Perpetual, Habitual Sin leads to Loss of Salvation?

Thursday, 10th May 2007

Let's take a break from the meditations on the Old Testament to talk again about salvation.

I have been sparring with a dear brother of mine on this topic.

He is of the view that perpetual sin will cause us to lose our salvation.

Let's examine this argument of his by going back to basics and then applying this to specific scenarios.

Perpetual means something that is done continuously or habitually.

Sin is disobedience to God's Word. There is no such thing as a sin being big or small. Adultery is sin. Worrying is sin. Resentment is sin.

It is us humans who categorise sin as major or minor, but no distinctions are being made in the Bible. Jesus had to pay the price for all our sin , whether that it was something men consider major like murder or rape, or whether it was something that men consider minor like envy or resentment.

Hence perpetually sinning means constantly disobeying God's Word.

OK, let's apply that to specific scenarios.

Scenario One
A person who professes to be a Christian, but continues to commit adultery or visit prostitutes will be considered to be "perpetually sinning". This is because contaminating what is meant to be the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) is disobeying God's word. This person would lose his salvation and end up in hell, according to Arminian doctrine.

Scenario Two
A mother is always worried and anxious about her children's well-being, education etc. The Bible tells us in Phil 4:6 not to be anxious about anything, and also in 1 Pet 5:7 to casts all our cares upon the Lord. So being disobedient to God's word by always being worried and anxious means perpetual sin as well. Oh oh, looks like this mother is going to lose her salvation also and end up going to hell, too.

Scenario Three
A pastor preaches fiery sermons, but continues to resent and harbour unforgiveness against a member of the church who does not share his views. The Bible tells us in 1 Cor 13 that love keeps no record of wrongs, and to love one another unconditionally. Yet, he continues to treat this member as though he is a pariah/spiritual outcast. This means that he is disobeying God's Word and hence is perpetually sinning. Oh oh, this pastor is going to lose his salvation and end up going to hell as well.

Ludicrous if we take this stand, isn't it?

Rest assured, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, that we cannot lose our salvation. Jesus said we have to be born again. Not again… and again… and again…

Shalom
Malcolm