"With regard to despair, every appetitive movement that is
conformed to a false intellect, is evil in itself and sinful. Now presumption is an
appetitive movement, since it denotes an inordinate hope. Moreover it is conformed to a
false intellect, just as despair is: for just as it is false that God does not pardon the
repentant, or that He does not turn sinners to repentance, so is it false that He grants
forgiveness to those who persevere in their sins, and that He gives glory to those who
cease from good works: and it is to this estimate that the movement of presumption is
conformed." - St. Thomas Aquinas ("Summa Theologica" 13th century A.D.)
"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." - 1 Corinthians
9:27
"If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though
I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may
apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not
myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are
behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for
the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:11-14
"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the
end shall be saved." - Matthew 10:22
"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." - Matthew
24:13
"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure
unto the end, the same shall be saved." - Mark 13:13
"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." - Matthew
7:21
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word,
then are ye my disciples indeed." - John 8:31
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." - James
1:12
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge
of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the
latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to
have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy
commandment delivered unto them." - 2 Peter 2:20-21
"And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree,
wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive
tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but
the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed
in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not
highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also
spare not thee. 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. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in:
for God is able to graff them in again." - Romans 11:17-23
What the Catechism of the Catholic Church says on
"Once Saved, Always Saved:"
161. "Believing in
Jesus Christ and in the One who sent him for our salvation is necessary for obtaining that
salvation. [Cf. Mk 16:16 ; Jn 3:36 ; Jn 6:40 ; et al.] 'Since 'without faith it is
impossible to please (God)' and to attain to the fellowship of his sons, therefore without
faith no one has ever attained justification, nor will anyone obtain eternal life 'But he
who endures to the end.'']"
162. "Faith is an
entirely free gift that God makes to man. We can lose this priceless gift, as St. Paul
indicated to St. Timothy: 'Wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By
rejecting conscience, certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith.' [1 Tim 1:18-19
.] To live, grow and persevere in the faith until the end we must nourish it with the word
of God; we must beg the Lord to increase our faith; [Cf. Mk 9:24 ; Lk 17:5 ; Lk 22:32.] it
must be 'working through charity,' abounding in hope, and rooted in the faith of the
Church. [Gal 5:6 ; Rom 15:13 ; cf. Jam 2:14-26.]"
COMMENTS
The false doctrine of "Once Saved, Always Saved" seems to have blossomed
with Fundamentalist Christians although it's origins date back to 16th century
Calvinism. The perfect example of how this doctrine is false is Judas
Iscariot. He believed in Jesus Christ, walked with Him, was one of the Twelve and
was given the same powers from Him as the others. Yet what Christian believes that
Judas Iscariot went to Heaven? According to this doctrine, I would say
Fundamentalist Christians would have to believe Judas is in Heaven as he more than met the
requirements of salvation according to this doctrine.
Another good example is Lucifer (Satan) - abided in Heaven, knew God Himself, lived
with God Himself yet he was not "saved" when given the opportunity for he now
resides in Hell as punishment for the sin of pride. This sin occurred after having
known and accepted God.
In my opinion, this doctrine helps Satan greatly by instilling a false sense of
security and self-confidence among Christians concerning their salvation. They think
they can't sin anymore and even if they do, no punishment will be due them as Christ paid
for all our sins. This makes it much easier for Satan to tempt us with the sin of
presumption.
How can we be assured of our own salvation if St. Paul wasn't (1 Corinthians 9:27)?
Salvation is not a "one time" event, but an ongoing process until "the
end" (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13).
