[Polycarp]

I know my name is in the book of life, what about you?

I personally don't believe in "once saved always saved" since it goes against so very many scriptures:

Matt.7 [21] "Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'

Matt.25 [11] Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.'

Luke.6 [46] "Why do you call me `Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?

1 Corinthians 9:27 but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

Galatians 5:1,4 . . . stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery . . . You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

Philippians 3:11-14 that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. ,b>Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own . . . I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.

1 Timothy 5:15 For some have already strayed after Satan.

Hebrews 3:12-14 Take care, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day . . . that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end.

Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God, and the powers of the age to come, if they then commit apostasy . . .

2 Peter 2:15,20-21 Forsaking the right way they have gone astray; they have followed the way of Balaam, . . . For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

[itsahoot]

Maybe a little comfort is in order

Salvation

       "Salvation" is a very common topic, and yet still subject to much confusion. Salvation is received, not earned.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

       It is His gift; not wages. His salvation is for a purpose: to restore mankind to Himself. And it flows from a heart of love.

       (Have you ever wondered why He bothered? The answer is in the verse just before the one above):
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7

       Salvation is not an optional extra. The classic passage is John Chapter 3, where Nico-demus comes to Jesus by night.

Nicodemus

       We know a great deal about this influential character. The Talmud indicates he was one of the four richest men in Jerusalem. He was a Pharisee and a ruler-a member of the Sanhedrin.

       He was a member of the aristocratic family that had furnished the Hasmonean King Aristobulus II with his ambassador to Pompey in 63 B.C. His son apparently was the man who negotiated the terms of surrender to the Roman garrison in Jerusalem prior to the final destruction of that city in A.D. 70. 1

       Nicodemus outranks each of us in every respect: he was among the most wealthy in that society; he had stature; he had knowledge-in fact, he was the teacher. 2

       Nicodemus was among the most respected and religious among the professionals of his culture. He was certainly ahead of any of us. Yet he was in desperate need. Jesus declared to him, "Ye must be born again." 3If he had a spiritual need, where does that place us ?

Our Most Urgent Need

       Why should God let you into heaven? You say, "I am as good as the next guy." Strike one.

       "I am doing the best I can." Strike two.

       "I'll try harder." Strike three.

       "Nobody's perfect." That's the problem. Sin is a genetic disease; it has contaminated our very nature. Children never need a lesson in being bad. This genetic disease, sin, makes us ineligible for perfection; ineligible to be in the presence of a holy God.

Eternity

       Every one of us will exist forever. The real you-call it "soul," " spirit," whatever-has no mass . It is "software" not "hardware." Having no mass, it has no time dimension limitations. Time is a physical dimension. You are eternal-whether you are "saved" or not!

       The problem is, where will you spend eternity ? If you are perfect-totally free of sin-you will spend it in the presence of God. If not, you will be denied His presence. You and I cannot begin to grasp what that implies. For eternity: that's a long time.

Who Will Perish?

       What separates those who will spend an eternity in hell from those who will not? Heaven will be full of people who have committed all kinds of sin.

       Hell is a real place for real people. 4The one who told us the most about it was the Lord Jesus Himself. There are only two categories-those that perish and those that don't:
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

       Salvation is an arrangement by which His eligibility is substituted for our lack thereof. It is available to us because our debts have been fully paid. Our complete pardon has been purchased and paid for.

       Even killing the Son of God was not severe enough to put those men outside the boundaries of God's offer of forgiveness. 5

       [Is there anything keeping you from accepting God's free gift of salvation right now? If there is any doubt in your mind, bring it to the Throne right now . You don't need an appointment. Don't even read on without nailing this one down... with Him. It's your highest priority over anything-everything-else.]

       We don't become saved by acting saved. We don't become married by acting married. Faith bridges the gap between our need and God's provision. Faith is simply the way we say "yes" to His offer.

       What are you trusting in? Christ, plus something ? Or is your hope and your trust in Christ alone? He did the whole job. To imply something must be added is a form of blasphemy!

       Your helmet was purchased just for you. You are entitled to it because of Him.

Wearing Your Helmet

       With a helmet on, you're noticeable . If you just possess one, it won't be as obvious. Life after death is not the issue. Life after "birth" is. Are you living as if you are saved? Many of us don't live as if we're saved... We are difficult to recognize because of "blending in." We exhibit fear, anxiety, doubt, and hesitation.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Romans 8:28

       What are the most important words in that verse? The first three: " And we know ." Not just "suspect," or "hope," etc.

       Realize who you are and that Christ paid the full price for your redemption. You have been redeemed, you have been paid for; you are no longer your own.

       Put on your helmet; protect your thoughts by realizing who you are in Him. Nothing protects you more from a blow to your head than our "helmet of salvation." Each time you step out your door each day, realize that you have been redeemed.

       You already have eternal life. No one can take that away from you. So Satan's darts can't reach you. Nothing, by any means, can hurt you. Re-read Romans 8:28-39.

       Take your helmet off and you're vulnerable. Satan will put lying thoughts in your head. Remember this: How many of your sins were yet future at the cross? All of them .

       Take the eternal perspective. When did God first start dealing with your problem? Before the world began! 6What a staggering insight! He knew and planned for your destiny from before the beginning of time! (We often joke: I'm glad he picked me back then. Looking at me now, He might change His mind!)

       We also need to manifest our helmet. We need to alert others to their need for one and how they can obtain theirs. Make this, indeed, a "New Year!" Put on your helmet and let the world know of your security in Christ. Walk with your head up, free of fear and doubt.