Once Saved Always Saved? Part I <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly (selfish desires); and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Romans 16:17-18
Note this phrase – "contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned." Paul is saying here that all teaching that does not find its root in the "doctrine" of the LORD Jesus and that of His apostles and prophets (which makes up the canon of Scripture), is to be marked as false and so are those who teach it. False teachings are shown here to be something emanating from the "belly" or carnal minds of men who have (using falsehood) created a god in their own image, after their own likeness and due to their un-crucified sinful nature.
Using the ministry as a means to personal gain is the menacing curse of the modern church. Ministry positions across the western front have been hi-jacked by seminary-trained, professional, self-serving marketers who do not possess the heart or mind of Christ as is clear when comparing their lives to His and those of His holy apostles. These modern day men possess little or no passion for the holiness of God which flows out of the broken-hearted who trust fully in Jesus Christ. Many in leadership today are in the professional ministry industry (a business to them) attempting to perpetuate their own existence and build their own career and local church business.
The unbiblical unconditional eternal security teaching is a central and profitable doctrine among the hoards of deceivers who plague the church world in this late hour. It defines sin and righteousness on its own terms, instead of honestly and soberly taking what God said it is in His holy Word. This no-responsibility teaching attracts the masses and draws people with the lifestyles of modern Laodicean "Christians." Such people are never shown the essential nature of the crucified life in modern church houses. So many who do not authentically follow Christ, migrate to teachers who tell them what they wish to hear, that which feeds the carnal nature (2 Tim. 4:2-4). The false shepherd reciprocates by tickling ears in order to help him build up his local ministry business. A "Christian" life of ease and 'once saved always saved' is a big and lucrative lure.
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:…For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." 2 Peter 2:1-3; 18-21
Always remember that a doctrine is not true because of how smoothly it is presented, but rather by what the Bible says from Genesis to Revelation. There are many educated, convincing and charismatic speakers today who "by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." This they do by teaching an unbiblical view of salvation (unconditional security). These deceivers would include numerous mainstream media personalities, pastors of large congregations, and authors of books. God's Word is the final authority for all matters of true Christian doctrine and practice and any person's doctrines which do not align are to be identified and marked as heresy by the true church of Jesus (Rom. 16:17-18; Gal. 1:6-9).
'Once saved always saved', 'irresistible grace', and every other aspect of an unconditional eternal security is "contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned." If you have studied and embraced the Word of God you know this to be completely false. We must then obey the divine mandate here to "mark them" who teach such.
Take note again of this phrase in Romans 16:- "contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned."  The doctrine the Holy Ghost is speaking of here is that doctrine which came through Jesus Christ, His apostles and prophets and is recorded in the Bible. Anything that doesn't align is "contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned" or can learn in God's Word and is to be marked and exposed as false. This begs the question as to where Jesus or His holy apostles ever even hinted that the truly saved person is automatically (whether he wants to or not) going to Heaven. Is this a doctrine of the Holy Word? After all, there are 27 books which comprise the New Testament canon, so if God wanted us to believe we are 'once saved always saved', why didn't He just come out and tell us so?
If Christ didn't simply and plainly tell us we are unconditionally (no matter what we choose to do) bound for His holy Heaven, then how in the world can people teach this as if it were divinely authoritative? How brazen!  (continued…)
www.SafeGuardYourSoul.com