Once saved always saved and eternal security are subjects I’ve heard about in Christian circles for many years. I have noticed some people will use these terms interchangeably but there is a drastic difference between them. Once saved always saved is the presumption that once you become born again, you are guaranteed heaven regardless of the willful choices you make. Once saved always saved is a baseless idea with no biblical precedent to substantiate it, but eternal security is a constant source of joy to the believer that abides in Christ and endures to the end. Let’s examine the idea of once saved always saved in light of scripture. Ephesians 2:8
The Lord said that He would never leave us or forsake us, no one will take us out of His hand, and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. What about believers, is it possible to turn away and lose our salvation? Based on scripture, I believe the answer is yes. Abiding in the Lord is a key factor in eternal security. Far from being works-based salvation, a disciple trusts in Jesus’ completed work on the cross. Abiding in Jesus is a personal choice to yield to Him. John 15:5-6
We need to teach and preach the whole truth in our churches. Our eternal security is certain because we are abiding in the Lord, but be equally certain that it’s possible to walk away from Him as an act of free will. In this case, no one snatched them from the Father’s hand, they left by their own choice. Remember that eternal security as far as it depends on the Lord is certain as long as we abide in Him. What we have in the backslider is something completely different. These people are not abiding, they are in blatant rebellion. Here are just a few of many examples of abiding and falling away:
“Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 1:9
“At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.” Matthew 24:10
“For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was passed to them.” 2 Peter 2:20–21
“The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. “Revelation 3:5
Jesus’ words to the church in Sardis tell us that the one who conquers will be clothed in white garments, and his name will never be blotted out of the book of life. Taking Jesus’ statement at face value, it would seem that names can and will be blotted out of the book of life. People fall away from the Lord and it is certainly true of the last days as Jesus said. True disciples of Jesus will abide in Him until the end. 2 Corinthians 13:5
We have free will, and volition, and can walk away from the Lord. There are in all probability, millions of people who are Christians in name only. These are people who were ‘once saved’, but have walked away from the Lord. John tells us no one who abides in God keeps on sinning. Disciples of Jesus are known to have lives of increasing holiness and Christlikeness. John is warning of those who after following Jesus, turn away and have lives marked by continuing in sin. The New Testament is replete with verses warning us not to fall away. The question we must ask is, what are we falling away from? The answer is people are falling away from Jesus. If this weren’t possible, the Bible would never warn us about it.
I know people who were once sold-out disciples and had a vibrant walk with the Lord. They fell away and returned to loving the world and the things of the world. They may still claim to be saved and speak as though they are still believers. Some of these backslidden people will use statements like, “He (Jesus) knows my heart” or “It’s all under the blood.” They fail to realize that they believe Satan’s lies and their hearts are hardening. When these people claim once saved always saved they are not unlike the Pharisees of old who claimed to belong to God but the fruit of their life said otherwise. Matthew 7:21–23
Please consider this article a loving exhortation. Do not take the gift of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus for granted. You may be asking why I’m passionate about refuting the false notion of once saved always saved. I love the Lord and love lost souls. James said that if anyone (among you) wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, will save his soul from death. James was writing this about people who were in Christ, perhaps once in the local fellowship, and wandered away. James 5:19–20
If you are abiding in the Lord, it is certain that you belong to Him and that your eternity is secure. If you repented and trusted Jesus as your Savior at one time but have turned away and backslidden, you are in eternal danger. After reading the verses in this article you are without excuse to presume upon God’s grace after trampling the gift of salvation you once received underfoot. Turn away from this world and repent while there is still time to do so. The Lord loves you and takes no pleasure in seeing the people He created choose an eternity in hell over eternal life. Jesus will forgive a repentant and contrite heart, so call on Him and repent while there is still time.
All for Him,
Howard
Click here to view our video teaching: The Reality of Hell.
