If we understand that the things physically created reflect invisible axioms, we can comprehend spiritual truth through the things that are made. Thus, Jesus spoke in parables, using self-evident truths about worldly things we know to convey spiritual truths.

All material things reflect the essence of the invisible things after which they have been patterned. With this in mind, along with supporting scriptures, it is expedient to address the prevalent false teachings of doctrine often referred to as “once saved, always saved,” or, as it is referred to here, the doctrine of “once full, always full”—a doctrine that assures believers of maintenance-free eternal life once they accept Jesus Christ, regardless of anything they do or don’t do after they are saved.

The scriptures warn us that many false teachers and prophets will arise in the last days and deceive many. Despite the large number of those preaching the Bible, the full gospel is lacking.

The great falling away, which was prophesied beforehand, results from perversions of the gospel that have become widely accepted. Many Christians became apostates without even realizing it, either by ceasing to follow Christ or adopting watered-down doctrines.

One of the most harmful doctrines embraced is “once saved, always saved.” This doctrine is akin to the original message that led Eve to fall into temptation after the serpent told her, “Ye shall not surely die.” Still, death followed her transgression.

The “once saved, always saved” message means that sinners who know Christ, or believe they know him, may continue in habitual practices of sin without any fear of losing their salvation. The temptation to sin becomes greater—being that all sins will be forever forgiven even beforehand. By embracing the doctrine that nothing can separate them from God, even if they prioritize sin over God, they carry the notion they are guaranteed a place in heaven regardless of their actions or inaction.

We are told that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ. This applies to the dedication of those who follow him, rather than to those whom he forgave but who later return to embrace their past sins. Sin kills the souls of all enslaved to it, whether they once had found forgiveness of sins or not.

It is also wrongly preached that those who forsake Christ altogether were never really saved to begin with. This is also a fallacy according to the Bible; many are saved who later turn back to wallow in the mire of their old sins after they were washed clean—”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 Peter 2:22).

On the other hand, there are those who in weakness fall to temptation, who afterwards feel so hopeless they drown in self-condemnation. Believing they never were saved to begin with, they imagine themselves beyond any hope of redemption because they cannot seem to overcome sinful habits, no matter how many times they repent.

Doubting they were ever saved to begin with, after repenting on each occasion, they may try to receive Jesus into their heart repeatedly. Losing hope, they wonder if perhaps they were predestined to hell before the world began. For those in such a case, the doctrine of “once saved, always saved” becomes a doctrine of “once lost, always lost.” The temptation becomes to reject God outright.

Thus, the doctrine of “once saved, always saved” has—unbeknownst to those who profess it—laid snares for many souls and detoured many from the truth.

Eve had life until she believed she would not die if she disobeyed; that is eternal security. Being emboldened by the serpent’s words, she submitted to the temptation to eat the fruit of sin and gave it to her husband as well, and they aged unto death.

All of creation came into being through the spoken word of God. Creation is the physical expression God has given to understand the spiritual truth. We know that if we cease eating, we die. You can embrace being once full, always full, but if you stop eating, you die.

You cannot taste of Christ once and maintain salvation anymore than you can eat once and live. To maintain your soul, you must continue eating the Bread of Life daily, or you will die. Thus, Jesus prayed, “Give us this day our daily bread.” If you stop eating the bread that Jesus provides and instead drink the wine of sin, you will die. There is no “once full, always full” salvation. It is a doctrine that defies Christ and the picture in God’s creation. Jesus taught that those who continue to the end shall be saved.

Your body will become weaker, and your flesh will wither and die without regeneration; likewise, your soul must be nourished by seeking the heavenly manna. If you don’t continue consuming the word of God, you’ll grow in your own ways until the Old Man of sin and death is revived. We are to be continually filling ourselves with the Word of God to grow into Christ; otherwise, we will wither and die from starvation. Say not, I am always full; hunger and thirst after righteousness that you may be filled.