Once Saved, Always Saved?

         There is a doctrine being taught to the body of Christ today that has been labeled the “once saved, always saved” doctrine, or OSAS for short. Basically, it states that once a person is saved (i.e., walks the aisle, makes a profession of faith,  is baptized and/or joins the church), they are eternally secure; their salvation cannot be lost no matter what else they may ever do or say in this life.  Even if they were to later deny the Lord, it makes no difference.  Once they are "saved," in the above referenced sense of the word, that is final, case closed forever. Some people go so far as to say that it is impossible for someone who has truly been saved to ever deny the Lord, even though Jesus warns us in Matt. 10:33, "Whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven."

          Some say that people who have turned away from the Lord were never truly saved in the first place. This could be so; however, this begs the question, “How then can you know that you have truly been saved?” Basically, there are three major things to look for in determining your status as a believer, and they are: your understanding of the basis for salvation through the blood of Christ and your acceptance of the same; your continuing belief or faith in Jesus alone as your Lord and Savior, and, finally, your efforts to keep the Lord’s commandments, not that you are saved by your works, but that your works are evidence of your salvation. I will share some scriptures regarding these three points in my next post.

          For now, I think it is important for me to emphasize that you can be sure of your salvation.  There is no need to live your life wondering, “Am I saved, or am I not?” We don’t lose our salvation just because we sin. Some have embraced the OSAS doctrine in reaction to the fear some preaching has instilled in them that every time they sin they lose their salvation. On the contrary, John tells us that we do sin. “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (I John 1:8) Thank the Lord that He also promises us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9) Even Paul knew that as long as he was in his fleshly body he would have to fight this battle with sin. Read Romans 7:14-25. So, the fact that we battle with sin does not mean that we are not saved; it just proves that we are human beings, born with a sin nature. In fact, if we were not saved or born again, we probably would not fight sin; we might just go along with it, so our struggle against sin is a healthy sign. In my next post I will write more about how we can have an assurance of our salvation.