Salvation is offered freely to all. But not all accept the gospel invitation. "Many are called, but few are chosen" (Matt. 22:14; cf. ch. 20:16). Salvation is not forced upon us against our will. If we choose to oppose and resist God's purpose, we shall be lost. Divine foreknowledge and divine predestination in no way exclude human liberty. Nowhere does Paul, or any other Bible writer, suggest that God has predestined certain men to be saved and certain others to be lost, regardless of their own choice in the matter.

The purpose of this verse (Rom 8:30) seems to be a practical one. Paul is trying to comfort and assure the afflicted people of God that their salvation rests in His hands and that it is in process of being accomplished in accordance with His eternal and changeless purpose for them. Salvation is, of course, dependent also upon their perseverance (Heb. 3:14; cf. 1 Cor. 9:27).

Rom 8:35-39 No power can separate us from the love of Christ. Sin is a power (1 Cor 15:56). Therefore to commit this "power" one is still not separated from His love.

God is a God of love. He will always have a love for His creatures. He hath no pleasure in the death of him that dieth. Eze 18:32. The problem is the creatures. Read this next text.

Isaiah 59:2 - "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save (salvation); neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."

Again, the penalty for sin is ETERNAL DEATH. Rom 6:23.

Notice that God's salvation is conditioned upon separation from sin. The problem is not God separating His love from us; it's us separating ourselves from God because of our iniquities, our sins, our disobedience. Again, I will say there is no such thing as a disobedient Christian. You cannot be a Christian and a sinner at the same time. According to Isaiah, God cannot save that person. This is not pertaining to the physical life of a person either because Jesus did not die on the cross to save our physical lives. He died so that our salvation, our entry to heaven, is assured SO LONG AS WE DO NOT SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM HIM.

James 1:14-15 - "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

James was not writing about physical death. He was writing about eternal death, consistent with Rom 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death..."

As with ALL the texts I've given you, this text (Rom 8:35-39) also does not support the once-saved-always-saved doctrine. We are free moral agents. We are created with a free will, and God, although He loves us with an everlasting love, will not force us to be saved if we don't want to.

Salvation is a gift (Rom 6:23) but God's gifts are "irrevocable" (See Rom 11:29).

Here's the text in Rom 11:29 (I included verses 30-32) - "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all."

Rom 11:29 does not mean that God's gifts are irrevocable. As stated many times previously, we are free moral agents. If we don't want the gift, we are at liberty to reject that gift. We are at liberty to reject salvation. What the text is saying is that God does not regret His gifts and His calling. Numbers 23:19 states: "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Psalm 89:34 states: "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips."

To understand this text, we have to recognize that it was because of the Jews' disobedience that the Gospel commission was carried out to the Gentiles. Acts 13:46. Because of their disobedience they became UNWORTHY of everlasting life. Eternal security? No such thing. The Jews rejected God's free gift! In their disobedience they forfeited all the privileges of the covenant relation and can be received back into this relationship only in the same way as the Gentiles have been received. However, through their disobedience the Gentiles obtained mercy. Now, the Gentiles having obtained God's mercy will themselves show mercy and sympathy to the disobedient Jews.

Although the nation of Israel failed to disseminate the Gospel to the world as they were initially tasked by God, God had not rejected Israel. Rom 11:26 says "All Israel shall be saved..." Please note that the word "All" here means all who have received the Messiah and are faithful to the end. Rom 9:27 confirms this fact: "...though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved." A remnant is not the whole nation, is it?

"Men may fail, and God may vary His method, but He never abandons His purpose. Paul expresses this truth as a reason for believing that God still offers pardon and salvation to the people whom he called and chose and on whom He has showered so many blessings.

"However, not all will accept and submit to God's mercy. Men are still free to resist and reject. But God is ready and willing to have mercy upon everyone (2 Peter 3:9). All His wise and patient dealings with fallen man have worked toward the fulfillment of this one purpose, the revelation of divine love in the saving of sinners." --Bible Commentary.

Regarding Heb. 3:14 and 1 Cor. 9:27 you wrote: 1 Cor 9:27 - is talking about service not salvation. It's a "prize" to be won not a "gift" (salvation) to be received. Paul uses the example of the Greek athletes. But notice that if an athlete lost his citizenship would not be revoked.

Here's the whole text in context:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 reads: "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

I touched on this subject before. Let's take a deeper look into the Christian race and the prize. The prize to be won is an incorruptible crown. An incorruptible crown means immortal life. The prize, Marc, is salvation, not service!

"In the Grecian race, only one person could succeed in obtaining the victory in the games, yet all who entered were willing to undergo hardships and severe training in order to increase their chance of securing the prize. The prize given to the victor consisted of a wreath of pine, laurel, olive, parsley, or apple leaves.

"All who entered the Greek races put forth their best efforts to win the prize. They used all the skill and stamina they had acquired as a result of their intensive training. None of them was indifferent, lethargic, or careless. The crown of life eternal is offered to all, but only those who subject themselves to strict training will obtain the prize. This means that at all times the Christian will be guided in word, thought, and deed by the high standards found in the Bible, and will not be controlled by the desires and inclinations of his own heart. He will ask at every step of the journey: "What would Jesus do? Will this course of action, this plan of work, or this form of recreation increase my spiritual strength or lessen it?" Everything that in any way interferes with spiritual progress must be rejected; otherwise victory is not possible (see Heb. 12:1, 2).

"To strive for the mastery in Greek means "to fight," "to contend," "to struggle," "to strive." Our English word "agonize" comes from agoµnizomai. See on Luke 13:24. Contesting for the victory in the Grecian games meant more than the making of a spasmodic effort; it was a struggle from start to finish, without any relaxation along the way.

"The Christian "runner" is temperate. Gr. egkrateuomai, "to exercise self-control." To have any hope of victory in the games, an athletic competitor must be able to control his desires and appetites. More than this he must be able to make his body respond immediately to the commands of his mind, and must be able to defeat the natural indolence and disinclination to work that so frequently trouble humanity. He must abstain from all that would stimulate, excite, and ultimately enfeeble, such as wine, exciting and luxurious living, and licentious indulgences. He must gain self-control in all things, not only in those that were definitely harmful, but in the use of things not harmful of themselves. He must take all food and drink in strict moderation, and anything that could possibly weaken the body he must entirely reject.

"The Christian who is striving to secure the prize of eternal life must follow a program that resembles in some respects that of the contestant in the Greek games. Courage, faith, perseverance, self-denial, and industry are as necessary for him who seeks to be accounted worthy to stand before the Lord at the last, as they are for the athletes who compete for earthly honors that are of a brief duration (cf. Matt. 24:13; Luke 13:23,24; Phil. 3:13-15; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:4, 5; 4:7; Heb. 12:1-4; James 1:12; Rev. 2:10). In the Christian race every contestant who meets the training requirements may receive the prize (see Rev. 2:10; 22:17). Though eternal life is entirely a gift of God, it is given only to those who seek and strive for it with all their energy (see Rom 2:7; Heb. 3:6, 14)." Bible Commentary.

The prize is the immortal crown or eternal life (salvation). The Grecian runner who did not make it to the finish line did not get the prize. Likewise, the runner in the Christian race who does not endure to the end, will not get the immortal crown. Not to receive the immortal crown is to lose one's salvation. Our services to God are what we render to Him because of our love. Services done for God must be acceptable to him.

When Paul wrote: "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" he was referring to the possibility of him losing his salvation--running the race yet losing the prize of an incorruptible crown--eternal life (salvation).

Luke 14: 23-24 reads: "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? (This is talking about salvation) And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate (run the race): for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Salvation, even though a free gift to be received, is also a prize to be obtained--to strive for. This free gift could be refused, rejected, unappreciated, etc.

Unfortunately, unlike the athlete, a Christian can have his citizenship revoked.

Hebrews 3:12-14 - is talking about practical and progressive holiness not the ability to lose ones salvation.

If practical and progressive holiness are not practiced consistently and faithfully and the direction of one's life is not heavenward, that Christian has departed from the living God. He separates himself from God and he loses his salvation. Isaiah 59:1,2.

Heb 3:12 says: "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Notice that the Apostle Paul was addressing Christians and notice, too, that the Apostle was very much aware of God's gift of freewill. Christians can choose to depart from God through unbelief.

Please note that I am not saying that for every sin committed the Christian loses his salvation. In moments of weakness, in times when he fails to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, he yields to temptation and commits sin. However, as soon as he realizes this he confesses his sin (heartfelt) and God accepts him. The direction of his life is heavenward. He is not habitually committing and practicing sins. He is not a hardened sinner whose ear no longer hears the still, small convicting voice of the Holy Spirit of God.

Rom 8:35-39 No power can separate us from the love of Christ. Sin is a power (1 Corinthians 15:56). Therefore to commit this "power" one is still not separated from His love.

As mentioned previously, God is a God of love. This text is about God's love, not our love to God. He will ALWAYS have a love for His creatures. The sting of death is defined as "sin". Death, like a scorpion, has a sting, a fatal power imparted to it by means of sin, the cause of death (see Rom 6:23). But the redeemed will never again commit sin; therefore they can never again feel the sting of death (see Nahum 1:9; Isa. 11:9; Rev. 21:4).

The strength of sin is the law. The sole purpose of the law's existence is to point out sins in the life. It cannot save. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sins. The Law of God is His standard of righteousness. The sinner, beholding himself in God's great moral looking glass, sees himself as God views him, and exercises repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Paul personifies sin as a principle and power antagonistic to the law of God (see on ch. 5:12). Sin is represented in the New Testament as an enemy that is ever seeking to bring about our ruin and takes every occasion to accomplish it. It is described as surrounding and besetting us (Heb. 12:1), bringing us into bondage (Rom 6:12), enticing us, and thus working our death (James 1:14, 15). In other words, sin is represented as doing all that Satan, the archenemy of mankind, is trying to accomplish by tempting us to commit sin. For the manner in which Satan uses the law as an occasion for tempting and alluring mankind to disobedience, so that men may thereby become subject to condemnation and death, see on Rom 7:11." --Bible Commentary.

To say that 1 Cor 15:56 means committing sins (a power) does not separate us from God love is correct in the sense that God's love is always there for the sinner. However, if Christians persist in committing sins and make it their practice, then, they separate themselves from God. They do not love God. They are joined to their idol and God says "Let them alone." Hosea 4:17. They separate themselves from God. Isa 59:2; Heb 3:12.

I Tim 5:15 "For some are already turned aside after Satan." The title of this chapter in my Bible is "Christian Admonition". Evidently Christians, as I have been saying all along, CAN SEPARATE THEMSELVES AND DEPART FROM GOD.

However, through Christ we can obtain victory over ALL besetting sins. Verse 57 of 1 Cor 15 presents the theme, or objective, of all the books of the Bible, namely, to show that the restoration of man to favor with God and to his original condition of perfection and freedom from all the effects of sin, is brought about by the mighty power of God working through our Lord Jesus Christ (see Rom 7:25). For this triumph over the power of the adversary the redeemed will give praise and glory to God throughout eternity (see Rev 5:11-13; 15:3, 4; 19:5, 6).

Who will bring a charge against God's elect? (Rom 8:33) No one. This would include ourselves and Satan.

Satan is the accuser of the brethren. Rev 12:10. God's elect are those who are faithful and loyal to God in their daily lives. The accuser of the brethren cannot touch them. Those who separate themselves from God for whatever reasons and continue to live a life of ungodliness cannot be God's elect. In the Old Testament, those who did not go to the City of Refuge and remain there would be destroyed by the avenger. There was no safety outside the City of Refuge. Jesus is our Refuge. Those who leave the Refuge would be destroyed by the avenger.

Eph 4:30....sealed for the day of redemption. How long does the Holy Spirit seal us for? To the day of redemption.

Please note 2 Timothy 2:15-26: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

[The instruction here for the Christian is to shun false teachings and vain babblings and depart from iniquity. That's why I said there is no such thing as a disobedient Christian who is saved for Heaven.]

Continuing with 2 Timothy. "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil (temptations, sins), who are taken captive by him at his will."

This text is talking about Christians who entangled themselves with erroneous teachings. They are taken captives by Satan. Once saved, always saved? Nay! But notice some good news here. God may grant these erring 'teachers' repentance that they may recover themselves out of Satan's grasp and once again acknowledge God's truth.

More on the sealing.

"As in Chapter 1:12, 13 of Ephesians, believers were said to be sealed 'in Christ,' so here they are said to be sealed in the 'Holy Spirit' (see on Eph 1:13; cf. 2 Cor 1:22). For the significance of the seal see on Rev 7:2. The reception of the Holy Spirit at conversion is God's authentication that the believer is accepted, that the approval of Heaven rests upon his choice and experience.

"The believer is sealed unto the day of redemption. The word 'unto' means 'with a view to.' It is hoped that the believer will persevere and that he will be glorified. This can be only if he holds 'fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end' (Heb. 3:6). The act of sealing does not forever guarantee salvation, for it is possible to sin against the Holy Spirit and thus forfeit redemption (see on Matt 12:31; cf. on Heb 6:4-6). The sin for which there is no pardon comes as a climax to a series of grievings. It is important therefore to guard against even a single act of grieving.

"The Greek word for 'sealed' is sphragizoµ (see on 2 Cor 1:22; cf. on John 6:27). There is an orderly change in the believer's life: first there is the hearing, then the believing, and then the sealing that puts upon him, as it were, an impression or stamp.

"Holy Spirit of promise was so called because He was promised from former times (Isa 32:15; Eze 36:26; Joel 2:28), and also by Christ Himself (John 14:16, 17). It is the Spirit of promise who seals, or identifies, those who are His own (2 Tim 2:19), and secures them until the day of redemption (Eph 4:30). He is identified here as the agent of the sealing. Those who are sealed have the witness within themselves that they are the children of God (1 John 5:10).

"The Holy Spirit assures us that the promises of God are true, and it is this conviction that largely distinguishes believers from nonbelievers. The seal is placed upon all who choose to become saints.

"The thought of the whole passage is that the Holy Spirit had been promised in God's Word, and when that Word was believed the Holy Spirit was received and the believers were sealed, that sealing being a further promise of the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises to men.

"The child of God has the privilege even now of tasting the heavenly joys, and, indeed, he may well question his experience if he does not do so. He may be deeply assured of the resurrection of the body, the return of the Lord, the gift of immortality, and all the eternal realities. The promise is certain, since it is guaranteed by God Himself through the Divine Spirit.

"The word 'Redemption' in Eph 4:30 is here thought of as being future, although the believer has already been saved by virtue of his acceptance of Christ. We still await the full liberation from sin and its consequences; there is a glory yet to be revealed.

"God's people are a purchased possession. Gr. peripoieµsis, 'an acquisition,' 'an obtaining,' 'a taking possession of.' The word peripoieµsis is translated 'peculiar' in 1 Peter 2:9, in the phrase 'peculiar people,' literally, 'a people for acquisition,' or 'a [God-] possessed people.' Some commentators apply Paul's phrase to the saints as God's purchased possession, others to the inheritance that the saints acquire (see on Eph 1:18). The latter view seems to be the one required by the context. The saints look forward to the future possession of which the Holy Spirit is the earnest." --Bible Commentary.

The purpose of Christ coming to earth to die on the cross is to conquer SIN once and for all. If Christians are saved to continue sinning, then Jesus failed to accomplish His mission. But, no, Jesus didn't fail. He came to save people FROM their sins, not IN their sins. And believe it or not there are people in the world like that or this next text would not be found in the Bible. God will not give us or put us in an impossible situation. Through His help, we can do ALL things. Phil 4:13. We can overcome sin here and now and be victorious on the Sea of Glass with Jesus Christ. He made it possible for us to be more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Rom 8:37.

1 John 3:6-10 reads: "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. (Sin is disobedience. A consistently disobedient "Christian" is of the devil) For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."

God has power to keep the soul who is in Christ, when that soul is under temptation.. 'whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.'

Christ came to make us partakers of the divine nature, and His life declared that humanity, combined with divinity, does not commit sin.

If you will stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel, faithfully doing His service, you need never yield to temptation; for One stands by your side who is able to keep you from falling. Jude 24.

Men may have a power to resist evil--a power that neither earth, or death, nor hell can master; a power that will place them where they may overcome as Christ overcame. Young Joseph in Potiphar's household had this power, and so could we today.

Through the plan of redemption, God has provided means for subduing every sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however strong.

All habits of indulgence that weaken the physical powers, that becloud the mind, or that benumb the spiritual perceptions, are "fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." 1 Peter 2:11. And the lusts of other things. These are not necessarily things sinful in themselves, but something that is made first instead of the kingdom of God. Whatever attracts the mind from God, whatever draws the affection from Christ, is an enemy of the soul."

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Rom 8:35-37.

True Christians put away sin from their lives for they know Christ came to save them FROM their sins, not IN their sins. "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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." Rom 8:38-39.

Christians IN CHRIST are more than conquerors! Christians OUTSIDE OF CHRIST commit grievous sins and not able to through tribulations, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, or peril or sword. They are spurious Christians. They are nominal Christians--Christians in NAME only. They will not go to heaven. They are counted with the class of people in Matthew 7:21-23:

"Not every one 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. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Revelation 21:7-8 reads: "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

1 John 5:4-5 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

God's soldiers must gird their armor on and stand firm to the end and be victorious. The prize is the crown of immortal life! Not to obtain this prize is to lose one's salvation.

1 Cor 15:57 - "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

This concludes dialogue with Marc. The next dialogue is from another supporter on the subject Once Saved, Always Saved? Click on the NEXT Button.

Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh;
Raise the standard high for the Lord;
Gird your armor on, stand firm every one;
Rest your cause upon His holy Word.

Refrain

Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,
Ready, steady, pass the word along;
Onward, forward, shout aloud Hosanna!
Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.

Strong to meet the foe, marching on we go,
While our cause we know, must prevail;
Shield and banner bright, gleaming in the light,
Battling for the right we ne'er can fail.

O! Thou God of all, hear us when we call,
Help us one and all by Thy grace;
When the battle's done, and the vict'ry's won,
May we wear the crown before Thy face.

--William F. Sherwin

Click here for Part 4 of  Once Saved, Always Saved.

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Sound the Battle Cry Midi