ryo dokomi wrote:now i know that this is a very controversial subject but i think that we need to descuss such things in order to "come to the unity of the spirit"
now my question is...
when you except christ as your LORD and SAVIOR can you ever not be saved again...or in other words is the phrase 'once saved always saved' true??
James 5:
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Brethren=believer
err from truth=knowing the word of God, and having salvation.
convert him=showing one can fall from grace (gal 5:4) to the point of losing salvation.
sinner=proves how far they have fallen.
soul death=second death, which is the lake of fire
hide sins=
being covered again by the blood. Because sins can only be blotted out by the blood.
Does one lose salvation as soon as they sin?
Nope. Grace and mercy is afforded to us to give time to repent and ask for forgivness. God is long suffering.
Does this mean there are works?
Works for earth are considered carnal works. Any work you do that glorofies God is not a work. This is because your reward is both here and in heaven. Carnal works only gives rewards here. And therefore are works of the flesh.
At what point do we lose salvation?
Since God gave His Son as a free gift for this, it would be determined soley by Him. Each person is different as far as sin goes and what's in their heart. Some people need to be tested to strengthen their faith, While others will just dive into sin, and never come up for air. Salvation was made to forgive sin, not condone it. And those who mock this free gift are in danger of soul death (lake of fire or second death).