Today in Acts, we see more and more people coming to believe through the preaching and teaching of Barnabas and Saul. We also see the first use of the word “Christians.” In the Gospel from John, we hear Jesus continue to talk about His sheep.
One of the things that has divided Christians since the Reformation has been the question, “Can a person lose their salvation?” Many Protestant denominations teach a doctrine called “Once saved, always saved.” They point to John 10:28-29, where Jesus says, “No one can take them out of my hand.” The Catholic Church has always taught that we must renew our commitment to Christ each day. Our eternal destiny will be determined at the moment of our death.
Maybe this is a good way to explain it…Jesus said of His sheep, “No one can take them out of my hand.” But He didn’t say that we couldn’t jump out of His hand ourselves. We all have free will. It’s like sin. It is never anyone else’s fault when we sin. We freely choose to turn away from God. It’s the same with our salvation. We can accept or reject it at any time. So, how do you stand with Christ at this very moment?
Father, thank you for the gift of our salvation. Help us to constantly renew our commitment to Your Son, every moment of every day. Amen.
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