Is Salvation Really Unconditional?

The next several blog entries will re-examine the "Once Saved Always Saved" (OSAS) doctrine (and its variations), as taught in many modern American churches. The BIBLE verses typically used by proponents of OSAS to teach "unconditional eternal security" will be contrasted with the BIBLE verses that almost always accompany them; verses which add Christlikeness and obedience as requirements for final salvation. Note that I am not promoting a ‘works gospel’ – the idea that you must add works of ritual religion to the grace offered by JESUS to be saved. An upcoming article will address the grace vs works argument. (Please review the definitions below.)

It is extremely important that Christians begin to understand that the verses used for and against the unconditional security doctrine do not contradict each other. These verses reinforce each other in a way that presents a greater truth to the teachable reader. See Bob Utley’s teaching about how the ancient Hebrews presented spiritual “truths in seemingly contradictory pairs (paradox)” in order to encourage the hearer to contemplate GOD’s character. 

Once Saved Always Saved vs What the BIBLE Actually Says 

Many modern Christians have been taught that once they accept JESUS, they are saved and on their way to heaven. They are often told that there are no other conditions, and that no sins committed after their initial decision for CHRIST can cause them to lose their salvation.

This doctrine (teaching) is generally referred to as “unconditional eternal security." The popular variations of this teaching were derived from the Calvinist (Reformed) doctrine known as “Preservation of the Saints.” Various denominations teach unconditional security as “Preservation of the Saints,” “Once Saved Always Saved” (OSAS), and “Hyper-Grace / Free-Grace.” 

Even though none of the early disciples believed in or promoted the unconditional eternal security doctrine, many modern people have adopted it and are determined to hold onto it - especially those who only listen to the BIBLE verses that seem to support it. That said, there are many other BIBLE verses that present additional requirements for salvation - requirements beyond just believing. Some of these verses give stern warnings to believers about the possibility of losing their salvation. The modern church takes the fear of GOD out of the salvation equation when such verses are ignored or explained away by unconditional security teachers - even the Sermon on the Mount is scorned by some OSAS believers. 

But what if OSAS does not present everything the BIBLE teaches about the salvation process? 

It is my contention that much of the vicious hypocrisy and general un-Christlikeness in the American Right-Wing Political church can be attributed to OSAS. Their teaching and belief is that there is no reason to fear eternal punishment for willful sin because, according to OSAS, their salvation cannot be lost in any case.

The question I seek to address is whether believers who willfully and unrepentantly hold on to hateful worldly attitudes will be allowed in the kingdom of heaven? There are many BIBLE verses, plainly aimed at the original followers of CHRIST, that warned them (after they had been saved) to repent or be lost. Are people putting their eternal salvation at risk when they pick and choose which commandments they will obey?

In coming posts, I will provide biblegateway links to all of the popular BIBLE verses used to teach unconditional security, as well as to those verses which show that the promise of salvation has conditions beyond just believing. At the biblegateway links, you can (and should) click on “Read full chapter” to see the full context of each verse. You can also read and compare the verses using any of the BIBLE translations available from the dropdown list. Remember, you are responsible to work out your own salvation. Phi 2:12

Definitions:

Calvinism – One of the original protestant denominations, named after its founder John Calvin (d. 1564). It stresses a belief in GOD’s sovereignty / total control over everything, including predetermining people’s actions – both good and evil. According to Calvinism, although man does not have a free will, he is still held responsible for his sin. This is not consistent with GOD’s justice as taught in the BIBLE or the teachings of the original disciples.

Calvinism was influenced by ancient pagan philosophies and teaches an “unchangeable fate”, i.e., that some people are destined to be saved and some are born to be damned, regardless of what they do in life. This is referred to as double predestination.  

When people first accept Calvinism, they tend to believe that they must be part of the “elect,” i.e., those chosen to be saved. However, as Calvinists continue to learn the fine points of their doctrine, some begin to have a faith crisis revolving around the doctrine of predestination. They wonder if they actually are among the saved. One of the lesser-known Calvinist doctrines is called Lordship Salvation, where in keeping with perseverance, GOD supposedly forces the “elect” to maintain their salvation through some sort of automatic, ingrained obedience. This idea causes many Calvinists to feel the need to prove their elect status by actually being sinless, which of course, is impossible. Hence, when supposedly elect Calvinists do sin, they begin to question whether they are really saved. Even Charles Spurgeon (d. 1892), the most famous Calvinist preacher, other than Calvin himself and his successor Beza, wrote about periodically doubting his salvation. 

Perseverance of the Saints / Unconditional Election – Two of the five main points of the Calvinist belief system; i.e., GOD chooses certain people at random to be saved who can’t lose their salvation for any reason (a form of predestination). Note that not every person who regards themselves as a “Calvinist” agrees with all five points of the system.

OSAS / Once Saved Always Saved - A modern simplified version of the Calvinist doctrines of unconditional election, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints. The non-Calvinist forms of unconditional election are generally thought to have been derived from the doctrine of “Perseverance of the Saints.”

OSAS is typically taught in Baptist churches which are not affiliated with one of the mainline reformed (openly Calvinist) denominations. OSAS generally means making a one-time confession of Christian belief after which, the person is permanently saved and any sins committed after confession can’t cause them to lose their salvation. Essentially it is like signing a contract where one party has to fulfill their promise (GOD has to bring you to heaven) but the second party doesn’t have to fulfill theirs (you never “really” have to repent or change who you are and stop sinning willfully). This sort of “easy believism” is often referred to as “fire insurance”, i.e., an easy, convenient, self-justifying way to try to avoid hell.

Grace – Undeserved favorable treatment from GOD – a gift. In the context of salvation, the BIBLE says we are saved by Grace through faith (in JESUS). Meaning that GOD offers us salvation for free, not because we have done anything to deserve it, but because HE wants us to be with HIM for eternity, if we agree to respect and obey the work of JESUS. In an upcoming post in this series, we will see how some OSAS teachers falsely claim that holiness and obedience are “works” that somehow oppose the free grace (forgiveness) offered by JESUS.

Hyper-grace - A recent, even more heretical version of OSAS where “believers” apparently only have to privately accept JESUS in their minds, for all “past, present, and even future” sins to be cancelled. Ongoing confession, repentance, and obedience are not considered to be requirements for salvation!

In a way, hyper-grace is not an unexpected development. Like other modern objections to Christianity, it is just a shiny new version of an ancient heresy that was refuted long ago. That heresy became known as antinominianism during the reformation (1500’s). Anti-nominian-ism literally means “anti-law or no law” and was/is related to Gnosticism. Both of these pagan philosophies encouraged early believers to disobey the commandments of JESUS; offering false, unbiblical methods of salvation.

Modern hyper-grace is similar, implying that since Christians are no longer under the Old Testament law, and because all sin is covered by New Testament grace, there is really no need to follow any of the commandments in the BIBLE. As such, hyper-grace is a ridiculous contradiction of all Scripture. Rom 6

Even so, it is unusual to see a church openly practicing a “anything goes” doctrine, but many will admit, if pressed, that this is the bottom line of their (false) doctrine: “that although people should try not to sin, since they can’t or won’t stop, they shouldn’t worry about it – they will be saved anyway.”

Justification – Judged by GOD as being free of guilt and therefore acceptable to HIM. (See the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee, Luk 18:9-14. The sinful tax collector humbled himself before GOD and was justified.)

Sanctification – The ongoing process of sanctification (becoming a saint) is the process of becoming Christlike and is for all Christians. Col 3:5 You come to JESUS as you are - but then the sincere repentant believer is supposed to begin a life-long process of separating themselves from worldly things and dedicating themselves to GOD. John the Baptist challenged the Pharisees to show fruit worthy of repentance (behavior showing that they had actually changed). OSAS teaching infers that seeking holiness is not necessary for salvation, with some even teaching that obedience is an attempt at salvation by works, that rejects the grace of JESUS.