A Question of Eternity

The great debate; it gets heated, argumentative, passionate, emotional and sometimes utterly out of control and beyond all reason.

Having once accepted Christ as Savior, can salvation be "lost"?  Is this the blaspheme against the Holy Spirit Jesus spoke of in Luke 12:10?

Christians too often see this answer as opposite ends of the same question.

Before I offer up anything on this subject, allow me to make these assertions:

1. I know that mere words here will not profoundly change someone's theology; only the conviction of the Holy Spirit can do that
2. Any argument made will be dismissed as "my own viewpoint"; therefore I offer no argument, no points, no opinion.  

I offer no words of my own other than the prayers I am praying even now for those who are reading this post.  Let the Word of God speak for itself.  

If you read a different "version" of the Bible, that is alright.  Look up each verse, and may the God of all peace, Jesus our Savior, enlighten your eyes, pour wisdom into your heart and bring satisfaction to your soul according to His loving kindness and the blessing of knowledge through Him, in Jesus Name, amen.

What if instead of the answer being "either or" it is one concept, bound by the bands of the Holy Spirit, not so easily unraveled as simply committing a sin, and failing to repent and ask forgiveness?  Perhaps it is so entwined and integral a part of each heart and spirit that the separating of the two, while possible, would need to be of catastrophic proportions to occur?

To have once lived with Christ in you, the Hope of Glory, would take an act of such wicked evil, that having put your hand to the plow and turning back you are no longer fit for the Kingdom of God?

Scripture speaks to each side of this debate clearly, but to BOTH sides there is a murky area where the thoughts and intents of God Almighty are greater than ours and we dare not supersede His Authority by claiming we know absolutely that which He chose to leave in a mist.

Hebrews 6:4-6 appears clear enough on its own:

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

And yet James 5: 19-20 declares:

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 1:6-10

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

I Thessalonians 5:23  

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

While these words were written in direct relation to marriage between believers and unbelievers, they can and should be applied to all situations according to the PRINCIPLE they reveal.

II Corinthians 6:14  

For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?

Hebrews 6:19

For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.  (This is where we mere mortals end it, but God...)

Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Comparing Apples and Oranges is used to dismiss a debate, as it intimates that the two sides have nothing in common and can never be compared.  This is completely untrue, since Apples and Oranges can be compared on many levels, from the simple level of both being fruit, to comparing their taste, texture, color, size, shape, skin formation etc.

So it is with this salvation debate.  More in common than we perceive.  Less differences than we want to admit.

The greater question isn't "once we are saved are we always saved no matter what".  This indicates we are looking for options, in case we change our minds.

The greater question is and has always been, once you have received Christ as Savior, will you yield to the Sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit?  The yielding, the total surrender in humble heart is the surest way of certainty in this misty field of debate that by abiding in Him, He will in constancy and consistency abide in you! (John 15:4)

May the peace of God reign in your hearts and the love of God be shown forth in your actions.  May His great favor rest upon you as you, in faith, rest in Him.

Grace to you, in Jesus precious name!