Once Saved Always Saved?

The doctrine of Calvinism, more commonly known as “once saved always saved” and “Predestinationism” is a popular belief in the church. The doctrine is based on the belief that a person cannot fall away from the faith once they are saved. When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, there is no possibility that you could lose your salvation. This doctrine has prompted many to believe that they can live a sinful life, but still enter the kingdom, as they accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This doctrine is deceptive, as it tricks many believers into thinking they will always be in good standing with God, regardless of their actions.

The Apostasy/The Great Falling Away

The simplest way to disprove the “once saved always saved” doctrine is 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

² That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

³ Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

The Bible clearly says that a falling away from the faith would come, then the antichrist would be revealed. If every believer is always saved, there cannot be a falling away from the faith. The word for the great falling away is “apostasy”, which means an abandonment of the faith. Some may argue this verse is about unbelievers, but someone who doesn’t believe can’t fall away from the faith. To depart from the faith, you have to had believed at one point in the past; this verse is talking about Christians.

Biblical Stories Say Otherwise

When reading the stories of the Bible, it is clear that not everyone who believes will always be saved. King Solomon had a great relationship with God, but departed from the faith. Solomon lost his favor with God when he sinned greatly and departed from the faith; he wasn’t “always saved”.

King Saul is another example of someone who was in good favor with God, but lost it due to his sin. He lived his last days knowing that he lost favor with God because of his actions. God went as far as to verbally say that he regretted making Saul king.

The stories of Jehu and Zedekiah/The Exile are more examples of how you can lose salvation and good favor because of your actions. The Israelites were God’s chosen people, but their sin caused them to lose favor with God and they were exiled. Jesus even told parables of lukewarm and unfaithful believers who think they are saved, when in fact, they did evil in God’s sight. Jesus tells the people to depart from him, and that he never knew them. This parable basically says that everyone who believes in Christ isn’t necessarily saved, as there are lukewarm believers. You must seek after righteousness, and you cannot blatantly sin and expect to obtain salvation.

In Conclusion

There is enough Biblical evidence to refute the “once saved always saved” doctrine. The Bible makes it clear that people will fall away from the faith, and the various stories in the Bible tell us that there are people who had good favor with God, but lost it due to sin. You cannot commit evil deeds and be lukewarm, then expect salvation. God does not let evil go unpunished, and believers have to seek after righteousness to stay in good favor with God. We all sin, which is why there is repentance and turning away from sin.

Once saved always saved is a false doctrine, and it can deceive many believers. How you live is crucial to your salvation; you cannot blatantly sin against God and expect salvation. Lastly, try to live righteously and always repent when you sin.

Thank you for reading, and always remember to stay vigilant!