Many professed Christians today claim that to receive eternal life one would only need FAITH and faith alone is what God requires to enter heaven. Where did this belief stem from? They base their claims from few verses of the Bible and let us show you some examples.

1. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
2. Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
3. Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
4. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
5. 1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

These are among the famous verses that these professed Christians used to promote the doctrine of once saved, always saved no matter what you decide to do after you have openly professed to believe in Jesus Christ. By using these verses, they make people believe that all you need to do to be saved and receive eternal life is only by believing in the name of Jesus Christ.

It is true that there is no other name given by which we can be saved and it is through the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12), but it is not always true if you choose to walk in another path after you have been saved from the bondage of sin. What many people don't know or are not taught is that there are two steps into the kingdom of God.

Step 1. Believe (Faith)
This is the step where you did not do anything to cover your sins but by faith only you have accepted Christ as your only hope to be free from the chains of Satan. This is where you confess your sins and He is faithful to forgive and cleanse you (1 John 1:9). When this is done, you are completely justified throught your FAITH. You did not obey any commandment yet except to accept and have faith in Christ. This is the gift, the grace, Jesus Christ who has pardoned and JUSTIFIED the sinner by FAITH. This is what Ephesians 2:8-9 is talking about.

Step 2. Fruits (Works: Obedience)
Now that you have accepted Christ as your Saviour, you should already know why you needed a Saviour and it is because of sin. Sin is what? 1 John 3:4 says that sin is the transgression of the law. Now that you have been forgiven from transgressing the law before you know Christ, are you going to walk into the same road that you found yourself bound with the chains of Satan? Of course no because you were already saved and redeemed from that former lifestyle. You have been justified to be clean, white and pure through believing and accepting the ONE who can truly save you from that sinful and wicked life. Now, you have a duty to do and that is to show the fruits that your faith is real. Remember, faith is not only can justify us but by works as well. James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. This is the phase where you prove that you have become a new creature in Christ by not fulfilling and walking after the lust of the flesh but by living each day in accordance to the commandments of God.

Like the thief on the cross, some people my not need to experience the second step. Some will have no more chance to prove their allegiance or their profession just like those who are in the death bed or those who just accepted Christ but have died of accident of some sort. They are liken unto the man who have died on the cross who was promised eternal life after he openly accepted Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

But for those who have experience the first step and assume all is okay, they are in grave danger. Salvation is a gift and just like if someone gives you a gift, you need to take care of it and make sure that it is not stolen or that it is well cared for or else your gift will one day disappear. If someone gives you a gift like a pet, you have now a duty to take care of this dear creature. You have to feeed, give drink, exercise and such like. The pet that was given to you will not survive if you do not do your part in taking care of him. The same principles apply with our salvation. Once we have accepted Jesus Christ, now let's work out our salvation with fear and trembling making sure that no one takes away our crown.

The question arises: Can anyone loose salvation? Yes, Truly, any Christian can give up their salvation in Christ by walking away from Him. The Word proclaims...

Hebrews 6:4-6  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Revelation 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Even an entire church will be spued out by God for their lukewarm, backsliding, miserable, dead works profession condition...

Revelation 3:15-17  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Matthew 7:21-23  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Ezekiel 18:24-26  But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

2 Peter 2:20-22  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

2 Timothy 2:11-12  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Hebrews 10:26-27  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.