“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,” (Hebrews 10:26)
The simple answer is no. This notion of “once saved, always saved” has damned countless people to hell. God has given each person free will to make their own choices. A choice is a decision that is not based on force, but intentions. If we choose to continuously sin after we know the truth of God, then we are choosing to disobey God’s word. If we freely choose to disobey God’s word and continue to live in our sin without conviction after being saved, then we are not truly His. True believers are to do God’s will and not our own will, or else we will surely die in our sins.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
We are to grow daily in doing the will of God. Those who use their mind to freely sin do so of their own will, not God’s. Just like a sow, if they continue to wallow in their sins, then God will give them over to their sins:
“For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
[22] But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:21-22)
This philosophy of “once saved, always saved” is too commonly used as a scapegoat and excuse for perpetual sin. People use this ideology as a crutch, thinking that God will continue to forgive them even if they have no intention of stopping their sin. Oftentimes, they will continue to go out into the world and use their free will to live a life of sin; afterwards, they will go to church, pray, and do good works. _*Hypocrites!*_ These people are nothing more than sinners in His eyes, and He has told us that hypocrites will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous…
[4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
(1 John 2:1, 4)
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
(Titus 1:16)
“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.”
(Matthew 23:13)
If a person uses this idea that we are always saved once we have been saved, but continues to do or promote sin that is against God, then they are no different than a sinner. Instead, they become hypocrites and prevent themselves and others from entering heaven. As one grows more and more in sin, the stronger Satan’s grip will take hold in their lives and they stray further and further away from God. As a result, they will no longer care for God or His word and He will give them up to their delusions.
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
[27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
[28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
[29] Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
[30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
[31] Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
[32] Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1:26-32)
The difference between right and wrong has been written on our hearts. Once we become saved, we are choosing to willfully replace our own free will with the Father’s will, just like Jesus has done since the beginning. If we have pleasure in our sin, we no longer have the will of God, but the will of Satan. Thus, God will remove Himself from our lives and we will no longer have His protection. Satan will then make his home in us, and make the world appear glamorous. He will use those who succumb to their own desires as puppets to do anything he wants, which can lead to afflictions, broken hearts, troubled marriages, addictions, and even premature death.
People who abide by their own free will will no doubt go to hell. Only those governed by God’s will will live with Him and Jesus in the kingdom of heaven. We shall become the joint-heirs with Christ. Deliberate sin is a choice that reveals the true nature of a person—the intentions of the heart. This is why so many are falling into hell, compared to the few that enter God’s kingdom. If our will does not align with God’s will, then we cannot be in His service; if we cannot be used by God, then life means nothing and we are fit to be burned for our sinful ways.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them
[24] Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
[25] When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:” (Luke 13:23-25)
Once we become saved, we must stay in our salvation by doing His will. If we sin deliberately or intentionally, we can lose our salvation. Even those who are saved will commit unwillful sin, and this can be washed away with repentance (). We all may stray off the path of righteousness sometimes, but God will judge us based on the intentions of the heart. This is why we must strive to enter the kingdom of heaven; it takes time to grow in His glory and we are given plenty of time. Whatever time we have in this world—whether for a short time or a long time—we are to do God’s will and love Him and our neighbors. We should encourage everyone to choose the path of peace that is devoid of pain and misery, and become covered in God’s love, mercy, and protection. Either we choose God’s will, or our own free will (Revelation 3:16). Repent, and God will surely forgive.
Amen.
