love I have found in you. Whether tribulation, distress, persecution, famine...and even death. I will not be swayed, but I will endure them because of the love we share.

The next section reflects God's vow to us. It is written from God's perspective, a Heavenly view that sees what is beyond our earthly realm.

Paul starts saying, "For I am persuaded..." Persuaded by whom? By God, and by His love for us! Paul believes and is persuaded by God's promises in this area. In these promises, God commits that things we cannot see nor control, things which we know not, spiritual powers which may come against us, none of these things will separate us from His love.

Yet, the text does not say that we cannot choose to be unfaithful. Notice again what God promises us, "...neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us." This text does not dismiss the personal choice of the person joining in covenant to God.

It specifically says "nor any other" creature. So the natural question is, "Anyone other than whom?" Clearly "creature" can only reference the believer for God is the Creator, not a created being. God is promising not to let anyone else come between Him and the believer. Yet again, there is no absolving of the believer to remain faithful nor does God promise to keep the believer in the covenant.

Just as in a marriage covenant, each party bears responsibility for keeping and honoring the covenant that is made. It is truly a reflection of an exchange of vows as we both promise to be faithful to the other - no matter what - until the end, even death.

This is why - when we reviewed the conditions for salvation earlier - we see God continually admonishing believers to abide, remain, stay faithful, endure, watch. It is nothing less than what we promise to do as we join in covenant with Him (Romans 8:35-38).

There exists a covenant between God and man, then both parties are testators to the conditions of the covenant. The finished work is what Jesus has done to bring about the covenant. It is now incumbent upon man to receive that finished work and enter into the NEW covenant with God the Father through Jesus Christ in faith.

The next article will deal specifically with the the sealing of believers who have entered into covenant with God.

This article is part of a 6-part series evaluating a doctrine referred to as Once Saved Always Saved, Eternal Unconditional Security, or Perseverance of the Saints.

1. God Doesn't Mince Words
   • Names Blotted Out of The Book of Life
   • It IS Possible to Fall Away
2. "IF"
   • Conditions for Salvation
   • Cast from God's Body
     
3. Salvation is a Result of Covenant
• God's Relationship With Man is Based on Covenant
• Was the Abrahamic Covenant Unconditional?
  
• Covenant Responsibilities
  
4. Sealed Until the Day of Redemption
5. A Candid Look at OSAS "Support"
6. The ONLY Reason Salvation Can Be "Lost"

Once Saved, Now Lost - Part 3b

Was the Abrahamic Covenant Unconditional?

"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect...And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:14-17, 29

The promises fulfilled in the new covenant were first made to Abraham based on his faith in God, which is why Abraham is called the father of our faith. Yet distortions in the understanding of the Abrahamic covenant have been used to reinforce belief that the OSAS doctrine is sound.

In our last article, we saw that this covenant - and by comparison the new covenant - is between God and man. It is not a covenant between the Father and Jesus whereby man is just a beneficiary absolved of all covenant obligations.

Another area of confusion is whether the Abrahamic covenant is unconditional. By this it is said that God took on sole responsibility for keeping the covenant with Abraham so that nothing could be done to break it.

Yet, before we take a detailed look at the Abrahamic covenant, consider the following:

"And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." Genesis 22:18

Why would all the nations be blessed? Not because God held all responsibility for maintaining the covenant relationship, but BECAUSE Abraham had obeyed God.

God makes the same statement again when later renewing the Abrahamic covenant with Isaac:

"Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; BECAUSE that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." Genesis 26:3-5

Again, we see that God will perform the oath sworn to Abraham because of Abraham's obedience. God relays in Scripture that this was the a reason why He selected Abraham.

"And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." Genesis 18:17-19

It was God's will to bring these promises to pass, so He chose someone whom He knew would not only obey, but would cause his household to obey as well. The proper response to God's offer of covenant with man is always obedience, and Abraham was no exception.

The Covenant Promised

The covenant is first introduced to Abraham when God first calls him to leave Ur and to go a new land.

"Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:1-3

The promises God made were predicated upon Abram obeying His commands to leave his homeland and go where God commanded. "Get thee out...and I will." This promise is also referenced in the New Testament.

"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrews 11:8

Abraham obeyed God's words because he had faith. He was not forced to go and neither was he forced to stay after he left. The promises would not be received until "after" he obeyed God's commands to go.

"And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." Hebrews 11:15-16

Was it still possible for him to have returned back to his old country? Yes. God says that truly, they could have returned if they had set their mind to. However, the desire to attain the promises of God kept them from looking back (Remember Lot's wife).

From the beginning, Abraham's obedience to God's commands was central to God's establishment of a covenant with Him. In the New Testament, that obedience is demonstrated by placing faith in the confirmation of the Abrahamic covenant; the "seed", Jesus Christ.

The Covenant Confirmed

"And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram..." Genesis 15:6-18a

After God and Abraham discussed the promised seed and inheritance, Abraham asks God for confirmation that these things would come to pass. "Whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?" God then confirmed it by engaging in a common practice from Abraham's day.

As was the custom, individuals desiring covenant with one another would take an animal, cut it in half, and walk between the cut pieces. In doing so, they were each committing themselves to fulfilling the promises of the covenant or run the risk of being treated as the cut-up animal. Contrary to the established custom, only God Himself walks through this sacrifice prepared by Abraham.

Some use this text to assert that the Abrahamic covenant is unconditional. It is proof, they say, that God alone bears responsibility for keeping the covenant.

However, God was not taking sole responsibility for "keeping" the covenant. He was confirming that He alone would bring the inheritance to pass. The promise of the inheritance was embodied in Christ. He was the "seed" promised to Abraham.

"For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he [Jesus] took on him the seed of Abraham." Hebrews 2:16

"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect." Galatians 3:16-17

The covenant with Abraham was confirmed "in Christ". By placing faith in God, Abraham was by virtue of that act placing faith in the Gospel of Christ (Galatians 3:8). The fulfillment of the promise was something only God could do. As such, He could confirm those promises by nothing short of His own righteousness.

"For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." Hebrews 6:13-20

God named two immutable things whereby Abraham could know that He would provide the promise...and not one of them was His accepting sole responsibility for "keeping" the covenant. The two immutable items in which he could trust were: 1) The unchanging nature of God's will; and 2) The confirmation of God's oath.

Knowing it is not possible for God to lie, we can trust firmly in what He says. If He says He will provide a seed, and an inheritance for that seed, then He will do it by the purpose of His own counsel. And not only that, but He went even further and performed a solemn oath confirming that He would bring these things to pass.

Yet, God reveals something amazing about the covenant. The hope we have in God's word and His oath - knowing that He will perform what He has said - is reflected in the person of Melchizedek. It is in fact Abraham's communion with Melchizedek which led up to this confirmation from God.

In Genesis 14, Abraham rescues Lot and the other inhabitants of Sodom who had been captured in battle. Upon his triumphant return, he is greeted by the King of Salem.

"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all." Genesis 14:18-20

Before God confirmed the covenant promises by walking through the sacrifices, Abraham partook of the bread and wine with the King of Peace, the high priest Melchizedek - who is a type of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, the high priest of the new covenant.

The Covenant Sealed

"And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you." Genesis 17:1-11

This text represents the sealing of the covenant between God and Abraham. When referencing the Abrahamic covenant, Scripture says the following:

"And he gave him [Abraham] the covenant of circumcision..." Acts 7:8

God calls the covenant He made with Abraham the "covenant of circumcision." Yet, many want to ignore this aspect of the Abrahamic covenant because it does not fit into their perceptions about eternal security.

The text starts with God affirming His awesome authority and power. "I am the Almighty God." Then He tells Abraham the conditions of the covenant, "Walk before me, and be thou perfect." Lastly, God relays the promises of the covenant, "And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly." Abraham then falls on his face in submission to God.

If the covenant with Abraham was unconditional and contained no responsibilities on Abraham's part, then why is God telling Abraham to "keep" this covenant? And not only was Abraham responsible for "keeping" this covenant, but so were all the generations to come after him. The consequences for not doing so are clear.

"And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant."Genesis 17:14

This is an astounding statement! Circumcision was the seal of the covenant God made with Abraham (Romans 4:11-12).

If this covenant was unconditional, then NOTHING man did or did not do could break that covenant. That is the nature of being unconditional because the responsibility for keeping the covenant would fall solely on God. Yet, we see that such is not true.

God says that the one who is not circumsized has broken God's covenant and would be "cut off" from God's people. Is this not the same warning God gives Christians in John 15:1-6 and Romans 11:16-22 when He speaks of the possibility of being cut off from His Body?

It was possible for man to break the Abrahamic covenant through disobedience and it is possible for man to break the new covenant in Jesus Christ for the same. The result is identical, such persons are cut off from God's people.

The Pattern of the Covenant

The steps taken by God in establishing the covenant with Abraham are a pattern for what happens to believers in Christ.

When we turn in faith to the receive the promise of God (Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 19:26-29), We experience communion with Him (Genesis 14:18-20; Revelation 3:20), Undergo a merismos in our inner man (Genesis 15:17; Hebrews 4:12), and are circumsized from the body of sin (Genesis 17; Colossians 2:11-13).

Yes Lord!

"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." Matthew 19:26-29

When first faced with the reality of who God is, Abraham had to make a choice. "Leave your country, your relatives, your father's house, and go where I tell you."

This is the choice each person is also required to make when faced with the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Leave behind your old life and follow me. It is not a matter of physical separation, but it is about being sanctified unto God for His purposes.

As with Abraham, faith empowers the choice, allowing us to step out into the unknown, trusting God to fulfill His promise: the promise of eternal life.

Communion with Christ

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20

Like Abraham, once we turn in faith to God, we are able to commune with Jesus. Just as Abraham partook of bread and wine with Melchizedek, the King of Salem, we also partake spiritually of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

"Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." John 6:53-56

A Merismos

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

The words "dividing asunder" above is the Greek word merismos, which speaks of an inner separation between the soul and spirit of man.

Lost in sin, our spirits are dead to God and held in bondage to the soulish realm. In that condition, we are ruled by our five carnal senses: what we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell. We are unable to comprehend or submit to the things of God. Yet, in the merismos, God divides the spirit from the soul, allowing our spirits to become alive to God through regeneration.

God walking through the cut halves of the sacrifice is a picture of this merismos, the word of God dividing asunder the spirit and soul of man. The lamp symbolizing man's spirit made alive by the oil (anointing) of the Holy Spirit. The burning furnace symbolizing the soulish old man, which is placed on the altar as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). The combined light from the Holy Spirit and the burning offering dispel the darkness as we are translated to the kingdom of light.

The Seal of Circumcision

As with Abraham, we are sealed by circumcision, but this is a spiritual circumcision and not one of the physical flesh.

"And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." Colossians 2:10-12

The hardened, rebellious heart is circumcised so that we become pliable before God.

"For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." Romans 2:28-29

"Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings." Jeremiah 4:4


Once we are joined in covenant to God through faith in Christ, His instruction to us is the same as what it was to Abraham: "Keep my covenant."

God never absolved Abraham of responsibility in this covenant and nor did He make Himself solely responsible for keeping it on our behalf.

God is completely and absolutely faithful for doing what He has promised to do; and we must also be faithful. In the next article, we will review exactly what God means in regards to keeping His covenant.


This article is part of a 6-part series evaluating a doctrine referred to as Once Saved Always Saved, Eternal Unconditional Security, or Perseverance of the Saints.

1. God Doesn't Mince Words
   • Names Blotted Out of The Book of Life
   • It IS Possible to Fall Away
2. "IF"
   • Conditions for Salvation
   • Cast from God's Body
     
3. Salvation is a Result of Covenant
• God's Relationship With Man is Based on Covenant
• Was the Abrahamic Covenant Unconditional?
  
• Covenant Responsibilities
  
4. Sealed Until the Day of Redemption
5. A Candid Look at OSAS "Support"
6. The ONLY Reason Salvation Can Be "Lost"

Once Saved, Now Lost - Part 3a

Salvation is a Result of Covenant

As we discuss whether the Once Saved Always Saved doctrine is upheld in Scripture, one of the essential topics which must be addressed is the nature of salvation.

I recently had a discussion with a believer in the OSAS doctrine where I attempted to touch on this matter. "What are you talking about a covenant between us and God? The new covenant is between Jesus and the Father, not us."

While I was hopeful that this lady's perspective was atypical of those supporting the OSAS doctrine, I have seen that such is not the case. Many are in fact perverting the nature of the new covenant in order to validate the OSAS position.

Understand that Jesus was not alienated from God and as such didn't need to be reconciled to Him. He has existed eternally as God, and has always been one with the Father. The need and benefit for the sacrifice of His life was to reconcile man unto Himself, who had been made an enemy of God through sin.

The new covenant is between man and God. The basis for God's relationship with man has always been based on the foundations of a covenant.

God's Relationship With Man is Based on Covenant

Covenant: a legally binding agreement between two or more persons to do or not do something specified; the conditional promises made to humanity by God, as revealed in Scripture.

When we turn in faith to Jesus Christ, we are partaking of the new covenant or testament which is in His blood.

"And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you." Luke 22:19-20

"And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Matthew 26:27–28

Sharing a meal was one way of having communion with another and also served as a basis for covenant. Jesus began to reveal the new covenant to His disciples in the communion they shared in this passover feast. At this feast, the bread and wine represented the sacrifice of His body and blood.

All of the covenants God has made with man in Scripture are on the basis of a sacrifice.

"The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." Psalm 50:1-5

The above text is one of many Messianic prophecies in Psalms, this one speaking particularly of the second coming of Jesus Christ. Notice Jesus' declaration: Gather my saints who have made a covenant with ME by sacrifice. The sacrifice referenced here is the death of Jesus on the cross (Hebrews 9:26, 10:12).

"For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins." Romans 11:27

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them" Hebrews 10:16

If we are to come into relationship with God, it will have to be by means of covenant; and the principles of the covenant are defined by God alone.

The Scriptures state that the new testament covenant is based upon the covenant God made with Abraham. In many ways, it is perversions of the Abrahamic covenant which is used to justify the OSAS doctrine. Yet, the Scriptures say:

"And I will make my covenant between me and thee [Abraham], and will multiply thee exceedingly." Genesis 17:2

The new covenant by which we come into salvation is indeed a covenant between God and man. Additionally, examining this covenant makes it clear that it was conditional upon Abraham obeying God's commands.

In examining the Abrahamic covenant, we can see the pattern for which we are restored to God in Jesus Christ.

This article is part of a 6-part series evaluating a doctrine referred to as Once Saved Always Saved, Eternal Unconditional Security, or Perseverance of the Saints.

1. God Doesn't Mince Words
   • Names Blotted Out of The Book of Life
   • It IS Possible to Fall Away
2. "IF"
   • Conditions for Salvation
   • Cast from God's Body
     
3. Salvation is a Result of Covenant
• God's Relationship With Man is Based on Covenant
• Was the Abrahamic Covenant Unconditional?
  
• Covenant Responsibilities
  
4. Sealed Until the Day of Redemption
5. A Candid Look at OSAS "Support"
6. The ONLY Reason Salvation Can Be "Lost"

Once Saved, Now Lost - Part 2b

"IF"

God not only continues to admonish us to abide faithfully in Him, He gives us several illustrations for what happens when we don't.

Cast From God's Body

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Revelation 3:14-19

Laodicea is the last of the churches Jesus addresses in Revelation. Some say that one reason for this is because it provides a depiction of the end time church.

He describes a people who are lackadaisical about God. They are neither for Him nor against Him; not in profession but in deeds! They verbally confess to belong to Jesus, but their lives deny Him. They are middle of the road. Jesus also says that such are blinded to their true condition because of compromise with the world. They have replaced faith in God with worldly prosperity and success. Many people live their lives this way now, indifferent to the things of God.

Well, let me tell you, HE is not indifferent to them. He has a very visceral reaction to such people: He will spew them out of His mouth.

Jesus exhorts us to be passionate about Him. He calls such persons to not only repent, but to be zealous to repent. The consequence of not doing so is that we are removed from the Body of Christ. Him "spewing us out of His mouth" is a graphic depiction of us being in Him and being expelled from Him.

Remember, this is God's word to His CHURCH. He is not speaking to those who do not know Him.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." John 15:1-6

In this parable, Jesus says He is the "true vine". The Father is the keeper of the vine.

He starts off stating "every branch in Him." This tells us very clearly who the branches are. The branches are the members of the Body of Christ. Scripture tells us that the only ones who are "in Christ" are those who belong to Him.

• Redemption is found in Christ (Romans 3:24)
• There is no condemnation for those in Christ (Romans 8:1)
• Those in Christ are free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)
• The church as a body reside in Christ (Romans 12:5)
• The saints of God are in Christ (I Corinthians 1:2 and Philippians 1:1)
• The vail between God and man is removed in Christ (II Corinthians 3:14)
• One must be in Christ to be made a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17)
• Those in Christ have liberty (Galatians 2:4)
• The faithful are in Christ (Ephesians 1:1)
• Spiritual Blessings are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3)
• Those saved by faith are in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10 and II Timothy 1:9, 2:10)
• Eternal life is found in Christ (II Timothy 1:1)
• Those in Christ are God's children (Galatians 3:26)
  

No Scripture says those who are unbelievers, unconverted, or unsaved are part of Jesus' Body. Since Jesus is speaking of every branch "in Him", we can know from the Scriptures that the individual born again believers are the branches. Further Jesus tells us such (verse 5).

Jesus goes on to say that the Father takes away those branches "in Him" which don't bear fruit and purges those who do. Again, this is another graphical depiction of believers being removed from God's Body. If we are "taken away" from the vine (Jesus' Body), then we are no longer members of His Body.

If there is any ambiguity about that, all we have to do is look at what Jesus says happens to those branches the Father has removed: "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."

Christians cannot bear fruit in and of ourselves. Any righteousness we would attempt to offer is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The development of fruit in our lives is a work of the Holy Spirit of God (Galatians 5:22 and Ephesians 5:9). If we could develop Godly fruit on our own, we wouldn't need Jesus.

Jesus says that our responsibility is simply to abide. If we abide in Him, then we remain attached to our source of life. The life that then flows through Him flows through and nourishes us, producing Godly fruit.

If fruit is not producing in the life of a Christian, it is not because we are not trying hard enough. We cannot think it up, pretend it is there, or do enough good works to produce it. God says all we have to do is abide in Him, and let Him complete His work.

"For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." Romans 11:16-22

In this parable, God addresses the issue of Israel's status before the Lord now that salvation was made available to the Gentiles through faith in Jesus Christ. Some Christians had become "high-minded" thinking that Israel had been set aside and was no longer of importance to God. Such was far from the truth.

Jesus is the root and once again God's people are the branches. Some of the Jews (branches) were broken off so that the Gentiles (wild olive tree) could be grafted in. We do not stand by our own strength, but the root upholds and feeds us. It is the same root that upheld and fed Israel. Remember, God makes of the Jew and Gentile one new man in Him (Ephesians 2:15).

This casting away of Israel, refers to individual Jews and not the nation as a whole because only "some" were removed. In that state, the removed branches are considered dead to Him (verse 15). God states that they were removed for unbelief and He gives Christians that same warning (Hebrews 3:12 and 4:11). We should not think He won't do it, for He has done it before. God doesn't give idle threats.

And in case we have any doubts, God tells us that very point. "For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee."

We are assured of God's goodness, IF "we" continue in Him. Otherwise, we shall be cut off. In this parable of the olive tree, God gives us yet one more example of what happens to us when we do not continue to abide in Him.

God doesn't just arbitrarily remove us from Jesus' Body; He takes this action in response to our own inaction. Neither is it something that just happens overnight.

As seen in the example of the Church of Laodicea, God pleads and reasons with us to turn back. He makes known to us our errors and gives us space to repent, prodding us to do so zealously. Yet, He makes the outcome clear should we decide not to.

In the examples of the parables, a gardener knows that if a fruit-bearing tree is not developing fruit, there is a problem. The immediate step is not to cut off the branches. A true husbandman (as if our Father) will tend to and nurse it to bring it back to health. If it seems sick, apply a salve. If it is diseased, treat it. If it has grown weak, apply enforced support. If it is malnourished, provide food. If the soil is too dry, water it. If the environment is too harsh, give it extra protection and shelter.

It is only when life is not returned that the branch is removed. And even this is an act of love in that doing so protects the rest of the body from death. It is an act of righteousness, as He stays true and faithful to His word (II Timothy 2:11-13).

God tells us continually to remain faithful to Him until the end, and once we understand what salvation is, we can appreciate why that is so important. The next article will examine the nature of salvation, and specifically the covenant we enter into with God to receive salvation.

This article is part of a 6-part series evaluating a doctrine referred to as Once Saved Always Saved, Eternal Unconditional Security, or Perseverance of the Saints.

1. God Doesn't Mince Words
   • Names Blotted Out of The Book of Life
   • It IS Possible to Fall Away
2. "IF"
   • Conditions for Salvation
   • Cast from God's Body
     
3. Salvation is a Result of Covenant
• God's Relationship With Man is Based on Covenant
• Was the Abrahamic Covenant Unconditional?
  
• Covenant Responsibilities
  
4. Sealed Until the Day of Redemption
5. A Candid Look at OSAS "Support"
6. The ONLY Reason Salvation Can Be "Lost"

Once Saved, Now Lost - Part 2a

"IF"

In the previous articles, we discussed how God doesn't mince His words. There are multiple Scriptures where God states that He can blot out names from His book of the righteous (the Book of Life). We examined verses where God speaks of man forsaking Him. These passages must be explained away to mean something other than what the text says if one believes we can never forfeit salvation.

God says that we must believe on Jesus Christ to be saved. That is a condition.

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9

Condition: A prerequisite; that upon which something else is contingent; something demanded as an essential part of an agreement.

There are also other conditions associated with salvation. For example, if you look-up the word "saved" (in the KJV), you will find the following stipulations on what God says must happen:

• Receive the testimony of truth (John 5:32-34; Acts 11:13-14; I Timothy 2:4; II Thessalonians 2:10; I Corinthians 1:18)
• Believe (Mark 16:16; Luke 7:50; Luke 8:12; Luke 18:42; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 5:9-13)
• Be Born Again (Titus 3:5)
  
• Submit to Jesus (John 3:17; John 10:9; Acts 2:21; Acts 4:12; Acts 15:11; II Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2:5-8)
• Endure and Abide (Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13; I Corinthians 15:1-2; Acts 27:31; Romans 8:24-25)
  

OSAS proponents use several approaches to get around these conditions. One way is by saying that these are conditions God meets on behalf of man; that part of God's responsibility in "keeping us" is ensuring that these things happen. Or worse, they will claim that we are still saved whether these things happen or not. Yet, once again, we want to look at what the Scriptures actually say.

As we review the following text, I would ask you to consider three things: What is the condition; To whom does God give responsibility for it; and What outcome is tied to it?

Salvation is Conditional

"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister." Colossians 1:21-23

Condition: Continue in the faith and Be not moved away

Responsible: If "ye", referring to us

Outcome: We will be presented holy, unblameable, and unreprovable in His sight

Jesus will present us holy, unblameable, and unreprovable IF "we" continue in the faith and are not moved away.

Can we be assured of this promise? Absolutely! Is there a condition attached to it? Yes. Does God indicate that He will ensure we continue and are not moved away? No. He charges us with doing that.

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." I Corinthians 15:1-2

Condition: Keep in memory what has been preached

Responsible: If "ye", referring to us

Outcome: We are saved

We are saved by the Gospel we have received, IF "we" keep in memory what was preached.

Not only does this text attach a condition to salvation, it states that if we fail to do this, we would have believed "in vain." Vain here is the Greek word eikē which means "without purpose or success." What "purpose or success" is being discussed here? The purpose of being saved.

It is possible to believe in vain. And according to this text, to believe "in vain" means to be unsuccessful in attaining the goal of salvation. We can actually believe, but have it be for naught. Why? Because we didn't stay mindful of what was preached.

Some might question the quality of "belief" referenced here. What if this person just didn't have saving faith? Yet, we know from the text that this is not the case.

God makes it clear that these individuals are presently saved through the faith they had placed in this Gospel message. He also encourages them to remain steadfast in that same faith. If either the Gospel received was faulty or their belief was not authentic, then how could they now be saved? Further, if the message is wrong or the faith misplaced, then why would God encourage them to remain in that same state?

The Gospel they had received and believed in was sound and true. The faith they had was a saving faith. Yet, God still says they could have believed in vain if they do not keep themselves mindful of what was preached.

"For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end." Hebrews 3:14

Condition: Stay steadfast in Christ until the end

Responsible Party: If "we", referring to us

Outcome: We are made partakers of Christ

To be a partaker of Christ means to share in Jesus' life. There is no way to receive eternal life in Christ without being a partaker of the life of Christ. Our sharing of His life - or in other words our communion with Him - is what gives us the assurance of being raised with Him in the end.

"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." Phillippians 3:10-11

"Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life." I John 2:24-25

Condition: Let what we heard in the beginning abide in us

Responsible Party: "[You] Let that therefore abide...."; Commands often contain implied subjects, i.e. "Got to the store." The subject in this verse is "You", referring to us.

Outcome: We will continue in the Son and in the Father to receive eternal life

Once again, we are told by God to let the Gospel by which we were saved abide or remain in us. IF we do this, then we will continue in the Son and in the Father and receive the promise of eternal life.

"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Revelation 2:10

Condition: Be thou faithful unto death

Responsible: Be "thou", referring to us

Outcome: Jesus will give us a crown of life

If "we" remain faithful - even unto death - we will receive a crown of life. The Scriptures show that the Crown of Life is given to every person who obtains eternal life. If we look at "who" receives the crown of life, and compare that with "who" receives eternal life, we can see it is the same people.

Those who love the Lord -> Receive a Crown of Life (James 1:12)
Those who love the Lord -> Inherit God's Kingdom (James 2:5)
Those who love the Lord -> Obtain eternal life (Luke 10:25-28)

Those who love the Lord -> Obtain eternal life -> Inherit God's Kingdom -> and Receive the Crown of Life

In spite of what the Scriptures say, some deny that the Crown of Life goes hand in hand with eternal life. Instead, they claim that the Crown of Life it is just one of the rewards given to some of God's people.

In order to hold on to this doctrine, people are willing to pervert the very nature of salvation and deny the reality of faith in Jesus Christ. I know that this is harsh language, but this particular interpretation is very dangerous to the Christian faith, and I will tell you why.

We know from James 1:12 that all who love the Lord receive the Crown of Life. To therefore assert that such people only account for some of those who have received eternal life implies that people who do not love the Lord will receive eternal life!

If people who do not love the Lord can have eternal life, then why would people need to believe in Jesus? If people who do not love the Lord can have eternal life, then who is going to Hell? Such a premise makes God a liar, for He has stated that it is a lack of love for God that makes people reject Him (John 3:19).

No. Only those who love Jesus receive eternal life and these are the same ones who are given the Crown of Life. God says that the condition for receiving this crown is that we remain faithful until the end.

"And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Hebrews 3:5-6

Condition: Hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope firm until the end

Responsible: If "we", referring to us

Outcome: We are Christ's house

We belong to Christ IF "we" hold fast until the end.

Have you noticed the connecting theme amongst all of these conditions? In each, God continually admonishes us to continue, be not moved, keep, hold fast, abide, remain, stay, be steadfast. All of these things basically boil down to being faithful.

We have reviewed God's continuing commands to be faithful and have seen that these conditions are tied to the salvation found in Him. Yet, God in His loving kindness also tells us the consequences for failing to meet these conditions.

The next article will examine what God has to say about failing to abide in Him.

This article is part of a 6-part series evaluating a doctrine referred to as Once Saved Always Saved, Eternal Unconditional Security, or Perseverance of the Saints.

1. God Doesn't Mince Words
   • Names Blotted Out of The Book of Life
   • It IS Possible to Fall Away
2. "IF"
   • Conditions for Salvation
   • Cast from God's Body
     
3. Salvation is a Result of Covenant
• God's Relationship With Man is Based on Covenant
• Was the Abrahamic Covenant Unconditional?
  
• Covenant Responsibilities
  
4. Sealed Until the Day of Redemption
5. A Candid Look at OSAS "Support"
6. The ONLY Reason Salvation Can Be "Lost"

Once Saved, Now Lost - Part 1b

God Doesn't Mince Words

As we saw in the previous article, God declares in the Old and New Testaments that He can and will blot out names from His Book which contains the names of those who receive eternal life. We can also see in His word that God continually references man's ability to forfeit the salvation found in Him.

It IS Possible to Fall Away

Let's first establish that there are such things as false converts to the faith. People who are never really converted. References to such persons are often discussed as these individuals not being "true believers" or not having "saving faith". Essentially, what is meant by such expressions is that these individuals have never been born again through faith in Christ.

It is important also to note that only GOD can give us the new birth. We are not born again because we say that we are or because we have attained to some intellectual knowledge about God. God is the only one who generates the new birth within us via the power of His Holy Spirit.

So, while the Scriptures do speak of false converts, it also speaks of those who believe and then fall away from the faith.

As you read these texts, consider that these are God's words. What I mean by that is God knows whether these individuals really believed or were only false converts. He identifies these as believers, partakers of the Holy Spirit, and brethren. For others to say that they were not means that either God lied or God was mistaken in these texts.

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:4-6

Let's say for the sake of argument that this text is addressing false believers. Consider what would really be said. God is saying that someone who DOES NOT really belong to Him has lost all hope of redemption if they fall away from their false beliefs???

God is not speaking of some mental ascension to the things of God. He is not referencing someone who falsely claims to believe. This text only makes sense logically if God is addressing true believers; the ones held accountable for remaining in the faith are the ones who are in fact in the faith. However, we don't have to assume. The text makes it clear of whom God is speaking.

Our first indication is that these individuals were "enlightened". This is the Greek word phōtizō which means to give light, to spiritually enlighten, to imbue with saving knowledge. It is ONLY used in Scripture in reference the type of light that comes from God (Luke 11:36; John 1:9; I Corinthians 4:5; Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 3:9; II Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 6:4; Hebrews 10:32; Revelation 18:1; Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:5).

We also see that they had been given the Holy Spirit. No matter how much one fancies himself to be "saved", God only gives His Holy Spirit to those who are born again. It is the evidence or earnest of the promise that we have been given eternal life.

Another evidence of the born again experience is that these individuals had received an inner working of God's word and power. The text also says they cannot be renewed "again" which confirms that they were once made new.

It should also be noted that the word for "fall away" (the Greek word parapiptō), is only used in this text in all of the New Testament. While there are other references to believers "falling" in the New Testament, none use that particular word. So this "falling away" is presented as distinct and different from other types of falling; it is meant to convey a specific situation.

While the Old Testament was written in Hebrew/ Aramaic, the Jewish people created a Greek translation (the Septuagint) prior to the time of Christ. If we examine some uses of the word parapiptō in this text, we find interesting parallels which shed light on this particular type of "falling":

"But when the righteous turneth away [parapipto] from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away [parapipto] from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die." Ezekiel 18:24-26

"Therefore, son of man, speak to the people of Israel and say to them, This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In this also your fathers blasphemed me by forsaking [parapipto] me." Ezekiel 20:27

In the original Hebrew text, the word used is ma`al meaning "unfaithfulness or treachery."

God is not speaking of someone simply "falling" in their walk with Him. He paints the picture of someone who is unrepentant, who has no desire to continue with God; someone who has forsaken the Lord. This is the context by which the text in Hebrews 6:4-6 is presented.

It makes perfect sense that if one walks away from faith in Jesus Christ, there would be no other hope of redemption. They have essentially turned their back on the one option provided for man's salvation. Again, Scripture is logical.

Yet the question remains. Why would God need to address this topic at all if one can never forsake God? If such is not possible, then the entire statement is nonsensical. It is the equivalent of me discussing with my daughter what will happen if our dog starts talking and gets a job.

Why would God waste time laying out consequences for what happens when a born again believer forsakes Him if it could never happen?

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." I Timothy 4:1

The text doesn't say, "In the latter times, will some pretend that they belong to the faith when they really didn't."

Depart is the Greek word aphistēmi which means to withdraw, to remove, to go away, to become faithless.

God says some shall depart from the faith. Is He mistaken? Did God just think they were "departing" when in fact they never really belonged to the faith?

If it is possible for even one person to become faithless and depart from God after salvation, then man can indeed forfeit salvation. God says that not only is this possible, but it will happen. Do we believe what God says?

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended." Mark 4:16-17

In discussing the parable of the Sower, we are told that some "endure for a time". If these individuals were never true believers, then in what were they enduring...even "for a time"?

The Greek word for endure here is eisi which means "are, be, were". It speaks to the actual nature and existence of who they are. It is like saying these individuals were but for a time... But what "were" they for this short time?

If these people were never born again, then they remained the same old creation they were before. As such, they would not be anything other than what they had already "been"; lost in sin.

The text indicates that there was some change in the condition of these individuals. They became something different than what they "were", but then they reverted back.

"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe and in time of temptation fall away." Luke 8:13

This is a retelling of that same part of the Sower parable referenced in Mark 4:16-17. Instead of saying that they endured for a while, it states that they "believed" for a while.

Were these just unconverted sinners who never really believed? God says that they indeed did believe...albeit for only a while.

Now we understand why the similar passage of Mark 4:17 references a change in these individuals (eisi). One can only be changed from what one "was" by being born again. Further, one can only be born again by "believing" in Jesus Christ.

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Hebrews 3:12

God addresses this to the "brethren". Only those who are born again believers are considered by God to be our brothers in sisters in Him. Yet, it says that these brethren could "depart from the living God". This is the same "depart" we reviewed above in I Timothy 4:1.

Did God erroneously inspire Paul to call these individuals brothers? If God tells us not to depart, it must then be possible to depart. Certainly God would not give this instruction to those who really don't believe.

Would God tell non-believers or false believers not to depart from Him when they have never belonged to Him? Such is illogical, and we already know that the Bible is a very logical book as it reflects the mind of God.

Clearly this is a statement which only makes sense, when addressing those who are in fact abiding with the living God. And God warns such persons not to depart from Him.

"For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour 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 turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." II Peter 2:18-22

These individuals had "clean escaped from them who live in error" and had "escaped the pollutions of the world". These are very unambiguous statements.

Consider this. Is there any option available to man to be set free from the snares of this life other than Jesus? These people were not just imagining that they had escaped, but God says they indeed had clean "escaped."

False converts are never really converted and therefore can never escape the world which has them bound. Either what God says is true (meaning they were born again and had escaped) or there is another way to be free from the world outside of Christ.

The text goes on to say they became entangled "again" in the world. False converts never leave the world because they don't have the new birth; they cannot be entangled again in that which they never left.

It also says that these previously knew the way of righteousness and were "washed". While knowledge of truth does not equal salvation, no amount of wishful thinking can wash away our sin. We are only washed clean by the blood of Jesus through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).

So, again I ask, "Is there a way for man to be washed from sin and the filth of the world outside of being born again through faith in Jesus Christ?"

The Lord clearly establishes that these are individuals who had come to know Him and were changed from what they were by being born again so that they could be set free from the world.

Why is the latter end of these individuals worse than the beginning? Why is it better had they not known the way of righteousness? Because there remains no more sacrifice for these individuals once they forsake Christ (Hebrews 6:4-6). Again, Scripture is very logical and consistent.

"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." I Corinthians 9:27

The word "castaway" here is the Greek word adokimos which means: Not standing the test, not approved; spurious, reprobate. Reprobate!!!

Reprobate: a morally depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person; a person rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation.

Why would Paul state it was even possible for him to become reprobate, it such was not possible? Why is he striving to prevent something that can never happen?

Shouldn't one of the Apostles or God Himself have corrected Paul to let him know that he had no obligation in maintaining his relationship with the Lord? Why didn't someone tell him, "Sorry Paul, you are wrong here. What you are doing is trying to be saved by works. Don't you know that you are kept by the power of God alone and you can never be lost?"

Paul could have said any number of things here:

I keep my body under subjection because my life is a sacrifice to Jesus.

I keep my body under subjection because God keeps me and ensures that I do.

I keep my body under subjection because it is my desire to please my Lord, whom I love.

But I keep my body under subjection so that I do not become reprobate???!

As part of His inerrant word, God inspired Paul to write that he was taking care so that he would not wind up reprobate. If Paul - a leading Apostle who wrote most of the New Testament - could still become reprobate (and needed to take care to ensure this didn't happen), then what makes people think such is impossible?

"But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan." I Timothy 5:11-15

Why do these women have damnation? Is it because they never knew Christ? No. Never received Him? No.

They now "have damnation" because they have waxed wanton against Christ and cast off their faith. They had turned aside after Satan.

Is this result just a break in their fellowship with God? Does this mean they just get a lesser reward? No. Scripture says that they now have damnation.

These are certainly not all of the Scriptures which speak to how man can reject God and forfeit salvation. God continually warns us not forsake Him.

We can claim that none of these individuals are actually born again, that they are not true believers, and don't have saving faith. We can also claim that the things they lost was not really salvation. But what does GOD say?

God does not mince words. He means what He says and says what He means. The only question is, "Do we believe Him?"

In the next article, we will address the nature of salvation and examine the conditions - according to Scripture - upon which eternal life is granted.

This article is part of a 6-part series evaluating a doctrine referred to as Once Saved Always Saved, Eternal Unconditional Security, or Perseverance of the Saints.

1. God Doesn't Mince Words
   • Names Blotted Out of The Book of Life
   • It IS Possible to Fall Away
2. "IF"
   • Conditions for Salvation
   • Cast from God's Body
     
3. Salvation is a Result of Covenant
• God's Relationship With Man is Based on Covenant
• Was the Abrahamic Covenant Unconditional?
  
• Covenant Responsibilities
  
4. Sealed Until the Day of Redemption
5. A Candid Look at OSAS "Support"
6. The ONLY Reason Salvation Can Be "Lost"

Once Saved, Now Lost - Part 1a

Before getting into this topic, it should be stated that our purpose here is not to instill fear in anyone's heart or to cause one to be less assured in our standing before God. In His word, God has given us great and precious promises so that we may know that we know Him, and know that He has granted His people eternal life. The intent in this series is to examine a particular doctrine to see if it holds water in the light of Scripture.

What Saith Scripture?

There is a doctrine that has permeated parts of Christianity often referred to as Once Saved Always Saved, Eternal Unconditional Security, or Perseverance of the Saints. This doctrine asserts that once one has received the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, such a gift is always assured. It can in no ways be lost.

Personally, I do not prefer the term "lost" as it gives the image of someone looking around for a set of misplaced keys. In terms of this series, the word "lost" refers to man's ability to determinately walk away from a covenant relationship with Him.

The purpose of this series is not to start debates or even change the minds of those who believe differently. This is not a matter of salvation one way or the other. However, I have been asked to breakdown Scripturally why I believe this doctrine to be false, and that is what I am attempting to do here.

It is my hope that the information provided will be sufficient enough to enable one to study the topic on his/her own and see what God has to say about it. Do not let any man's words (mine or any other) be your barometer for the truths of God. Hold everything up to the light of Scripture and in prayer seek God for understanding. He will give it.

Because of the breadth of this topic, I am dividing it into 6 sections which will be posted and linked here as they are completed:

1. God Doesn't Mince Words
   • Names Blotted Out of The Book of Life
   • It IS Possible to Fall Away
2. "IF"
   • Conditions for Salvation
   • Cast from God's Body
     
3. Salvation is a Result of Covenant
• God's Relationship With Man is Based on Covenant
• Was the Abrahamic Covenant Unconditional?
  
• Covenant Responsibilities
  
4. Sealed Until the Day of Redemption
5. A Candid Look at OSAS "Support"
6. The ONLY Reason Salvation Can Be "Lost"

God Doesn't Mince Words

God means what He says and says what He means. Everything God says has meaning; every word, every nuance.

The Scriptures are a living word and - in His own wisdom - God uses a symmetry, beauty, consistency, and logic that is meant to impart life to the hearers. When God tells us something, it is because He wants us to be aware and prepared.

Let's examine what He says regarding whether our relationship with Him is irrevocable once established.

Names Blotted Out of the Book of Life

Everyone who has eternal life must have their names written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:12-15; Revelation 21:27). Yet, Scriptures assert that God can and will blot out names in that book.

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." Revelation 3:5

Clearly this is a promise from God to believers. It is meant to give us assurance in Him and should do just that! However, this verse does more than that. While it doesn't say that God will blot names out of this book, it sets forth the premise that He can. We must take notice that even the possibility of such speaks against the contention that one cannot lose salvation. If it is at all possible to have one's name blotted out of this book, then it is possible to lose salvation.

On the other hand, if God would never blot any names out of this book, then why does He use this language? If the object here is only to encourage believers about the assurance of salvation, then God could have made this statement in the affirmative. He could have said something like, "He who overcomes has their name written in the Book of Life and I will confess him before my Father." Instead, He uses a negative context and says He "I will not blot out...but will confess."

This is a rather bizarre statement if in fact it is not even possible for God to blot names out. Is He merely making an empty threat? And if so, what does that reveal about the character of God? That He desires to scare us into faith by alluding to horrible consequences that could never happen?

It would have been easy enough for God to make this statement in the affirmative, yet, He doesn't. We cannot just close a blind eye to what was said and grasp on to what we want to see. He phrased it in this way for a reason, and we need to understand why.

"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." Revelation 12:19

Here we see a similar reference to names being blotted out of the Book of Life. Unlike the previous verse where this was only alluded to, here God says definitively that He will remove names from the Book of Life.

Again, I ask you, "Why does God continue to say this if such is never possible?" He could have easily said, "Such persons are damned for they have never known me." God didn't have to set the premise that these individuals were once saved (being in the Book of Life)...yet He does. Why??

No one has any "part" in the Book of Life unless they have been given eternal life. Why does God state that they had received eternal life and it was being taken away, if in fact one can never lose it?

"Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book." Exodus 32:32-33

Again, God clearly states that He will blot out names from His book.

Some have said that this does not refer to the Book of Life, but a separate "Book of the Living" which they say records each person's existence. The 'blotting out' - they say - refers to physical death and not the lose of a relationship with God. Yet, there is much debate about whether there even is a separate "Book of the Living" as this term may simply be another reference to the "Book of Life."

Nonetheless, let's assume that there is a separate Book of the Living. This interpretation still presents a major problem for this text. First, the text says nothing about this being a Book of the Living; it simply says "Thy book."

Second, death became a reality for all men after the fall of Adam & Eve in the garden. God's people had no expectation that they would be spared a physical death. Yet God is here distinguishing between Moses (the righteous) and his idolatrous brethren (the sinners). He refuses to apply this penalty to Moses, but only those who have sinned against Him.

This "blotting out" cannot be physical death, because even the righteous were subject to physical death. The context of these verses indicates that God is discussing a punishment specifically for sinners.

The wages of sin is death. However, that is not just a reference to physical death. The only type of death that sinners suffer - as opposed to the righteous - is a spiritual death of being cast away from the presence of God.

Further, the only book which separates the "righteous" from the "sinner" is the Book of Life.

"Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous." Psalm 69:28

In this Psalm, David is asking God to blot out the names of his enemies from the Book of the Living.

Those who support the idea of a separate book claim that this verse speaks of two different books: The "Book of the Living" (where names are requested to be blotted out); and the "Book of Life" where the written names of the righteous are referred. They then conclude that the "blotting out" does not happen in the "Book of Life" at all, but in the "Book of the Living."

Yet, Scripture proves that this is not the case. The names of God's people are written in the Book of Life from the foundations of the world (Revelation 17:8). God is not in Heaven busily writing down names of the righteous in His book. So, David was not asking God to refrain from taking steps to write down these names. Every name which will ever be written therein has already been written before the world began. The only way to ensure that names - which are already written - do not appear, is to blot them out.

We know that only the Book of Life separates the righteous from the sinner. We also know that all names of the righteous are already written in this book. Therefore, the request to blot out the names must be directly tied to the request for them not to appear with the righteous.

It can be seen therefore, that the "Book of the Living" referenced here is the "Book of Life", and as such, God continue to confirm that He can blot out names.

We have listed a variety of Scriptures which indicate that God can and will blot names out of the "book" that determines who has eternal life. He has continually promised to do so in the Old and New Testaments.

It bears repeating that even the possibility of such speaks against the contention that one cannot lose salvation. If it is at all possible to have one's name blotted out of this book, then it is possible to lose salvation.

While the position against OSAS doctrines could rest on this alone, there are a myriad of ways in which this doctrine is contradicted by Scripture. It is important to look at all of these things as they impact our understanding of Scripture and the nature of salvation itself.

Oftentimes in discussing this topic, people will just begin to throw out Scriptures that they think support one side or another. Such is not our intent. ALL Scripture must harmonize with other text in order for it to hold true. As such, we are attempting to take a holistic approach in this review, covering specific texts speaking against this; discussing reasons why the concept is erroneous; evaluating purported support for this doctrine; and examining the one reason Scripture gives for why salvation can be lost.

I also realize that this topic may generate questions or even disagreements. However, it will likely prove difficult to engage in discussion in the comments section of this blog. As such, I have created a section on the message board for this series and people are free to post there as they feel led.

In the next article in this series, we will look at other Scriptures which show that God does not mince His words, specifically when He says that man can forsake Him.