Thought from today’s Bible reading from Romans 11-13.
The “once saved, always saved” doctrine is very comforting for those who believe it – after one is saved, he does not need to worry about doing anything that would jeopardize his salvation. While this idea is appealing for obvious reasons, it is simply not true. Notice the following passage:
“You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:19-22).
Paul had just explained that after the Jews (in large part) rejected Christ, the gospel was then made available to the Gentiles (Romans 11:11). As a result, the Gentiles could be saved and “grafted in” to become part of God’s people.
However, Paul warned them: “Do not be conceited, but fear.” Why? If it is true that once someone is saved, his eternal salvation is guaranteed, then how would there be any reason to fear? Paul explained: “To you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.”
The Christians to whom Paul wrote were saved at this time. Yet there was a possibility that they could still be lost. They would be saved in the end only if they remained faithful to the Lord. If they did not, they would be cut off.
The same is true for us today. We must “be faithful until death” if we wish to receive “the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Do not believe the “once saved, always saved” lie. Remain faithful to the Lord so you may “continue in His kindness.”
Tomorrow’s reading: Romans 14-16
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
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