once saved always saved, now use some common sense here god came to eath and let his only son be a sacrafice for us for salvation now if we can lose this then does that mean jesus has to die on the cross again for us to be saved again?? NO we have taken a step back and are not pleasing to god but if we die in this phase of our life then we still go to heaven but I understand there are different degrees of heaven and also your reward wldnt be as great there is a verse that says they were saved but got into heaven and smelt like burnt clothing in my words definatly not bible but this was just off my head but its never okay to sin but if you shld do it always ask forgiveness so the joy and the boldness will come back god will take your joy shld you stay in this position.

Raggy1, good point. Thank you for beating me to the punch--so to speak. Jesus Christ had been crucified once and for all. It's an issue many people grapple with and many forget that one very important truth.

Now, there are many "Christians" or CINO's (Christian-In-Name-Only) that act no differently than the world who say they're Christians. Personally, I can't judge them, it's only between them and God. However, we can know by their fruits that they are not a real follower. For example, a person my be cussing another person out on a Monday after worshipping the Lord on Sunday. Then this person shrugs and does it again and again while saying they're Christian. Let's say that this person knows cussing makes them look bad and doesn't make their witness good. Yeah, one could claim to be a Christian on Sunday, but the important thing is that they ought to live Christlike lifes Monday through Saturday too.

PenquinPeru-you keep giving so many different "story lines" for "CINO's"
and "wonderful music leader that leaves the church". I can tell by your writings that you obviously believe that a "true Christian" obviously
upholds a high standard of living and dedicates their lives to God.
What does the Bible say will happen to those trees that bring forth
bad fruit>? Cast into the lake of fire- Not -you never really knew me.

MeloNC, so now I realize you figured me out. Was I that easy?? :) I'm confused by the way you worded your last sentence. Can you please clarify. Thanks.

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS CINO'S. THERE'S BELIEVERS AND NON-BELIEVERS. AS FAR AS "CHRISTIAN" ACTS GO. YOU'RE RIGHT, ONLY GOD KNOWS THE HEART. I'M ALL HEART, AND YES, SOMETIMES THE HEART CAN BE WICKED AND DECEITFUL, BUT THEN AGAIN, THE HEART CAN BE FILLED WITH LOVE AND THE JOYS OF THE SPIRIT. IT'S A BATTLE THAT IS WAGED FOR MOST BELIEVERS ON A DAILY BASIS. FOR THOSE THAT HAVE MASTERED THEIR HEARTS, I CONGRATULATE YOU. WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. AS FOR ME, I CAN ONLY DREAM OF ACTUALLY BEING ACCEPTABLE TO THE FATHER. IF NOT FOR CHRIST, I WOULD BE COMPLETELY LOST, BUT I HOLD ON TO THE HOPE THAT THROUGH WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS THAT HE WOULD BE MY ADVOCATE TO THE FATHER TO TELL HIM, "DAD, I DIED FOR HIM TOO, SO THAT HE COULD ALSO BE WITH ME IN PARADISE." THANK YOU JESUS.


MY RIGHTOUSNESS IS AS BLOODY RAGS.

Penquinperu-What I am saying is that those trees that bring forth
bad fruit will be cast into the lake of fire (Hell)
not that God will say "I never knew you" (if you remember in past posts
you said this referred to the ones that were never really saved!)

CINO is Christian In Name Only. Hence, those type of Christians who attend Church, call themselves Christian, etc., but in reality never have accepted Christ as Savior. The Scripture that points out the best is what I believe is one of the most serious ones mentioned in the Bible. That's found in Matthew 7:21-23. At the end of that passage, Christ says "I never knew you...". That indicates those people never accepted the Lord and He never knew them because of that. Earlier on in that passage these same people told Jesus that they said his name of Lord and even claimed to perform miracles in His name. I feel there will be many people on that day trying to tell the Lord that they were such good Christians by going to church, paying the standard 10 percent tythe, praying, fasting, etc., but never accepting Christ. A CINO is that kind of Christian. That term CINO will never be found in the Bible. It's a made up term.

Gzus, it sounds like you accepted the Lord and on that basis I know you would be acceptable to Him.

Sorry, but I have to correct you on the last sentence. It sould read "MY RIGHTOUSNESS IS AS FILTHY RAGS". That was us before we accepted Him and let Him rule in our lives.

MeloNC, I understand now. Thanks!