Choose! You can’t have both.
There are many in mainstream religion that believe in the doctrine of “Once Saved, Always Saved” (OSAS). It sounds like a great idea. Who wouldn’t want to have the opportunity to make a one-time conversion and then call it good? Religious tenure is what I call it. And I used to eat it up.
“Hold Fast” is another concept in the Scriptures we see often. It is not quite as popular. It requires more effort and obedience to the Word. And many people talk about it, but don’t fully understand its meaning to the faith. Hold fast to what? There is precedence to that statement of “holding fast” in the Old Testament.
“Fear Yahuah your Elohim. You shall serve Him and HOLD FAST to Him, and swear by His name.” – Deuteronomy 10:20.
This entire chapter (and most of the book) is about fearing the Most High and holding fast to His commandments (Torah). The Hebrew word used here is “dabaq,”(Strongs 1692) which means to abide in, follow close, cling to, or hold fast. And it is in reference to the keeping of the commandments.
I believe there are few doctrines more dangerous than OSAS or the Calvinistic assertion of “eternal security.” It essentially states that nothing can cause you to be disfellowshipped from Yahuah once a person becomes a believer. And there are a handful of Scriptures that supporters of OSAS use to promote this doctrine:
- Romans 8:35-39
- John 5:24
- John 10:28
- Romans 8:1
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
Yet, all these verses speak of the external forces on your life that cannot bring destruction to those in the faith. The individual, on the other hand, is more than capable of departing from the faith.
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Set-Apart Spirit, and have tasted the good Word of Elohim, and the powers of the age to come, and FALL AWAY, to renew them again to repentance;” – Hebrews 6:4-6
This speaks of believers who had come to faith and then had fallen away. Here are some other passages that speak of this concept:
“You then, beloved ones, being forewarned, watch, lest you also FALL FROM your own steadfastness, being led away with the delusion of the LAWLESS.” – 2 Peter 3:17
“Look out, brothers, lest there be in any of you a wicked heart of unbelief in FALLING AWAY from the living Elohim.” – Hebrews 3:12
Two verses later, the writer of the Book of Hebrews tells us that we have become partakers of Messiah IF WE HOLD FAST the beginning of our trust firm to the end! We are told the same thing in Colossians:
“If indeed you continue in the belief founded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the expectation of the Good News…” – Colossians 1:23
In Revelation, we see this occurring with the first assembly of Ephesos.
“But I hold this against you, that you have left your first love. So remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works, or else I shall come to you speedily and REMOVE YOUR LAMPSTAND from it place, unless you repent.” – Revelation 2:4-5
In fact, many of the assemblies in the first two chapters of Revelation suggest that we can fall away. Remember, first and foremost, these are believing assemblies. He tells Thyatira they will be judged according to their works, and to HOLD FAST what they have until He comes (Revelation 2:24-25). Sardis has people in it who have not defiled their set-apart garments (Revelation 3:4), but others have. Philadelphia is told to hold what they have so that no one TAKES THEIR CROWN (Revelation 3:11).
WHEN ARE WE SAVED?
I think the key issue in this discussion is “when is someone saved?” Does it occur with repentance and confession? Or is that just the first step in discipleship? I believe salvation ultimately comes on the last day, when Yahusha (Jesus) raises us up. And until that day, we are told to do the following:
“Work out your own deliverance with fear and trembling.” – Philippians 2:12
Many people confuse this with “works of the law,” a phrase that many unfortunately equate with Torah obedience (lawfulness). But we must understand that Torah obedience does not “save” you. Only Yahusha can do that. According to the Book of Hebrews, He is our High Priest and our only door to enter through for salvation. This was prophesied in Psalms 110. But Torah obedience is, in fact, what proves we belong to Yahusha, and how we work out our deliverance!
“And by this we know that we know Him, IF WE GUARD HIS COMMANDMENTS.” – 1 John 3:4
“And the one GUARDING HIS COMMANDS stays in Him, and He in him…” – 1 John 3:24
“If you love me, you shall GUARD MY COMMANDS.” – John 14:15
“If you GUARD MY COMMANDS, you shall stay in My love, even as I have guarded My Father’s commands and stay in His love.” – John 15:10
In the Book of Revelation, we are told who is allowed to enter into the gates of the city, that is New Jerusalem, and unto the tree of life:
“Here is the endurance of the set-apart ones, here are those guarding the commands of Elohim AND the belief of Yahusha.” – Revelation 14:12
And who does the dragon fight with in Revelation 12?
“…and he went to fight with the remnant of her seed, those guarding the commands of Elohim AND possessing the witness of Yahusha Messiah.” – Revelation 12:17
Belief in Yahusha is pivotal. But obedience to His commands is also necessary. You can take the wide road that leads to destruction by simply making a confession of faith and thinking you are good to go. Many people do it. Pastors even teach that it is all about the Messiah and you have no accountability in the matter. And although we cannot provide eternal salvation (Only Yahusha can do that through his High Priesthood), as individuals we are required to walk according to His commands.
This final verse highlights that concept. There is an individual responsibility and action required. And notice how not doing the desire of the Father (Torah/Commandments) is equated with LAWLESSNESS!
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is DOING the desire of My Father in the heavens … and then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work LAWLESSNESS!’” – Matthew 7:21, 23
FAITH IN MOTION 