"Once Saved Always Saved" question

[keepitreal]

I hope that an ex “born again” Christian of the “Once Saved Always Saved” bent, or anyone that know the answer to this question could help: Since you’re “assured” of heaven no matter what you do now or in the future, why go to church? Do these types of Christians just believe that they are just “waiting” or hanging around to go to heaven? At church, is it this mentality? They don’t really have to go to church, preach the bible, or do ANYTHING but just wait to go to heaven? Thanks

 

[Crusading_Canuk]

I have no idea what the answer would be, but perhaps it would be best to post this in the “non Catholic religions” forum?

 

[Domnall]

Yeah…Non-Catholic religious would be best.

However, to answer your question. A lot of their mentality actually comes from the book of James. The whole idea that “with works, faith is made whole.” That being said, they see the case as this; if they are in fact “saved” than it will be shown through their works (going to church, praying, helping the poor etc.)

So, for them, becoming a believer and then not participating in church life means that you weren’t actually “saved” in the first place.

 

[josephback]

I hope that an ex “born again” Christian of the “Once Saved Always Saved” bent, or anyone that know the answer to this question could help: Since you’re “assured” of heaven no matter what you do now or in the future, why go to church? Do these types of Christians just believe that they are just “waiting” or hanging around to go to heaven? At church, is it this mentality? They don’t really have to go to church, preach the bible, or do ANYTHING but just wait to go to heaven? Thanks

That’s the implication, but I wouldn’t say that’s the mindset of most OSAS believers. Most are sincere and devout, they’ve just been taught wrong.

 

[MarkThompson]

I hope that an ex “born again” Christian of the “Once Saved Always Saved” bent, or anyone that know the answer to this question could help: Since you’re “assured” of heaven no matter what you do now or in the future, why go to church? Do these types of Christians just believe that they are just “waiting” or hanging around to go to heaven? At church, is it this mentality? They don’t really have to go to church, preach the bible, or do ANYTHING but just wait to go to heaven? Thanks

Wouldn’t the general answer be, “love of Christ”? Turning your question around, you’re essentially implying that for Catholics – who recognize that we are not “assured of heaven no matter what we do” – the main reason to go to church must be fear for one’s immortal soul and the pursuit of salvation. Those are indeed acceptable reasons for going to church, but they are not the highest reason, which is the pure love of God and desire to adore him.

 

[Carlan]

That’s the implication, but I wouldn’t say that’s the mindset of most OSAS believers. Most are sincere and devout, ***they’ve just been taught wrong./***QUOTE]

As I mentioned in a previous thread, the OSAS believer says when they are first Justified their salvation cannot be lost.Their destination in heaven has already been assured,sealed,
Yes, it is a false doctrine.

We Catholic believe life is not a destination it is a journey.

Go on with faith and have hopel
God give me courage!
God give me strength!
God give me hope!
Peace, Carlan

 

[TrueLight]

The Once Saved Always Saved doctrine walks hand in hand with, “If you’re not acting Christian then you were never saved to begin with”.

Christians who are OSAS do believe that even though one is not saved by works, if one is truly saved, the works will reflect ones’ status as a Christian.

During my couple of years of “backsliding”, meaning I reverted to sin and lived a wordly life, I was told my Christians I knew that maybe I was never saved to being with and that’s why I was able to backslide.

Please do not listen to anyone who tells you that a OSAS Christian believes no matter what they do, they will go to heaven. That is patently false.

 

[TrueLight]

I hope that an ex “born again” Christian of the “Once Saved Always Saved” bent, or anyone that know the answer to this question could help: Since you’re “assured” of heaven no matter what you do now or in the future, why go to church? Thanks

There is no “obligation”. People go to Church because they want to praise and worship God and fellowship with believers.

 

[Link0126]

There’s no reason at to go to church or to do anything whatsoever. You are basically killing time and until then you can do anything you want except “backslide”. But backsliding isn’t a concern at least not until months or years later b/c they don’t make a big deal about individual sins. They really don’t. So while there might be some concern over some one who is living “a life of sin” not much effort is made to avoid the day to day stuff. Of course, there is no official definition of how much sin constitutes “backsliding” so it’s all about how* you* feel. It seems to be a very dangerous heresy.

 

[TrueLight]

There’s no reason at to go to church or to do anything whatsoever. You are basically killing time and until then you can do anything you want except “backslide”.

What type of church did you attend? And were you actually a PRACTICING Christian?

I completely disagree.

 

[Link0126]

What type of church did you attend? And were you actually a PRACTICING Christian?

I completely disagree.

On and off. I “backslide” myself. But even when taking it seriously I still sinned everyday, mortal sinned, although I didn’t know that’s what it was. This all happens b/c of OSAS but also b/c of imputed righteousness. Although I didn’t know those words or what all the theology was about, the fact is there really isn’t a call towards holiness. It isn’t necessary, the attitude is more like “hey, this is what we should do” and going to church becomes more just like a mental learning experience. I look forward to Mass much more than I ever did a protestant service and I actually understand the biblical words “free from sin” now, and not in a “symbolic” way.

 

[Link0126]

PS. That is obviously just my personal experience. I understand if yours was totally different. Many people say they are the opposite. Very lax as Catholics but then very gung-ho Protestants.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I hope that an ex “born again” Christian of the “Once Saved Always Saved” bent, or anyone that know the answer to this question could help: Since you’re “assured” of heaven no matter what you do now or in the future, why go to church? Do these types of Christians just believe that they are just “waiting” or hanging around to go to heaven? At church, is it this mentality? They don’t really have to go to church, preach the bible, or do ANYTHING but just wait to go to heaven? Thanks

I think that this belief has to do with the belief of the ellect. I think they belief that God has chosen the ellect therefore they are the ones to be saved and those who are not part of the ellect will not be saved.

If they know who the ellect are is another question. I think they tight this one to what they see in a person. Like the person will be a believer and performs as a christian until they die. That is what I think they mean by OSAS. Now how they explain their rejection for the Church Jesus built is justified by those on OSAS is unknown to me.

 

[josephback]

On and off. I “backslide” myself. But even when taking it seriously I still sinned everyday, mortal sinned, although I didn’t know that’s what it was. This all happens b/c of OSAS but also b/c of imputed righteousness. Although I didn’t know those words or what all the theology was about, the fact is there really isn’t a call towards holiness. It isn’t necessary, the attitude is more like “hey, this is what we should do” and going to church becomes more just like a mental learning experience. I look forward to Mass much more than I ever did a protestant service and I actually understand the biblical words “free from sin” now, and not in a “symbolic” way.

One thing that always confused me as a kid going to evangelical crusades was that they said all I had to do for heaven was have faith(that and pray a “sinner’s prayer”). It just didn’t seem to promote a life of holiness

 

[rben20]

I hope that an ex “born again” Christian of the “Once Saved Always Saved” bent, or anyone that know the answer to this question could help: Since you’re “assured” of heaven no matter what you do now or in the future, why go to church? Do these types of Christians just believe that they are just “waiting” or hanging around to go to heaven? At church, is it this mentality? They don’t really have to go to church, preach the bible, or do ANYTHING but just wait to go to heaven? Thanks

I have many faithful protestant friends and the majority hold this view. When I asked them about it they simply told me that once we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Son of God, nothing in this world that we do (even sinfulness) could keep us from being saved. It is a guarantee that anyone could get into heaven but in reality it is a cop out. I don’t know if you are familiar with the question often posed “Are you saved?” Catholics will usually say, we don’t know or can only hope to be saved on our death. This is when we get the sad face look while they usually think “poor Catholic has not found Jesus.” This question stems from this heretical thinking of once saved always saved. Indeed, the bible does say that if we have faith we will be saved but many protestants stop there. If you read the bible holistically you will see that faith is really only the beginning and sin does in fact separate us from God even if we are believers. It is simply cherry picking of the bible that has polluted the message of the Gospel and the apostles. If only it were that easy to just believe! Remember, St. James even said you believe you do well, but even the demons believe.

 

[john_aurelius]

The reason Calvinists pretty much do anything is because God created the world and we owe him our obedience.

He said to go to church (or at least not forsake the assembling) so one ought to go to church.

On the other hand, if you didn’t go to church, you wouldn’t loose your salvation.

Justification occurs at conversion and its the same verdict as at the end of time.

Simply put, you will not experience the fulness of life if you dont follow God’s commands.

 

[Cat]

Why does a married couple want to spend time together?

Why do parents want to do things with their children?

Why does a family plan get-togethers and reunions throughout the year?

Because they love each other and love being with each other.

That’s why non-Catholic Christians go to church–they love God and they love each other, and they want to be with God and their church family and get to know each other better.

Catholics, remember that for non-Catholic Christians, church is not the place where they receive Jesus. They receive Jesus once, when they make the decision to receive Him as Personal Lord and Savior.

So Church is not an obligation. It’s a joy.

What non-Catholics would say to those who don’t want to go to church and worship the Lord Jesus with other Christians is, “Are you sure you’re really a Christian?”

And I think they are asking a good question that Catholics should ask themselves, too. Why wouldn’t you want to be with Jesus and your Christian family if you are really a Christian?