“Ask Who I Am?” ~ ✨
In the 1970s, there was a very famous song called “Ask Me”. The lyrics went roughly like this ~
“Ask me how much cheering I have
Ask me how much weeping I have…
Ask me why I feel happy
And why I should feel sorrow…
No matter if I have a hundred rights
Or a thousand wrongs
I will wholeheartedly bear the consequence…
I hope that when my life reaches its end,
No matter how many trials I’ve endured,
I can still say
I am me.”
The main points of the “Ask Me” lyrics are: how much joy or sadness; why one feels happy or sorrowful; and remaining “I am me” until death. The philosophy in the lyrics isn’t deep, but it speaks to the helplessness of life! If one wants to live a wise and understanding life, before “asking me”, shouldn’t one first ask exactly “who am I?”
The Bible tells us that God created mankind in His own image; in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them (Genesis 1:26-27). However, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). In other words, every “I” is a sinner, and the wages of sin is “death”, which refers to eternal destruction. If a person knows this truth, he knows it’s not as carefree as the lyrics suggests – that he is willing to wholeheartedly bear the consequence!
There is only one way of salvation for humanity, that is, by God’s grace, through salvation in Lord Christ Jesus, obtaining eternal life (Romans 6:23).
Regarding “salvation”, within Christian denominations, there are two major different interpretations of the definition of “salvation”. One faction insists on “once saved, always saved”, primarily citing Romans 10:9-10 and Romans 8:38-39. The other faction says the Bible does not specify the truth of “once saved, always saved”, citing different scriptures; for example: 2 Corinthians 1:10; key verses in James Chapter Two, verses 14, 17, 19, 20, and 22. I believe the arguments and scriptures cited by both factions miss the crucial point: this is the definition of “faith”. I will cite some key scriptures to illustrate my points.
First, the core of the issue is not about “once” or “multiple times”, but about what the nature of “faith” is. The focus of the debate between the two factions is often the “persistence of salvation”, but what I raise is the foundation of the “validity of salvation”. I base my understanding on the following scriptures to explore the multi-dimensional definition of “faith”, hoping to provide more clarity on the doctrine.
I believe the core argument is that the nature of “faith” determines the assurance of “salvation”. The debate between “once saved, always saved” and “possible loss of salvation”, if separated from the definition of “faith”, becomes a castle in the air. The “faith” defined by the Bible is by no means merely a one-time verbal acknowledgment or emotional experience, but a characteristic of a life with “rebirth”, continuously persistent, and a dynamic relationship evidenced by actions. Please see the following analysis:
Point One: Citing Romans 10:9-10, “faith” is confessing with your mouth and believing in your heart. I believe this is the starting point of salvation, the entrance to God’s free grace. Interpreting this correctly, it clearly states that saving faith involves genuine inner agreement (believing in the power of resurrection) and outward public confession (acknowledging Jesus as Lord). This refutes any notion of a “cheap salvation” that requires no inner change.
Point Two: “Faith” is a vibrant faith that brings life change. This echoes what James Chapter 2 points to, which is the key factor in examining the genuineness of “faith”. James does not advocate “salvation by works”, but exposes “what kind of faith saves”. Let’s look at the following analysis:
James Chapter 2:
· “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” (v.14)
· “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (v.17)
· “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” (v.19). This is a key insight, pointing out a kind of “faith” that is only doctrinal agreement, even accompanied by shuddering (fear), is a faith that demons have, and this kind of faith cannot save.
· “You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” (v.20)
· “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” (v.22). The word “complete” means “to reach perfection, maturity, to become visibly real”. True faith grows and is confirmed through obedient actions.
Point Three: “Faith” is continuous trust and perseverance. This responds to the promise of “eternal salvation” and its warnings. The promise of “eternal salvation” is given to those who “persevere to the end in faith” (Hebrews 3:12,14; Revelation 3:11). God’s preservation (grace) and human responsibility (obedience) are two sides of the same coin. I cite Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The premise of this great promise is being “in Christ”. It describes a continuous, united, and communal relationship. The objects of this inseparable love are those who are “in Christ”. Therefore, those who abandon the true faith are abandoning Christ.
Let’s also look at Colossians 1:22-23 – “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” Here, the position “in Christ” (holy, blameless) is closely linked to the responsibility to “continue in your faith”. God’s work and human faith are complementary. Hebrews (3:14) also states – “We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.” This verse directly indicates that the final realization of “sharing in Christ” (i.e., salvation) is inseparable from the process of “holding our conviction firmly to the very end”!
Point Four: “Faith” is a life that bears fruit. This responds to 2 Corinthians 1:10 and the concept of “growth”. 2 Corinthians 1:10 – “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.” This verse shows three dimensions of salvation: past justification (freed from the penalty of sin), present sanctification (freed from the power of sin), and future glorification (freed from the presence of sin). “Faith” is a life that bears fruit, and is demonstrated in this continuous process.
In Matthew (7:17-20), there is the Lord’s own teaching: “Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit… Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” From this, it seems the nature of a life is revealed through the “fruit” it bears (actions, character). A life united with Christ will inevitably bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
“Faith” is a thought, emanating from the recipient of grace; “Salvation” is an action, coming from the giver of grace. Combining the two, we can understand it this way:
1. The truth of “once saved, always saved” is effective within the scope of “genuine, living faith”. This faith begins with a sincere repentance and trust, and, because of God’s mighty preservation (John 10:27-29), will necessarily persevere to the end and bear fruit. For those with such faith, salvation is absolutely secure.
2. The warning of “possible loss of salvation” is directed at “false, dead faith”. This faith might be merely intellectual agreement (James 2:19), a temporary emotional response (Matthew 13:20-21), or a formalism without life change (James 2:26). Such people may never have truly been “saved” from the beginning, and therefore cannot be said to “lose” it. These warnings are precisely God’s loving call for people to examine themselves and pursue that “rooted and established” true faith.
The purpose of this sharing is not to have the reader to take sides with one faction, but to return to the Bible’s complete definition of “faith”. Genuine “faith” is a one-time decision, a lifetime of perseverance, evidenced by actions, and is a vibrant, redemptive relationship with the Triune God. God is faithful; He will surely preserve those with true faith; at the same time, He is holy, calling us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received, with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13).
In Christ, there is no longer “I am me”, but rather living out the likeness of Christ, becoming complete in Him! God’s warnings are, for true believers, a testimony of love and preservation. May the reader not only understand this truth but also examine their own faith and commit themselves to this vibrant relationship with Christ!
✨✨💖 ~
“Not I Who Don’t Change”
Sunrise, sunset –
What shifts is not the sun
Love and hate –
What wavers is not conscience
Done poorly – it’s another’s fault.
Done well – it’s my own good
Looking at myself through self –
I see only my shadow
Lay down the self, depart delusion
In eternity – no longer am I myself.
✨✨💖 ~
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
en yan hua fang 