by late Pastor Win Johnson
In his reading recently, this writer came across the following pungent statement by one of America's foremost Bible teachers of the past generation: "When turning thus to experience it is often recounted that some individual has first been a Christian and then later, become unsaved; but in every such instance, TWO UNSUPPORTABLE ASSUMPTIONS appear. It could not be demonstrated finally that the person named was saved in the first place, nor could it be established that he was unsaved in the second place." We agree wholeheartedly.
Having been raised in an Arminian background, well do we recall hearing of certain individuals who at one time were active in the Lord's work but who had forsaken their former profession and were now unsaved. Their experience was used to warn the rest of us of the danger of losing our salvation. Little did we know in those days of the obvious fact that salvation which can be earned by doing can also be lost by doing, while salvation which is entirely God's doing, man can never undo.
Those who teach a "lose your salvation" doctrine find very few Scriptures which even seem to support their view. Certainly, taking Matthew 24:13 out of it's Tribulation context, cannot be made to teach that salvation in this age depends upon our "enduring." Nor can John 15:2 which speaks of fruitless branches in the vine being "taken away," substantiate the teaching that salvation may be taken from those who are not "fruitful."
On the other hand, the Word of God is crystal clear when it says: "By grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, NOT OF WORKS lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
Don't trust to hold God's hand; let Him hold yours. Let Him do the holding, and you the trusting. -- Hammer William Webb-
Dear Lord of light, I praise You for bringing me out of darkness into Your gracious light. Grant me grace to proclaim Your excellencies. Shine Your light into the hearts I hope to reach. Grant them the miracle of resting and trusting you in your high calling of us, in the Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.
In his reading recently, this writer came across the following pungent statement by one of America's foremost Bible teachers of the past generation: "When turning thus to experience it is often recounted that some individual has first been a Christian and then later, become unsaved; but in every such instance, TWO UNSUPPORTABLE ASSUMPTIONS appear. It could not be demonstrated finally that the person named was saved in the first place, nor could it be established that he was unsaved in the second place." We agree wholeheartedly.
Having been raised in an Arminian background, well do we recall hearing of certain individuals who at one time were active in the Lord's work but who had forsaken their former profession and were now unsaved. Their experience was used to warn the rest of us of the danger of losing our salvation. Little did we know in those days of the obvious fact that salvation which can be earned by doing can also be lost by doing, while salvation which is entirely God's doing, man can never undo.
Those who teach a "lose your salvation" doctrine find very few Scriptures which even seem to support their view. Certainly, taking Matthew 24:13 out of it's Tribulation context, cannot be made to teach that salvation in this age depends upon our "enduring." Nor can John 15:2 which speaks of fruitless branches in the vine being "taken away," substantiate the teaching that salvation may be taken from those who are not "fruitful."
On the other hand, the Word of God is crystal clear when it says: "By grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, NOT OF WORKS lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
Don't trust to hold God's hand; let Him hold yours. Let Him do the holding, and you the trusting. -- Hammer William Webb-
Dear Lord of light, I praise You for bringing me out of darkness into Your gracious light. Grant me grace to proclaim Your excellencies. Shine Your light into the hearts I hope to reach. Grant them the miracle of resting and trusting you in your high calling of us, in the Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.
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