I do believe in once saved always saved! It is not by anything we can or can't do but by what Christ did for us on the cross.
Where I find my thoughts going is in the questioning of whether or not the conversion was real or merely a following the crowd kind of thing. Heather you made a statement though that helped that a little.
When someone says that they received Christ at age 12, but when you meet them at age 16 they tell you they believe in Evolution and the Bible isn't real; wouldn't you question their Salvation experience? Course, I don't live in that person's mind or conscious, maybe the Holy Spirit is in there working on their heart. I guess our responsibility as a Christian is to pray and be available for conversation as opportunity presents.
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One reason that a person that was saved when they are young has no evidence of it when they are old is lack of discipleship. If a person doesn't get into a good church and begin to grow they will never be able to know all the right things that they are supposed to believe. A mind left to itself always drifts wayward.
First off, let me say...I believe that if you are saved, you cannot lose your salvation. But I will tell you my testimony: When I was 18, I "walked the isle" and "prayed the sinners prayer". I went to church for awhile and even did a bible study. After a time though, I started questioning God, started doing some really awful things and really didn't care what God thought about any of it. This went on for about 5 years.
Fast forward...a friend invites me to church and during the alter call, I wanted to go forward, but didn't. The next week when the pastor gave the invitation I went forward. For the FIRST time I actually saw myself as a sinner in NEED of a Savior. There was a complete turn around from that point on. I wanted to follow the Lord. For a few years afterward, I thought I had just been back-slidden since I was 18 yrs. old and had "re-dedicated" my life, but what I realized is that I was NOT saved at 18. I got saved when I was 23. Some might think different, but I KNOW I was not saved when I said the sinner's prayer the first time.
Anyway...I hope that makes sense. : ) I guess what I am trying to say is that saying a prayer does not make you saved. At least it didn't for me. And obviously there are different circumstances with each individual...we don't know their heart, only the Lord does. But if someone doesn't believe the bible is the Word of GOD...then how can they be saved? You obviously know the person you are talking about much better than me...maybe he's confused about what he believe's?
Yikes! Sorry this is so long! I having been praying for you all (and this person too). I will keep on praying! : ) (((hugs)))
Thank you for your comment on my "War on Error" post. I also believe that we have eternal security, and that it isn't our place to judge another's heart. Only Jesus knows who has a right relationship with Him.
Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
This is why we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. One can have a false sense of security if the only evidence of conversion is a walk down the aisle or mental assent where no change of heart has occurred.
I think the fire insurance option (aka Pascal's Wager) is not true conversion, but it can certainly lead one to realize the need for a whole-life policy.
Ohh, sorry Miss Robin, I misunderstood. When I read "the jury was still out" I thought maybe you had some questions. I agree with all the above comments. Looking back, there was a time, after closely following the Lord as a child and mid-teenager that I backslid about a 7 year period to a point where I did awful things. When we are not walking with the Lord...there is no end to the depth we can slip into sin. He continued to call me, chastise me...I just could not seem to commit or find my way out until a near fatal car crash...that is a whole other story. I wish in a way I could say I was not saved...but I was. I did care what God thought, and I hated my life. I never ever, however questioned my Creator or His work and can understand the concern on your part. Sorry so long!!
You guys are great. I enjoyed each and every comment. I think it's something we could sit a nd discuss for hours on end. I agree with every statement as well. Now I'm excited to see where the Lord takes this.
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