AVIZANDUM: Once Saved, Forever Saved

Avizandam In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters Avise endum Of all the innumerable questions I've been asked, Over my pastoral ministry, I think the most frequent question relates to eternal security. Is it possible to be truly saved and then lose that salvation if one falls into sin or denies some crucial doctrine? The question may take another form, such as: Now that I am saved, am I totally free of the law? Do I have the freedom to live as I like?

That question may not be put in that precise form, but the underlying thought is.

Now that I am saved and can never lose my salvation, does it really matter how I live? How these questions are answered, both on a biblical basis and on a pastoral basis, require the skill to diagnose the real issue. With people raised in Christian homes, it's not uncommon for them to have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as a child. Then in the teenage years or adult years they wonder if they're truly saved. It is good to examine our faith.

so that our salvation does not rest on an experience or on what has been told by someone else. Assurance of salvation comes from the Word of God. The internal working of the Holy Spirit. and evidence of spiritual desires.

So In the cases I mentioned, I take the individual back to the central truths of the Christian Gospel. Rather than trying to determine a particular date in the past when they profess salvation. I want to know. if they have a true understanding of the Gospel now. Another situation is where a genuine believer has a very tender conscience.

They are aware of sin in their life, some failure.

Some lack of spiritual growth, and they wonder if they've lost their salvation. Again, I take them back to the gospel. if they appear to have a true understanding of the Gospel, and have received Christ as their Saviour, I remind them that if they are truly saved, they are eternally saved. The central passage I turn to is John 10. Verses twenty seven.

Through Thursday. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them. and they follow me. I give them eternal life and and they will never perish. and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

My father who has given them to me is greater than all. and no one is able to snatch them out of their father's hand. I and the Father are one. It's essential that we understand. that our salvation is rooted in the grace of God, received by faith, rather than on an experience, or what some well meaning parent or Sunday school teacher has told us.

The individual who says they're saved but gives no evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit in their life. cannot have true assurance of salvation. they have deluded themselves. The fact that an individual says they're saved does not mean that they are saved. It is possible.

to make a profession of salvation without possession of salvation. Those who are truly saved will show evidence to a greater or lesser degree of the work. of the Holy Spirit within them. Jesus warned of those who said, Lord, Lord, But who will hear? I never knew you.

Depart from me. You workers of lawlessness. To depend on a past experience or profession of faith, and then live a life which in effect is a denial of the profession. can give the individual no true assurance of salvation. Not infrequently I've met with an individual who says that he was saved as a child.

but when I ask him to describe his life from the time of that profession, there appears to be no evidence of the transforming work of grace in his life. To the contrary. there is only evidence of repeated sin. and the outworking of his evil desires. For that individual to claim, once saved, always saved, is presuming on the grace of God.

I certainly would never give that person the assurance of their salvation. I don't know their heart. but I would question their salvation, and again present the pure gospel of the grace of God to them. I was saved at a Christian youth camp in Scotland when I was twelve years old. At that camp we sang.

Things are different now.

something happened to me when I gave my heart to Jesus. Things I loved before have passed away. Things I love far more have come to stay. Things are different now.

Something happened to me. When I gave my heart. To Jesus. I am glad that from the moment of my salvation I was taught that things are different now that I was saved. Things are different now that my sins are forgiven.

now that I am indwelled by the Holy Spirit.

now that I have received the gift of eternal life.

So today examine your heart. go back to some of the central texts of the Gospel. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. And you will be saved. Avizandum.

Okay. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com slash the verdict.