Faith

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Is it possible to pull out of Jesus’ hands?

If thou would confess with thy mouth that Jesus is the Christ, and believe in thine heart that God raised Him from the dead; thou shalt be saved. Salvation is one part confession mixed with one part belief. It is that simple! But is it possible to be unsaved? We know what Christians believe about salvation, but is it possible to give it back?

This is not like going on a diet, and then cheating on it. It is not like learning to drive, and then deciding to never drive again.

Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a decision made once you allow God into your heart, and accept Him as who He is. Is it possible to give up that acceptance; to shut the door that one once opened to allow Christ in?

Self Examination http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Cr&c=13

The Apostle Paul encouraged us to examine ourselves. He asked that we make sure that we were in the faith. But being in the faith does not necessarily speak (or speak only) to our belief in Christ. Our faith in Christ should lead us to work in the Master’s vineyard. We work out of our faith in who He is and what He’s done. In this case, Paul’s desire for us to examine and “be” in the faith may speak to how we are living.

Keep in mind also that salvation is not a process. Someone plants, someone waters, but God gives the increase. This is not the process of salvation; it is our (and God’s) role in witnessing. There was no “salvation” process for the thief on the cross; he confessed, and was promised paradise.

We should continue to examine ourselves to ensure that we are walking and living in a manner that demonstrates our faith.
Jesus’ Grip http://bible.cc/john/18-9.htm

Jesus, in the book of John, told God that He hadn’t lost anyone that God had given Him. Once someone “truly” believes, he or she is in the family of God and the “hands” of Christ. He is in the hands of Christ; who says He has never lost one. Is there a contradiction or misunderstanding here?

No, there is not. If someone “no longer” believes, it may mean that they never truly gave themselves to Christ. God is omniscience, we are not. God is immutable; we sometimes sway with the wind, even when there is none.

There are incidents that challenge and test faith. These incidents do not test our faith in who Christ is; they test our faith in what He can do. They ultimately grow our faith; not dissipate it. Christ knows who (will) truly accepts, and those who are only in it for a moment. If someone confesses and “unconfesses,” it may be because they never truly accepted or confessed to begin with.

Falling Away/Backsliding http://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-bible-text/Re-2.html
In the book of Revelation (2:4), Jesus informs the church at Ephesus that they had left their first love. Some may point to this as proof that someone can fall so far away as to longer be saved. However, if you read verse 5, Jesus encourages the church to remember their first works. There are 2 ways to interpret this:

First, think about new members. How often have you seen someone join a church? The new members join every auxiliary. They are on fire for the Lord, and have their hands in everything. Then, shortly after, their fire fizzles out. The first love, in this instance, references the passion a new member has about working for Jesus, and then having that passion die out.

Second, consider the belief surrounding backsliding. This is when a confessed believer allows his or her lifestyle to go back to “pre saved” ways. They engage in activities that are not Christ-like. Does this mean that they stop believing in Him? Does it mean that they slide clear out of His hands? The answer is no. The thief on the cross did not backslide; he never had a chance to.

To imply that backsliding has to do with salvation would mean that salvation requires something more than belief. We all know that this is not the case.

What do Christians believe about being saved? When you are; you are!
You agree?
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