Once Saved, Always Saved?

It is a widely held belief among some religious groups that once a person is saved, he is always saved. They strongly deny that a Christian can so sin as to be eternally lost.

Some teach the doctrine that says, "God's pen has no eraser."  Referring to the book of life (Phil. 4:3); that once your name is written in it, it cannot be removed. However, the Bible teaches otherwise.

Very clearly, the Bible indicates that your name can be "blotted out" of the book of life. Jesus says, "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels" (Rev. 3:5). Please note here that if one overcomes, the Lord will not blot out his name, which implies that if one does not overcome, his name can be blotted out! This is not talking of non-Christians, but Christians who are faithful as opposed to those who are not faithful! Those who are spiritually dead, who have departed from the faith, the Lord can and will blot out their names and deny them in the Judgment (Matt. 7:21-23; 25:41). Note even the warning at the close of the Book of Revelation: "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" (Rev. 22:19).

Some today also misuse John 10:28-29 to support the concept of, "Once saved, always saved." Jesus said, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand" (John 10:28). It is true that no external force can separate us from the love of Christ (Rom. 8:35-39), however, it is clear that one can of his own accord choose to depart from Christ (read 2 Pet. 2:20-22). There are many Scriptures which teach that one can depart or fall away from the faith. The apostle Paul writes, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12). And again, "Christ is become of no effect unto you whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace" (Gal. 5:4) (Read also Luke 15 and Heb. 6:4-6).

The Lord wants Christians who will remain "faithful unto death" (Rev. 2:10). These are the ones that will overcome with the Lamb (Rev. 21:7).

Are you a faithful Christian? If not, why become one today!
 

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