Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 7/16/2004

Question
A friend asked me today about "once saved always saved".  Are there any scriptures to back this belief?   Are there any scriptures to prove that one can loose their salvation?  I need some help with this one.
Thanks

Answer
Thanks for this great question! You have stumbled upon one of the most hotly debated subjects among Bible believing Christians....but I do believe that this is a very important matter to understand, so I will try and help you.
Let me give you several principles to keep in mind, and then, I will paste the notes from a sermon that I preached on this subject.

1. Scripture interprets scripture. God is not double minded, and does not contradict Himself. If you have seemingly contradictory passages, then you have not completely understood the passages.

2. Here is the most important thing to note..... SALVATION COMES BY GRACE ALONE THROUGH FAITH, AND IS NOT DEPENDING UPON OUR WORKS WHATSOEVER!!!!! If salvation then, starts with our faith, whould it make sense to think that our works or lack of works keep us saved? Why would God save us by grace, and then our salvation be up to us from that point forward??? I will address this more in the message that I will post below.

Galatians 2:21
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 3:1-3
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.


Now let me paste a message about salvation. Note the last point that is a conclusion that we can draw from the fact of salvation by grace through faith.

Salvation By Grace Through Faith Alone
Text:  Romans 3:19-26

Introduction:

  When considering basic Bible doctrine, the most precious truth is the story of salvation.  It would follow logic, then, that this truth is corrupted and twisted by the forces of darkness.  During the next few lessons, we will Think Biblically About Salvation.

  The fundamental doctrine associated with the matter of salvation is the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone.  This simple truth can be accepted by a four-year-old, but the ramifications of it cannot be grasped even by the most noble scholar.  This doctrine was the pivotal truth that kindled the reformation fires.  Many believers throughout the centuries have spilled their blood standing for this precious truth.  Let us see how the Bible teaches us that salvation comes by grace through faith plus nothing.
I.   Because of Man's Sin

A.   Man stands guilty before God.
  
Romans 3:10-19
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  
     
Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
  
B.   There is a price for that Sin.
  
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Romans 5:12
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:  

  Revelation 21:8
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
  
Hebrews 9:22
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
  
  It is evident then from scriptures that the price for sin is not, as many pagan religions and sadly some who call themselves Christian have picked up, that one is purged from sin by good intentions or good works.  The price for sin simply put is death, both physical death and spiritual death.

II.   Because of the Biblical Purpose of the Law.   

A.   The Law was to expose our sinful condition.
•   Like an MRI machine exposes disease.
  
Romans 3:19-21
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

B.   The Law is our Schoolmaster.
  
Galatians 3:21-26
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

C.   Keeping the Law to gain Salvation or to keep from losing it is futile.
  
James 2:10-11
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.  
Galatians 2:21
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

D.   Repentance from trusting dead works is the foundation of Salvation.
  
Hebrews 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  
III.   Because of God's Solution for Man's Sin: Grace.

A.   God's justice demanded the payment for sin.
  
1 Peter 1:18-23
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed,but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
  
John 3:16
  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.
  
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

B.   Justification comes through faith.   
  
Here is what Vine says about the Greek word for Justification:
1. dikaiosis (1347) denotes “the act of pronouncing righteous, justification,    acquittal”
  W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine's complete expository    dictionary of Old and New Testament words [computer file], electronic ed., Logos    Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996.
  
  Romans 3:24-28
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

C.  Salvation by faith alone was always God's plan.
Romans 4:19-25
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
IMPUTE  
  1. logizomai (3049), “to reckon, take into account,” or, metaphorically, “to    put down to a person's account,”
  W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine's complete expository    dictionary of Old and New Testament words [computer file], electronic ed., Logos    Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996.

  D.  The only channel to God's grace is faith.
  
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
IV.  Grace and Works Cannot Mix
A.  Works can only repay debt, not gain or keep righteousness.
Romans 4:1-5
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture?  Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

B.  Works and Grace cancel each other out.
Romans 11:6
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
  
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

  C.  If one is saved by grace, he cannot be kept by works.
  
Galatians 3:1-3
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye    now made perfect by the flesh?
  
Romans 8:31-39
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 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? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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.




I hope that this helps.

In Christ,
Pastor Don