The word of God does not say that we can perform one act or pray one prayer as so many have done, and are still doing for instance at the big Christian crusades, and be forever saved. In fact in Revelation the third chapter verse five, Jesus informs us that "he who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments" and He then promises "I will not blot out his name from the book of life." But, what if we are not clothed in white and we don't overcome the enemy? What then? Will He not blot our names out from His book? To be dressed in white we must be separate from the world and holy, and to overcome the enemy there can be no cracks of sin for him to enter our lives.

If the church does not teach holiness to its converts they will not enter the gates of New Jerusalem and find safety in the Lord's Day of Judgment.

Jesus said "if you love me you will keep my commandments", not play church on Sabbath or Sunday, then live like the world the rest of the week. Revelation 22:14 and 15 also tells us we must keep His commandments to enter His city in the end.

Do we practice lies? Are we immoral? Do we dabble in witchcraft or sorcery? Maybe we are just plain rebellious. The word tells us that rebellion is as witchcraft. Are we manipulative and controlling, stepping on the will of others? I hope not, because if we are not inviting the Lord into our lives with the idea we want to change, or if we are content with who we are while still walking in these wicked things, we are not saved. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to grow up, change, mature, and walk worthy of our call. Much of the church does not even know they are called to do anything for the Kingdom of God, or they think this scripture is for those called to leadership only. But each of us that are born again are called to be a part of God's plan in regaining control of this earth and aiding the gathering of His children. Each of us is instructed in the Word to grow and mature, and allow God to shape and mold us so we can attain His call.

Jude warns us that men will mingle among us that are immoral, reject God's authority and speak evil of dignitaries. They will speak evil of things they are really no part of and therefore their understanding is unreliable. Their opinions are futile, don't listen! The people Jude is talking about are not the unsaved, but corrupt brothers that go the way of Cain who out of jealousy killed his brother. Or brothers that minister for self gain like Balaam who used the things of God for himself that were meant for the Lord's use. They are also ones that challenge the authority God has vested in His leaders as did Korah who bad-mouthed the leadership that was placed over him, because he didn't like to take direction or be rebuked. Jude says these are fruitless and twice dead. What does it mean when it says twice dead? They were born dead in sin as a part of Adam's race. That's once dead, but they were baptized or born again to new life. As a new creature they should have matured and discontinued these actions, but by going backwards and again walking in sin, they lost out and became as spiritually dead as before being born again. That is twice dead.

Jude warned us very strongly and we better heed what he said! Being saved is simply not a one time thing. We must grow and be on guard against the enemy pulling us backward. The Apostle Paul warned in Romans chapter 6:16:

Now let us read Apostle Peter's warning.

Remember we must keep God's commandments? But, I ask the leadership of the churches, how can God's spiritually new born keep something they haven't been taught about?

And even if the new Christian does try to walk, but is not spiritually covered by a strong people, the enemy will do all he can to entice them to act worldly, fall from grace, and then by condemnation through a guilty conscience, cause them to return to their original lifestyle. It simply is not once saved always saved. That person loses!

God will judge His church as a corporate body and He will judge the individuals as well. People must be taught this! Leadership must know this! Now let us read Hebrews.

People can mess their lives up enough that there will be no returning to the things of God, nor at that point will they even want to. But God will hold His church responsible if His people are not taught these things. I've heard people say, "all you have to do is believe in Jesus and you will be saved", but James 2:19 tells us "even the demons believe and tremble". We have to bear and show good fruit in our walk. We must be always growing, maturing and ripening to that perfect fruit God will harvest for His own in the end.

By now we should understand that a person cannot repent one time, and by faith ask the Lord to come into their heart and then stop there! If they died at that moment they surely would be saved, but we are to grow and mature, be equipped for service in the Kingdom and changed to His image. Then, as we journey up the King's highway, the highway of holiness, we must add works to our faith. Here is the encouragement of Apostle Paul.

These are absolutely not saved. They were to give up the world's ways and actions and begin to live for God. It's not what is said from the mouth, anyone can talk Godly, its the fruit of our works or actions. James reminds us

Yes, it is the wonderful grace of Father that we are forgiven as we repent. Plus, He promises our sins will be remembered no more. But again, it is not a one time thing. We have to recognize when we are wrong and repent daily. We must grow in our love for God to develop a desire to walk in His approval before it is even possible to feel the need to repent! This is why I say we cannot lead people to the Lord and leave them with the false doctrine "Once saved always saved". To be in right standing with God they must conform to holiness and grow in the image of God, and again they cannot do this, or even know to do this unless they are taught. Here is what Apostle Peter taught.

As we saw from the above scriptures, Peter nor Paul misled the sheep by making them think they were acceptable to God without maturing in the Lord. John didn't either! They were meant to be examples to the leadership today. We can plainly see from John's account at Revelation 20:15 that he didn't think you are permanently saved if you continue in sin and do not repent and change.

I don't care how many people are led to the Lord. If they are left there unattended, uncovered, and not led to a situation where they have the opportunity to advance in God, those that misled them will stand before God for their souls. This is exactly why we should wait on the timing of the Holy Spirit to draw people to Him. He will make sure there are people around them to mentor and raise them up. Beware Evangelists!

Let us close with our opening scripture, Revelation 3:5. Hopefully it will mean more to us now.

Once Saved Always Saved? Hmmm..................................

Don't believe the lie!