Ryan

By the way, this shows that the teaching of (eternal) perseverance of the saints (the ‘P’ in Calvinism’s TULIP), is in error. Scriptural perseverance doesn’t teach mean that a branch in the vine (someone who is “safe”) cannot be cut off and therefore be lost.  The teaching that “once a saint always a saint” is unscriptural and should be rejected.  I believe that the saints will persevere, but only if they continue in the faith, and that faith means to not harden your heart toward God and to continue in repentance. If we put ourselves into the hand of God, nothing can take us out; however, if we would rather do things our own way and take ourselves out from under His protection, we will get what we desire…unless we repent.