Paul – have you ever considered that it is possible, not so much to lose your salvation, as to relinquish it by lost faith? Choosing to go back to a life of unrighteousness and personal autonomy.
it is a sad fact that as you get older you will know of believers who have done just that, and it is difficult to believe once saved always saved, a phrase that like the TULIP acronym does not appear in scripture, is actually true.
I used to be adamantly opposed to any notion of forfeiting salvation, but the warnings in Hebrews are real and do we not need to keep on believing and keep abiding in the vine?
There’s always a dilemma in this: I would never want to rob believers of the assurance of salvation but neither give a false assurance that however they behave their salvation could never be in danger.
Hi Ken,
Though the Bible doesn’t state OSAS specifically as a term, it actually states the idea from several different angles. Regarding Hebrews, there is some very deep historical background going on there, and people like to focus on a few statements in the book, but overall, a like case can be made for OSAS from Hebrews. I believe the Hebrews during that time were in a precarious environment that doesn’t apply to us today. Hebrews warns about Jewish traditions that were confusing the truth about salvation. This I do know: a true believer living according to double imputation doctrine can be enslaved to sin like an unbeliever, or at least struggle unnecessarily with some temptations. My own testimony follows: I was saved outside of church and experienced a powerful life walking in the Spirit. Indeed, my salvation came with “great power and assurance.” I believe I experienced Spirit fillings of overwhelming joy. I was an alcoholic, and all temptation to drink was gone inside of one week. I was very evangelistic, and my zeal was probably annoying to many people. Then church happened. Worse yet, seminary happened. The more theologically astute I become (the wrong theology), I became more and more enslaved to sin with subsequent loss of assurance. When I was initially saved, my assurance was through the roof. Then, my wife and I partook in a word by word study of Romans that brought us where we are today. Once again, I can say no to sin. Due to weakness, I don’t always say no to sin, but it’s not because I am still enslaved to sin. The Bible teaches us to “say no to sin.” That’s the biblical definition of sanctification. The stated ability to say no to sin obliterates church doctrine on its face. However, assurance is not experienced by lazy believers or misguided believers because the conscience is a mediator. That is why Paul instructed Timothy to keep a clear conscience before God. Lack of assurance is epidemic in Christian circles, and reclaiming it is far from an overnight project.
In other words, a true believer can function according to slavery to sin if following the wrong doctrine about sanctification when it is conflated with salvation/justification. The Bible states clearly that the law empowers sin if you are under it. Likewise, it can empower sin if you function like you are under it.
In other words, a true believer can function according to slavery to sin if following the wrong doctrine about sanctification when it is conflated with salvation/justification. The Bible states clearly that the law empowers sin if you are under it. Likewise, it can empower sin if you function like you are under it.
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
Paul – have you ever considered that it is possible, not so much to lose your salvation, as to relinquish it by lost faith? Choosing to go back to a life of unrighteousness and personal autonomy.
it is a sad fact that as you get older you will know of believers who have done just that, and it is difficult to believe once saved always saved, a phrase that like the TULIP acronym does not appear in scripture, is actually true.
I used to be adamantly opposed to any notion of forfeiting salvation, but the warnings in Hebrews are real and do we not need to keep on believing and keep abiding in the vine?
There’s always a dilemma in this: I would never want to rob believers of the assurance of salvation but neither give a false assurance that however they behave their salvation could never be in danger.
Ken B
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Hi Ken,
Though the Bible doesn’t state OSAS specifically as a term, it actually states the idea from several different angles. Regarding Hebrews, there is some very deep historical background going on there, and people like to focus on a few statements in the book, but overall, a like case can be made for OSAS from Hebrews. I believe the Hebrews during that time were in a precarious environment that doesn’t apply to us today. Hebrews warns about Jewish traditions that were confusing the truth about salvation. This I do know: a true believer living according to double imputation doctrine can be enslaved to sin like an unbeliever, or at least struggle unnecessarily with some temptations. My own testimony follows: I was saved outside of church and experienced a powerful life walking in the Spirit. Indeed, my salvation came with “great power and assurance.” I believe I experienced Spirit fillings of overwhelming joy. I was an alcoholic, and all temptation to drink was gone inside of one week. I was very evangelistic, and my zeal was probably annoying to many people. Then church happened. Worse yet, seminary happened. The more theologically astute I become (the wrong theology), I became more and more enslaved to sin with subsequent loss of assurance. When I was initially saved, my assurance was through the roof. Then, my wife and I partook in a word by word study of Romans that brought us where we are today. Once again, I can say no to sin. Due to weakness, I don’t always say no to sin, but it’s not because I am still enslaved to sin. The Bible teaches us to “say no to sin.” That’s the biblical definition of sanctification. The stated ability to say no to sin obliterates church doctrine on its face. However, assurance is not experienced by lazy believers or misguided believers because the conscience is a mediator. That is why Paul instructed Timothy to keep a clear conscience before God. Lack of assurance is epidemic in Christian circles, and reclaiming it is far from an overnight project.
In other words, a true believer can function according to slavery to sin if following the wrong doctrine about sanctification when it is conflated with salvation/justification. The Bible states clearly that the law empowers sin if you are under it. Likewise, it can empower sin if you function like you are under it.
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In other words, a true believer can function according to slavery to sin if following the wrong doctrine about sanctification when it is conflated with salvation/justification. The Bible states clearly that the law empowers sin if you are under it. Likewise, it can empower sin if you function like you are under it.
LikeLike