God's Plan for Salvation

Living Faithfully

by Mike Glenn

There is an idea that has permeated many of the denominations in the religious world. It has been shortened to one sentence phrase, ‘once saved, always saved.’ What does the Bible say? If an individual truly commits his heart to the Lord and is saved (by proper obedience to God), can that salvation ever be lost through sinful living?

There are many places in scripture we might go for the answer, but let us turn our attention to Hebrews 10:38-11:40. We often spend important time in Hebrews 11, with great awe at the examples left for us by the great men and women of faith. We study them and dissect the characteristics of courage, love, foresight, and determination with an effort to mimic them. But, we also need to consider the verses that lead us to chapter 11. “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them that draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:38-39).

The examples of chapter 11 are to encourage us and warn us that we must triumph over temptation, hardships and persecution. We must, in faith, remain strong in obedience to God so that we do not ‘draw back unto perdition.’ None of the people honored in chapter 11 was perfect. But they never lost the practice of obedience to God. When their human weakness led them to follow Satan into sin, they came to themselves and repented. Consider Abraham, who lied about his wife, David who committed adultery and murder, Samson who had difficulty controlling his passion. All were sinners saved by continuous faith. Paul recognized the importance of continued faithfulness for salvation when he acknowledged that without faithfulness he might be “a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27). May I urge you, live faithfully so that you too will be among those who “believe to the saving of the soul.”

Hear: Romans 10:17 -– Believe: John 3:16 –- Repent: Luke 13:3 –- Confess: Romans 10:10

Be Baptized: Acts 2:38 –- Live Faithful: 1 Corinthians 15:58

If you would like to learn more about GOD's plan for your salvation, please contact us by clicking here or email us at encouragement@ladiesepistles.org.