Once Saved, Always Saved? Answer for Final July Challenge Question, Part 1

Does the "once saved, always saved" teaching reflect faith trust or prideful arrogance?

This was the Final July Challenge question. The answer will be given in three parts. Here is part one.

Scripture teaches as much about Christian salvation as we are capable of understanding.

Some of these teachings are:

1. Salvation is completely of (through, by, and for the glory of) God. Salvation is based upon grace, and demonstrated through the atoning death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the God-Man who demonstrated God's love and purpose in the earth.

2. No human person can justly or accurately judge another person's salvation. No human person is qualified.

3.  Christ followers are directed in the teaching of the apostle Paul to "examine themselves" to see if they are in (walking in and living by) "the faith."

4. Salvation is not defined in Scripture as a set of behaviors. Salvation is defined as adoption (a change in family status), and as a rescue from "the kingdom (rulership or control) of darkness into the kingdom (rulership or control) of light."

5.  While salvation is not defined as a set of behaviors, Jesus Christ, while speaking to John the Revelator in the Book of Revelation, lists a variety of character traits. Jesus clearly states those who love, hold, and demonstrate these traits will not enter his eternal kingdom. The eternal kingdom is also referred to in the Revelation as the "new heaven and new earth."

           A few comments on the Book of Revelation: At the very beginning of these writings, this is clearly stated: the audience for these writings is the church, the called-out ones, the Christ followers. The Book of Revelation is not given for those who do not live under the rulership of Jesus Christ.  There are many unusual images contained in these writings. These images should never be used to frighten non-believers, pressure people into making confessions of faith, or pressure people into aligning themselves with or joining a church organization.  The writings in Revelation are for the servants of Jesus Christ, who will find comfort, encouragement, and guidance as they read and remember the messages found in this book.

Next week: part two of the answer.