In this study, we continue to look at the false teaching of "once saved, always saved," or "a child of God cannot so sin as to finally be lost in hell."
The issue is not what God wants to do, nor what He is able to do. The real issue involves the conditional nature of salvation. Is salvation from past or alien sins conditional? If not, there is of necessity universal salvation. There is no other choice. If there is universal salvation, then all people will be saved. But, the Bible plainly teaches that this is not the case. "...when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (II. Thess. 1:7-9).
If it is not possible for a child of God to be lost, why would Paul say: "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway"(1Cor.9:27). If he couldn't be lost, how is it possible for him to be a castaway (rejected)?
Furthermore, Paul cited the example of God's people under the Old Covenant who were saved from Egypt, (Ex. 14:30), but did not enter the promised land because of idolatry, immorality, and unbelief (ICor. 1:1-11). Note: "But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted" (v. 5-6). How could this be an example if we cannot be lost? Is it possible for a Christian to lust after evil things as they did? If not, it is not possible that this an example for us, yet, the apostle said, "these things were our example." "Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of the committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer (v.7-10).
Is it possible for a child of God to be an idolater? Is it possible for a child of God to commit fornication, etc.? Surely we understand that these things are possible. Why would God use these things as examples for us if it is not possible for one of his children to so sin as to finally be lost in hell? "Now these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition" (v.11). Then we read in verse 12: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." If it is not possible to fall why the warning to "take heed?"
Please study these scriptures carefully. It is not possible that the doctrine of "once saved, always saved" is true in light of the scriptures. The Bible warns of such (II Pet. 2:1, Acts 20:28-31).
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7).
"If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11).
Don H. Noblin
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