Once Saved, Always Saved? A Biblical Perspective

Consider the angels in heaven. They lived in the divine presence of God, saved and sanctified. Yet even they succumbed to sin, falling short of God's glory and transforming into what we now call devils or demons. So what does this mean for us, the saints on earth? Even as saved beings, we can falter, stumble, and sin. This might seem a daunting prospect, but let's delve into the story of Saint Peter, a tale that offers crucial insights into this matter. Saint Peter, a man of faith and devotion, denied Jesus not once but three times. He even resorted to cursing and swearing, saying, I know not the man. Despite being a saint, Peter, like us, was human and imperfect. Yet we know Peter was forgiven, for Jesus granted him the keys to the kingdom of heaven, a symbol of trust and forgiveness. So what can we glean from this? To sin and not seek forgiveness is a perilous path. It leads us away from the salvation we once embraced. But how does one attain salvation? The answer lies in faith and repentance. Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, Acts 1631 tells us. Repent, ask God for forgiveness, and your sins will be blotted out. Salvation, as Ephesians 2, 8-9 explains, is a gift of God, not a result of works. So no one may boast. And what of forgiveness? The scriptures are clear. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, proclaims 1 John 1, verse 9. The act of forgiving others is equally important, as Matthew 6, 14 asserts. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Perhaps the essence of salvation, sin, and forgiveness can be best understood through the words of Jesus. Verily I say unto you, except be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Like children, we should be quick to forgive, to forget, and to start anew. To sum up, salvation is a state of grace granted through faith. It's not an invincible shield against sin, but forgiveness, both divine and human, the ensures that we can return to the path of salvation, even when we stray. This video was made possible by Michael Hopkins, founder of Jehovah's House of Saints Homeless Mission. Visit us at JehovahSaint.com