Once saved always saved (OSAS) debunked

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
15,096
5,430
113
62
He is not asking whether they received the Spirit, he's asking "How did you receive the Spirit?" Then, he answers, "If you began by the Spirit, how are you now being perfected by the flesh (being under the Law of Moses)?" He knows they believed and received the Spirit.
Additionally, he, later, says "You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?" So, again, he asserts they had "obeyed the truth", and this qualified as "running"--he, many times, describes "faith" as a "race". They were running the race of faith, but some false teachers came in and derailed them.
We know they obeyed the truth. Romans 1:5 says "obedience of faith", and Ro 3:27 says "Law of Faith", which, when "obeyed", is "believing".
So, there is no question they had believed.
What you have said is what you believe is happening. Running well and then falling away is the point. See the parable of the seeds. Some took root only to be choked out later. Same thing happening here. It is the evidence that what they built their house on wasn't actually Christ.
Also, what is the law of faith?
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
What you have said is what you believe is happening. Running well and then falling away is the point. See the parable of the seeds. Some took root only to be choked out later. Same thing happening here. It is the evidence that what they built their house on wasn't actually Christ.
Also, what is the law of faith?
1. They received the Spirit--proof positive they believed. Even in the parable of the Sower, the ones who receive the truth are believing it, they just don't persist. We also know that these "grounds" aren't "fixed conditions"--it's not as though "There are those who persist, and bear fruit, they're the ones who really believe, and there're the ones who didn't persist, and they didn't really believe,"--since Heb 3 says that people can "become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin". So, hearts that had received the truth could "become" like the wayside heart, the hard heart of unbelief that cannot receive the truth.
2. The Law of Faith: believe on the Name of God's Son and love one another.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
15,096
5,430
113
62
1. They received the Spirit--proof positive they believed. Even in the parable of the Sower, the ones who receive the truth are believing it, they just don't persist. We also know that these "grounds" aren't "fixed conditions"--it's not as though "There are those who persist, and bear fruit, they're the ones who really believe, and there're the ones who didn't persist, and they didn't really believe,"--since Heb 3 says that people can "become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin". So, hearts that had received the truth could "become" like the wayside heart, the hard heart of unbelief that cannot receive the truth.
2. The Law of Faith: believe on the Name of God's Son and love one another.
1. It doesn't state; it asks. He is basically suggesting to them that faith came spiritually, and so does Christian living. The better argument is that he's suggesting they aren't saved.
2. Never seen such a law concerning salvation. Where do I find it speaking to the issue of initial faith?
 

Jimbone

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2014
2,737
838
113
44
I provided the Scripture where it says the believer who sins IS condemned by God... you just don't accept Scripture. Why? Man made tradition.

As for whether it's "for salvation": Paul says the believer who walks after the flesh, not after the spirit, will die (Ro 8:12,13).
I understand what you're saying, and the logic behind it. All the warnings I read I believe are true and that believers will head, because of God. Just telling us the lines we need to keep between doesn't mean we can decide to leave the road. I believe He saves us and He keeps us, I know I will make it because He says I will. I still need to live my life by His will, but I only can by His power, it is not reliant on "us", thank God. We need to renew our minds daily and always seek after Him. These verses do not mention anything about anyone being saved in truth and then unsaved.

When you read all of Romans 8 there is nowhere where Paul is saying the saved can lose there gift of salvation, as a matter of fact it's almost like you don't finish the chapter, it's all wrapped up by Paul like this

God's Everlasting Love
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Did you catch that 37-39 part? Seems to completely contradict what you're saying the first part says.
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
1. It doesn't state; it asks. He is basically suggesting to them that faith came spiritually, and so does Christian living. The better argument is that he's suggesting they aren't saved.
2. Never seen such a law concerning salvation. Where do I find it speaking to the issue of initial faith?
1. His argument is: how is it that you are now being perfected by the flesh when you began by the spirit? That's actually the topic of the entire epistle lol
2. Ro 3:27
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
15,096
5,430
113
62
1. His argument is: how is it that you are now being perfected by the flesh when you began by the spirit? That's actually the topic of the entire epistle lol
2. Ro 3:27
1. That's not the theme of Galatians. There are several themes, one being justification by faith alone.
2. The next verse tells what the law of faith is. It is not as you suggest. There is no commandment to love associated with it.
 

brightfame52

Well-known member
Nov 21, 2020
5,968
522
113
Those who disagree with and oppose eternal security, they reveal that they really dont understand that Salvation from eternity to eternity is all Gods Work, they believe that man plays a part in Salvation, which frankly denies Salvation by the Grace, Power and Love of God.

When one of the elect Vessels of Mercy first have their Salvation applied Spiritually unto them, its Gods work beginning in them, and hence, we can rest assured of this one thing Phil 1:6

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

1 Cor 1:8

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
1. That's not the theme of Galatians. There are several themes, one being justification by faith alone.
2. The next verse tells what the law of faith is. It is not as you suggest. There is no commandment to love associated with it.
1. The text is plain. It is the theme. Justification by faith is being departed from, by the false Gospel, so, "How are you progressing by the flesh when you began by the Spirit?"
2. 1 Jn 3:23 "Believe on the Name of God's Son and love one another"--loving others is done by walking by "faith which works by love", and infracting that law constitutes "sin" whereby a believer is "condemned".
You wrongly believe the Law of Faith only concerns "I believe in Christ", but I read, in Scripture, that it also pertains to one's walk.
 
Sep 28, 2023
948
176
43
There are several themes, one being justification by faith alone.

Jesus also said thru the Apostle James to "be ye DOERS OF THE WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22)

Jesus apparently expects His people to DO some stuff after getting born again.

Reckon Jesus didn't get the memo from the so called reformers that salvation is by faith only??? (see James 2:14-26)

The Lord says the following thru the Apostle James:

James 2:24
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 1:21,22 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness (walking after the flesh – see Gal 6:7,8), and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Apparently one is justified by faith AND by works.... and the man that believes justification is by faith only is a "vain" man.

Sounds like either Jesus is wrong or the so called reformers are wrong since they teach an partial truth and leave the part out about works leaving the door open to sinful living (license to sin).

Martin Luther was a known drunk so I can see how he would want to leave the part about works out so he could continue drinking his beloved booze which is living in sin! (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-13)

Quite the quandary here... who shall we say is in error the Lord or the reformers??? That tis the question!
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
I understand what you're saying, and the logic behind it. All the warnings I read I believe are true and that believers will head, because of God. Just telling us the lines we need to keep between doesn't mean we can decide to leave the road. I believe He saves us and He keeps us, I know I will make it because He says I will. I still need to live my life by His will, but I only can by His power, it is not reliant on "us", thank God. We need to renew our minds daily and always seek after Him. These verses do not mention anything about anyone being saved in truth and then unsaved.

When you read all of Romans 8 there is nowhere where Paul is saying the saved can lose there gift of salvation, as a matter of fact it's almost like you don't finish the chapter, it's all wrapped up by Paul like this

God's Everlasting Love
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Did you catch that 37-39 part? Seems to completely contradict what you're saying the first part says.
1. Well, the Galatians were deserting God through unbelief, as is warned in Heb 3, so I can't be unbelieving about whether people can fall away.
2. No creation has the power to separate us from God, yet we ourselves are warned "remain in Him" by continuing to keep the command "believe in the Name of God's Son and love one another".
Those who do not "abide", by breaking the command, will be "draw back in shame at His appearance" (1 Jn 2:28), as it warns "watch that you may keep your garment lest you walk naked and the same of your nakedness appear" (Rv 16:15)--the Laodiceans being an example of this (Rv 3)--making it clear it's not an empty threat or toothless abstraction that a believer may fail to abide (by failing to keep the command, which constitutes sin), and, so, wind up naked, ashamed, which is a feature of the damned (Dn 12:2).
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
Sounds like either Jesus is wrong or the so called reformers are wrong since they teach an partial truth and leave the part out about works leaving the door open to sinful living (license to sin).
I agree with the Scriptures you quoted, but I have to disagree with the idea that the "faith alone" error necessarily leads to sin--eg, John Piper has testified, and I 100% believe him, that God's grace kept him from being attracted to other women after he was married!

Grace is powerful, and the more people trust Grace the more it does (2 Co 13)!

"Faith alone" is erroneous, inaccurate, incomplete, stupid, ignorant--many things--but it is not "damnable heresy" per se IMO!
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
15,096
5,430
113
62
1. The text is plain. It is the theme. Justification by faith is being departed from, by the false Gospel, so, "How are you progressing by the flesh when you began by the Spirit?"
2. 1 Jn 3:23 "Believe on the Name of God's Son and love one another"--loving others is done by walking by "faith which works by love", and infracting that law constitutes "sin" whereby a believer is "condemned".
You wrongly believe the Law of Faith only concerns "I believe in Christ", but I read, in Scripture, that it also pertains to one's walk.
1. You assume that they started in the flesh. No doubt Paul explained it that way the first time. So having explained it to them, he is now asking the question: if you were told to walk according to the Spirit, why do I find you walking according to the law?
2. 1 John 3:23 is a commandment, but it isn't what is being spoken of in Romans 3:27. Just read Romans 3:28 and you will know what the law of faith is.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
15,096
5,430
113
62
Jesus also said thru the Apostle James to "be ye DOERS OF THE WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22)

Jesus apparently expects His people to DO some stuff after getting born again.

Reckon Jesus didn't get the memo from the so called reformers that salvation is by faith only??? (see James 2:14-26)

The Lord says the following thru the Apostle James:

James 2:24
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 1:21,22 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness (walking after the flesh – see Gal 6:7,8), and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Apparently one is justified by faith AND by works.... and the man that believes justification is by faith only is a "vain" man.

Sounds like either Jesus is wrong or the so called reformers are wrong since they teach an partial truth and leave the part out about works leaving the door open to sinful living (license to sin).

Martin Luther was a known drunk so I can see how he would want to leave the part about works out so he could continue drinking his beloved booze which is living in sin! (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-13)

Quite the quandary here... who shall we say is in error the Lord or the reformers??? That tis the question!
After being the key phrase.
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
1. You assume that they started in the flesh. No doubt Paul explained it that way the first time. So having explained it to them, he is now asking the question: if you were told to walk according to the Spirit, why do I find you walking according to the law?
2. 1 John 3:23 is a commandment, but it isn't what is being spoken of in Romans 3:27. Just read Romans 3:28 and you will know what the law of faith is.
1a. No, I didn't say they started in the flesh, I said Paul said they started in the spirit so how are they convinced they're supposed to be perfected by the flesh (by thinking they will become perfect by being under the Law) instead of walking by faith after beginning by faith.
1b. Yeah, the solution to their error of "works of the Law" wasn't "Christ alone", it was "serve one another" by "faith which works by love". We see the man who doesn't walk by this rule is condemned for his sin Ro 14:23.
2. It certainly is! Lol The Law of Faith is believing in the Gospel! That's "believing in the Name of God's Son"--and, again, you refuse to understand that "faith" includes "walk by faith", although it is explicit and ubiquitous throughout Scripture, because you only want to believe a tiny sliver of truth not the whole of it! You're seeing a mutual exclusivity where none exists!
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
15,096
5,430
113
62
1a. No, I didn't say they started in the flesh, I said Paul said they started in the spirit so how are they convinced they're supposed to be perfected by the flesh (by thinking they will become perfect by being under the Law) instead of walking by faith after beginning by faith.
1b. Yeah, the solution to their error of "works of the Law" wasn't "Christ alone", it was "serve one another" by "faith which works by love".
2. It certainly is! Lol The Law of Faith is believing in the Gospel! That's "believing in the Name of God's Son"--and, again, you refuse to understand that "faith" includes "walk by faith", although it is explicit and ubiquitous throughout Scripture, because you only want to believe a tiny sliver of truth not the whole of it! You're seeing a mutual exclusivity where none exists!
You didn't even read the verse. Romans 3:27 ends with the law of faith. The very next verse says...Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. So your definition of the law of faith being faith plus exercising love is simply wrong. Loving is a deed of the law.
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
You didn't even read the verse. Romans 3:27 ends with the law of faith. The very next verse says...Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. So your definition of the law of faith being faith plus exercising love is simply wrong. Loving is a deed of the law.
Your error is that you want to read that in a vacuum. It's that simple. The rest of Scripture still exists. Pray tell: what is the man believing that results in his justification? Is it the Name of God's Son? Lol Well, well, well, we see that attached to that command is "and love one another", and we know "faith works by love", so the man who doesn't walk by faith is "condemned" for his "sin" of not representing Christ's love accurately in his walk but being selfish/sinful by indulging (Ro 14:23).
Walking by faith is included in the Law of Faith according to 1 John 3:23, which is why James can say "Abraham was justified by works".
Hence, the one who doesn't provide for his family "has denied the faith"!

Oops!
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
15,096
5,430
113
62
Your error is that you want to read that in a vacuum. It's that simple. The rest of Scripture still exists. Pray tell: what is the man believing that results in his justification? Is it the Name of God's Son? Lol Well, well, well, we see that attached to that command is "and love one another", and we know "faith works by love", so the man who doesn't walk by faith is "condemned" for his "sin" of not representing Christ's love accurately in his walk but being selfish/sinful by indulging (Ro 14:23).
Walking by faith is included in the Law of Faith according to 1 John 3:23, which is why James can say "Abraham was justified by works".
Hence, the one who doesn't provide for his family "has denied the faith"!

Oops!
Sometimes I read in a toaster, but never in a vacuum. I take my vacuum time very seriously.
John 6...Jesus is asked what the work of God is. Now could have answered anything. But what He did answer was that the work of God was to believe. What significance do you place on His answer?
 

rogerg

Well-known member
Jul 13, 2021
3,292
482
83
I'm sure you're not slow. It's hard to convey what we're thinking, put it into words and then someone read them and know exactly what was intended. I don't know how many times I've posted something and what they said I said was not what I meant to say.
Thanks, and yes, turbosixx, I know and understand what you're saying - sometimes it does feel like I'm trying to drive a car through a rear-view mirror - I suppose an inherent limitation of the written medium.

Now before you proceed, I want to state we are not saved BY our works. There are no amount of works a man can do to earn his salvation. We are saved by the grace of God and it is a gift. I suggest to you those who receive the gift are those whose faith is made complete by their works. For example Noah, God warned him of pending destruction and gave him a way of salvation. Noah believed God and built the ark saving himself and his family. The bible tells us, faith without works is dead. And this You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone
Okay, let me ask you this: if it is a gift as you say, and with which I completely agree, then as a true gift, why would it need to have works or faith for it to be completed by us to be received? Were that needed, wouldn't that make it not a gift but something else? Have you considered that a gift - and a true gift should necessitate nothing more than it is one - and given that faith and works are its requirements - that maybe the giver of the gift had also already considered, addressed, and satisfied those aspects too - they, therefore, are of the gift?
I agree that faith and works are requirements.... but.... requirements in its creation in order that it should be made as a gift, but not for the receiving of it. Consequently, both the faith and works had to be, and were, included in it by its giver, Christ. Consider also that to satisfy God, both had to be absolutely perfect, otherwise, we would be placing before God the imperfect to try to purchase and receive the perfect, which would be meaningless or much worse - an insult to God in His eyes. But were it possible that our faith and works perfect in God's eyes, then we would have no need for a Saviour because we could do it all ourselves, which, of course, we cannot.
The "faith without works is dead" pertains to Christ's faith to and His works not ours. Christ is the man portrayed in Jas 2:18 - it is not just a generic man representing everyone. In other words, if we are going to justify ourselves for salvation by our faith, it had better be a faith perfected by our works, which only Christ's faith was, not the haphazard and sinful faith and works of unsaved man. Instead, Christ's perfect faith is reckoned to us upon our becoming born-again. When the Bible mentions someone's faith, that faith originated from Christ's faith and was reckoned to them.
Based upon my understanding (at least), that is precisely what we are told in the Bible. Here are just three verses (of many) which informs of that. Notice in Rom 1:17 the "faith to faith"; that is, that faith originates from and within Christ, and is given to those He saves and justifies, the result of which is life eternal. In Phl 3:9, notice that Paul desired the faith and the righteousness of the faith, of Christ, and rejected his own faith and its righteousness. Notice also that in 2 Ti 1:9, the value of our works for salvation in any sense are worthless in God's eyes. Only through Christ, according to God's purpose alone, are we saved - nothing else counts nor is to be valued or pursued by us.

[Rom 1:17 KJV] 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

[Phl 3:9 KJV] 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

[2Ti 1:9 KJV] 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,

So, when the Bible mentions that a person is justified by faith and/or works, it is justification fully and completely achieved by Christ; that is, Christ's faith has within it, righteousness and works. Otherwise, of ourselves, how could we know when and if we had supplied sufficient faith and works to receive salvation? They would be requirements without knowable criteria to satisfy them. That is why Christ is the Saviour and man not - because His faith and righteousness were perfect.

Jesus's sacrifice is totally sufficient to forgive sins, past, present and future. My point is becoming a Christian does not mean we can't give up our salvation by turning away from God. I disagree with you and probably the root of it is what you say here. and remain so, by what Christ alone did, not by what they may do or not do

Not by what they may do or not do. I would say that is false. Jesus gives us a preview of the judgement scene in Matthew 25. Based on the context and what Jesus says, what determined their eternal fate? What Christ did alone or what they did or did not due?
Well, if we could give up our salvation, then by any assessment, it could not have been eternal. But we have been given unconditional conformation by God that it is eternal.
It is impossible for us as sinful men who have the mind of natural man, to comprehend and accept the extent and depth of the graciousness, mercy, and love that God given freely to those whom He has so chosen for it- one must ponder it a lot to get even a slight sense of it - man by nature just cannot grasp those kinds of eternal things. However, nevertheless, salvation is God's to give to those whom He had so chosen for it based solely upon His divine prerogative and good pleasure.

The "lambs" of Matthew 25 were made so by Christ. Man cannot make of himself a lamb. Notice below, that they who Christ sent out had already become saved - the unsaved cannot be lambs because they neither understand nor believe the gospel. The same with feeding the hungry (which is spiritual not physical hunger). What I think you miss is that spiritual good works can only come from salvation, they cannot give or lead anyone to salvation - salvation must come first with good works from it.

[Luk 10:3 KJV] 3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

If you haven't already done so, I would suggest you read Jimbone's posts 6927 and 6934. He explained it much better than I.
 
Sep 23, 2023
847
76
28
Sometimes I read in a toaster, but never in a vacuum. I take my vacuum time very seriously.
John 6...Jesus is asked what the work of God is. Now could have answered anything. But what He did answer was that the work of God was to believe. What significance do you place on His answer?
Lol run away from the Scripture to another Scripture when you have been disproven. You're dishonest. After you get disproven in John 6, you'll run away to another, and another, and another.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
15,096
5,430
113
62
Lol run away from the Scripture to another Scripture when you have been disproven. You're dishonest. After you get disproven in John 6, you'll run away to another, and another, and another.
That's an interesting take. I was actually trying to broaden your understanding. But as you have concluded that I am dishonest, I would also think that you would be disinclined to chat with one so dishonest. So I'll bid you grace and peace.