Once Saved Always Saved?

Many of you are no doubt familiar with the doctrine of  'once saved always saved’. This false doctrine contradicts the teachings of Scripture and therefore, the Catholic Church. Some of you, like myself, have entered into a discussion with a Protestant brother or sister regarding this doctrine, and if you are like me, you are left feeling frustrated at the illogical thinking associated with this doctrine. When discussing the notion that a one time profession of faith secures one’s ticket into Heaven, the Catholic is often compelled to ask some obvious questions such as; “What about the person who professes his love for Christ and then goes out and commits murder? Can a person go to Heaven if he murders someone and isn’t sorry for this sin?” Often, the response from the Protestant is that if a person commits murder after proclaiming his love and devotion to Christ, he probably was not serious, and therefore, it was not a valid profession of faith. This leaves the Catholic with the idea that Protestants believe that if one makes a heartfelt profession of faith in Christ, one is somehow protected through the grace of God, from ever committing serious evil like murder. Is this thinking of  'once saved always saved', scriptural?

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