Once Saved, Always Saved {Part 3}

Ben Bailey

In the Bible, there are clear-cut passages that teach a Christian can so sin as to be eternally lost (See Gal. 5:4; 2 Pet 1:10, 1 Cor. 10:12, Acts 8:20). However, some have tried to distort certain passages to make them teach once saved always. Let us take a moment to examine a few of these distorted passages.

1 John 3:9 “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” To the destruction of John’s overall message, some have tried to make this teach that a person cannot sin after he has become a child of God. First, this is in direct contradiction with what John has already said. In 1 John 1:8, John tells Christians “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Also, in 1 John 2:1-2 John tells Christians that when they do sin they have an advocate for their sin Jesus Christ. In these passages it is evident John realized Christians would sin and would need help with their sin. What is 1 Jn. 3:9 trying to teach? John is teaching that a Christian cannot stay saved and continue in sin. The Greek word for sin is continual in its action. All Greek scholars and lexicons agree that John is saying a Christian cannot continue in sin and be pleasing to God. John is not envisioning a one-time act, but a continual lifestyle of sin. The NIV translates 1 Jn 3:9 accurately by saying “No one who is born of God will continue to sin…he cannot go on sinning.” Isn’t it interesting that the verse that some have used to prove once saved, always saved actually teaches a Christian can be lost. John is teaching that a Christian cannot continue in sin and still be pleasing in God’s sight. But, a Christian can sin and a Christian can fall away.

In writing articles of this nature, some might think my purpose is to make fun of or anger other religious groups. Dear reader, that is not at all my purpose. In fact, while I write the truth of these articles with confidence in the Bible’s teaching, I also write with a love for your soul. If it were the case that this doctrine is not true and I never said anything about it, would I really love you? No! Please understand that I am always open to reader questions and comments. If you have a question or comment about what I say, please write to me at 607 McLish Ave., Ardmore, OK 73401. And, stay tuned next week as I answer two more alleged proof text for this doctrine.