Kay, thanks for the Bible verses.

MeloNC, it's great sharing Scripture with you. Please keep in mind, first and foremost that we're Christians and our main mission is to reach the lost for Christ. Do you agree?

I absolutely agree with that PenquinPeru- my problem however is that I
still don't find the word of God lining up with the Once-Saved_always-
Saved doctrine.
Someone please explain these ex.s to me:
Read the 14th Ch. of Jer.-Jeremiah prays to God for mercy on Israel AGAIN!!! God says "They have loved to wander ....(this is after
Israel backslides in Ch. 3-yes the word backslides is in the bible-)
when they fast, I will not hear their cry..I will consume them by sword, by famine and by pesticide."
2 peter 3:17 Ye, therefore, beloved seeing that you know these things,before,beware lest ye also, being led away with error of the wicked-fall from your own steadfastness.
2peter 2:21-22 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness,than, after they have known it,to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
But it is happened unto them according to thr true proverb " the dog is returned to his own vomit again."

I think maybe the different Bibles we are using are causing a little
confusion. My KJV Looks alot different. Even so, none of these versions
are giving me scripture that is promising me once saved always saved
of course, as long as you have the holy spirit, you will be saved.
That is all these scriptures say. Look how different my scriptures read:
2 Cor 1:21,22
Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ and has anointed us in God. Who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the spirit in our hearts.
2 Cor.5:5 Now he that wrought us for the self same thing is God who also hath given unto us the earnest of the spirit.

I am really not trying to have an unchristian like attitude ,honestly
I'm not. But I do believe that there are some things in the Bible
that everyone cannot just enjoy a difference of opinion,like rather
its ok to let your kids believe in Santa. Some things are just not
that benign . Believe me, there is not a verse that gets pointed out
on this site that I do not pray for wisdom over because I definitely
do not want a haughty attitude to stand in the way of my development
or something that God meant for me to learn.

Thanks for those verses.

Jeremiah 14 and in other books of the Bible that takes into account Israel's continued sin, showed God's love for the people of Israel. However, that didn't mean they escaped His wrath. In many instances, Israel was inflicted with death and loss. Even for me, It's hard to understand God's patience and God's continued forgiveness and redemption of Israel is a good example. However, that goes to show how God has patience on Israel as well as all His children. Keep in mind, they did get punished for the sins they did commit.

In 2 Peter 3:17, I understand it as our growth in the Lord. We have to be careful of false teachers who might lead us away from sound biblical teachings. The falling away doesn't mean falling away from His salvation. Scripture is telling us to remain strong and watch for those that might make us stumble in our lives and temporarily fall.

2 Peter 2:21-22. With this Scripture, we have to read the entire chapter. This chapter deals with False teachers who infilter the church and pretending to be Christians. Keep in mind, that Scripture in this case says that yes, they escaped the corruption of the world, but they also did not accept the Lord as Savior. Knowing and accepting are two different things. These false teachers among us know the Lord. They know their Bible and what sin is, etc. However, they're not saved. Look up James 2:19 indicates that even demons believe in God and they know Him. That's why they're terrified. Their punishment will be so much worse because of their knowledge.

It's great talking to you. Right now, I'm going to have to go. Hope this helps some. Have a good night.

Also, God bless.

I have been struggling with this for awhile now and I thought my mind was rested on the issue but now I am not sure. Jesus isthe vine and those who are in Christ are the branches, the vines that are unfruitful are taken away. The tree that is unfruitful is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Jhn 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Jhn 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Mat 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Melof, I have checked the NASB, KJV,NLT.NASB.ESV, and the NIV and the word "backslides" is not there. What translation are you using or is it a transliteration? Your point is well taken, however. :-) God bless you, Praise God!

Kay, the branches represent both believers and unbelievers. The people who accept Christ (Christians) usually bear good fruit. However, in today's churches, there are many Christians who don't do really much, except sit in the pews and really nothing else during the week. Those Christians are still going to heaven, but they're not going to receive any rewards when they get there. They will be going with the smell of sulfer, so to speak. They'll barely be able to make it.

In Matthew 3:10, John the Baptist was speaking. He was talking to the Pharisees and Sadducees who were coming to his baptism. Anyway, they were not saved and like many who practice good works and relied on the Law to get them into heaven, John knew that they were going to get judged because they really were not interested in salvation in accepting the Lord, just salvation in their own abilities. According to the Bible, it's like filthy rags and that's definately not the good fruit verse 10 talks about.

Thank you,

I did not know the branches respesented both believers and unbelievers.

Stephano-in the KJV "backslider" or a form of is used
AT LEAST 3 or 4 times
Prov. 14:14
Hosea 11:17
Jeremiah 3:11
Jeremiah 14:7

PenquinPeru- I am glad that you made mention of the Christians
sitting on the pews at churches and doing very little else-
I've read you're Bio- I see how obviously dedicated and on fire for the Lord that you are, Do you Honestly believe that these "christians"
sitting in church on Sun. when we as Christians are given sooo
many commandments for how we are to live and what we do to please
God and not please God- "are Going to Barely be able to make it?"
I have to say- I may be wrong BUT I don't think there is a verse for making it to heaven by the skin of our teeth, is there ?
Let me ask your opinion on this, If there is a couple -25 years old living together unmarried- saved-going to church -they die in a car crash- do you believe they make it to heaven ?

Proverbs 14:14 (NIV)
 Proverbs 14:14 â??The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
       and the good man rewarded for his.â??
No â??backslideâ?? here.

Hosea Chapter 11 only has 12 verses. There is no Hosea 11:17


Jeremiah 3:11 (NIV)
Jeremiah 3:11 â??The LORD said to me, "Faithless Israel is more righteous than unfaithful Judah.â??
No â??backslideâ?? here.


Jeremiah 14:7 (NIV)
Jeremiah 14:7 â??Although our sins testify against us,
       O LORD, do something for the sake of your name. For our backsliding is great;
       we have sinned against you.â??

This is the only verse I have been able to find that has the word â??backslidingâ?? in it. We are talking only about the word, â??backslideâ?? or any tense there of.

Having started my Christian journey as a Baptist, I am familiar with the word â??backslideâ??, â??backslidden,â?? â??backslidingâ??, â??backslidingsâ??, and even once at a revivalâ?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦â?¦.â??backslud.â?? LOL
While KJV, the only â??true translationâ?? according to my then Baptist learning, has the word â??backslidingsâ?? appears only once in itâ??s collective form.
Interesting����������.at least to me.

Praise God���always!.

We as a whole are a fine tuned engine, perfectly timed and synchronized. Now who is we? Babtist, Church of Christ, Catholic, so on?

Or is it something outside these walls, independent of this or that?

And hey, Microsoft word, or what ever ya'll are pasting from, doesn't work in here once and for all!!

Here is some Scriptures that deal with Sealing of the Holy Spirit and, by God Himself

John 6:27
2 Cor. 1:22
Eph. 1:13
Eph. 4:30

As far as the spewing out of his mouth, He was referring to the Laodicean Church in Revelation Chpt 2:vs16. In other words a church that does nothing but sets on their laurels and lets things just go as they go makes Him sick. In many cases, this is where the modern church is at today.

Now as far as Matt. 7:23 is concerned, Jesus is commenting on the False Apostates that are "Professors and not "Possessors of true and genuine Salvation, through Him. They are relying on what "they have done" ie. Prophesying, and "doing many wonderful WORKS". We must remember that Jesus told his true believers that He would never leave us or forsake us. If He would do this, then He would be contradicting Himself. In this Scripture mentioned , look closely at what Jesus said. "I NEVER KNEW YOU". he didn't say I once knew you but now, I am refusing you, or forgetting you or, rejecting you. There were many false Prophets in OT times, in NT times and, are many in the world today. there are even those who say they are Christ which proves what the Scriptures say in Matt. 24.5 Jesus says "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ: and shall deceive many. God's word is still true.

Hope this helps.

Oldbiker