• Login
  • My Account

Upcoming

  • "The Book of Revelation" - Good Shepherd
    Tuesday, 7 February 2012 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • "A Portrait of Paul" - Torrey Pines Christian Church
    Tuesday, 7 February 2012 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm
  • "Revelation" - LBS Classroom
    Wednesday, 8 February 2012 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • "A Portrait of Jesus" - USD
    Wednesday, 8 February 2012 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm
  • "The Bible" - USD
    Thursday, 9 February 2012 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
more

Primary Links

  • Home
  • About Logos Bible Study
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Fellowship Forum
  • Dr. Creasy's Blog
  • Bible Travel
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Logos Affiliates
  • Class Information
Home » Fellowship Forum » Eternal Salvation

Eternal Salvation

Submitted by sherrillw on Sun, 05/23/2010 - 4:14am
  • Fellowship Forum
DR. Creasy, I found your website about a month ago, and I really love the way you teach the Bible. I have listened to several hours of teaching just in the last month. I recently read your 3 part exposition on questions concerning salvation that is posted here on your site. You teach that it is possible for a born again person to turn and walk away from Christ. I have always thought that salvation is eternal. John 3:16. Whosoever believes shall not perish but have everlasting life. When does everlasting life end? Thanks for your response.
Tue, 05/25/2010 - 4:25pm
#1
Dr. Creasy
User offline. Last seen 3 days 10 hours ago. Offline
Joined: 11/06/2009
Once Saved, Always Saved?

To answer your question, I think we have to clarify the issue.  We are all born into this world in a condition of sin, and barring the radical intervention of God's Grace, that's the condition in which we will live out our lives and in which we will die.  BUT--God provides the grace that enables us to respond to him in faith, and when we do, we move positionally from the world into the family of God.  Salvation is a choice:  we either accept the gift freely offered by God, or we do not.  If you accept God's gift, you are "born again"--that is, your sins are forgiven, you become a member of God's family and you begin living a new life in Christ, a life as God's son or daughter.

And once in the family, is there anything you can do to make you not a member of the family?  I would argue, no.  You may well behave in a way that dishonors the family and God; you may well grow bored with the family and drift away; or you may even grow angry and bitter and storm out of the house!  But you are still a son or a daughter of God.  That doesn't change:  your fellowship with God may change, but your position in the family does not.

That's what the story of the Prodigal Son is all about (Luke 15: 11-32).  Even though the youngest son has an honored place in the family, he choses to turn his back on his father and leave, demanding his inheritance.  We're never told why the son behaves like this:  perhaps he's bored; perhaps he's angry; or perhaps he's simply rebellious.  In any case, the father allows him to walk out the door.  And sure enough, as soon as the son steps into the world he gets into trouble, squandering his fortune, disgracing his family and father, and ending up in a pig pen (a horrible place for a nice Jewish boy!).  Notice that the father never chases after him, never tries to coax him home.  The son has made a choice; the father respects his son's choice; and the father takes his hands off, allowing his son to walk away.  But all the while his son is gone, the father waits at the window, watching the road, knowing that his son will return.

Meanwhile--in the pig pen--the son has a change of heart:  "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!  I will set out and go back to my father and say to him:  Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'  So he got up and went to his father" (Luke 15: 17-20).  And the father welcomes him with opened arms.

Even though you are "born again" as a member of the family of God, like the Prodigal Son you may walk away from the family, and the Father will respect your decision:  he will not stop you.  But even while you're away, you are still a son or a daughter.  You may even end up in a pig pen!  But even there, you are still a son or a daughter--and I'll tell you this:  you won't be happy in that pig pen, because you're not a pig; you're a son.   After a while you will come to your senses, and you will arise and go home to your Father.  And he will be there, waiting for you with opened arms.

I've told this story in class, and I invariably have someone ask:  "But what would happen if the son had died in the pig pen?"  My answer:  then he would be a dead son, not a dead pig.  And the Father would come and take him home.

You see the distinction?  Once God accepts us into the family as one of his own, there is nothing we can do to not be his son or daughter.  Membership in the family is positional.  You can fall out of fellowship with God, yes; but you can never lose your position within the family.

 

Top
Mon, 05/31/2010 - 4:27am
#2
sherrillw
User offline. Last seen 1 year 1 week ago. Offline
Joined: 05/22/2010
Eternal Salvation
Thank you for the reply. God bless you and this ministry for the time and diligent effort to bring understanding of His Word.
Top
Sun, 06/20/2010 - 1:17pm
#3
Dr. Creasy
User offline. Last seen 3 days 10 hours ago. Offline
Joined: 11/06/2009
You're Welcome!

Thank you!  Sorry it's taken me some time to get back.  We just returned from our 18-day Mediterranean Cruise.  Still a bit jet lagged!

Please do refer LBS to your friends and clergy.  We'd appreciate it.

Top
Sign up for Logos RSS
Add Logos to your MyMSN RSS feeds Add Logos to your Yahoo RSS feeds Add Logos to your Google RSS feeds Logos Blog RSS Feed

Footer Links

  • Bible Study Resources
  • About Logos Bible Study
  • Dr Creasy's Blog
  • Fellowship Forum
  • Bible Travel
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Help
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Press Room
  • Privacy Policy

Visit LBS for your free, daily online bible study. Dr. Bill Creasy offers world-class, multimedia bible commentary through innovative software and cutting-edge technology. Endorsed by Catholic and Protestant alike, LBS is the most comprehensive, in-depth bible study program on the planet.

© Copyright 2011 Logos Bible Study, Inc.. All Rights Reserved.