Tag: eternal security

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One of the most repugnant positions that some churches embrace or even tolerate is the notion that a Christian can lose their salvation. 

It is the idea that if a professed Christian engages in grossly sinful behavior (which all sin is with God anyway), or stops living a public Christian life, then they either were not really saved in the first place (which certainly could be true) or they have walked away from God and forfeited their salvation. 

The question is, is it even possible to lose one’s salvation?  To think or believe that you can lose it or have it taken away is not only un-Scriptural, it’s insulting to God.  You are saying that God breaks His promises.

There are many, many passages that I could cite to show that when you get saved it’s permanent no matter what you do.   But I only want to look at 2 here.

The first is John 10:27-30.  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of the Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.”

Jesus is making a very clear and definitive statement.  He says He knows who His sheep are and He gives them eternal life.  Right there is all you need. 

When you are given eternal life, that means you are going to live for eternity…period.

And that’s exactly what Jesus says: “and they shall NEVER perish;”!  Never is Never!  No matter what, not no how, not no way! 

Anyone who believes and receives Christ as Savior will not be judged and thrown into the Lake of Fire and destroyed.  That is the definition of perish (see my blog on Eternal Torment or Eternal Destruction).  Eternal life means you will live forever with the Lord. 

It’s not necessary, but the other verse that I want to include with the previous passage is Romans 11:29, “for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”

Now, I realize that the context for this passage is the promise to Israel that it will be saved after the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.  It doesn’t matter, it is still applicable.  In fact, it demonstrates that the promise of eternal life is an unconditional guarantee. 

God promised that He would send a Deliverer from Zion and that He would remove Israel’s sins.  This was not dependent on Israel’s performance or behavior.  This is an unconditional promise to Israel just as the gift of eternal life is an unconditional promise to any person who receives it.  Eternal life is a gift from God and God says it is IRREVOCABLE!

This is a critically important fundamental Bible doctrine.  A believer, especially a new believer, needs to know that there is nothing that can change their relationship with God.  There is no sin that can put them in jeopardy with the Lord.  They can now obey God out of love and thankfulness rather than fear.  Not only should this be the position a church stands on, it should be taught.