Is Salvation a Process or Event?

[Goodboy]

Is Salvation a Process or Event?
(Earning Our Salvation)

There is a doctrine going around called OSAS (Once Save Always Saved) which I agree with. This states that salvation is a one time event based on the sincere believe in and acceptance of Jesus Christ as your savior. Once someone puts their trust in Christ I would then say they are saved, just as I claim to be saved. Hopefully all this makes sense to you whether or not you believe it to be the case.

Well let’s now talk about someone who does not believe in OSAS. That would mean whether they state it or not, they don’t believe that salvation is a onetime event. So if it is not a onetime event, then it must be a process. If it is a process, how do you know when the process is complete and you are saved? The only way I can see that you would know for sure, is if you are just about to die and are still strongly following after Christ.

Also, if indeed salvation is a process, why do people say that they are saved? The word “saved” is past tense, meaning already completed. If it is a process, while they can claim to be a Christian they can not claim to be saved. Why do we go out and share with others telling them all they must do is to accept Jesus Christ as their savior to be saved if it is a process? If it is a process we should then be truthful and tell them this is how you begin the process.

Back to what I believe. Salvation for the New Testament believer is “Good News”. Why is it good news? Because God has a gift for you and all you need to do is accept it. If you understand what this gift is you will rejoice! Well if someone gave you a lottery ticket with a chance to win the lottery, would you rejoice? Now if someone gave you the winning lottery ticket, then you would rejoice. My point here is that if the “Good News” is only a chance for salvation (process) why would I rejoice? I may not ever get saved.

I’m pretty sure I have not changed the mind of someone who does not believe in eternal security, but I would challenge you to stop using the past tense term of “saved” especially when sharing with others. Tell them the whole story if that’s what you believe. Don’t tell them all you have to do is this and then later tell them that there is more that they must do.

How easy it is to slip into saying that there is something other than acceptance that we must do, even if it is just to keep believing to earn our salvation.

Goodboy

 

[Ronnie]

Simplified - an event

 

[Everlasting Life]

Then he [the criminal] said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:42-43

I'm struck at how very quickly Jesus responded to this man's faith. In the very next breath of answering this man, Jesus assures him that he's saved (be with Jesus in Paradise).

This certainly wasn't a process but an instantaneous, new reality.

Just like these 2 criminals, we all deserve death but God in His gracious, merciful love offers the gift of life and there's one of 2 decisions available, refuse (by not believing in Jesus) or accept (by believing in Jesus) as the one criminal did and thereby was saved.

And like the criminal who repented (change mind about sin) and believed in Jesus, that gift of salvation and eternal life is immediately granted.

That's why Jesus said,

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life." John 6:47

Notice....has (right now), not, will have (some day).

 

[Margery]

Also, if indeed salvation is a process, why do people say that they are saved? The word “saved” is past tense, meaning already completed. If it is a process, while they can claim to be a Christian they can not claim to be saved. Why do we go out and share with others telling them all they must do is to accept Jesus Christ as their savior to be saved if it is a process? If it is a process we should then be truthful and tell them this is how you begin the process.

They confuse salvation with sanctification.

Salvation is a one and done! Once saved, always saved. As you said.

But the people who talk about it being ongoing, confuse salvation with the ongoing process of sanctification which is lifelong after getting saved. It's the process of becoming more like Jesus. It's done by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit working in us -- our conscience, the washing of the water of the Word of God, the conviction of the Word.

 

[Almost Heaven]

They confuse salvation with sanctification.

Salvation is a one and done! Once saved, always saved. As you said.

But the people who talk about it being ongoing, confuse salvation with the ongoing process of sanctification which is lifelong after getting saved. It's the process of becoming more like Jesus. It's done by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit working in us -- our conscience, the washing of the water of the Word of God, the conviction of the Word.

AGREE!

 

[Andy C]

If it was a process, what would be the benchmark that its complete?

Thank God its a one time event, irrevocable, and something I cant even undo.