"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will..."
Eph. 1:4-5
The reason I am chosing to write in regards to the subject of Salvation, and rather or not one can be assured of it, is because I recently had a discussion with a good friend of mine. And I want to make my thought clear concerning the matter.
For thoses who believe in "Falling away", many of these theology holders state that we who believe in "election" and/or "Eternal Security" are presenting grace that is cheap. But I believe not. For one to state that grace is "cheap" is in denial of grace, since that thought implies that the price that was paid (the death of Christ on Clavery) was too little. For mans part, grace, has to be FREE and with no price at all, while on God's part, the price He paid must be infinite. Hence, if any man thinks his works play any part by keeping or either earning his salvation, that cheapens grace. Thus, the aftermath is cheapening the gift of salvation by human effort, and not something which is infinite, God's doing.
The "falling from grace" involves the same error as well. Because our works had nothing to do with meriting God's grace in the first place, there is nothing we can do to cause us not to no longer merit it; thus to "fall from it". Paul declares, "...if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace, otherwise work is no more work" (Rom 11:6). Salvation cannot be obtained partly by works and partly by grace. Hence, works of NOTHING to do with SALVATION.... PERIOD.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."Eph. 2:8-9
If salvation--from the penalty of breaking God's laws--cannot be earned by good deeds, then it cannot be lost by bad deeds. Our works play no part in either earning or keeping salvation.
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin."Rom. 3:20
If one who confesses to be "saved" and could lose their salvation, we must assume that by their own actions, they keep themselves saved. If this is the case, if one is saved and thus enters into Heaven, they are then able to boast that their actions/deeds played a key role in their salvation. Stating that Christ saved them but they kept themselves saved. But the Scriptures stated that no man can take any credit for his salvation. First Peter chapter One, verse Five states:
"...who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."
1 Pe. 1:5
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from youselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Eph. 2:8,9
"Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."
Gal. 2:16
Thus, we are kept not by our faith nor works, but sealed/kept by His Power. That we don't obtain our "everlasting life" through or by works, but by grace, we are His.
We are justified by faith but that faith must be alive. James 2
If one could lose their salvation:
a) Christ would have to be crucified again to save us again.
b) Christ would be giving a priceless gift to those who would inevitably lose it.
If Christ's Death and Ressurection was not enough to "keep us saved", then Christ has foolishly wasted His time. Simply put, if we could not live a good enough life to obtain salvation (enternal life), then we most certainly can not live a good enough life to keep it.
"If they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation."
Hebrews 6:6-9
The author is clearing stating by the above verses in Hebrews that if we could LOSE our salvation, Christ would have to die again. Thus if we lose our Salvation, to obtain the "free gift" again, Christ would have to die again and again.
For Jesus Himself assures us our Salvation:
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
John 10:28
So to say we can have eternal life in Christ, and then lose it, it then makes our Savior and Lord a Liar!
Read what Paul states:
"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
As sad as it is, there are Children of God who will simply abuse, misuse, or rather take advantage of God's Saving Grace (which is free, not of our own doing or efforts), for the sake of entering into His Kingdom, but GREAT is the REWARD for who do GOOD in Christ, Jesus.
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." 1 Corinthians 1:4
If God predestined us from the beginning of time (Election), for one to lose one's salvation would say that God can make mistakes. If God did chose us, that would mean that He then decides to not choose us later. But Hebrews 13:8 declares our God does not change... EVER!:
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
"Who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time." 2 Tim. 1:9
If I can't do anything to obtain salvation, can I do anything then, to lose it?
I then end in echoing this statement...
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7
This is nothing but brief thoughts on the subject of eternal security.
But I hope it made those believe not in "Election" or "Eternal Security", think more about it.
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