Eternal Life and Salvation:

Romans 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Romans 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth.
Romans 8:34  Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Romans 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Romans 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Romans 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Romans 8:39  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.

What happens if a true believer, one who has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, abandons their faith or belief. First, I would find this difficult and a stretch of hypotheticals, but this will be the topic of this post. Does this once true believer still have salvation, or is salvation removed?

This once true believer still has Salvation. The promise was given by God, and the promise was delivered to the believer in the form of the Holy Spirit. The work of Christ was finished on the cross. Romans 8:32-39 clearly states that nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This would certainly include the actions or inactions of the individual believer and their beliefs. "Nor height, nor depth," in verse 39 includes a host of positives or negatives regarding the believer.

A person is not saved by their own actions, works, or righteousness. It is also true that a believer can't lose their salvation by their own actions, works, or righteousness. The believer may lose rewards or suffer consequences for their actions, inactions, and beliefs, but loss of salvation will not be one of those consequences. The Power and Promise of God will not be broken. The Power and Promise of the Blood of Jesus Christ will not be broken. The Power and Seal of the Holy Spirit will not be broken. GOD SAID IT, IT'S DONE!

Eternal Life And Salvation:

Selected Verses: John 10:28, Titus 1:2, 1 John 5:13, John 4:14, John 5:24 and supporting comparisons for additional study.

John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

Romans 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Romans 8:39  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.
__________

Titus 1:2  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

2 Timothy 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2 Timothy 1:10  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
__________

1Jo 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the
Son of God.

1Jo 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

Joh 20:31  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 20:30  And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
John 20:31  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
__________

Joh 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17  [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Joh 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Revelation 7:16  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
Revelation 7:17  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
__________

Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed
from death unto life.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Joh 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Yes sir you boys have been far removed from the sincere truth of Gods word, let's see now,  how did Jesus describe you, TARES, HYPOCRITES!!!

Michael,

What you are doing is SIN! You are talking to Brothers in Christ. If you have a different view, PROVE IT! with Scripture and calm commentary. If you can't refute it or prove it with Scripture and calm commentary, BE QUIET!

Remember, what you are doing is SIN!

Oklahoma Howdy to All,

This is a repost of a message I posted just before the system crash.

I realize that "Once Saved, Always Saved" is a controversial topic among Christians. My opinions on this topic are not intended to anger anyone with a different belief. I don't believe that man can do anything to deserve or earn Salvation. Further, I don't believe that man can do anything, in and of himself, to merit a continuance of Salvation.

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

The wages of sin is death under the old covenant of law. The Gospel of God's Grace is a new covenant, a Gift of forgiveness of sins through the shed Blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Those who accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour are free from the bondage and curse of the law. The acceptance of Jesus must be by faith alone through the Grace of God. Man will never deserve this Gift, and man can't purchase this gift by works or righteousness. There is no righteousness in man except through the blood of Jesus Christ. Any sin or evil by a child of God would grieve the Holy Spirit. God's children are exhorted to depart from evil and sin no more. However, man is not capable of living a perfect and Holy life without sin. Any righteousness of man will be as filthy rags APART FROM THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

Living after the flesh is living in unbelief, without Jesus Christ as a personal Saviour. Living in the Spirit is living in Belief with Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. The seal spoken of in Ephesians 4:30 is Grace implanted in the soul of a believer that is an incorruptible and never dying seed. This seed is a claim and adoption of the believer as a child of God. The believer becomes a member of the CHURCH WHICH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST and can never be removed.

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

In man's terms, the "earnest" in Ephesians 1:14 is like a down payment on a house that will not be refunded. In this case, the "earnest" is the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer. The believer was purchased by the Blood of Jesus through the Grace of God.

2 Corinthians 1:20  For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
2 Corinthians 1:21  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, [is] God;
2 Corinthians 1:22  Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

A believer does not live with security and assurance because of his or her own actions, works, and righteousness. A believer has merit, security, and assurance only because of the Grace of God, forgiveness of sin, and the Blood of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Saviour. The believer's standing is in the love, power, and care of Christ. The promises of God are unconditional, immutable, and irrevocable.

Oklahoma Howdy to Ambassador4Christ,

Amen! Thank you Brother.

After reading this thread, I think I am in the Twilight Zone...

Doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo

Oklahoma Howdy to SincereHeart,

Please do not adjust your television: we are in complete control. "UH, OH!, I'm not in Kansas anymore."  

Oklahoma Howdy to TigerLily,

I sent you (3) emails with some of my favorite pictures of the Wichita Mountains, some of the lakes, and some of the wildlife. Please let me know if you got them ok.

Hey BEP... I love the way ya'll talk from there, i actually have friends from oklahoma.. and been invited down that way, i'd love to go, been told its a beautiful place.
As for your "bull in the chinashop syndrome." it would seem from a few different posts from people ive saw, others are feeling the same way!!  
Luv TL

Oklahoma Howdy to TigerLily,

I live in Southwest Oklahoma in a fairly large place called Lawton/Fort Sill. We are surrounded by the Wichita Mountains and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The buffalo and longhorn herds still roam wild here. I'm a 15 minute drive away from over 30 lakes, The Holy City of the Wichitas, and some of the best hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting in the country. Fort Sill is the Artillery Center of the World and the home of MRLS and Paladin. Depending on deployments, Lawton/Fort Sill is the home of between 110 to 130 thousand folks.

We are pretty plain and friendly folks here, about 50 miles North of the Texas border. We do have electricity, indoor plumbing, and most of us wear shoes.  

If you come visit, you might not want to leave. Yes, I am determined to take a pill for my "bull in the china closet syndrome". I'm going to be nice or be quiet.

I'm a very shy, reserved, and withdrawn retired cop

*guffaws*

Oklahoma Howdy to SincereHeart,

I'm back, hoping the crew here can draw me out of my shell.  

I went to a shrink recently for problems with self-confidence and feelings of a homely appearance. The doc had me lay face down on the couch for the session.  The doc told me to use the rear entrance on my next visit.

In other words the Holy Spirit is our guarantee that our redemption is complete and that a true Christian can never lose the salvation God has granted them by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. If a true Christian could lose their salvation then God would default on the Holy Spirit. Who for even a moment believes that God will default on the Holy Spirit? This is something that could never happen, therefore our salvation is held secure by God and not by ourselves.

God bless,
Pilgrim

Oklahoma Howdy to Pilgrim,

I am studying almost the same portions of Scriptures over the last couple of weeks. As an old guy, I remember the term "ernest" being used as a non-refundable deposit in buying a house. The indwelling and Seal of The Holy Spirit as an "ernest of our inheritance" as a Child of God is blessed assurance that we have been accepted into the Church which is the Body of Christ.

Those Oklahoma "howdies" were really missed when the site was down. Thank you for this greeting.
 Your above post contains some good thoughts which I want to study more.

Thank you
Ollie

Oklahoma Howdy to Ollie,

It's nice to hear from you again. I find this to be a very interesting area of study. I have been studying the area of Eternal Salvation for about 2 weeks now and continually find more sources of Scripture. I believe that Assurance of Salvation is important in building up a Christian in Faith.

I'm trying to organize at least two weeks of notes and hope to share some of it here. So far, I'm convinced that bold confidence and assurance of Salvation is not of ourselves, rather of Confidence in Almighty God and complete belief in God's Promises. I give thanks that my beliefs don't rest in myself. I am weak, HE IS STRONG!

Whatever I post, I hope to do so in Christian Love. It's nice to be back with friends.

hi ya blue.. like i said in another thread,, maybe this hacker was a blessing in disguise, give everyone a few days away, start things a fresh and new.
SO where were we? lol maybe where can we go from here..!
luv TL

Oklahoma Howdy Tigerlily,

The old cop in me wants to see that hacker caught and prosecuted, but I'll settle for the system being back up and conversing with friends.

Love in Christ

BEP

Oklahoma Howdy Ya'll,

Symphony, I looked at your picture and you look well.  

Tigerlily, It's nice to see you back. I'll have to get used to the name change. Reference your use of "Ya'll", Okies consider it a compliment that other states and countries try to translate our language and incorporate it.  

Sincereheart, welcome back, I really enjoy your posts.

Ambassador4Christ, thanks for the welcome back.

Angie, welcome back. I'm hoping that many will find the site open again.

Asaph, welcome back. I have also decided that love and harmony are more important than doctrinal differences. I'm going to try real hard to end my "Bull in the china closet syndrome."  

Love in Christ,

BEP

Oklahoma Howdy to Pilgrim, Ollie, Suzie, Ambassador4Christ,

It looks like there are more and more folks finding the site back up.

Pilgrim, I went to your website and really enjoyed it. My most recent discussion on "Once Saved, Not Always Saved" posed the question of what if the believer stops believing. I could think of insanity or illness being the only possible cause for a condition like this.

The person believing OSNAS quoted:

2 Pet 2:20—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.

2 Pet 2:21—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.

Taken out of context, these verses appear to support his claim. I replied with the surrounding context and other portions of Scripture that clearly give the actual meaning of these Scriptures. "Knowledge" is different that "Belief and Acceptance". The other terms that came to play were "Fall, total Fall, and Stumble". One must also note the subject of 2 Peter 2 is false teachers. I'll be back to join in the discussion. I firmly believe in Eternal Security and Salvation.

Hey I thought that was a siren I heard there in the twilight zone!

Oklahoma Howdy to Michael,

I was going faster than the speed of sound, so it couldn't have been me.  

I've been really far behind for quite a while now, the other day though, I caught to myself, but when I got to where I had been, I'd already left, so now I'm behind all over again!  

This is too complicated and confusing for me. All I have to remember is: "wherever I go, there I am."  

I'm hoping that most folks keep checking this site and come back. It looks like a pretty good start.