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Rev Terry Fox
Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704.
Religion
2003-05-01 11:29:00
Can one be 'saved' then lose it?
QUESTION: I am certainly no theologian, but as I look at the different religions and their distinctive beliefs, it seems like one or the biggest controversies is whether or not one can be saved and then  come back under judgement. I continue to be amazed at those who answer this question with a "no".
     I have yet to read anywhere in the Bible that once one is saved, they lose their free will. Free will allows a person to do what they want to do. Sometimes this is in accordance with God's law and sometimes it is not. I am more of a believer in the state you are in when you die is the state you will remain for all eternity. If you are in union with God, you will go to Heaven. If you are not, you will go to Hell. I welcome your answer.

***image1:left***QUESTION: I am certainly no theologian, but as I look at the different religions and their distinctive beliefs, it seems like one or the biggest controversies is whether or not one can be saved and then  come back under judgement. I continue to be amazed at those who answer this question with a "no".
     I have yet to read anywhere in the Bible that once one is saved, they lose their free will. Free will allows a person to do what they want to do. Sometimes this is in accordance with God's law and sometimes it is not. I am more of a believer in the state you are in when you die is the state you will remain for all eternity. If you are in union with God, you will go to Heaven. If you are not, you will go to Hell. I welcome your answer.

ANSWER:  Is your view that of Shakespeare? Hamlet learned that his father, the king of Denmark, had been fatally poisoned by his (Hamlet's) uncle, who then took both his father's crown and wife. Hamlet went to kill his uncle but found him praying, confessing his guilt to God. Hamlet hesitates, thinking that killing him while he was so penitent would simply send his soul to heaven. "No", he says and puts away his sword. "When he is drunk...or in a rage...gambling, swearing or about some act that  has no relish of salvation in it...then trip him, that his soul may be as damn'd and black as hell, whereto it goes."
     Did the uncle's eternal destiny really depend on his attitude or actions at the exact moment of death?
     Christianity differs from other religions in that salvation cannot be earned- or deserved. We are fallen rebels who can be saved only by throwing ourselves on God's mercy and accepting Christ's substitutionary death as our payment.....and accepting Him as Lord of our life. When this has truly been done, the New Testament is filled with promises that we are eternally secure. Here are a few samples.
     1. John 10:28 (Jesus is speaking) "My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand."
     2. Romans 8: 33-34 "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies.
Who is He that condemns?  Christ Jesus, Who died- more than that, Who was raised to life- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
     3. Romans 8: 38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the  present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
     4. Luke 23:43 (Jesus speaking to the thief on the cross) "I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
     5. John 5:24 "Whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me HAS eternal life and WILL NOT BE  condemned; he HAS crossed over from death to life".
     But I must make this clear: These promises apply to those who have made a valid personal transaction with Christ. "To those who received Him...He gave the right to become the children of God..." This is not simply agreement with Christian teachings or rituals of the Church. It is not inheritable from a parent (someone has said "God has children...but no grandchildren"). There are warnings about casual belief:
     II Cor.13:5 "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ is in you- unless, of course, you fail the test?" A "new birth", a "regeneration", a "new nature" are the descriptions of the result of true commitment. But once this has occurred, your destiny is assured.
     Is our "free will" extinguished? No....but a willingness to submit it to Him is a necessary part of conversion.  Our rebellious nature doesn't disappear; temptation still has its lure.  When we are disobedient, our Father treats us as true children: we are disciplined, not disinherited. (see Hebrews 12:5-11). Sins do not separate us from God's eternal family, but they disrupt our fellowship with God and our joy, just as they do in any personal relationship- husband/wife, parent/child. We are restored to sweet fellowship and strengthened when we confess sin: I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
     A test of being truly a Christian is the desire to be thus restored after failing. But for true disciples, the penalty has been paid for sins past, present ....and FUTURE!


 

 
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