ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED I Cor. 9:24-27 Paul compares the living of a Christian life to an athletic competition. Phil. 3:7-16 – Vs. 7-8 The physical things Paul has gained – Vs Paul’s spiritual goals – Vs Paul has not already attained perfection, but is pressing towards the goal

Evidence For Once Saved, Always Saved Comments of men and misreading God’s Word. It is a comforting doctrine It attracts those who have failed to live godly. Many say that those who commit more obvious sins were never “truly saved”

Scriptural Evidence FOR Once Saved, Always Saved Eph. 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” II Tim. 1:12 “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

Scriptural Evidence FOR Once Saved, Always Saved Jno. 10:27-28 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My Fathers hand.”

Evidence AGAINST Once Saved, Always Saved The only evidence against this doctrine is scriptures. – Phil. 2:12 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” – I Cor. 10:11-12 “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the end of the ages have come. Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Rom. 11:20 “Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.” Gal. 5:4 “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” Heb. 3:12 “Beware brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.”

II Pet. 2:1 “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” II Pet. 2:17-21 – See how Peter described the condition of the false teacher.

Hebrews 6:1-8 The scriptures are directed to Christians – 5:12-14 The writer encourages the Christians to grow in the Lord – vs. 1-3 He warns them of the danger of not growing. – vs. 4-8

Evidence For Our Confidence Heb. 10:19-23 – God is faithful and will do what He has promised Heb. 6:9-12 – God is not unjust to forget our work and labor of love to His name Heb. 6:13-19 – The basis for our hope is God’s unchangeable purpose. Rom. 8:24-25 – Our hope gives us perseverance

So What Do We Do? II Pet. 1:1-11 Vs. 1:1-4 We grow in Christ Vs. 5-7 We add to our faith – Virtue – Knowledge – Perseverance – Self control – Godliness – Brotherly kindness – Love V. 8 - We should have these in our lives in abundance

So What Do We Do? Vs. 9 – If we lack these things we are short sighted and even blind and have forgotten that Christ cleansed us from our sins. Vs. 10,11 – We must make our calling and election sure.

What Is Your Condition Tonight? If you have not obeyed the essential steps for becoming a Christian you are lost. If you believe that after initially becoming a Christian that you cannot be lost then you are fooling yourself. I Jno. 1:7-8 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”