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[Michael Bradley, Jr.]

On 4/7/06, doc <edoc7 at verizon.net> wrote:
>
> <snip>
> > He may be, but it doesn't change our calling. We must follow the Word
> > until we are dead. The covenant hasn't changed just because we believe
> > we are close to its completion here on Earth.
>
> No one has suggested such.
>
> We are a nation of soft Christians and I'd guess
> 95% of self-identified Christians will fall away
> as soon as faced with pervasive persecution because
> their discipleship has been so shallow.
>
> It is sad.
>


Can I ask a serious question, at the risk of starting a flame-war?

First, let me say that I agree with you that it is sad.

Are these the words of Our Lord to which you are alluding?

"Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and
children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will
be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be
saved." (Matthew 10:21-22 [RSV])

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you
will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall
away, and betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets
will arise and lead many astray. And because wickedness is multiplied, most
men's love will grow cold. But he who endures to the end will be saved. And
this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a
testimony to all nations; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:9-14
[RSV])

[emphasis mine (for those whose e-mail viewers display rich text
formatting)]


Here's my question, doc:  according to your interpretation of Scripture, do
those 95%, whom you predict will fall away because "their discipleship has
been so shallow," lose their salvation, or were they never saved to begin
with.  If the latter, then why does Our Lord state it the way he does --
that "enuring to the end" will save those who do so?

Please consider this a friendly query from a Catholic Christian who has
never quite been able to understand the popular concept, "once saved, always
saved." (I'm not implying that I think you hold to this belief -- I don't
know, honestly.)

In Christ,

Michael Bradley, Jr.

--
My home on the Net ::
   http://www.michaelsbradleyjr.net/

IC XC NIKA
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