Conditional Salvation/Incomplete Atonement
I have had quite a few discussions with good Christians about a piece of doctrine called the perseverance of the saints and many of them have heartily disagreed with it stating that a Christian may take themselves out of God’s hand. But upon asking them where that line is between salvation and damnation they have been unable to answer, they just say it is possible. No one has been able to tell me which sins Christ did not atone for in a believers life. So I am left with these unanswered important questions. Which sins must I atone for? Which sins can separate from the love of Christ whose righteous life has been given to every Christian? Which sin will the Father bring against His children, since it is God who is the judge? (Romans 8:31-39)
If the loss of salvation is possible then I would think it would be a rare event that anyone would make it into heaven. Isn’t every action we make tinged with sin and would not that sin keep us from the Father since every sin betrays unbelief. If you think it is possible to let go of God and lose one’s salvation I would love to know what sin will separate a believer from God.
Check out some of the articles on Monergism’s site about Perseverance and the Atonement.
I think there is another related issue here. Namely, can a Christian make a conscious choice to “undo” their salvation?
Comment by Mark — January 16, 2006 @ 2:23 pm
Mark, I don’t think that is possible for in the way I see it we did nothing to “do” our salvation so we can do nothing to undo it. Remember Christ said, “my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27,28 If a person truly is of Christ’s fold they will follow him, maybe not perfectly but they will follow him nevertheless.
Comment by Michael P. — January 18, 2006 @ 2:23 pm
if we could “undo” our salvation i think the most important question to ask is “why would you want to undo it?” for someone who has seen the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ to want to undo thier salvation the problem is not thier choice but the thing undone. in this situation, we dont really see a problem with the person but with the object of affection. (i am writing very sloppy here). we buy things we “want” all of the time. and after some time (a few months or so) we usually forget about it under the bed or something. we have a great tendency within our nature to loose affections for most things - why? b/c they are ultimately unvaluable.
so if mike came up to me and said, “hey scott, let me see your ipod.” I would say, “sorry man, i sold it”. he wouldnt question my character but the ipod’s significance. he would probably say, “man! that ipod must not be very cool if he didnt even keep it around for a week or two.”
in our salvation God’s glory, significance, excellence, and worth are at stake. if we undo our salvation people would say, “man that God must not be very satisfying….”
God simply wont have that.
and for those of you who think you can still walk away- guess what…..you would if he did not have a sovereign hold on your affections. You say then, “that’s not fair - i have a will!” who said fair had anything to do with it???? why wouldnt you thank Him that you dont walk away instead of boasting that there is some independent virtue that you have that keeps you in his hand in the first place.
sorry for my sloppiness in grammar and spelling…etc. sola deo gloria!
Comment by scott m — January 21, 2006 @ 10:18 pm