I've always been taught once saved always saved but that does not mean that our actions do not matter. None of us will ever be perfect because there was only one perfect one and none of us can be pure enough for Heaven on our own because of our corrupt nature that battles with our spiritual nature:
Romans 8:3 It is impossible to do what God's standards demand because of the weakness our human nature has.
Galatians 5:17 What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result you don't always do what you intent to do.
That is why Jesus' sacrifice was necessary and such an amazing gift because he bridges the divide between man and God. I think people believe once saved always saved because of
Romans 10:9-10 If you declare that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God brought him back to life, you will be saved. By believing you receive God's approval, and by declaring your faith you are saved.
So at the foundation of our Christianity is first and foremost our faith and belief in Jesus Christ dying for our sins. Our actions do matter though, and I believe each person will be judged for what he has done but that even if we fall short or way short that through our foundation of faith in Jesus Christ we will still be saved.
1 Corinthians 3: 10-14 As a skilled and experienced builder, I used the gift that God gave me to lay the foundation for that building. However, someone else is building on it. Each person must be careful how he builds on it. After all, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that is already laid, and that foundation is Jesus Christ. People may build on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw. The day will make what each one does clearly visible because fire will reveal it. That fire will determine what kind of work each person has done. If what a person has built survives he will receive a reward. If his work is burned up he will suffer the loss. However, he will be saved, though it will be like going through a fire.
Galatians 6:7-9 Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God. Whatever you plant is what you'll harvest. If you plant in the soil of your corrupt nature, you will harvest destruction. But if you plant in the soil of your spiritual nature, you will harvest everlasting life at the proper time, if we don't give up.
I'll be honest that I don't know how to exactly interpret those passages but I think what it is saying is that you will reap what you sow but that if you have a foundation in Jesus no matter what you will be saved. I'm interested if anyone else has a different interpretation.
I've discussed with my friend about salvation, faith and works and we've agreed that it is through faith alone that we are saved but also isn't faith without works dead? If anyone can clear this up I would be welcome to hear what they have to say.
James 2:14 My brothers and sisters, what good does it do if someone claims to have faith but doesn't do any good things? Can this kind of faith save him? Supppose a believer, wheter a man or a woman, needs clothes or food and one of you tells that person. God be with you! Stay warm, and make sure you eat enough. If you don't provide for that person's physical needs, what good does it do? In the same way, faith by itself is dead if it doesn't cause you to do any good things.
James 2:22-23 You see that Abraham's faith and what he did worked together. His faith was shown to be genuine by what he did.
So I think the message is that we should certainly be pursuing good works but I'm still not sure the effect this has on our salvation. Sorry if I added to your confusion but I'm also interested in hearing what people have to say.
