ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

Many religious folk have long been divided over the question, "Could a man forfeit eternal life?" The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, which defined means: "Once in grace, always in grace", does not find its place in the teachings of Jesus nor in the teachings of the Apostles. Contrary to popular belief, much of the New Testament deals with the very real possibility of a Christian falling from grace.

In dealing with some of the favorite proof-texts of the proponents of the doctrine of the perseverance of the Saints, it would be good to consider the entire context in which these passages lie.

John 1:12 says, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His name." This verse is not just misinterpreted, but also misread. The verse says “ . . . gave them the right to become” not they became. The word "right" in the Greek means “authority accompanied with power” and here indicates “privilege.” The privilege to become sons of God extended to those who believed.

Now some would use the humanistic example, "Once one gives birth to a child, no matter what that child does, he is still his parents' child." What may be true in the physical

sense is not necessarily true in the spiritual. Romans 8:14 says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." Also in Galatians 3:26, Paul says to those Christians in Galatia, "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." Romans 10:17 says, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." So this birth or adoption as sons of God comes by being "Born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and abides forever" (1 Pet. 1:23).

We must reconcile what we have heard thus far, with what Jesus taught in John 10:27-28. "My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand." As one hears the word (Jesus voice) and submits to the word's commands (follow Jesus), he will obtain eternal life. As one hears with understanding (Matt. 13:23) the word and yields to it, he will grow in faith. And when one yields to the word (follow Jesus) he can then be said to be led by the Spirit. Thus, he is a son of God (Rom. 8:14). However, when one stops hearing Jesus voice and stops following Him, he then forfeits eternal life: for it is reserved for those of Jesus flock—those who hear and follow Him.