Once Saved – Always Saved?
Written By: Charles Gray Adams Jr
May 28th, 2022
Which doctrine is better?
Once Saved – Always Saved,
or
Always Saved – Once Saved.
Genesis 3:1-4
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:”[1] (emphasis mine)
Once Saved – Always Saved?
The very first doctrine of demons was introduced in the Garden of Eden to Eve who, by the craftiness of the serpent, was beguiled. Eve was encouraged to believe that disobeying God would not bring about the penalty God had foreordained, death.
This deception is of the same essence as a doctrine which has become entrenched today, “Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS).” This doctrine also attempts to remove the penalty for sin by stating that once someone is saved they are always saved, regardless of future sin, even if they do not repent.
Perhaps the most dangerous thing about ‘OSAS’ is the fact that this doctrine actually encourages one to believe they are OK, when the exact opposite is often true. Sadly, those who earnestly believe in this doctrine are extremely dogmatic about its merit. In fact, ‘OSAS’ proponents are so entrenched in their belief that they actually vilify anyone who dares to warn of the possibility of falling away.
Undoubtedly, some are saying, “you go too far in associating the doctrine of ‘OSAS’ with the first doctrine of demons.” However, the deception in the Garden of Eden was so devious that it brought about the downfall of all men. Likewise, ‘OSAS’ will cause many to miss heaven. Therefore, before turning away, please hear the rest of this urgent message.
The apostle Paul warned us of such a time as this:
1 Timothy 4:1
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”
Incredibly, Paul’s warning refutes ‘OSAS’ when he says that “some shall depart from the faith” (this statement proves that one can depart from the faith) and he even explains how this departure comes about; by listening, like Eve, to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. This statement by Paul is bolstered by another well-known passage of Scripture about the last days being marked by a great falling away: [2]
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” (emphasis mine)
According to Paul, the last days will be marked by great apostasy which is departure from the faith. One can only depart from something they were formerly a partaker in. In this case, many will depart from the faith and fall for the lies of the devil and his demonic minions, who established the first false doctrine, “you shall not surely die (Gen 3).”
Believing this lie is so dangerous because, if the devil can convince someone that they are incapable of falling away, because they were once in right standing with God, he has them right where he wants them. He has convinced them, because of a onetime belief in a onetime event, they are now ok, forever. However, this is not what the totality of Scripture indicates. Indeed, a onetime event, the crucifixion of Christ for the sins of all mankind, is what makes salvation possible for man. However, it is the continual belief in the onetime event that keeps one saved. Those who propagate the ‘OSAS’ doctrine think otherwise and they fervently defend their position.
One of the pillars of defense for the ‘OSAS’ doctrine is the narrative found in John 10:27-29: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” Notice the fact that Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and they follow Him and these are they whom cannot be plucked out of the Father’s hand. These are they who abide. However, what about those who, of their own free will, stop listening to Jesus and likewise stop following Him? If they stop abiding in Christ, God will take them away (John 15:2). This will be covered below.
Another primary defense of OSAS is that the church exists in the age of grace and therefore, this special dispensation provides a special grace from which man cannot fall. This type of thinking runs contrary to Scripture, since men can clearly fall away. While this is the age of grace, this does not mean man can live however he desires and find eternal life, in heaven, at the end of his days. Jesus made this very clear in the book of Revelation. Time and time again, He, while addressing the churches, speaks to the overcomer. In fact, Jesus has a message of encouragement for the overcomer in each of the seven churches to which the book of Revelation is addressed. This clearly indicates the possibility of not overcoming. Otherwise, there is no need to encourage them to overcome (Rev 2-3).
Additionally, those who support the ‘OSAS’ doctrine, believe those who seemingly fall away were never really saved, therefore they are not really falling away. Au contraire, the simple answer is again, someone must be part of something in order to fall away from it.
By way of example, consider the jump of an airborne soldier from a perfectly good aircraft. The soldier is safe and sound in the aircraft before departing from it. Once the jumper departs the aircraft he or she is now considered falling away from the aircraft. It would be silly to imagine that the soldier simply began to fall from the sky without having been in an aircraft to begin with. Therefore, one must be part of something in order to depart (fall away) from it.
Finally, God does not change (Mal 3:6; Jas 1:17). Therefore, the same God who gave men free will has never revoked that privilege. With this in mind, even though God provided a way for men to be saved, through continued belief in the Son, Jesus Christ, He did not forbid men from willing themselves from grace (ceasing to abide). In fact, Scripture clearly proves otherwise. For, without the ability to fall, there would be no need to:
- Run the race in order to finish the course (Acts 20:24; 2 Tim 4:7).
- Run the race in order to receive the prize (1 Cor 9:24).
- Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12).
- Press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14).
- Keep the faith (2 Tim 4:7).
- Lay hold of eternity (1 Tim 6:12).
- Fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7).
- Long for His (Jesus’) appearing (2 Tim 4:8).
- Patiently endure trials in order to receive the crown of life (Jas 1:12).
- Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18).
Perhaps the best explanation for many falling away is they did not live as one who is always saved. Maybe they believed the lie of ‘OSAS’ and fell back into a sinful life which, without repentance, will cause one to miss heaven. Paul wrote these words to the church, not the world:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Romans 2:5-11
“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing [Living as always saved] seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.” (emphasis mine) (author’s comments bracketed)
God’s grace is truly sufficient, however, grace is only applicable for those who abide in Christ. This is proven by the words of Jesus in the gospel of John:
John 15:1-12
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away [Notice these branches were in Christ before being removed]: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
“Abide in me [Live saved], and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
“If a man abide not in me [Live as though unsaved], he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (emphasis mine) (author’s comments bracketed)
One who abides in Christ will begin to take on His nature. This is what is meant by the believer producing fruit which grows to the point of becoming much fruit which is the true mark of a disciple (Matt 7:20). Sadly, many think they only need believe once and they are good to go. However, this type of belief system can cause the branch to become separated due to sin which will then cause the branch to be cast aside and withered and then cast into the fire. Sadly, all of this is a result of not abiding in the vine which is simply living as one, “always saved – once saved.”
Luke 21:36
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
This passage is the very crux of this article, in it, Jesus instructs the believer to ‘always’ pray to be accounted worthy to escape what shall come to pass and stand before the Son of man. This means that Jesus desires the exact opposite of what the ‘OSAS’ proponents preach; He desires that man live as, “Always Saved – Once Saved (ASOS).”
Always Saved – Once Saved
While this title may seem like a cute play on words, it is actually the way the Lord intends for the believer to run the race until the last breath. Indeed, this term actually means that a person is to live the life of a saved one, in a continual manner, once saved. In other words, the lifestyle of an always saved individual will mark them as a true Christian whose desire is to live a saved life until death or the rapture, whichever comes first. This fruit filled life only comes about by abiding in the vine, Jesus Christ.
Thankfully, Jesus demonstrated the best way to achieve this abiding, He continually sought and followed the Father’s will (John 6:38). This is exactly what He expects of every believer as demonstrated by His statement in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (emphasis mine) Therefore, all should pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17) in order to ascertain and do the Father’s will.
In view of this, faith in Christ is not a onetime event. Instead, every believer must live in continual faith. In other words, a Christian must live every moment in keen awareness of Christ Crucified. Therefore, faith is something which must be continued in, or put another way, one must abide in the knowledge that Jesus paid the full price for our redemption. The key is the abiding. Take a look at the most quoted verse in the Bible:
John 3:16
“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.”
The word believeth, in this passage, means ‘to have faith in’ which implies this is an ongoing faith, a perpetual belief. Therefore, men are indeed saved by a continual belief in a onetime event known as the greatest sacrifice ever made. This is evident in another well-known passage, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Eph 2:8).” (emphasis mine) Jesus willingly laid down His life so those who were separated from God by sin could be reconciled to the Father by believing (a continual process) in Him.
Conclusion
This particular topic is widely contended. Knowing this, this article’s intent is to shed light on the fact that ‘Once Saved – Always Saved’ is a false doctrine which enables the masses to remain lukewarm, at best. While this doctrine brings comfort to the lukewarm, this is not the condition God desires that His church exist in. No, He would rather men be hot or cold. After all, Jesus will spew the lukewarm from His mouth, if they repent not (Rev 3:16).
With all of this in mind, turn from the fallacy of ‘OSAS’ and preach the gospel while calling for repentance which means the saved one turns from and forsakes their previous sinful existence. This is so important, because the enemy of our souls is continually looking to supplant God through his wiles which are varied and subtil. He would love nothing more than to have man believe in a doctrine that says that because they once were in right standing with God, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, they will always be in right standing, even if they sin without repenting.
Perhaps the following quote is the best way to remain in right standing and thereby meet our end, through death or rapture, saved:
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Lastly, Jesus provided this warning:
Revelation 3:11
“Behold, I come quickly:
hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown.”
Website: In His Commission
[1] “Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the King James Version.”
[2] For greater understanding, see the article, “Man of Sin Arising.”