Someone can lose their salvation?

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ncgolf:
I think you should put your hat back on.
My friend, your lack of ability to understand the truth moondweller has presented, is not for lack of his great clarity in presenting it.
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ncgolf:
Moon brought this verse up yesterday specifically Col 1:22 and 1:23 … I will post all of Paul’s words in Chapter 1, so we all know the story.

1 - Paul is speaking to the “holy ones and faithfu brothers” (believers) … he is speaking to the “holy ones” … saints … as Moon describes … these are faithful people.

2 - Verses 21 and 22 recognize the work done by Christ and now each of them is “in Christ” … reconciled at that moment.

3 - Why does Paul then say in verse 23 about these “holy ones” and “faithful brothers”. Christ wants to “present you holy, without blemish” …but wait … what condition is set by Paul “provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard”. What is the penalty for not persevering “in the faith” or “in Christ Jesus”?

Paul is not talking unbelievers in this passage … far from it … He talks specifically about those men being “holy ones” and “faithful brothers” in the Church at Colassae.
It is incredibly naïve of you, or anyone else for that matter, to believe that within the believing assembly being addressed, there are seated NO false prophets, and NO false believers (called tares).

There are sufficient statements to that effect throughout BOTH TESTAMENTS, such that, your naivete, IMO, is inexcusable.
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ncgolf:
You must address the conditional requirement for “holy ones” having to “persevere in the faith”.
Those who have been truly reconciled (v 22), will persevere.

As a Catholic, tradition leads you to wrongly understand, IMO, any “if statement” as a condition of salvation, which, if not met, will result in a loss of salvation.

It is my firm conviction that the truth is kept from you by the inferences you take. 🤷
 
My friend, your lack of ability to understand the truth moondweller has presented, is not for lack of his great clarity in presenting it.

It is incredibly naïve of you, or anyone else for that matter, to believe that within the believing assembly being addressed, there are seated NO false prophets, and NO false believers (called tares).

There are sufficient statements to that effect throughout BOTH TESTAMENTS, such that, your naivete, IMO, is inexcusable.

Those who have been truly reconciled (v 22), will persevere.
So how would you know a true believer? By their fruits, right?
So in the end, you will get judged based on what you did or didn’t do. Isn’t that what scriptural verses like Matthew 31-46 point to?

And further, how would anyone know if they were saved prior to death. Could they not be deluded into thinking they were saved, only to find out at the last judgment that they were not?
As a Catholic, tradition leads you to wrongly understand, IMO, any “if statement” as a condition of salvation, which, if not met, will result in a loss of salvation.

It is my firm conviction that the truth is kept from you by the inferences you take. 🤷
Aren’t "If " statements always conditional? How to you understand “if” statements?
 
My friend, your lack of ability to understand the truth moondweller has presented, is not for lack of his great clarity in presenting it.
It is because he is so clear … that I know it is a false gospel.
There are sufficient statements to that effect throughout BOTH TESTAMENTS, such that, your naivete, IMO, is inexcusable.
Those who have been truly reconciled (v 22), will persevere.
Indeed the truly reconciled and those who remain in Christ will perservere, why do you present this as a startling fact.

The sad truth, though, is none of those men would have ever admitted being a false believer or a tare … in fact even now no one in a Reformed tradition will admit it … even though just as in Colassae … they will be seated … maybe next to you … maybe in your house … no one knows but only God alone.

When is a false believer identified in your theology? The false believer actually believes he is saved so when does this self deception end?

I agree that false believers will not inherit the Kingdom of God … yet you count yourself as a true believer as did all in Colassae … Paul made no distinction … he spoke to all the same. True believers perservere throughout their life … they are not exempt from perservering.

False believers and tares were nothing but self-deceived … most likely they were full of huberis and pride and as a good bet … would have been the last people you would have suspected.
As a Catholic, tradition leads you to wrongly understand, IMO, any “if statement” as a condition of salvation, which, if not met, will result in a loss of salvation.
I am glad you admit it is an opinion. Yes … we do believe one can reject the gift … because of sin, choosing something else over God which if you think about it is insanity, spiritual insanity.

You have to admit though if one is not “in Christ” they cannot be saved. You think we live in fear of losing something … when we do not. Grace is abundant in the Catholic Church and it is by this grace that I can say “Fear no one”.
It is my firm conviction that the truth is kept from you by the inferences you take. 🤷
I thank you for your concern.
 
Upon hearing the gospel, and repenting and believing, the believer is sealed by the Spirit, and all of his sins, past, present and future, are forgiven along with any guilt or debt to the law (Eph 1:13-14; Rom 7:1-6; Col 2:13-14).

To the point, all of those who are Christ’s repent before death; all of those who are Christ’s strive for holiness throughout their lives; all of those who are Christ’s will sin; all of those who are Christ’s will have sorrow concerning their sin, and all of those who are Christ’s will go to heaven because of the forgiveness of their sins.
Hi Howie,

Sorry, I missed this post. 😦

Please show me the Scripture verses which state:

“All of those who are Christ’s repent before death.”

Paul was speaking to the believers in the Galatian Church:

Galatians 5:19-22 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Why did Paul tell these believers that if they do these things, then they will not inherit the kingdom of God?

Pax,
SHW
 
paul c:
So how would you know a true believer? By their fruits, right?
That’s how I might know them (I could be wrong, unbelievers are capable of great works), but it’s certainly not how God knows them. His knowledge of them is based on His intimate and eternal love for them (cf Rom 8:29; Eph 1:3-15).
paul c:
So in the end, you will get judged based on what you did or didn’t do.
The clear statement of scripture is that all of those who place their faith in Christ were judged with Him at the Cross (cf Rom 6:4-7), IF indeed they did die with Him, and placed their faith in Him and nothing else (v 8).

Furthermore, those who have truly believed in Christ, and are truly His, do not come into condemnation (this has been repeatedly pointed out on this thread cf Jn 5:24).
paul c:
Isn’t that what scriptural verses like Matthew 31-46 point to?
I assume you’re referring to chapter 25, the sheep and goat judgment? If so, the sheep were intimately known by God from eternity (v 34; cf Rom 8:29ff).
paul c:
And further, how would anyone know if they were saved prior to death.
By believing in Christ, which is only possible by the sealing and indwelling of the Spirit (Jn 20:31; 1 Jn 5:13; 1 Cor 2:14).
paul c:
Could they not be deluded into thinking they were saved, only to find out at the last judgment that they were not?
Many will say to Him on that day, Lord…LORD… didn’t we DO this and that work in your name…”

Jesus knows His, and promises that they’ll never perish (Jn 10:27-30).

Yes, many are fatally deluded presently.
paul c:
Aren’t "If " statements always conditional?
No. For instance, Rom 9:22, ”What if God, although willing… literally says, “if, and God…," or more clearly, “but God…" It’s a statement of fact, and not hypothetical, or conditional statement, but it is what God has done (cf 2 Cor 5:19).
paul c:
How to you understand “if” statements?
With respect to those that “appear” to indicate a loss of salvation, I understand them as exhortation to the true believers to shape up, if they’re acting wrongly, and as a definite threat to those who aren’t true believers, either because they never will be, or they will be, but were, at the time, still uncommitted, although in the assembly.

Understand that the false professing person will not continue indefinitely in his false professed faith. He will, at some point, fall away (Mt 13:20-22); however, the truly professing person will persevere until the final aspect of his salvation rests upon Christ’s return for him (Mt 24:13; cf Jn 14:2-3).

Moving on to the passage cited, Col 1:21-23, the inference may be drawn, “if we do not continue in the faith, we will lose our salvation.”

But, we have not been saved, if we don’t continue in the faith. The fact of having been reconciled to God (v 21, Gk aorist tense), is/will be manifest by ones continuing in the faith.
 
You should at least give credit to the author, eh? :yup:
You are absolutely right. I was in a hurry, at work and trying to get a quick answer. For your information, I have all these verses recorded in my database at home anyway. I didn’t have access to it.
 
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ncgolf:
It is because he is so clear … that I know it is a false gospel.
Clarity = falsity for you. That’s quite interesting.

There is a reason Christ calls those who are His, sheep—sheep aren’t very bright (cf 1 Cor 1:26-31).

Because of that, the message of the Cross is simple, and therefore kept from the wise (1 Cor 1:20-21). Perhaps it’s time to get foolish. :hmmm:
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ncgolf:
Indeed the truly reconciled and those who remain in Christ will perservere, why do you present this as a startling fact.
Mainly because you believe that the justified can lose their salvation, and that all who have been baptized have been justified, which I find more dangerous than you find eternal security, aka OSAS.

Those who in Scripture “appear” to you to lose their salvation, were never justified by God.

Scripture clearly states that all of those God justified in eternity, He glorified in eternity as well.
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ncgolf:
You have to admit though if one is not “in Christ” they cannot be saved. You think we live in fear of losing something … when we do not. Grace is abundant in the Catholic Church and it is by this grace that I can say “Fear no one”.
Actually, I don’t believe that you live in fear. I believe, quite certainly, that you believe you are on the narrow road (Mt 7:14). But the Greek word for narrow, thlibō, defines that gate as extremely contracted and compressed, like a turnstile at a stadium.

It’s so narrow, you can’t take anything through it with you. You certainly can’t carry your works through. They won’t fit. That’s seen 8 verses later—Lord, Lord, didn’t I do this and that work in your name…?

Those on the broad way are not raucous drunkards and fornicators, but Church folk, those who will say, Lord, Lord, didn’t I do this and that work in your name…?
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ncgolf:
I thank you for your concern.
:tiphat:
 
The clear statement of scripture is that all of those who place their faith in Christ were judged with Him at the Cross (cf Rom 6:4-7), IF indeed they did die with Him, and placed their faith in Him and nothing else (v 8).
I’m not so sure that scripture is so clear that that is the only thing we need to do. That’s funny because every verse I can think of has us being judged by our works, not our faith. How many verses can you give me saying that when we die, we are judged by our faith? Book, chapter, and verse please. If we don’t produce good fruit, we too can be cut off from the vine. We can have faith to move mountains, but if we don’t have love, we can not be saved right? Are saying we just have to have faith to be saved? We don’t have to love anybody?
 
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SHW:
Hi Howie,

Sorry, I missed this post.
There are a lot of posts.
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SHW:
Please show me the Scripture verses which state:

“All of those who are Christ’s repent before death.”
There is no verse which states that as worded; however, I’m certain you agree that repentance is required, and furthermore, you should agree that it’s God who grants repentance (2 Tim 2:25; cf Acts 11:18; 2 Cor 7:9-10), according to His sovereign grace (Eph 2:7); therefore, those who are Christ’s repent before death.
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SHW:
Paul was speaking to the believers in the Galatian Church:

Galatians 5:19-22 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Why did Paul tell these believers that if they do these things, then they will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Paul’s statement is more general than your re-phrasing.

He said, those that do such will not inherit the kingdom, and he said that because it’s true
(cf Rev 21:27).
 
however, I’m certain you agree that repentance is required,
  • and furthermore, you should agree that it’s God who grants repentance
; * therefore, those who are Christ’s repent before death.
Logical fallacy
 
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broski234:
I’m not so sure that scripture is so clear that that is the only thing we need to do.
I know.
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broski234:
That’s funny because every verse I can think of has us being judged by our works, not our faith. How many verses can you give me saying that when we die, we are judged by our faith? Book, chapter, and verse please.
There are none.

Everyone’s works will be judged, but it’s the believer’s faith that keeps him from being condemned should his works be worthless wood, hay and straw, instead of precious stones, gold and (1 Cor 3:12-15).
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broski234:
If we don’t produce good fruit, we too can be cut off from the vine.
I have read the Catholic interpretation of that passage, and, as you probably imagine, I don’t agree with it.
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broski234:
We can have faith to move mountains, but if we don’t have love, we can not be saved right?
Paul says nothing about not being saved if you don’t have love—you infer that from his words, and your presupposition concerning works of love as criteria for salvation.

Besides, the redeemed will love.
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broski234:
Are saying we just have to have faith to be saved? We don’t have to love anybody?
Again, Christ’s will love, some more than others.
 
They are only in Christ IF they repent. Do you believe that Christ grants his own a chance for final repentance if they die in sin? Catholics call this Purgatory.🙂
 
paul c:
Lets review the passages you quote:
Ephesians 1:13-14
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession,
to the praise of His glory.

Note, this doesn’t talk about covering future sins, In fact, it says it is the first installment of our inheritance. This is the exact opposite of what you were claiming. It is not Once save only saved, it is the first installment toward redemption. You have to do God’s will to get to heaven.
Well Paul, I cited specific passages, for each point that I made; so you’re right, Eph 1: 13-14, says nothing about future sins, but supports the point concerning the sealing of the Spirit; do you understand?

And it’s not a “first installment,” but an “arrhabōn,” an “earnest,” or part payment in advance for security. That’s another part of the good news of the Gospel, and it’s God who makes the earnest, not me. He’s the guarantor of the not fading away spot He’s reserved for me in heaven” (1 Pet 1:3-5), and not me. Again, more good news.

Forgive me, but the “good news” you’re wanting me to believe, is not good news at all AFAIC.
Romans 7: 1-6 Are you unaware, brothers (for I am speaking to people who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over one as long as one lives? Thus a married woman is bound by law to her living husband; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law in respect to her husband. Consequently, while her husband is alive she will be called an adulteress if she consorts with another man. But if her husband dies she is free from that law, and she is not an adulteress if she consorts with another man. In the same way, my brothers, you also were put to death to the law through the body of Christ, so that you might belong to another, to the one who was raised from the dead in order that we might bear fruit for God. For when we were in the flesh, our sinful passions, awakened by the law, worked in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, dead to what held us captive, so that we may serve in the newness of the spirit and not under the obsolete letter.

paul c said:
Note how we are saved to do bear fruit for God and to serve. Both are doing the will of God. This passage says nothing about being forgiven for future sins. It says, instead that we are made into a new life to do the will of God.

And that’s not the only place in scripture that states one is saved to do good works; is it? :nope:

However, That’s not the point I’m making from the passage. The point I’m making from that passage, once again because you missed it the first time, is that once one believes, he’s alive to Christ, and dead to the law—the law has no claim upon him any longer. More good news.
Now on to col 2: 12-14:
You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And even when you were dead (in) transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

paul c said:
Note, this says nothing about forgiveness for future sins either. It, in fact, says that you need to be baptized to be raised with Jesus through Faith.

Look at all the wonderful things the Father has done for His adopted children. It’s truly amazing! :extrahappy:

Again, there are other areas in Scripture that speak to the obligation of a believer to be baptized, but that’s not the purpose for my citing the passage.

The passage states that all of my transgressions were forgiven on the cross. That’s a comprehensive statement, seeing as how I was predestined in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:1ff; cf Rom 8:29).

At that time, all of my life was yet future, and yet, God knew what all my life would be, including my as yet uncommitted sins—each and every one of my transgressions.

Not only that, Paul reiterates what he said in Romans 7; namely, the law can’t touch me anymore! I’ve died to the law! There’s no more guilt ever! God is not a welsher! God is faithful! And the promies of God are not “yes, and no,” but “YES” (2 Cor 1:18-20)! More good news!
paul c:
So I guess I couldn’t have picked three passages myself that would tell the Story of salvation.
It’s all about you, Paul.

Would that you would have taken the time to understand my position, rather than being concerned only with stating yours (which I’m familiar with), thereby insuring your continuation in ignorance of all that I’ve said, or will say.

I’ve taken the time to buy, read, mark-up and post-it, a copy of the CCC so that I made have some understanding of what you believe, and so that I might attempt to make somewhat reasonable, albeit sometimes heated criticisms against that with which I disagree.
paul c:
You need to be baptized to gain the first installment of redemption after which you need to serve God and bear good fruit to gain the full redemption of Christ.
No you don’t Paul, you must first believe, and you can’t believe without having the Spirit (1 Cor 2:14; 1 Cor 12:3; cf Eph 1:13ff).

Baptism is subsequent to belief, read Acts: repent, believe, be baptized.
paul c:
In fact, these passages contradict your OSAS theology. Can you see this now?
🤷 All you’ve done, AFAIC, is state your position.
 
Clarity = falsity for you. That’s quite interesting.
Why is that interesting? I understand Moon’s position much better than the beginning of this thread and the more he explains it the more absurd I find it.
Mainly because you believe that the justified can lose their salvation, and that all who have been baptized have been justified, which I find more dangerous than you find eternal security, aka OSAS.
Only if they persist in this state … there is no final damnation in this life. We repent and turn again to belief. We end up doing it more than once for we are what we are.
Those who in Scripture “appear” to you to lose their salvation, were never justified by God.
They appeared to be holy in this life then … though they were not, sounds like most of humanity but of course not you or Moon as the light of your santification has blinded me … oh it’s just my desklamp.
Scripture clearly states that all of those God justified in eternity, He glorified in eternity as well.
God has the view of eternity … you don’t.
Actually, I don’t believe that you live in fear. I believe, quite certainly, that you believe you are on the narrow road (Mt 7:14). But the Greek word for narrow, thlibō, defines that gate as extremely contracted and compressed, like a turnstile at a stadium.

It’s so narrow, you can’t take anything through it with you. You certainly can’t carry your works through. They won’t fit. That’s seen 8 verses later—Lord, Lord, didn’t I do this and that work in your name…?
What I have found thus far in my life … if I do take my eyes off Christ … I flounder but really you can’t carry your ego or your faith in either. :).
Really it is best to bring nothing.
Those on the broad way are not raucous drunkards and fornicators, but Church folk, those who will say, Lord, Lord, didn’t I do this and that work in your name…?
The Lord knows the heart … anyone who tries to justify himself is indeed a fool … as are those who appear to be righteous. Those in the pews are prime candidates aren’t they … they are in your church and in mine … and truthfully I could’nt tell one from the other and I doubt you could to.

Why do persist in telling us we are trying to justify ourselves … for that is indeed foolish for one to one’s own case … it is always interesting to see someone tell us what we believe.
 
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ncgolf:
Why do persist in telling us we are trying to justify ourselves … for that is indeed foolish for one to one’s own case … it is always interesting to see someone tell us what we believe.
I’m not telling you what you believe, you’re telling me what you believe.

Is it not true that Catholicism states that justification is based upon God’s grace, your faith, and your works performed in a state of grace?

As with you and moondweller, so with me, you, and other Catholics, as you clearly explain that, the more absurd your objections become to my calling what you do works/righteousness. When your working to justify/sanctify yourself (the two terms are synonymous to you, are they not?) that to me is a theology of works/righteousness, and I do you see you working to justify yourself.

From the CCC:2010 Since the initiative belongs to God in the order of grace, *no one can merit the initial grace * of forgiveness and justification, at the beginning of conversion. **Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification…and for the attainment of eternal life…**You can merit grace for justification/sanctification for the attainment of eternal life.

I don’t care how much credit is given to grace, and I don’t care how many distinct terms and definitions the Church has coined concerning merit, I find the Church’s teaching in this area (and many others) in clear contradiction to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. 🤷

However, none of that is telling you what you believe; you are mistaken in that. :sad_yes:
 
There are a lot of posts.

There is no verse which states that as worded; however, I’m certain you agree that repentance is required, and furthermore, you should agree that it’s God who grants repentance (2 Tim 2:25; cf Acts 11:18; 2 Cor 7:9-10), according to His sovereign grace (Eph 2:7);** therefore, those who are Christ’s repent before death. **

Paul’s statement is more general than your re-phrasing.

He said, those that do such will not inherit the kingdom, and he said that because it’s true
(cf Rev 21:27).
Hi Howie, 🙂

Regarding “those who are Christ’s repent before death.”

It seems to me that if you sin, then you are no longer Christ’s.

2 Peter 2:21 “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”

Regarding:Rev 21:27 “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”

I do not think that we can know for sure, until we die, whether our names are in the Book of Life, or not.

Revelation 22:19 “and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

It looks to me like we can be written in, and then taken out, when we sin.

Galatians 5:19-22 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But, since these persons were believers to whom he was addressing this epistle: if these believers do these things, then these Christians **will not inherit the kingdom **of God. Correct?

To me, it sounds like a sharp warning from Paul; not a general statement.

Pax,
SHW
 
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SHW:
Hi Howie,

Regarding “those who are Christ’s repent before death.”

It seems to me that if you sin, then you are no longer Christ’s.

2 Peter 2:21 “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”

Regarding:Rev 21:27 “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”
With respect to the 2 Peter passage, you haven’t made the case that those spoken of are true believers. If you begin at the beginning of the passage, they are defined as false teachers. False teachers are, by definition, false in everyway, including their profession of faith. All unbelievers turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. OTHO, believers receive the commandment.

With respect to the Rev 21 passage, it’s my belief that only the elect are saved; therefore, it’s only the elect whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of Life.
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SHW:
I do not think that we can know for sure, until we die, whether our names are in the Book of Life, or not.

Revelation 22:19 “and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
That is the Catholic position; however, that’s not the position of the scripture (cf Jn 20:31; 1 Jn 5:13). 🤷
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SHW:
It looks to me like we can be written in, and then taken out, when we sin.
I know it does.
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SHW:
Galatians 5:19-22 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

But, since these persons were believers to whom he was addressing this epistle: if these believers do these things, then these Christians will not inherit the kingdom of God. Correct?
I’ve already addressed this way of thinking here.
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SHW:
To me, it sounds like a sharp warning from Paul; not a general statement.
I know it does.
 
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