OSAS: Are We Onced Saved, Always Saved?
Part 3

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Authored By  :
Bill Kochman

Published On :
May 31, 1997

Last Updated :
February 7, 2013


NOTE: This article or series has not been updated recently. As such, it may possibly contain some outdated information, and/or ideas and beliefs which I no longer embrace, or which have changed to some degree.

Jesus Will Never Cast Us Out Or Forsake Us, He Will Complete The Work He Has Begun In Us, Jesus Will Keep Us From Falling, Author And Finisher Of Our Faith, Abandonment And Betray In The Garden Of Gethsemane, Which Thou Hast Given Me, The Lord Knoweth Them That Are His, Only Jesus Can Keep Us All Saved, Jesus' Mission On Earth Was Confirmed Approved Authenticated By God The Father, Seal Of God Is God's Stamp Of Approval, Divine Agreement Is Sealed For Eternity, Seal Of God Is The Indwelling Of Holy Spirit Or Our Treasure In Earthen Vessels, We Become Parties To And Beneficiaries of Divine Agreement, We Confirm That God Is True By Accepting Christ's Testimony, God's Servants Are Sealed In Book Of Revelation, Earnest Of Our Inheritance Is Our Down Payment, Our Glorified Spiritual Bodies, Divine Agreement And Stipulation Can't Be Broached, Ludicrous To Think We Can Return Our Gift, Human Free Will Cannot Override Or Defeat God's Divine Purposes, Once Saved Always Saved, Impossible To Return The Gift, Know And Believe That You Have Eternal Life Now, Beware Of False Doctrine That Claims We Can Lose Our Salvation, Foolishness Of Repetitive Salvation Prayers, Deceiving, And Being Deceived, Importance Of Grounding Ourselves In God's Word, We Cannot Be "Unborn", We Must Only Be Saved Once Because Jesus Only Died Once For Our Sins, OSAS Isn't A Free License To Sin, Reading Resources


As I concluded in part two, if you have worried about whether or not you are still saved, it is time for you to embrace the truth of the Scriptures, and time to reject the erroneous and false doctrines of men. Exactly what is this wonderful truth? Given the preponderance of Scriptural evidence which I have now shared with you, it should be plain to see that the only one who can keep us saved, is the very same one who saved us in the first place. As the following verses reveal, not only has He saved us, but He likewise promises that He will never cast us out or forsake us. He will complete the work which He and His Father alone have begun in us. Furthermore, Jesus will also keep us from falling; so that He may be able to present us faultless before His Father:

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
John 6:37, KJV


"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
John 10:28-29, KJV


"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
Philippians 1:6, KJV


"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
2 Timothy 1:12, KJV


"If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself."
2 Timothy 2:13, KJV


"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."
Jude 1:24-25, KJV


Please notice in particular that Jesus informs us that we have been given to Him by His Father. It was our Heavenly Father's choice to save us from the start. Therefore, it is His choice alone to keep us saved as well. We have nothing to do with it. Because we did not start it, neither do we need to finish it. God the Father, through Jesus Christ, is the one true Author and Finisher of our faith. That being the case, why do you worry about losing your Salvation? The Apostle Paul clearly believed this to be true, as we plainly see in Philippians 1:6 above. In fact, Paul states the very same thing using slightly different words in the following verse:

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2, KJV


Isn't it kind of silly then to think that you need to somehow try to keep yourself saved? How can you when you did not save yourself to begin with? Please notice how in 2 Timothy 2:13, Paul writes "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." In this verse, the word "believe" finds its origin in the Greek word "apisteo". According to Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, the first meaning of this word is to betray a trust, or to be unfaithful. This is precisely what Peter and the other Apostles did in the Garden of Gethsemane, and afterwards as well. As we learned earlier, not only did all of them abandon the Lord in the Garden -- would we have done any differently? -- but then Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. Despite the fact that they clearly broke Jesus' trust in them; despite the fact that the fear of death drove them to be unfaithful so that they fled and left the Lord all alone in the hands of His enemies; nevertheless, Jesus still did not abandon them.

The question is, why would Jesus do this? They all acted very cowardly. They abandoned Him at His weakest moment and in His greatest hour of need -- as had been prophesied of them -- yet Jesus still forgave them, loved them and embraced them once He had risen from the dead. Why did He do this? Actually, I have already provided you with the answer in my previous remarks. It is found again in the following verses that are found in the Gospel of John:

"I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine . . . And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are . . . Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."
John 17:9, 11, 24, KJV


Do you see it? Concerning the Apostles, Jesus repeatedly says "which thou hast given me". He fully realized that they had been given to Him by His Father. They belonged to Him. Thus, He was not about to forsake them despite their weaknesses, or the fact that they had abandoned Him only a few days earlier. This offers us great hope as well; because it tells us that we can never be too bad for Jesus. Despite our sins, mistakes and failures, just like the father of the Prodigal Son, Jesus is always there waiting to forgive us and embrace us again. He will not cast out us, ever.

In similar fashion, the Apostle Paul informs us that the Lord knows that we all belong to Him. He knows that He paid a very high price for us in His own Blood. That is why He will never leave us or forsake us, or cast us out, regardless of what we do, and no matter how many times we fail Him. To reiterate, the Lord knows them that are His. Furthermore, He will keep us from falling. He alone can keep us saved, because He is the one who saved us in the first place. Consider this verse which confirms that Jesus recognizes us as His very own:

"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
2 Timothy 2:19, KJV


In the previous verse, the word "seal" is derived from the Greek word "sphragis". According to Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, this word signifies a seal, a signet ring, or the inscription or impression which is made by such a seal. It refers to that by which anything is confirmed, proved, or authenticated. According to the Scriptures, Jesus Christ was likewise sealed by His Father. In other words, His Mission on Earth was confirmed by, approved by, and authenticated by His Father. We can say that Jesus had His Father's stamp of approval. That is why Jesus was able to operate with the full Power and Authority of His Father, while He served as His Father's Ambassador here on Earth. Consider this verse:

"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."
John 6:27, KJV


In the previous verse, the word "sealed" is derived from the related Greek word "sphragizo". Following is the definition for this word, as provided by Thayer's Greek English Lexicon:

1) to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal
   1a) for security: from Satan
   1b) since things sealed up are concealed (as the contents of a letter), to hide, keep in silence, keep secret
   1c) in order to mark a person or a thing
       1c1) to set a mark upon by the impress of a seal or a stamp
       1c2) angels are said to be sealed by God
   1d) in order to prove, confirm, or attest a thing
       1d1) to confirm authenticate, place beyond doubt
            1d1a) of a written document
            1d1b) to prove one's testimony to a person that he is what he professes to be

As I point out in the article entitled "Backsliding, Divine Chastisement and the Divine Agreement", our Heavenly Father and His Son made an important Agreement regarding our eternal fate. According to this divinely approved Agreement, our sins can be purged, we can be saved and we can receive Everlasting Life, if we place our faith in the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. That is what Jesus means in the previous verse when He states that He has the Power to give us Everlasting Life, because He has been sealed by God the Father. In other words, His Father confirmed, approved, authenticated and signed this Agreement. Thus, this agreement is sealed for all of eternity.

Because Jesus was sealed by His Father; because His Mission of Mercy to the Earth received the Divine Stamp of Approval of His Father; we Christians are likewise sealed in the very same manner when we place our faith in Him. As I explain in the article entitled "A Treasure in Earthen Vessels: God's Promise of the Spirit", the Apostle Paul informs us that this Divine Seal manifests itself in the form of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within our earthen vessels; that is, within our bodies of clay. Consider the following verses which make this point clear:

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
Ephesians 1:13-14, KJV


"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
2 Corinthians 4:7, KJV


So as you can clearly see, once we come to Jesus Christ, we are in fact sealed with the Holy Spirit. By proxy, we are made parties to, and likewise become the beneficiaries of, the Divine Agreement which was made between the Father and the Son. We receive the Father's Divine Stamp of Approval, as purchased possessions of Jesus Christ. Not only that, but as the following verse reveals, by accepting the testimony of Jesus Christ, we are confirming that God is true. In this verse, the entire phrase "hath set to his seal" is likewise derived from the same Greek word "sphragizo"

"He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true."
John 3:33, KJV


In the Book of Revelation we find another example regarding how God's servants receive a symbolic seal -- or the Divine Stamp of Approval -- so that they are miraculously protected during the time that the people of the Earth experience the plagues that are released as a result of the sounding of the Seven Trumpets of the Lord:

"And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."
Revelation 7:2-3, KJV


"And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads."
Revelation 9:4, KJV


As we learned earlier, the Lord knows them that are His. He has absolutely no doubts about it. He knows exactly who has been called, predestinated and chosen by His Father, and who has been given to Him by His Father. The Lord recognizes His purchased possessions, because we have what the Apostle Paul refers to in his Epistle to the Ephesians as "the earnest of our inheritance". The word "earnest" is translated from the Greek word "arrhabon". This word literally means a pledge or a down payment. In other words, we possess just a very small portion of the Spirit. However, it is enough for Jesus to know that we are His. Someday, however, we will receive "the redemption of the purchased possession". In other words, we will receive our new, glorified spiritual bodies, which will be very similar to that of Jesus Christ Himself. Be inspired by the following verses:

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"
Romans 6:4-5, KJV


"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Romans 8:29, KJV


"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life."
2 Corinthians 5:1-4, KJV


"Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."
Philippians 3:21, KJV


"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
1 John 3:2, KJV


"There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
1 Corinthians 15:40-52, KJV


As a result of all of the previous Scriptural evidence, for my part, I remain convinced that the Divine Agreement between our Heavenly Father and His Son is eternal and everlasting. It cannot be broached. Its terms and stipulations are certain and sure. Therefore, those of us who have become parties to this Divine Agreement through our faith in Christ, can also have the peace and assurance of knowing that our Salvation is likewise sure and unshakeable. Once we have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our Salvation is forever. There are just no if's, and's or but's about it. Not even Satan can deny us our right to Salvation and Eternal Life once we are washed in the precious Blood of the Lamb; for as Jesus Himself informs us, no one can pluck us out of His Father's hand.

Quite frankly, in my view, it is ludicrous to think that God the Father -- the Creator of the Universe -- went through so much trouble by making such a Divine Agreement with His Son, and by setting His very own Royal Seal and Stamp of Approval on said Agreement, just to have His purposes defeated by free will and personal choice, as some Christians erroneously seem to believe. Contrary to the erroneous comments that were made by the person who motivated me to write this series, I do not believe that we can mark "return" on our free Gift. As far as I am concerned, the phrase "once saved, always saved" -- or OSAS, as it is sometimes referred to -- is in fact absolutely true. To believe otherwise is like saying that we can somehow be "unborn" in the Spirit. Where in the world do we find that false doctrine in the Scriptures? Obviously, we don't. It is utterly ridiculous to believe such a thing. As we saw in part two, the Apostle John wrote the following to the Christian brethren in his first Epistle:

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
1 John 5:12-13, KJV


It is evident that John wanted his readers to know with full confidence and assurance that they had Eternal Life. John did not doubt his Salvation, and he wanted to make certain that the Disciples did not doubt theirs either. If John had really believed that it was possible for one to lose their Salvation, he would not have written the previous verses. Lord help us all to have the faith to believe as John believed, and to not doubt our Salvation, no matter what anyone else says. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and the Finisher of our faith, and maintain our faith in the promises which are found in God's Word, because in the end, that is all that really matters.

Beware of the misguided doctrines of men which claim that we can lose our Salvation. Sadly, due to their lack of a proper understanding of God's Word, there are some people who twist and pervert the meaning of the Scriptures, and thereby fill others with fear and doubt regarding the Gift which we have freely received through our faith in Jesus Christ. Over the years, I have even heard of certain people who have adopted the totally unnecessary practice of repeatedly praying some kind of Salvation prayer. Because of this wayward doctrine which teaches them that they can lose their Salvation, every time that they fall or commit a sin, they think that they need to pray again, and to accept the Lord again. It's crazy. As I asked in part two, how can any Christian have the Lord's peace if they are constantly living in such a confusing state of uncertainty regarding their Salvation?

One problem is that such people's faith is not grounded in God's Word as it should be. Rather, it is grounded in the doctrines and opinions of men. That is why these people are so easily swayed by this false doctrine which claims that we can lose our Salvation. I am reminded of the following verse:

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"
Ephesians 4:14, KJV


Please note that some of these people who teach others that they can lose their Salvation do not necessarily deceive on purpose. It is simply that they are deceived themselves, and thus unknowingly serve as conduits to spread the deception even further. I have even seen some people refer to OSAS -- Once Saved, Always Saved -- as a doctrine of doctrines, due to their own deception. As the Apostle Paul also writes in his second Epistle to Timothy:

"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."
2 Timothy 3:13, KJV


As I mentioned a moment ago, the key to not falling under the deception which claims that we can lose our Salvation, is to simply ground ourselves firmly in God's Word. That is exactly what I have been doing with you by way of this series. I have been grounding you in the Scriptures, so that as the Apostle John writes, you may know and believe that God has fulfilled His promises to you, and that you have the Gift of Salvation and Eternal Life, right now, by faith. As the Apostle Paul writes in his Epistle to the Roman brethren:

"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing, by the Word of God."
Romans 10:17, KJV


If you are weak in this area, and if you often find yourself questioning your Salvation, then it is imperative that you bolster your faith by reading and memorizing Scriptures which pertain to the topic of Eternal Salvation and the promises of God. I also encourage you to read such articles as "A Verse a Day to Keep the Doubts Away". It contains some of the very same Scriptures which I have included in this series. You will find additional reading resources listed at the end of this series.

To reiterate a key point of this series, it is necessary to accept Christ's Atonement -- and thus be symbolically washed in the Blood of the Lamb -- one time only, because we cannot somehow be "unborn" once we are saved, and have been sealed with the Spirit. The Divine Agreement is eternal, and we are likewise sealed for eternity. Thus, we do not need to pray over and over again to be saved, each time that we commit an error, fall and sin. Once we are saved, that is the end of it. God's Word says that we are saved, and I believe it. The reason why we only need to accept Christ one time, is simply because the Bible plainly teaches us that Jesus died one time -- and one time only -- for our sins, and He is not going to ever do it again. Please consider the following verses which clearly confirm this point:

"Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin ONCE: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God."
Romans 6:9-10, KJV


"But this man, [Jesus] because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did ONCE, when he offered up himself."
Hebrews 7:24-27, KJV


"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in ONCE into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
Hebrews 9:11-12, KJV


"For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now ONCE in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself . . . So Christ was ONCE offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."
Hebrews 9:24-26, 28, KJV


"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE for all."
Hebrews 10:10, KJV


"For Christ also hath ONCE suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"
1 Peter 3:18, KJV


One argument which is sometimes used by certain people who reject the OSAS -- Once Saved, Always Saved -- doctrine, is to claim that believing in OSAS is a free license to sin. In other words, according to this misguided misconception, if we believe that we are saved regardless of what we do, then we can do as we please -- including live a life of sin -- and not have to worry about. This argument is absolutely false, and there are only two reasons that I can personally think of regarding why OSAS critics would promote this lie. Either they honestly do not understand what the Once Saved, Always Saved doctrine really means, or else they really do know what OSAS means, but are purposely being deceptive by promoting this lie.

For my part, I most certainly do not believe that OSAS gives us a free license to sin. In fact, I have authored a number of articles where I discuss God's dealings with His wayward children, as a result of rebellion, disobedience and sin in our lives. These include "Beholding the Evil and the Good", "The Fruits of Disobedience", "Do You Want Love and Light, or Rod and Wrath?", as well as "Love, Mercy, Forgiveness and Chastisement". Just because we are saved and sealed with the Spirit for eternity does not mean that we can just do as we please. There are consequences for sin, both in this life, as well as afterwards in the judgment to come.

While there is obviously a lot more that I can say regarding the OSAS doctrine, I will refrain myself, being as I do not wish to overburden you with too much reading. I realize that the Once Save, Always Saved doctrine has been a great source of contention, division and debate amongst theologians, Bible teachers and other Christians for many years now. Everyone is convinced of their particular point of view. To those of you who may possibly disagree with my position, please note that I am strongly opposed to doctrinal debate, for reasons which I fully explain in the article entitled "Should Christians Engage in Doctrinal Debates?". As such, please do not email me with your arguments; do not seek to debate this issue on my Facebook timeline; and do not seek to argue with me via Facebook private chat. Please be considerate, and please be wise, by respecting my wishes. Thank you.

With these thoughts, I will bring this article to a close. It is my hope that you have found it informative, enlightening, and I pray that it has been a blessing in your life as well. If you have an account with Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or with any other social network, I would really appreciate if you'd take the time to click or tap on the corresponding link that is found on this page. Thanks so much, and may God bless you abundantly!

For additional information and further study, you may want to refer to the list of reading resources below which were either mentioned in this article, or which contain topics which are related to this article. All of these articles are likewise located on the Bill's Bible Basics web server. To read these articles, simply click or tap on any link you see below.

OSAS: The Hebrews 10:26-27 Controversy
A Treasure in Earthen Vessels: God's Promise of the Spirit
A Verse a Day to Keep the Doubts Away
All Are Given a Chance, But . . .
Apostasy of Oprah Winfrey: America's False Prophetess?
Are You Saved and Sealed and Healed and Filled?
Backsliding, Divine Chastisement and the Divine Agreement
Beholding the Evil and the Good
Child of the Lamb, or Child of the Goat?
Death: Final Battle, Final Victory
Do You Want Love and Light, or Rod and Wrath?
Hell, the Lake of Fire and Universalism
Is the Message of Salvation Meant for All Men?
Lies and Deceptions of the Roman Catholic Church
Love, Mercy, Forgiveness and Chastisement
Marriage of the Lamb
Message to the World
Not Everyone is a Child of God
Parable of the Sower: Salvation and Service
Peter: Faith Tried in the Fire
Salvation is Free Through Jesus Christ
Should Christians Engage in Doctrinal Debates?
Sluggards and Sloths: Are You Diligent and Faithful in the Affairs of God's Kingdom?
Striving for Perfection: Are You a Sinless Saint?
The Fruits of Disobedience


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