Salvation is a Life-Long Process

Ephesians 1:11-14

[11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

[12] That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

[13] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

[14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

COMMENT: This doesn’t say that we will receive our inheritance if we commit mortal sins and do not repent of these sins. In fact, Ephesians 5-6 says you will not "receive any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God" if you continue to sin.

Ephesians 5:5-6

[5] For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

[6] Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

COMMENT: Powerful words inspired by the Holy Spirit, "Let no man deceive you with vain words" about assurance of salvation. Anyone who disobeys God will incur his wrath. In fact, this message is almost identical with 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21, and Galatians 6:7-10: 

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

[9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

[10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19

[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 6:7-10

[7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

[8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

[9] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

[10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

COMMENT: All four verses say loudly and clearly that the inheritance which was promised is dependent on avoiding serious sins of ommission and commission. There absolutely is no assurance of salvation. There is no expectation of "once saved, always saved." Quite the contrary. St. Paul repeats a powerful message he has delivered before: Commit (unrepentant) mortal sins and you will go to hell.

And in Galatians 6:9, he indicates that salvation is a life-long process. If we grow "weary in well doing" or "faint," we will not make it to heaven. Being justified does not guarantee salvation. You can still lose your salvation at any time, as indicated in Romans 11:22 and Hebrews 10:26-27:

Romans 11:22

[22] Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Hebrews 10:26

[26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

[27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

COMMENT: In no way did St. Paul or the author of Hebrews believe in "once saved, always saved."

If we commit sins but are truly sorry because we have offended God, who is all good and deserving of all our love, will we be forgiven? Of course.

1 St. John 1:9

[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

COMMENT: God will forgive our sins if we have perfect contrition. But our sins will not be forgiven—and we will not obtain salvation—if we do not repent and confess.

St. Paul speaks to the fact that our salvation is not assured until the completion of our journey in life in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Phillippians 2:12:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

[24] Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

[25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

[26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

[27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Philippians 2:12

[12] Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

COMMENT: Was St. Paul writing about being a castaway from preaching? If you read verses 24, 25, 26, and 27 in context, there can be no doubt he is referring to salvation. He knew that, unless he kept his body under subjection, he could end up as "a castaway" in hell.

Your second verse was St. John 5:18-24:

[18] Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

[19] Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

[20] For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

[21] For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

[22] For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

[23] That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

COMMENT: This is an excellent example of quoting only part of Holy Scripture. The very next verses say something very different:

St. John 5:25-29

[25] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

[26] For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

[27] And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

[28] Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

[29] And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

COMMENT: If you only read verses 18 to 24, you could reach the conclusion that we are saved by faith alone. If you only read verses 25 to 29, you could reach the conclusion that we are saved by works alone. But if you read them together, the way they are supposed to be read, you find that we are saved by both faith and works, which has been the constant teaching of the Catholic Church.

Your third verse was St. John 10:27-29.

[27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

[28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

[29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

COMMENT: What man could pluck something out of God’s hand? Who could be that powerful? Obviously no one.

That verse does not say that we cannot leave God’s hand voluntarily ourselves through loss of faith or through serious sins. We have a free will and can choose our destiny. If we cooperate with the graces God gives us, and avoid the temptations of this world, no one keep us from heaven. As St. Paul reports in 2 Corinthians 12:9:

[9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

After being justified, we can either stay in God’s graces or lose them through sin or disbelief. We only have to look back at Chapter 6 of St. John’s Gospel to see desciples of Jesus leaving him because they rejected his teaching on the Eucharist:

[60] Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

[61] When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

[62] What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

[63] It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

[64] But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

[65] And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

[66] From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

COMMENT: Did anyone snatch these disciples from Jesus’ hand? No, they left of their own accord. Jesus does not force us to stay.

In recent years, a large number of Christians, especially Blacks, have converted to Islam. Did Minister Louis Farrakhan snatch them from Jesus hand? No, they have no one to blame but themselves. No one made them leave. But neither did Jesus force them to stay.

If we lose our faith in Jesus or commit sin, we have chosen to leave God’s hand:

St. Luke 13:1-5

[1] There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

[2] And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

[3] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

[4] Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

[5] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

COMMENT: No one who refuses to repent can ever enter the kingdom of God. Repentance is a prerequisite, a necessary condition of salvation.

It is for this reason that no one can have an "assurance of salvation." If someone sins and is sincerely sorry because he or she has offended God, they will be forgiven. But if they die without ever repenting of a sin, they will go to hell.

Of course, no one can be sure if, years in the future, they might fall into sin and not repent. Hopefully, they will be like the Prodigal Son and come back to God. But if they did not do so, they surely will not be saved.

Note that the Prodigal Son left his father’s house voluntarily—no one snatched him away. But in leaving, Jesus twice says the son "was dead and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." (St. Luke 15: 24 and 32)

Jesus is saying that, through sin, we become dead to God and lose our salvation. By repenting and asking God’s forgiveness, we can reclaim our salvation.

Now let’s take a look at some other things Jesus said about salvation:

St. Matthew 10:16-23

[16] Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

[17] But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

[18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

[19] But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

[20] For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

[21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

[22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

[23] But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

COMMENT: Jesus was speaking to the Apostles. And yet, he indicates that for them to be saved, they must "endureth to the end." It’s not as easy as answering a one-time altar call. We must take up our cross and follow Jesus:

St. Matthew 10:38

[38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

St. Matthew 16:24

[24] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

St. Mark 8:34

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

St. Mark 10:21

[21] Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

COMMENT: We cannot be sure that we will continue to "take up our cross" and follow Jesus throughout our whole life. Certainly no one who was "saved" at 4 years old can know that. But if, at any point in our life we fail to do that, we become "not worthy" of Jesus.

In St. Matthew 7:21-27 and St. Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus describes the particular judgment each of us will receive at the end of their lives:

St. Matthew 7:21-27

[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

[24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

[25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

[26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

[27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

COMMENT: Jesus tells those who think they have been "saved" that they were not. Even though they had great faith and undoubtedly had accepted him as their Lord and personal savior, he says, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Did anyone snatch those who worked iniquity from God’s hand? No, they did it to themselves, fueled by a false assurance of salvation. If at any time, we work iniquity and do not repent of our sins, we shall not "enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus says much the same thing in St. Matthew 25:31-46:

[31] When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

[32] And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

[33] And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

[36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

[38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

[39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

[40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

[41] Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

[42] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

[43] I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

[44] Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

[45] Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

[46] And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

COMMENT: If we fail to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and visit those who are sick or in prison, Jesus will say, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

No assurance of salvation here. No "once saved, always saved." No eternal security.