Will All Believers Be Saved?

I was attending a certain Baptist church for the first time. I was kind of sad and felt my life was aimless and I hoped the Sunday service would help. It was pretty packed, but there was some room beside me and this young guy about my age sat next to me. After the service we got to talking. He decided that I was possessed by an evil spirit and he offered to do an exorcism on me. I didn't think I was possessed, I figured it more likely he wanted to show off in front of the congregation, so I refused.

After more attempts at persuading me he gave up and asked, “Well....OK then, do you want to f**k?”

I was shocked. I wished there was a Bible passage I could have thrown at him but I couldn't think of one so I just said "no" and took off.

For the longest time I couldn't figure out what on earth he was thinking, but then I got it. See, he was saved, so no matter what he did, he'd get to go to heaven. Me, I was doomed, so no matter what I did I'd go to hell. So he thought "Why not?"

I'm sure other wayward Christians think that way too. They could even back it up with scriptures. Paul said:

Romans 10:4, 8-11 (NIV)

Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.

Romans 11:5-6 (NIV)

So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

This led some of his followers to say:

1 Corinthians 6:12 (NIV)

"Everything is permissible for me"

Paul's answer to that was:

1 Corinthians 6:12-13 (NIV)

"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:3-5 (NIV)
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God

Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

So according to Paul, sin leads to death even if you are a believer.

No way could anyone who heard Jesus speak think that everything was permissible to them:

Matthew 5:28-30 (NIV)

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV)

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."


So I guess what I should have said to that churchgoer was this:

Matthew 7:22-23 (NIV)

Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

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All quotes are from:
New International Version (NIV)
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