Once Saved, Always Saved? (part 10)

Thank you for joining us as we continue our investigation into the doctrine of Eternal Security.

This doctrine is also known as Once Saved, Always Saved (OSAS)... or as I like to put it... If God Saves You, He Will Keep You Saved.

We are in part 10 of the series, and today will be looking at two portions of scripture that people who don't believe in the security of God run to in order to contradict the Lord by saying He will lose some sheep.




The first place we will be looking at is found in the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 6:4-6
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Those who deny Eternal Security look at this portion of scripture and say, 'see, we can lose our salvation'.

Before we look into this, I must remind ourselves of something.

Remember what these people believe... if you lose your salvation, you can get it back again if you turn to God in repentance.

For those who are truly backslidden, they don't see them as sheep that have gone astray, but sheep that have some how turned themselves into goats.

These same people will call out to these backsliders telling them to come home.

But this scripture contradicts their doctrine. Paul clearly tells us that these people can never come back.

It amazes me how they can use these verses, that tells them in no uncertain terms that their wrong, to somehow make a case for their position.

It shows one of two things. Either they're blind to what it says or they really don't believe what it says but use it because they know we do believe what it says.

Never-the-less, let's examine these verses.

There are people who believe that these verses are not addressing believers but unbelievers. They say that these verses are talking about jewish unbelievers who've seen the miracles and have probably had miracles done to them. They recognise the power if God, and even mentally acknowledge the truth of the things going on, but they turn away. At that point its impossible to bring them back to that point where they were almost saved.

Although it sounds plausible, a straight reading of these verses as well as the context, doesn't seem to perfectly fit with that explanation.

So, the first thing we should address is who is these verses for... believers or unbelievers?

The answer is that it is for believers. The first 3 verses are for believers and so are the verses after this section. To say that Paul was targeting unbelievers seems weak here.

That's not to say that unbelievers wouldn't have read (or heard) what Paul wrote here but that the context makes no sense if it's addressed to unbelievers.

Secondly, does this say a believer can lose their salvation? No, it doesn't.

How do we know?

Remember the foundation we should be standing on when we read this.

Jesus says that his sheep will never perish and he will lose none of them.

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.

John 6:39
And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.  

Also, the reason why this can't be saying that someone who is "almost saved" and rejects the gospel can never be brought back to repentence is because Jesus, our foundation, also says that all those that the Father gives to Him will come to Him.

John 6:37
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 

So with our foundation in place, what do these verses mean?

Simply that Paul is giving a lesson on the nature of our salvation.

He says that those who are saved, if they were to turn away can't be saved again. He then tells us why.

For them to be brought back to repentance, they would have to crucify Jesus a second time.

A lot of people do not consider the implications of this.

Why would Jesus have to be crucified again? Because for them to be able to leave would mean that they have accumulated sins that Christ couldn't pay for.

We must remember what Christ has done. He has completely paid the price for all of our sins.

This is the reason why the Holy Spirit stays in us, because of the blood of Christ.

This is why salvation can't be removed... because our sins are paid for.

Remember, Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. He came to save the unrighteous. If the price for all of our sins has already been paid how is it that God can require payment for our sins afterwards? He can't, because there are no sins to be paid.

So, for someone to be able to fall away, would mean that they have sins that are not paid for as God would forever see them as righteous because of the blood.

To remedy this, Jesus would have to die again to pay for these new sins that His previous death couldn't pay for.

This would make Christ an open shame... a mockery.

Why would this make Him an open shame? Two reasons actually.

1. It would mean that His first sacrifice wasn't sufficient to fully remove sin.
2. It would mean that He wasn't God.

The implications of both of those would make Christ a complete laughing stock. After all, if some came to you saying how your forgiven, and how they would cleanse you from your unrighteousness, and how their death is paying for your sins... only for them to have to come back and die again to do those same things... it would mean that His claims are false.

To a Hebrew person, the group to whom this letter is addressed, it would mean that this new covenant is no better than the old covenant, seeing as how Christ has to offer up Himself as a sacrifice multiple times, if the person falls away multiple times.

This is what Paul's intention for these verses are. To show us that if someone does fall away, they would have to do this to become saved again.

Now, many people stop at verse 6 when trying to understand what Paul is ultimately trying to say, but Paul himself continues on.

So we should continue as well.

After Paul tells us that it's impossible for a person, if they were to lose their salvation, to be saved again, he then starts talking about fruit.

Hebrews 6:7-8
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

When we read this, the thing that should spring to our mind should be the parable of the soils told by Jesus. It should also bring to our mind what Jesus told us about good and bad fruit.

Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Are you starting to see the picture?

Right after Paul tells us that a person can't be born again... again, he tells us about good and bad fruit. The good fruit is blessed of God, and the bad fruit is cast into the fire.

Those who fall away would be the ones cast into the fire, right? Then that means that the tree wasn't good to begin with. In other words, those who seem to fall away were never saved (just like the parable of the 4 soils, specifically the rocky ground).

That is what Paul's complete thought is. If those who are saved should fall away, they can't be saved again. But those who fall away were never saved to begin with because only corrupt trees bring forth fruit that causes the tree to be cast into the fire.

Paul end's his quick lesson by saying this...

Hebrews 6:9
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

This verse clearly identifies who the previous verses were directed to, believers.

Paul did this to bring to remembrance the nature of salvation, and how secure it is. All those who are born of the Spirit (saved), will bear fruit (good soil). They will bring forth good fruit. Those who fall away manifest that they were never born of the Spirit to begin with. Because a good tree can not bring forth bad fruit.

Paul has to remind them of their secure foundation because, just a few verses earlier, he testified to their spiritual maturity.

Hebrew 5:11-14
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Look at what he says. It's those who are mature that are able to discern both good and evil. Good and evil what? Fruit.

So again, these verses don't say that someone can lose their salvation, but the opposite. It is a lesson in order to bring to their rememberance that salvation is secure. And those who do fall away, were never saved to begin with.

------------------------

The second place we will be looking at is found in 2 Peter

2 Peter 2:20-21
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.

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.

For those who deny that God is the one that keeps them saved, when they look at these verses, they will say, 'see, these people were saved, and they lost their salvation because they were entangled in sin'.

What is our first priority when we read these verses? To bring to remembrance the words of Christ. None of His sheep will perish and He will not lose any.

So, we know these verses aren't saying that believers can lose their salvation.

What is our second priority when we read these verses? To read the context. So, we should start from the beginning of the chapter.

When you read the chapter, you easily see that it is all about false prophets and teachers. The first verse actually lays it out for us.

2 Peter 2:1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Throughout the chapter, Peter tells us about two different kinds of false prophets/teachers. The first one are those who are saved, but seek to instruct people on spiritual matters, not understanding a word what they are talking about. They bring heretical doctrine into the church, even ones that deny Christ, without realising.

Peter equates these people to Balaam, the old testament prophet of God. Balaam had a relationship with God... in other words... he was saved. Yet he went astray seeking to do the thing that He knew God didn't want him to do.

Today, there are many people who fit this description. They are saved (at least, we assume they are), and even though they are in positions of leadership (pastor, teacher, elder, bishop, etc.), they don't have a clue about the doctrine that they teach, walking in all sort of spiritual errors and heresies.

The second group that Peter talks about, are those who are not saved at all.

All through the chapter, Peter tells us how these two groups of people operate, and some of their motives. But if you notice, for those who are saved, God will rebuke them. Again, look at the example of Balaam.

God will not allow His people to walk astray for ever. He will rebuke, chastise, and scourge us with the rod of correction. But nothing of the sort is spoken of about those who aren't saved.

So then, when we get to our verses at the end of the chapter, which group is Peter talking about. Is he talking about those who are saved or unsaved?

Well, once you read the entire chapter, it becomes quite obvious which group Peter is talking about, but just in case we are unsure, let's look into it.

2 Peter 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.

Notice how Peter starts off this verse. If these people had been saved, and then entangled in their sins again and overcome, the latter end is worse than their first.

Doesn't this sounds familiar? Doesn't this sound like Hebrews 6... the very thing Paul was saying.

Peter continues by saying...

2 Peter 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. 

That's a strange thing to say, right? It would've been better if they've have never been saved to begin with.

Why would he say that? Because if we are saved, and then lose our salvation, we are forever lost.

Remember, this is what Paul was saying.

But again, pay attention. Peter specifically uses the word, if.

Why is that little two letter word significant to us? Because Peter is giving a scenario just like Paul was.

We must also remember that believers aren't overcome by the world. Believers overcome the world because God dwells in them.

So how can a believer be overcome by their sins so much so that they lose their salvation? They can't.

And to prove that this is what Peter means, all we need to do is look to the very before and after these two verses.

2 Peter 2:19
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 

Here, we see Peter telling us specifically who he is talking about. Not servants of Gof, but servants of corruption. He then gives us the "if" scenario, and finishes is off with...

2 Peter 2:22
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

A lot of people miss the significance of this verse.

Peter says that these people are overcome by their sins just like the true proverb.

What is so true about this proverb? A dog returns to his own vomit... that's what dog's do. Sow, after they’re washed, will return to the mire... that's what sow's do.

A sinner, will return to wallow in sin... that's what sinner's do.

A believer, will bear good fruit, and overcome the world... that's what children of God do.

So, Peter declares that these people were never saved to begin with. Remember, the entire chapter is about false prophets/teachers, that are among those who are saved. He gives us tips how to identify some of them. Some of them will be saved, and some won't be.

Some of the ones that aren't saved will eventually reveal who they are because they will be overcome by sin... and the thing is that they won't despise the sin. They will be happy to be able to be covered in it and will call others to join them.

The reason they will do this is not because they have lost their salvation, but because they never had it to begin with. They were never born again. They were never a new creature. All that was going on was that they were pretending to be saved.

Join us next time as we continue to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivitiy every though to the obedience of Christ (1 Cor 10:5). We will continue standing on the word and promises of God.

Amen