Are we saved and do we possess eternal life that can never be lost as a result of a one-time altar call or sinner’s prayer, or even baptism? No. The Bible teaches that it’s a process. Here are fifteen passages from the RSV:
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Matthew 24:13 … he who endures to the end will be saved.
Acts 15:11 … we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus …
Romans 8:17 … fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him …
Romans 13:11 … salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed;
1 Corinthians 1:18 … us who are being saved …
Philippians 2:12 … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
Philippians 3:11-12 that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, …
Colossians 1:22-23 … in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, . . .
2 Timothy 2:12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him; …
Hebrews 3:14 For we share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end,
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life …
1 Peter 2:2 … long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation;
2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward.
Revelation 2:10 … Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
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The Bible also expresses other tenses: “you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:5, 8), “we were saved” (Romans 8:24), “you are saved” (1 Corinthians 15:2), “God, who saved us” (2 Timothy 1:8-9), and “he saved us” Titus 3:5). But when we consider all of this together in harmony, it’s clear that attaining the goal of heaven is a process.
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