The Bible says, “No!” One who is saved “has everlasting life, and … is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Eternal life by definition cannot be temporary. It is the present possession of all those who have truly trusted Christ.
Romans 8:28-39 reveals clearly that there is nothing in the universe that can separate the elect from the love of God. The One who chose to save you “is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy” (Jude 24).
According to Scripture, people who profess to know Christ at one time but later deny Him were never really saved to begin with. First John 2:19 says, “They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us.”
A true believer will never depart from the faith (Philippians 1:6), so those who do so are revealing that they were never truly saved (John 8:31; Hebrews 3:14).
Even true Christians can sin, however, and because of that may lack assurance of salvation (Psalm 51:12). A failure to grow spiritually can also rob us of the confidence that we are God’s children (2 Peter 1:9). But anyone indwelt by the Holy Spirit is secure eternally, because He is the “deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:14).
Tags: according to scripture, assurance of salvation, bible, christians, elect, ephesians 1, eternal life, eternally, everlasting life, hebrews, inheritance, jude 24, lack assurance, nothing in the universe, psalm 51, romans 8, scripture, true believer, true christians
1.) Eternal life by definition cannot be temporary is true, but you must distinguish between the nature of the life given and the possesion of it by the individual. Eternal life was eternal life before God bestowed it on anyone. So, whether or not you have it eternally has nothing to do with the nature of the life bestowed.
2.)True, nothing can separate us from the love of God, but we can wilfully separate ourselves. We are taught in scripture to ” keep yourselves in God’s love” Jude1:21.
OOOps …out of net time. Will respond further later. I have more for you.
10.10.10 at 3:35 pm