You brought up some interesting thoughts.
There are different types of works. (2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 2:9; Titus 3:5; Jn. 6:29; Jms. 2:14-26; Gal. 519-21; Rev. 2:26; Col. 2:12; Acts 10:34)
I do not believe you can “lose” salvation as in like “whoops! I lost it..where’d it go?” Instead, in the same way we can choose life (Deut. 30:19; cf. Mt. 11:28; Rev. 22:17; Acts 2:37-40, etc etc), one who chooses to become a child of God can also choose to walk away and abandon God (1 Jn. 1:6; Gal. 5:3-4; Heb. 3:14, 6:4-6, 10:26-29; Jn. 15:6; 2 Peter 2:1-2, 22, etc etc).
True indeed. What most assume is that if one chooses to walk away from God, that he is therefore lost. The error of that still goes toward the works-based salvation facet of this gem most call "Christianity." Walking away, staying close...both are based upon the effort motivated by the choices of the person. In other words, the idea that one must "maintain" their faith through their efforts and force of will, that's works, which nullifies this:
2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also
sealed us, and
given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye
heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were
sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the
holy Spirit of God,
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
How powerful is that sealing? Is there any indication in those verses that would cause us to believe the Spirit has a weak grasp in His ability to seal one unto salvation? How does walking away from God break that seal? Is there a verse that speaks of such a phenomenon? The power of sin is the Law, and the power of our sealing is Holy Spirit. The of therefore breaking that seal, if that were ever possible, it would create the dichotomy of works-based salvation so that if by our effort we can break that seal, then salvation is indeed works-based. Holding our salvation is, then, also a works-based possession, of which Paul never once stated to be the case for us today.
What kind of works justify us? If we are not justified by works, then how can we be judged by them (Rev. 20:12-13; cf. 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:6; 1 Peter 1:17)
Very good question. Given that our salvation is not based upon any works on our part, the judgement of our works is for reward, not salvation itself. If we could merit salvation on the basis of our works, then Christ died for no good reason if we could save ourselves by our works. Given that we cannot save ourselves by our works, then we cannot shove it aside by our efforts and works either. That is to say, it's either totally based upon the merits and power of the Blood of Christ, or it's based upon the strength of our own arm, which is weak and incapable in every way apart from sinning.
At this point, some will object to say “That’s not what those passages mean; they don’t apply to us, etc etc”, but having to explain to them to someone who is usually caught up in denominational baggage can be a laborious task, as most are close minded to the verses that explicitly teach the exact opposite of what they believe (or what they now believe). It usually goes nowhere, in a senseless debate where no one is going to walk away convinced that the other side is right.
As an Israeli, I can say that what you say here is the phenomenon we Jews exhibited throughout our ancient history in our walk before the Lord. We were/are stiff-necked as a people, which the Lord will deal with in His own time in the coming 70th week, with 2/3rds of our numbers on this earth being wiped out, which is the point the Lord returns and save us from total annihilation (Zech. 10-12).
Another argument from them is “they were never saved to begin with, or never truly saved in the first place”, but that’s is a very disturbing thought, because if the same person lived the life you live as a professing Christian, has evidence of salvation, and is considered never saved to begin with because they departed, then what about yourself? How would anyone know who is “truly saved” in that belief? To be consistent, no one would. If any of them depart from the faith, like God says would happen (1 Tim. 4:1), all their OSAS friends will say...they were never saved to begin with. Thus, what is to be considered the security of the believer actually turns into the insecurity for the believer of OSAS, as he/she will live out the remainder of their lives wondering if they are “truly saved”.
More good observations and questions. Given that we cannot earn salvation by our works, we cannot lost it by our works.
1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's
work shall be
burned, he shall
suffer loss: but
he himself shall be saved; yet so as
by fire.
2 Timothy 2:13
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Generally speaking, I'm sure some out there have quite a twist of interpretational skills and methods to allegorize this verse into oblivion, thus saying something other than what it states within its context.
In closing, God has done His part in extending His saving grace, and He expects us to receive His saving grace. God also expects us to obey Him (Heb. 5:9).
We are blessed that our salvation isn't based upon any extension of anything. The one who truly believes in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus on the third day, according to the scriptures, they are sealed with a seal that is nowhere said in scripture to ever be removed. When we are sealed, we are sealed. ..period. The claim that such an observation leads others to live a life of easy-believism, thus conducting themselves any way they want, that's a denial that the work of the Spirit in the life of a true believer is progressing, otherwise known as sanctification. Those who disbelieve in sanctification, and yet believe that one can lose his salvation on the basis of his own effort (works) and will to remain true, that's works-based salvation. That conclusion cannot be escaped from with slick, spiritual sounding jargon and misapplications of various other verses derived from a practice of pitting the word of God against itself.
One last thought…if anyone is advocating a works based salvation, it’s those who believe you cannot forfeit or walk away from salvation, as they are actually relying on their works, because if one doesn’t have any they will say they were never saved. Thus, to remain saved or have evidence that you were saved you must have works, or else you never were saved to begin with.
Incorrect. The other side of this coin that you ignored are those who believe in the power and strength of Holy Spirit to hold us to salvation with a strength far beyond anything this universe, with all its energy, can possibly break. It's the Lord who is faithful to His promise, not us. It's all Him. It would indeed be a matter of works if one could hold his salvation, just as it is works-based salvation if one can walk away from it. That dichotomy is self-defeating.
MM
