Once a Sheep Always a Sheep, or Salvation Deficit Disorder?

[harvest]

Now we're getting somewhere!:nod The believer has only the Bema Judgement Seat to deal with:thumb in regards to gain or loss of rewards:yeah

Felix, the same thing goes for this comment by truthseeker as well. Where did he take a stand one way or the other on our rewards with this comment?

[BlessedinHim]

Just something to think about. . . .

How can we lose what we have not received? If we have not received the reward, we cannot lose it. Everything is gain when we believe Jesus. All is loss if we fail to see who He is.

[harvest]

Just something to think about. . . .

How can we lose what we have not received? If we have not received the reward, we cannot lose it. Everything is gain when we believe Jesus. All is loss if we fail to see who He is.

Good observation. It would've been proper if I had said "lose out" or "miss out" of rewards. :hat

[BlessedinHim]

Getting to heaven and staying there is all about Jesus and I think that is all gain.

May He come soon!!!

[truthseeker815]

Felix, the same thing goes for this comment by truthseeker as well. Where did he take a stand one way or the other on our rewards with this comment?

I was merely stating that a believer will be saved(receive salvation) and therefore,"make it to heaven".The believer only has to deal with the Bema Seat judgement,in regards to rewards,and I stand corrected,Blessed in Him,you can't "lose" rewards,only gain them-what I should have said was "those things done in the flesh" by the believer will be burned as wood,hay or stubble,rather than "loss of rewards."My main point is that a believer's sins are covered by the blood of Jesus and we are guaranteed our place in heaven because of this-in other words,a believer will receive "no judgement" of sin after they die or are raptured,only those who are unbelievers will receive judgement for their sins at the Great White Throne judgement after the millenium.....

[BlessedinHim]

It is not a real big deal,


My main point is that a believer's sins are covered by the blood of Jesus and we are guaranteed our place in heaven because of this-in other words,a believer will receive "no judgement" of sin after they die or are raptured,only those who are unbelievers will receive judgement for their sins at the Great White Throne judgement after the millenium.....
I think you are exactly right about that.

[corduroymissle]

Throughout my life, I have been made to believe that at the moment a special, rather specific prayer is prayed to God, the person praying that prayer is "saved" (ie- salvation has been achieved). If this is true, what does one make of Philippians 2, specifically verse 12? (v. 12- Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, v. 13- for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.) I am wondering what your thoughts on this subject may be. Is it possible that this prayer is merely a stepping stone in the pathway to salvation? I am asking only because this topic is one that has intrigued me for some time now and I like hearing other's thoughts on the topic. Recently I read an article by theology professor Erik Thoennes on what being 'saved' means and what the bible teaches about the process. The following is an excerpt:

"The term saved is popularly used to refer to regeneration and justification. But when the Bible uses the word salvation in a spiritual sense, it describes the broad range of God’s activity in rescuing people from sin and restoring them to a right relationship with himself. Salvation in the Bible thus has past, present, and future tenses. A believer has been saved from the guilt of sin (justification, see Eph. 2:8), is being saved from the power of sin (sanctification, see 1 Cor. 1:18), and will be saved from the judgment and presence of sin (glorification, see Acts 15:11).

While the subjective experience of being saved may look very different from person to person, the objective state of being saved is definite and absolute. From God’s perspective, there is a definitive point in time when those who have trusted in Christ pass from death into life (1 John 3:14)."

Your thoughts??

[lisa]

Hey, I move the thread to Apologetics so it would get a bit more attention. :)

[corduroymissle]

thanks, lisa

[Biblenuggetlady]

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/december/29.56.html?start=2

It appears this is an excerpt from the above link, we need you to link to sites you copy and paste due to copyright rules. The article ends with:


For those who question their salvation, the best evidence is not the memory of having raised a hand or prayed a prayer. Nor is it having been baptized or christened. The true test of the authentic work of God in one's life is growth in Christ-like character, increased love for God and other people, and the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-25; James 2:18). A memorable conversion experience may serve as an important referent to God's saving work in one's life. But the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in making a person more like Jesus is the clearest indicator that one has been made a new creation in Christ.