On “once saved, always saved”

I made the following declaration in a discussion taking place in response to my last post: “I fully believe that the doctrine of ‘once saved, always saved’ is boastful, prideful and arrogant.” Someone suggested that I ought to unpack what I mean by that, and that is probably a good idea, since it could so easily be misinterpreted.

First, I do not mean to say that people who believe the OSAS doctrine are necessarily boastful, prideful and arrogant (though I’ve certainly seen it lead to that) — I believed it once, and I am not willing to say even of myself that I believed it out of pride or arrogance. It was what I was taught, and I did not know anybody who challenged it at the time. It’s a belief prevalent among a lot of different  evangelical groups, and among those who hold the doctrine, many of them are holier people than I. I certainly do not mean to insult anybody personally by labeling the doctrine as I have.

That said, the doctrine of OSAS is one that is boastful, prideful and arrogant, on the simple grounds that it usurps the authority of God. Who is the ultimate Judge? Us? Certainly not! Scripture clearly reveals Christ as the Dread Judge before Whom we will all stand, and as such, Christ is the one Judge of who is and is not saved. For us to declare anyone to be definitely “saved” or “lost” while they live in this world is just a bit presumptuous, to say the least. God only knows who will and will not be saved. I do not know for certain whether I will even be saved!

A number of things to add, however. First, though we must not judge whether anyone will be saved or not, we must not either think that God is a God of whim and that we have no idea concerning salvation. Trusting in God’s mercy and grace working in us (and not ourselves), we can have a certain measure of confidence and hope for our salvation — though still very aware that turning away from Christ is to turn ourselves right over to the adversary himself.

This makes more sense in light of my second point, which is that the Orthodox concept of salvation simply is not a static thing like some folks would like to make salvation out to be. Salvation does not happen in a given moment, at some initial conversion experience, but rather takes a lifetime. Salvation is not a simple legal transaction where we are merely stamped “not guilty” and allowed to enter Heaven — does such a concept portray anything of a glorious, magnificent God beyond description and understanding? Rather, salvation is realizing our potential as human beings, growing in the image and likeness of God as He intends for us, becoming “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). God’s glory becomes evident through His saints because of this (which is also why the Orthodox so revere the saints — not because of anything in and of themselves, but because of the glory of God revealed in them).

To me, the glory of God is simply absent from OSAS — both due to the usurpation of His power inherent in the doctrine and also because of the lack of spiritual depth contained therein. God alone is judge, and as far as I’m concerned, OSAS is a dangerous doctrine that is a perversion of the true Gospel, which is far more hopeful and joyous. I know this, because this doctrine is one that nearly destroyed my faith altogether. I am far too sinful and prideful to ever call myself “saved” — I will be struggling for my salvation until the day I die, and until I stand before God and receive His judgment, I will not call myself “saved.” I am a work in progress, and I have faith that God will see me through to the end.

That is the hope of the Christian faith.