False doctrine of "once saved always saved"
The doctrine "once saved, ALWAYS saved is false and those who follow such will remain in bondage and loose all opportunity of spending eternity with Christ. Here are my reasons for stating this: In order for one to TRULY accept the free gift of salvation and eternal life THROUGH Christ Jesus, one must FIRST repent of their sins for confession alone is not enough. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19)
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but NOW commandeth ALL men every where to repent: Because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31)
One cannot be "born again" and still living the same old sinful life: "Therefore if any many be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (II Cor 5:17)
FIRST an individual must determine exactly what it means to be saved and how salvation is even received for there are so many whom feel that all that is needed is to repeat what is called a "sinner's prayer" and from that they are SEALED for eternal life despite the manner they may live their lives. This is simply untrue.
Now, when one understands the "way to salvation", and they know the truth and yet turn from this truth back to their old ways and begin living their lives accordingly, 2 nd Peter says this: "For if AFTER they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the KNOWLEDGE of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them NOT to have known the way of righteousness, than AFTER they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire" (2nd Pet 2:20-22)
And the book of Hebrews says this about the importance of following Christ example, and a warning for those who once knew the truth and rejected it: "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is IMPOSSIBLE for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly light, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; SEEING AS THEY CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD AFRESH, AND PUT HIM TO AN OPEN SHAME. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: but that which beareth thorns and briers IS rejected, and IS nigh unto cursing: whose end IS to be burned." (Heb 6:1-8)
I do not believe we can continue in willful sin, living for the flesh and not for God, and yet STILL claim that because we have confessed Christ through what is called a "sinner's prayer", we will still spend eternity with him. This is just not scriptural. The word of God says: "Be ye Holy For I am Holy...."
-Khandielese Reyes