Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
(Hebrews 5:8-9 KJV)
Throughout so-called Christendom there are a lot of doctrines that go against the Word of God. Eternal Salvation or Once Saved Always Saved is one of those doctrines. This doctrine states that once a person is saved, most of the time just by saying a prayer, that this person is secure or locked into salvation no matter what happens from this point forth. Behavior, works, faith, charity, love, ect.. nothing matters as long as you once were a part of the body, you always will be.
An even more extreme version is found in Calvinism. In Calvinism you are chosen from the beginning of the world and there is nothing you can do to not be saved as you have been chosen already. This they call election. Nothing about your life matters, you have no say, you have no choice, you are stuck being saved.
The scripture that is at the top of this article is from Hebrews chapter 5. This chapter is describing our priest who is from God after the order of Melchisedec, but also human to understand our affliction. It is a wonderful chapter along with all of Hebrews that explains why Jesus came the way He did. Coming to the verses above, I will add the preceding one for clarity:
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
(Hebrews 5:7 KJV)
Verse 7 shows us that even Jesus, the messiah, God in the Flesh, offered prayers and supplications to God the Father. The way these were offered was with “strong crying and tears.” These prayers were not just casual prayers. These were heartfelt, deep, emotional, fully dependent prayers. Jesus was walking by faith, Jesus was continuing in faith, and Jesus even feared the Lord.
This sets up verses 8 and 9:
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
(Hebrews 5:8-9 KJV)
Jesus learned obedience through suffering. Let me say that again, Jesus learned obedience through suffering. Jesus the perfect Lamb of God, without spot and without blemish, without sin, learned obedience through suffering. Jesus lead a perfect sinless life, and through all His suffering He solidified how perfect He is. It was through obedience to God the Father, and suffering for it, that Jesus could finally be called perfect. Without all the suffering, even being without sin, Jesus could not be completely perfect. Study the Greek word for “perfect” for a more full understanding. He had to endure to have compassion on His creation, suffering as they/we do.
So if Jesus had to suffer for righteousness sake through obedience to the Father, then how do we believe that we would not need to be obedient ourselves. We are to be conformed to the image of Christ, Romans 8. This doctrine of obedience is then confirmed at the end of verse 8: “he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”
Who gets that eternal salvation? Is it those who believe? Is it those who said a prayer? Is it those who keep the law? Is it those who vote one way or another? No. “all them that obey him;” This is crucial, there a lot of scriptures that put conditions on life eternal. It is a gift that can be cherished or thrown away. The churches of Revelation have to repent or be taken out of the body of Christ. In Roman 11 Paul talks about branches being broken off the olive tree, an illustration of individuals being a part of Jesus the Root being broken off because of pride. Phillipians 4:3 calls all brethren the exclusive people who are written in the Book of Life (confirmed in Revelation multiple times), and then in Revelation 3:5, to the church at Sardis, that person written in the Book of life will not get blotted out only if they overcome. This is but a small snippet of the verses that proclaim required obedience to the Lord. They require followers to overcome through obedience or else forfeit salvation.
The entire Bible agrees from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, obedience, continuing and enduring obedience to the end of ones life, is required for salvation.
Faithful brethren, continue and endure, do not be caught up is these anti-Christ, anti-biblical, man-made doctrines that tickle itching ears. And if you are not part of the Kingdom of God, please go to the main page here and see what the Biblical Gospel entails.
Be blessed,
Timothy
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
(2 Timothy 4:2-5 KJV)