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Eternal Salvation |
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When one hears the term
"Eternal Security," this statement , when misunderstood, can ignite a
great debate by those who do not fully understand. I personally prefer to use the term "Eternal Salvation."
This is what I think is a more Biblical statement. Many people are secure
in their belief that one cannot be sure they will go to heaven. There are
basically three ways man views salvation: 1) Man is saved by works. 2) Man
is saved by grace and kept by his good works. 3) Man is saved by grace and
kept saved by grace. When man understands what Christ did and the nature
of salvation, they will understand the
third view is the Biblical view. 
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Eternal Security
Eternal security is the Bible confidence that every born again believer
has perfect, complete, eternal salvation in Jesus Christ. As soon as a
sinner receives Christ, he possesses full, unending salvation. To have
Christ is to have a secure position before God (1 John 5:10-13). Though
the Bible does not use the term "security" to describe the believer's
relationship in Christ, it leaves no doubt that the child of God is
eternally safe in Christ. Eternal security refers only to those who are
born again through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. It does not refer
to hypocrites or to those who are merely dabbling in the things of Christ.
Those who permanently fall away have never been born again.
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How we can be
sure true Christians are Eternally Secure. |
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1. Because
of the terms used to describe salvation. |
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"eternal life"
(John 3:16; 1 John 5:11;
"full assurance"
(Hebrews 6:11; Colossians 2:2);
"strong
consolation" (Hebrews 6:18);
"hope...sure and
steadfast" (Hebrews 6:19). |
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2. Because
of what we are. |
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All of the
following are spoken of in the present tense; this is the present
condition of each true believer:
(1) Forgiven
(Romans 4:7; 1 John 2:12)
(2) Justified
(Romans 5:1, 9; Titus 3:7)
(3) Risen with
Christ (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 3:1, 2)
(4) Reconciled
(Romans 5:10)
(5) Accepted in
the beloved (Ephesians 1:6)
(6) Saved
(Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 1:9)
(7) Citizens of
Heaven (Philippians 3:20)
(8) Children of
light (1 Thessalonians 5:5)
(9) Not of the
world (John 17:16)
(10) Elect (1
Peter 1:2)
(11) Born again
(1 Peter 1:2, 23)
(12) New
creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
(13) Complete in
Him (Colossians 2:10)
(14) Sanctified
once for all (Hebrews 10:10)
(15) Perfected
forever (Hebrews 10:14)
(16) Passed from
death unto life (1 John 3:14)
(17) Sanctified
in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2)
(18) Light in
the Lord (Ephesians 5:8)
(19) A child of
God forever (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:4-7; 1 John 3:1)
(20) Made fit
for Heaven (Colossians 1:12) |
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3. Because
of where we are. |
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(1) In the
heavenlies with Christ (Ephesians 2:5-6)
(2) In God's
family (Galatians 3:26; 1 John 3:2)
(3) Translated
into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13)
(4) Brought near
(Ephesians 2:13) |
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4. Because
of what we have. |
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(1) Peace with
God (Romans 5:1)
(2) Eternal life
(John 3:16)
(3) Sealing of
the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:12-14)
(4) All
spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3)
(5) Access to
God (Ephesians 2:18)
(6) An Advocate
with the Father (1 John 2:1-2)
(7) Eternal
redemption (Hebrews 9:12)
(8) Forgiveness
of sins (Ephesians 1`:7; Colossians 1:14, 2:13)
(9) Mercy (1
Peter 2:10)
(10) Eternal
glory (2 Timothy 2:10)
(11) Everlasting
consolation (2 Timothy 2:16)
(12) An
Intercessor in Heaven (Romans 8:34) |
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5. Because
of what is past. |
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(1) The law of
sin and death (Romans 8:2)
(2) Death and
wrath (Colossians 3:3; Romans 6:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:9)
(3) Condemnation
(John 5:24)
(4) Night and
darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5) |
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6. Because
of God's promises. |
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(1) The glory of
God (Romans 5:2) This speaks of Christ's kingdom glory
(2) Redemption
of the body (Romans 8:23-24; Philippians 3:21)
(3) Never perish
(John 10:27-28)
(4)
Predestinated to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29)
(5) Shall appear
with Christ in glory (Colossians 3:3-4)
(6) Not
appointed to wrath but to salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
(7) Delivered
from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
(8)
Incorruptible inheritance (1 Peter 1:4)
(9) He that hath
begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ
(Philippians 1:6)
(10) Shall never
die (John 11:26)
(11) Glorious
liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:21)
(12) God shall
confirm you unto the end (1 Corinthians 1:8)
(13) Eternal
inheritance (Hebrews 9:15)
(14) Shall be
saved from wrath (Romans 5:9)
(15) Cannot be
separated from God's love (Romans 8:31-39) |
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How
do we know these blessings cannot be lost? |
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1. The
blessings of salvation cannot be lost because of the nature of salvation: |
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(1) Salvation is
by substitution (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 9:10; Romans
3:24)
(2) Salvation is
positional (Ephesians 1; Romans 6:7; Colossians 2:10; 3:1-4, 12)
(3) Salvation is
a present possession (Romans 5; 1 Peter 2:24-25)
(4) Salvation is
eternal (John 3:16, 36)
(5) Salvation is
not of human merit; it is a free gift of grace which cannot be mixed with
works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:3-7; Romans 3:19-28; 4:4-5; 11:6) |
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2. The
blessings of salvation cannot be lost because of the results of salvation. |
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(1)
Justification (Romans 5:1; 3:19-28)
(2) Peace with
God (Romans 5:1)
(3) Sure
possession of future glory (Romans 5:2; Colossians 3:1-4)
(4) Salvation
from future wrath (Romans 5:9)
(5) Eternal life
(John 3:16)
(6) Sealed with
the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)
(7) Raised up
with Christ (Romans 6)
(8) Passed from
darkness to light (Colossians 1:12-14)
(9) Blessed with
all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1) |
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3. The
blessings of salvation cannot be lost because of the teaching of election. |
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Election does
not destroy human responsibility (2 Thessalonians 2:10-13; Acts 13:46,
48), but election does promise security for the believer (Romans 8:28-29;
Ephesians 1; 1 Peter 1:2-7). |
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4. The
blessings of salvation cannot be lost because lack of good works involves
loss of rewards and fruitfulness, not loss of one's eternal relationship
with Christ. |
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(1 Corinthians
3:15; Titus 3:14; 2 John 8) |
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5. The
blessings of salvation cannot be lost because of the person and work of
Christ. |
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(Colossians
1:14; Ephesians 1; Hebrews 9:10; 1 Peter 1:18-23; 2:6, 24-25) |
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Does eternal
security mean anyone who professes Christ is saved, regardless of whether
they give evidence of genuine faith? |
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1. No,
salvation demands repentance (Luke 13:3-5; Acts 17:30-31). Repentance
means a change of mind resulting in a change of life (2 Corinthians
7:8-11). The person who has never changed his mind about God, sin, Christ,
the Bible, etc., and who has never evidences this changed mind with a
changed, holy life, has never repented and has never been saved.
2. No,
salvation requires the new birth, and the new birth always changes a
man's life (2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Matthew 18:3-4; John 3:1-18; 1 John
3:7-10; 3 John 11).
3. No,
salvation is evidenced by perseverance (John 10:27-28; Matthew 7:17; 6:9;
Romans 8:13-14; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 3:12-14; 10:38-39; 1 John
2:19; 3:3). According to these Scriptures, the one who is truly born again
will persevere in Christ; or it could be better stated that Christ will
persevere in him!
4. No, saving
faith always produces works (Romans 4:18-21; Hebrews 11; James 2:14-26).
If one claims to have faith in Christ, but his life does not reflect the
works of Christ, that one does not have biblical faith. A fruitless
profession of fruit cannot lay claim to God's promises of eternal
security. |
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Does eternal
security Cause people to live carelessly? |
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Eternal security
does not cause people to live carelessly. The very opposite is true. The
Bible teaches that the grace of God actually motivates believers to serve
God with a thankful heart (Romans 2:4; Ephesians 3:14-19; Titus 2:11-14).
The more a believer understands the unfathomable love God has for him in
Christ, the more he wants to please God. |
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Who has eternal
security? |
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It is important
to further emphasize the fact that the doctrine of eternal security does
not promise safety for anyone who merely professes Christ. In the
following study we see that the bible connects eternal security only with
the true believer, the one who has been born again, and differentiates him
with the mere professor. Who has eternal security?
(1) Those who
have been born again (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 6:15).
(2) Those who
follow Christ (John 10:27-28).
(3) Those who
are purifying themselves (1 John 3:1-3).
(4) Those who love the
brethren (1 John 3:15).
(5) Those who
have an undivided, convinced faith (Hebrews 4:10, 11).
(6) Those who
are in the truth and continue in the truth (1 John 2:19-21; 2 John 1-2).
(7) Those who
continue in the word (John 8:31, 32).
(8) Those who
remain patient and steadfast in tribulations (Hebrews 10:35-39).
(9) Those who
evidence the "things that accompany salvation" (Hebrews 6:9-12).
(10) Those who
maintain their confidence in Christ (Hebrews 3:14; Philippians 1:21-23).
(11) Those who
are led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14-15).
(12) Those who
are sanctified from an unrighteous way of life (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
(13) Those who
have demonstrated their election (1 Thessalonians 1:4-10).
(14) Those who
have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof (Galatians
5:19-24).
(15) Those who
are looking for Christ's return (Hebrews 9:28).
(16) Those who
have the renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-7).
(17) Those who
depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19).
(18) Those who
bring forth fruit (Colossians 1:7-8; John 15:2; Luke 3:9). |
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Who Does not
have eternal security? |
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(1) Those who
profess but do not repent (Luke 3:7-14).
(2) Those who
have mere intellectual assent (John 2:23-25).
(3) Those who
have self-willed faith, only believing what they want to believe rather
than the testimony of the Scriptures
(John 6:60-66).
(4) Those who
have religious zeal apart from the gospel (Romans 10:1-4). |
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If the
disobedient Christian does not lose his salvation, what does happen to
him? |
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(1) The sinning
Christian is out of fellowship with the Lord (1 John 1).
(2) The sinning
Christian is helped by the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1-2).
(3) The sinning
Christian is chastened by the Father (Hebrews 12).
(4) The sinning Christian loses
irreplaceable opportunities for service and fruit (Ephesians 5:14-17;
Matthew 9:36-38; 1 Thessalonians
5:4-10).
(5) The sinning
Christian will suffer loss at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians
5: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 1 Timothy
6:17-19; 1 John 2:28).
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