Bible Articles

C A R L   B.   G A R N E R WE AM NOT AUTOMATONS! The denominational world is virtually unanimous in its acceptance of the doctrine "Once-saved-always saved." The Bible, however, clearly and strenuously objects. If there is one obvious truth found on virtually every page of the New Testament it is that no one, even a child of God can rebel against God and continue to receive His approval. In a brief and simple way, I want to set before you the following reasons why this doctrine opposes both Old and New Testament principles: FREE WILL Man, created in the "image of God," has always had the power to choose his/her behavior. Both Moses and Joshua recognized that Israel, individually and collectively, had the right to "choose you this day whom ye will serve," Joshua 24:15. As he said farewell to Israel, Moses set before them their choices: "life and good, and death and evil." His ardent plea was for them to "choose life," Deuteronomy 30:15, 19. Yes, man has free will, the ability to choose either good or evil. To choose evil, however, is to choose God's wrath. JUDGED BY OUR DEEDS Calvinism teaches we are born in a "totally depraved" state, and are such because Adam sinned. But the Bible says, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," Ezekiel 18:20. We will be judged by our deeds, not Adam's or someone else's great-grandfather, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Galatians 6:7-8. GOD NEVER WASTES WORDS The scriptures are full of warnings about the severity of God's wrath toward those who are rebellious. Since man can choose, he can either respect or reject those warnings. Some say, "You can't lose your salvation." Then why does Paul say, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway," 1 Corinthians 9:27? "Castaway" means " disqualified, disapproved; lose present testimony; to be void of any future reward." Why does God warn Christians of the consequences of their sin if there are no consequences? The Bible records 2,500 warnings , such as: "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off," Romans 11:22. Will God "cut off" those who remain in their sin? This and 2,499 other verses shout the answer: YES! And God does not waste words or warnings. WE ARE NOT ROBOTS Many objects in our homes can be programmed to perform certain tasks at our will: alarm clocks, electric ovens, thermostats, VCRs, radios, etc. But man is not a programmed machine. We make our own decisions. We are not automatons! IF WE CAN CHOOSE TO SERVE... If it is true that we can choose to serve God, then it naturally follows that we can choose to quit serving God. The prophet wrote, "Ye are they that forsake the Lord...when I called, ye did not answer....but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not," Isaiah 65:11-12. Yes, we can choose to quit serving God. ROLE OR PARENTS ETERNALLY VITAL If a Christian cannot under any circumstances fall away from God's approval, then why is there so much emphasis upon the parent's role in the eternal destiny of their children? Note how Solomon said that needed correction would "deliver his soul from hell," Proverbs 23:14. The parent who refuses to provide for his own is said to be "worse than an infidel," 1 Timothy 5:8. No, eternal salvation is not an automatic thing. "IF" Only two letters, but what a difference they make! "If" demands a contingency. We read in 1 John 1:7; "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Remember also, "if we continue in His goodness," as quoted previously. We are secure, but only if we walk in the light of His Word, being obedient to Him. This is not a demand for perfection, but a demand for willing obedience. "MY SHEEP HEAR...FOLLOW" The favorite proof-text for those who believe in "once-saved-always-saved" is John 10:27-28: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." This is a beautiful passage, filled with the security a Christian needs. But it is not without some conditions. The sheep under consideration are those who "hear my voice" and "follow me." In order to sustain the view that "nothing a Christian does can cause him/her to be eternally lost," they must find a verse that says, "Though my sheep no longer listen to me or follow me, I will save them anyway." But there is no verse that says that. It is true that no man can "pluck them out of [God's] hand," but a sheep can quit hearing the voice of the shepherd and can cease to follow the shepherd. Yes, this "once-saved" doctrine could be most comforting. The problem is: it was authored by man, not God. God does not want anyone to be lost. He has done everything to keep any man or woman from being lost. Everything, that is, but take away our capacity to determine how we will behave, and His demand that we take responsibility for our actions.