Once a Christian always a Christian? The Bible says...

There are differing opinions about whether making a commitment to Jesus automatically guarantees us a place in heaven, so I searched the Bible for answers to this difficult question and what I found became so comprehensive I’ve divided it into 3 parts beginning with this – What does God promise?

We become a christian…
We become a new creation – our past life is forgiven and not remembered any more.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21

God sees us with His gift of forgiveness – not with the weaknesses we see in ourselves
Romans 5:17

Sin conscience reminds us of our sin… but God gave us no more conscience of sin –
Hebrews 10: 1-2

One sacrifice for sin forever Hebrews 10:11-13

Christ showed up in order to get rid of sin. There is no sin in him, and sin is not part of his program. No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who do practice sin have taken a good look at Christ. They’ve got him all backward.

So, my dear children, don’t let anyone divert you from the truth. It’s the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah. Those who make a practice of sin are straight from the Devil, the pioneer in the practice of sin. The Son of God entered the scene to abolish the Devil’s ways. 1 John 3:6-8

Romans 4:13-15 – heirs of Abraham’s blessing.

FAITH means the certainty of God’s love, now and hereafter -
Since then it is by faith that we are justified, let us grasp the fact that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have confidently entered into this new relationship of grace, and here we take our stand, in happy certainty of the glorious things he has for us in the future. Romans 5:1-2

When we make a decision to become a Christian does that promise eternity in heaven? Can we keep living the way we did before we accepted Jesus and expect there will be a place for us in heaven?

Does becoming a Christian guarantee our place in heaven? What does the Bible say?

I searched the Bible for answers to this difficult question and what I found became so comprehensive I’ve divided it into Parts 1, 2 & 3. Here is Parts 1

What does Jesus promise us?

“Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends. 21 I will invite everyone who is victorious to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. Revelation 3:20-21 NLT

God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives.” Ignoring God Leads to a Downward Spiral Romans 1:17 MSG

For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14

Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the commander of all the rulers of the world.All praise to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us.He has made us his Kingdom and his priests who serve before God his Father. Give to him everlasting glory! He rules forever and ever! Amen! Revelation 1:5-6

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me and He is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me. John 10:28-29

The message version of this verse says this:
I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. 39 Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

What part do we play, what is our responsibility as Christians?
What God starts in us He is willing to complete but what does it take on our part?
“Click here for Part 2”

What if we don’t do what God wants us to do after we’ve become His child, does this matter? “Part 3”

2016 – From Elaine Costin – Capturing Sunrise