By TONY HOSS
Paul wrote, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). A recent reader stated that eternal security was a certainty that could never be taken away and cited the previous verse as a proof texts concerning Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS). While we should believe Paul’s statement, we should accept an interpretation of Paul’s statement that says a Christian cannot so sin as to be eternally lost. Paul said, “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him” (2 Corinthians 5:9 KJV). We must work or strive to be found acceptable to God in Judgment.) Paul said we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and receive things done in the flesh, whether they be good or bad (2 Corinthians 15:10). Paul is writing to Christians; that is baptized believers. Paul told Christians in Philippi to “work out” their salvation “with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). Those good Christians had a responsibility to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner so that according to Philippians 2:15, they may be found blameless before God. If (OSAS) is true we should ask why Paul told the Romans who had been grafted into the olive tree that is Christ, signifying that they were “saved or Christians,” could be cut off from the olive tree just like the unbelieving Jews were, “if” they do not continue in His goodness (Rom 11:17-24)? Was Paul making bare threats or is there a real probability of being cut off; that is a possibility of losing salvation? Remember, Paul was writing to Christians (saved people) in Rome.
Consider the following verses that show a Christian can be lost. In (1 Corinthians 15:1-2 KJV), Paul said, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” Some of the Corinthian Christians were presently standing in the Gospel of Christ. They were following Christ’s Word, the same Word by which they initially found salvation. Then Paul tells them that their salvation by the Word of Christ was contingent upon their memory of that Word; they were to remain obedient if they expected to receive salvation.
According to inspired words two Christians, Ananias and his wife Sapphira, forfeited their salvation when for greed they lied to the HS concerning some property sold and money given to the Church. How do we know that they sinned and were lost when out of greed they lied to the HS? Are we trying to judge their souls? No. However the writer of Hebrews said, “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26 KJV). They fell short of fearfully looking for judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries (Hebrews 10:27).
Please take time to study the following: Hebrews 6:4-6; Matthew 13:3-23; Matthew 7:21; 2 Peter 2:19-22.
(Tony Hoss is minister at Centerview Church of Christ. He can be contacted at (423-737-2287); e-mail CenterviewCOC@comcast.net)