Once saved always saved (OSAS) debunked

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Magenta

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I must be tired today. First I'm telling lousy jokes, and now I can't follow people's line of reasoning.
But I did watch the movie "Klaus" with my family during family night. It was actually pretty good.
Was that with Paul Giamatti?

I am working on my third panel today .:oops:
 

Cameron143

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Was that with Paul Giamatti?

I am working on my third panel today .:oops:
No. It's an animated movie, but it was pretty funny. And it was chilly today, so I'm in the Christmas spirit.
Whoa...3 panels. You are in the turbo spirit.
 

Magenta

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No. It's an animated movie, but it was pretty funny. And it was chilly today, so I'm in the Christmas spirit.
Whoa...3 panels. You are in the turbo spirit.
Oh! I watched that 2021-12-12...

Yeah, I did not much for a couple of weeks... and now am onto a new
format... designing vertical panels, with no more faces for now...
 

Cameron143

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Oh! I watched that 2021-12-12...

Yeah, I did not much for a couple of weeks... and now am onto a new
format... designing vertical panels, with no more faces for now...
Hope when there is a scripture about meat you choose a picture of a nice filet mignon.
 

oyster67

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Romans 5:18
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon ALL men unto justification of life.


Going by your logic, this verse means now all are saved... which is obviously not the case
Yes, I am reading that verse. Condemnation is not something that one chooses to receive or ignore. The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is something that is every man's choice. I hope you are not going Calvin-ward on me, dear brother.
 
Oct 14, 2023
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There are three legs upon which OSAS stands or falls. Do these verses mean what they supposedly mean, or have they been misunderstood and misapplied? When we examine them next to other scriptures that clearly contradict them will they hold up? Let's see.

First, 1 John 2:19—"They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us."

The OSAS interpretation of this verse says that those who "went out" were never in Christ to begin with; they were never saved. However, I suggest there's another meaning that conforms very well with other scriptures. This view says that those who "went out" were indeed saved and in Christ at one point, but were simply not as committed as the others. It's in this sense that they were not "of us." These are those spoken of in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:5-6): "Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away." It sprang up, it had life to start with; but it "withered away."

Jesus' explanation of this passage is found in Matthew 13:20-21—"As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away."

Second is 1 John 3:6—"No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him."

This seems pretty cut and dried: if someone turns away back into sin they never knew Him. But we have to understand this in light of other scriptures that contradict it. Those who "never knew Him," never had a proper understanding of Him. This corresponds to the first group in the parable of the sower: "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart." The seed was "sown in his heart," but was snatched away because of this person's lack of understanding.

Third is John 10:28—"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." I agree with this verse: no one can indeed snatch them out of His hand. However, the person himself can walk away. For this reason I prefer the phrase "forfeit salvation" to "lose salvation."

Now let's look at some scriptures that plainly talk about walking away and falling away. I'm not going to use Hebrews because Hebrews is fiercely objected to by those who advocate OSAS, even though is has many relevant warnings about falling away. But Hebrews isn't necessary—there are plenty of others.

2 Peter 2:20-21"For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them."

This passage clearly illustrates a person who was once in Christ but who turned their back on Him. This shows a conscious action on the part of the one turning back. These verses correspond with Luke 9:26: "Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.' "

Matthew 24:10"And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another."

1 Timothy 4:1"Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons."

Matthew 24:13"But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

Why say that those who endure to the end will be saved? If one cannot forfeit their salvation, why didn't He say "But all who have prayed the sinners prayer will be saved?"

Luke 9:26"Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.' "

Already mentioned, Luke 9:26 is a clear warning from the Lord about falling away.
Because Salvation is a process that only happens at the end - per Scripture - OSAS has no legs to stand on.
 
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The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is something that is every man's choice.
So you believe we save ourselves?

You believe we can live a life loaded down with sin until we decide we're done and then we can just pull the magic rip cord and be saved? We just wake up one day and decide ourselves that we'll go on to Heaven now - like we've had a long day and we're simply headed to bed?

What Bible do you find that in?

Jesus makes very plain that no man can decide to save themselves unless/until God intervenes.
 

rogerg

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Sure. The law of sin and death mentioned in Romans 8:2 seems to me to be simply another way of saying the law, but is characterized as the law of sin and death because it is being compared to the law of the Spirit and life. In other words, to magnify the comparison, dissimilar terms are highlighted.
The other thing I still don’t understand is how someone is found guilty or held accountable for sin before they have actually sinned. With this as a premise, mankind must have been credited or reckoned to have sinned with Adam to be guilty before God and under condemnation before ever sinning. I'm not married to the premise. I just haven't heard anyone explain it to my understanding or satisfaction.
Okay, now I'm confused. I think the laws spoken of in Romans 8:2, aren't referring to the Mosaic law because we are told that it is just and good: sin is not of that law, nor is that law of sin.

[Rom 7:7 KJV] 7 What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

[Rom 7:12 KJV] 12 Wherefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

The sin, of the law of sin and death, is by its sin, not by Mosaic law, and that sin being of Satan himself. The life, of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ, is of its life, and that being by Christ Himself. So, depending upon which law one is under, they are either the subjects of Satan or subjects of Christ - they can/must be the subjects of one or the other - there is no third alternative. Relative to Romans 8:2, just by being under Satan's law, one sins because sin is that law's stipulation (the law of sin); just by being under Christ's law, one does not sin because life is that law's stipulation (the law of life) and because they are no longer under the law of sin and death - as Paul so informs us that he was so moved to the law of life, by Christ. That the unsaved seek to justify themselves by their works is an outgrowth of the law of sin and death; that the saved rest in the completed works of Christ is an outgrowth of the law of Christ.
In Romans 5:12 I think we see the answer to your question - that sin and death were passed, not reckoned, to mankind because
Adam brought into the world the law of sin and death, which all were placed under, and by which, will the unsaved be found guilty:
men sin because they are under it, but the reverse is not true: that they are under it because they sin.

[Rom 5:12-13 KJV]
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
 

Cameron143

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Okay, now I'm confused. I think the laws spoken of in Romans 8:2, aren't referring to the Mosaic law because we are told that it is just and good: sin is not of that law, nor is that law of sin.

[Rom 7:7 KJV] 7 What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

[Rom 7:12 KJV] 12 Wherefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

The sin, of the law of sin and death, is by its sin, not by Mosaic law, and that sin being of Satan himself. The life, of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ, is of its life, and that being by Christ Himself. So, depending upon which law one is under, they are either the subjects of Satan or subjects of Christ - they can/must be the subjects of one or the other - there is no third alternative. Relative to Romans 8:2, just by being under Satan's law, one sins because sin is that law's stipulation (the law of sin); just by being under Christ's law, one does not sin because life is that law's stipulation (the law of life) and because they are no longer under the law of sin and death - as Paul so informs us that he was so moved to the law of life, by Christ. That the unsaved seek to justify themselves by their works is an outgrowth of the law of sin and death; that the saved rest in the completed works of Christ is an outgrowth of the law of Christ.
In Romans 5:12 I think we see the answer to your question - that sin and death were passed, not reckoned, to mankind because
Adam brought into the world the law of sin and death, which all were placed under, and by which, will the unsaved be found guilty:
men sin because they are under it, but the reverse is not true: that they are under it because they sin.

[Rom 5:12-13 KJV]
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
That's a pretty involved argument and not one I fully have my head around. In part, it's a matter of semantics. Whether imputed, reckoned, or passed is used, sin had to communicated to us in some fashion for us to be under condemnation before actually committing sin. How one describes or labels that wasn't so much my concern.
As far as distinguishing the law of sin and death from the law of Sinia, no problem with there being a distinction. But why can't it be either? For Adam, 1 commandment prove fatal. For Jesus, no amount of commands would have proved fatal. The law isn't the problem. The one trying to keep it is the difference. Thus any law for humans will prove to be a law of sin and death. But any law applied to Jesus brings life.
 
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Yes, I am reading that verse. Condemnation is not something that one chooses to receive or ignore. The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is something that is every man's choice. I hope you are not going Calvin-ward on me, dear brother.
If one is going to claim we are all born sinners by quoting this:

Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Then, going by that logic... we're all saved now because of this:

Romans 5:18
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

In other words, some claim we are all born sinners by quoting Romans 5:12... but they fail to use their own method of interpretation to claim we're all saved now due to Romans 5:18

Of course we are not born sinners and we are not all saved... we simply have all had the opportunity to sin come upon us as well as the opportunity to be righteous has also come upon us.


So you believe we save ourselves?

Jesus makes very plain that no man can decide to save themselves unless/until God intervenes.
Limited atonement is false doctrine according to God's Word... here's why:

Romans 8:29,30
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.


Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children

Romans 1:19-21
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.


Titus 2:11,12
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;


2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Acts 17:30
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

John 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Father sovereignly decided to make man in His own Image which is why all men have free will. He said in His Word than we are predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29), and we are to be followers of God as dear children (Ephesians 5:1)

God's Word says man is without excuse (Romans 1:20), the grace that brings salvation has come upon all men (Titus 2:11-13)

God's Word says it's not God's will that any perish and He wants all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), and He has commanded men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30)

Jesus said if He be lifted up He would draw all men until Himself (John 12:32), and Jesus has tasted of death for every man (Hebrews 2:9)

In light of all these scriptures, we can say for sure that limited atonement taught by John Calvin is false doctrine and is in opposition to what God says.
 

Magenta

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If one is going to claim we are all born sinners by quoting this:

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
One does not need to make such a claim and use that verse to corroborate, since all are
born a "natural" man and all require a spiritual rebirth in order to be reconciled to God,
attain to life ever after, and escape the second death. Other verses I already gave include:


Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds. Colossians 1:21

Ephesians 2:3
All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and
indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.


Ephesians 2:12
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of
Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
 

oyster67

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Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Then, going by that logic... we're all saved now because of this:

Romans 5:18
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Obviously, your argument is with God and His Word, not I. Better take some quiet time alone with God and get things sorted out.
 

rogerg

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The law isn't the problem. The one trying to keep it is the difference. Thus any law for humans will prove to be a law of sin and death. But any law applied to Jesus brings life.
I don't think that Romans 8:2 would permit that interpretation to be made, because as written, it, as a law, stands alone, independent, and unrelated to any other law. We also see that Paul had only to be brought under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus one time, not numerous times, which would otherwise have been required were each law its own law of sin and death; that is, each time a law was transgressed, its transgressor would have to be placed anew under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, nor could they ever be made free from the law of sin and death, which those in Christ have been.

[Rom 8:2 KJV] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
 

Cameron143

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I don't think that Romans 8:2 would permit that interpretation to be made, because as written, it, as a law, stands alone, independent, and unrelated to any other law. We also see that Paul had only to be brought under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus one time, not numerous times, which would otherwise have been required were each law its own law of sin and death; that is, each time a law was transgressed, its transgressor would have to be placed anew under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, nor could they ever be made free from the law of sin and death, which those in Christ have been.

[Rom 8:2 KJV] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Where are these particular laws listed? Where are they defined?
 

Cameron143

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Don't follow? You mentioned that each law can be a law of sin and death, didn't you? Not me.
I'm trying to get on the same page. That is, come to a common understanding of what the terms are referring to. What is the law of sin and death? What is the law of Spirit and life? And are there other scriptures that speak concerning them?
 

rogerg

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I'm trying to get on the same page. That is, come to a common understanding of what the terms are referring to. What is the law of sin and death? What is the law of Spirit and life? And are there other scriptures that speak concerning them?
Ahh, okay, sorry, gotcha now. That's a big topic but maybe a good place to start would be at the highest level but there is a lot more to it than that.
As I tried to explain (and probably didn't do too good a job of it), the law of sin and death I believe is itself both a law AND a sin at the same time so nothing can be done by us to not be put under it. I think its name fully describes itself: it is sin, it is death, and it is law - all being within one. It resulted from Adam's eating of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Everyone is automatically placed under it solely by Adam's transgression, not of themselves.
For those whom God had not chosen to save (the non-elect), they will be judged by the law of Christ relative to the law of sin and death. For those whom God had chosen to save (the elect), they will come under no judgment whatsoever. There are no other laws but these two that affect one's salvation.
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, is the exact antithesis to the law of sin and death. Its name too fully describes itself: it is of the Spirit, it is eternal life, and it is in Christ. The law of sin and death manifests itself within us by a desire for, and a trust in, works for salvation, which manifestation is also referred to as the law of works; the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus manifests itself as the law of liberty. It results in faith to trust not in ourselves, but in the finished works of Christ, freeing us from a desire for, and a trust in, our works.
It is respective to the laws one is under, that determines whether or not we escape God's wrath. Notice in Romans 8:2 that it is the law of Christ itself and alone, that takes us from, and keeps us from, the law of sin and death. All of the attributes of a Christian emanate from being under the law of Christ. Only the elect will be placed by God under it. All of the attributes of the unsaved emanate from being under the law of sin and death, and that by Adam.
So, to summarize, both laws alone are sole determinants of whether or not someone faces God's wrath.
Hope this helps. If not, let me know and I'll try to clarify - I am not the best of writers and realize this explanation lacks a lot.

[Rom 5:18-19 KJV]
18 Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

[Rom 8:2 KJV] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
 

Cameron143

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Ahh, okay, sorry, gotcha now. That's a big topic but maybe a good place to start would be at the highest level but there is a lot more to it than that.
As I tried to explain (and probably didn't do too good a job of it), the law of sin and death I believe is itself both a law AND a sin at the same time so nothing can be done by us to not be put under it. I think its name fully describes itself: it is sin, it is death, and it is law - all being within one. It resulted from Adam's eating of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Everyone is automatically placed under it solely by Adam's transgression, not of themselves.
For those whom God had not chosen to save (the non-elect), they will be judged by the law of Christ relative to the law of sin and death. For those whom God had chosen to save (the elect), they will come under no judgment whatsoever. There are no other laws but these two that affect one's salvation.
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, is the exact antithesis to the law of sin and death. Its name too fully describes itself: it is of the Spirit, it is eternal life, and it is in Christ. The law of sin and death manifests itself within us by a desire for, and a trust in, works for salvation, which manifestation is also referred to as the law of works; the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus manifests itself as the law of liberty. It results in faith to trust not in ourselves, but in the finished works of Christ, freeing us from a desire for, and a trust in, our works.
It is respective to the laws one is under, that determines whether or not we escape God's wrath. Notice in Romans 8:2 that it is the law of Christ itself and alone, that takes us from, and keeps us from, the law of sin and death. All of the attributes of a Christian emanate from being under the law of Christ. Only the elect will be placed by God under it. All of the attributes of the unsaved emanate from being under the law of sin and death, and that by Adam.
So, to summarize, both laws alone are sole determinants of whether or not someone faces God's wrath.
Hope this helps. If not, let me know and I'll try to clarify - I am not the best of writers and realize this explanation lacks a lot.

[Rom 5:18-19 KJV]
18 Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

[Rom 8:2 KJV] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Ok. I'm starting to get the picture. Law doesn't refer to a particular set of laws, but explain a reality. This would work similar to what are commonly called laws of nature and explain spiritual realities instead of explaining natural realities.
So while the law of gravity demonstrates and informs our understanding of phenomena in the physical realm, the law of sin and death informs our understanding of spiritual reality.
Does this capture your understanding?