Once Saved, Always Saved?

Ever broken a promise, failed to keep your word, or been late for an engagement?

Of course you have.

Now you know why many Christians are worried sick that they may disappoint God. After all, isn’t the Bible full of exhortations to hold fast, continue, and endure to the end?

Uncertainty is a faith-killer. If you are uncertain about your eternal position how can you trust God?

If the issue of your eternal security isn’t settled in your heart you’ll lie awake at night wondering whether you are good enough or have done enough to impress him.

And then you’ll set aside grace by taking out a little works insurance just to be safe.

Insecurity about the future is one of the prevailing winds of unbelief that assail the church. If you are insecure and in doubt, know that I write so that you might repent (change your doubting and unbelieving mind) and believe the good news. I write so that you might trust Jesus to finish what he started.

The reason we are even having this discussion is because so many Christians don’t know what makes the new covenant new. They read the Bible through the old covenant mindset that says “Do to be.”

If this is you, let me tell you about Jesus! That old covenant is obsolete. We no longer stand on our brittle promises to him but on his solid promises to us.

Promises, promises

If I could show you just one promise from the Lord that guaranteed your eternal security, would you quit fretting? Would you stop listening to the lies of the confused and trust instead in God’s word? Would one promise from the Faithful One be good enough for you?

Here’s one:

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:8-9)

This scripture obliterates the doubts of the insecure. If you are worried and anxious, you should frame this verse. It will remind you that salvation is not about your faithfulness but his and God is faithful.

And don’t forget who Paul was writing to Christians that many would write off as reprobates. The Corinthians weren’t what you call “good Christians.” Yet Paul sees God’s fingerprints all over them, and he speaks confidently of their future. “Our hope for you is firm” (2 Cor 1:7).

Who called you into fellowship with Christ? God!

Who will keep you strong to the end so that you will be blameless on that Day? God!

Who is faithful? God!

It’s not about you but him. Do you see? If not, here’s another promise you can stand on:

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

The word guarantee means a down-payment or pledge, “i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest.” So either God has nothing but more good stuff planned for you – guaranteed! – or he is a liar.

Are you getting this yet?

I said one promise from the Lord should be enough and I’ve given you two. To settle matters once and for all, here are seven more promises from your heavenly Father that speak directly to your eternal security. Write them on your heart and take them to the bank because they are gold.

If you are a Christian, the chances of you losing your salvation are exactly the same as the likelihood God will violate his promises. Since God is utterly faithful, you can be utterly secure.

Seven promises about your future

For a Christian to lose their salvation and be expelled from the kingdom…

1. God would have to forsake us, when he said he wouldn’t (Heb. 13:5)
2. God would have to cast us out, when he said he wouldn’t (John 6:37)
3. God would have to condemn us, when he said he wouldn’t (Rom. 8:1, 34)
4. God would have to withdraw his Spirit, when he said he wouldn’t (John 14:16-17)
5. God would have to remember our sins, when he said he wouldn’t (Jer. 31:34, Heb. 10:17)
6. God would have to forget that we are his children, when he said he wouldn’t (Is. 49:15)
7. God would have to blot our names out of the book of life, when he said he wouldn’t (Rev. 3:5)

Good news, no?

“But Paul, what about all those scriptures that say we have to hold fast, continue, and endure to the end?” I cover all those scriptures in the Scripture Index. But let me put your mind at rest right now.

Do you have a need to hold fast? Do you have a need to continue and endure? Do you have a need to overcome, obey, avoid sin, be holy, and persevere? Yes, we all have these needs. But look at this…

My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

How many of your needs will God meet? All of them. How many of your needs must you supply to stay qualified for the kingdom? None of them.

Your part is to receive what God has provided in Christ Jesus. Your part is to say, “Thank you Jesus!” and remain in that place of restful trust.

Anything and everything that needs to be done to see you safe to the end, will be done by him. Trust him. The one who “began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Php 1:6). (See what I did there? Another promise!)

Salvation is not from yourself it is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8), and his gifts are irrevocable (Rom 11:29). (Two more promises!)

No doubt there will be some who will tell me I am presenting an unbalanced view, that I have left out important bits of the Bible. What they really mean, though, is God cannot be trusted. He doesn’t say what he means or mean what he says.

I disagree.

Through the death and resurrection of his Son, God shouts to the human race, “I am for you and I will do whatever it takes to win you back to myself!” I believe him. I choose to stand on his promises to us. I encourage you to do likewise.

Saint, you are one with the Lord. His future is your future. Since Jesus isn’t going to get kicked out of the kingdom, it can’t happen to you. You may fall asleep on the job, but the one who watches over you never slumbers (Ps 121:3-4).

Be confident. Be secure. Be at peace.

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More articles about your eternal security:

• Can you lose your salvation?
• Will I lose my salvation if I keep sinning?
• Can you fall from your secure position?
• Are unfruitful branches lifted up?
• What if I deny Jesus?
• Faithful unto death? What if I’m not?
• Will God cast me away?
• Does 2 Peter 2 say you can lose your salvation?
• Why is the narrow gate hard to enter?
• What does it mean to consider the severity of God?
• Is the Christian race a marathon?
• What does it mean to be disqualified for the prize?
• What happens to Christians who stray?
• How do I shipwreck my faith?
• How do we keep the word of his perserverance?

And just for good measure, here is a list of 130 scriptures guaranteeing your eternal security.