WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?
The Christian Issues Network
"IS IT BIBLICAL"
Once saved always saved? For some, once saved always saved is one of the most powerful and meaningful doctrines of the Christian faith. For others, once saved always saved seems to be a damnable heresy, straight from the lips of Satan. Why is this debate so heated?For starters, there are biblical texts that seem to argue for once saved always saved (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39; Ephesians 4:3), and there are biblical texts that same to argue against once saved always saved (Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26). So, biblical interpretation is definitely part of the debate. Secondly, there are the theological systems of Calvinism and Arminianism, with “perseverance of the saints” being a core truth within Calvinism and with “conditional security” being a core belief of most Arminians. Firmly held biblical and theological beliefs are a major part of the once saved always saved debate. In my experience answering questions for GotQuestions.org, though, the biblical and theological arguments are not reason once saved always saved is opposed. It always seems to come back to the issue of: “If once saved always saved is true, then we can live our lives any way we want to.” So, in reality, most who reject once saved always saved do so for a practical reason: how can we teach people to stop sinning if they remain saved no matter what they do? According to this line of thought, hellfire and eternal damnation are the only threats powerful enough to get people to stop sinning. As someone who firmly believes in once saved always saved, I am often asked, “If once saved always saved is true, does that mean we can live our lives any way we want to?” And, what is my answer to that question? Ultimately, I have to answer “yes.” The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is so absolutely perfect and sufficient than it did indeed pay the penalty for ALL of our sins. Christ’s death paid for the sins we committed before the moment we received Him as Savior, and Christ’s death paid for the sins we commit after we receive Him as Savior. So, while I would say “yes” to the idea that we can live our lives any way we want to without losing salvation, I would also say that a person who has truly received Jesus Christ as Savior will not live his/her life any way he/she wants to. When you understand the depravity of your sin, the eternal penalty you have earned, and the tremendous price Jesus paid, it is a transformational experience. When you become saved, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), all things have become new. Once saved always saved is not a license to sin. Rather, it is an understanding that we could not earn salvation on our own merit, and therefore, nothing we can do will cause us to lose the salvation God has purchased with the blood of Christ. Once saved always saved is the realization that God’s plan of salvation is absolutely perfect. A person whom God has chosen for salvation cannot be unsaved, unredeemed, unreconciled, unforgiven, lost, forsaken, abandoned, or thrown away. Good works and obedience cannot earn salvation, and neither can a lack thereof result in the loss of salvation. The biblical truth of once saved always saved puts the focus of salvation where it should be – on the holy and omnipotent God who finishes what He starts and never fails (Jude 24). Related GotQuestions.org article: once saved always saved |
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Are tattoos a sin?
As a result of the inapplicability of Leviticus 19:28, some will argue that since the Bible does not speak against tattoos in a New Covenant context, it is acceptable to get tattoos. The problem with this line of reasoning is that there are many things the Bible does not specifically speak against. The Bible being silent on an activity does not necessarily indicate approval of that activity. Some who approve of Christians getting tattoos will also point toRevelation 19:16 and claim that Jesus has a tattoo, “On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” The text does not say that it will be a tattoo. It could be written by a magic marker for all we know, or it could be a henna (non-permanent) tattoo, or it could be metaphoric/symbolic, not literal. Whatever the case, Revelation 19:16 does not say Jesus has a tattoo. Even if it did, it would not be blanket permission for Christians to get tattoos.
So, if arguments from both sides are flawed, what is the answer in regards to tattoos? For me, this issue seems to be primarily a struggle with Christian freedom. It would be so much easier if we just had an exhaustive list of do’s and don’ts. Christian freedom is uncomfortable because it forces us to truly examine our motives. That is why Christians tend to go to one extreme or the other, legalism or licentiousness. Legalism is easier because it provides us with the list of do’s and don’ts. Licentiousness is easier because it focuses on the “freedom” in “Christian freedom” while ignoring the “Christian.”
Perhaps the most applicable verse on the question of whether getting a tattoo is a sin would be Romans 14:23, “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Sometimes, if you have to ask the question of whether something is right or wrong, it is a sign that it is wrong. As Christians, we should never do anything unless we are absolutely convinced that it is right. Further, we should never do something just because someone else says it is right. If you are absolutely convinced that getting a tattoo will be pleasing to God, honoring to God, and an increase in your being a light to the world – I will not stand in your way of getting a tattoo, nor will I claim that you have sinned by getting a tattoo. Ultimately, it is between you and God.
I seriously doubt I will ever get a tattoo. I am just not convinced that it is right to permanently mark my body with a tattoo. Speaking of Christian freedom, 1 Corinthians 6:12 states, “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial” (see also 1 Corinthians 10:23). Might tattoos be permissible? Maybe. But, I simply do not see how they can be considered beneficial. For me, then, it would be a sin to get a tattoo because there is doubt, not faith (Romans 14:23).
Related GotQuestions.org article: tattoos sin