Bible teaching about eternal security

The Bible teaching about eternal security is fraught with hotly debated controversy. Wow! Just Google the terms and you can smell the smoke of heated tempers flare. Then, why would I care to jump into the fray? Good question. I don’t know myself. 

Frankly, I don’t like to fight and argue. But, I do like to help people. And, there are many of you who never know for sure if you are saved, or what you have to do or not do to slip out of salvation, or if you can ever get resaved, or if you have confessed enough sins to maybe get to Heaven, or maybe forgotten to confess one sin and end up in Hell. 

Maybe you are stuck in a sin, cannot get out, and live in dread and defeat. Maybe you have tried so hard to live by the rules, have failed so many times – and just given up on the idea of getting to heaven. 

So…I am not here to prove a point, but to give you hope. If you are struggling with doubts of your salvation, what I have to say will give you hope – even if you are struggling with sin, evil thoughts, etc., etc., etc. Eternal security is a true biblical doctrine. Let me show you. Warning: don’t use it as an excuse to go sin, but as a means of hope. Following is a definition, and some reasons to embrace the doctrine of eternal security.

I think a full definition of eternal security may help make it easier to understand and believe. Let me rename the doctrine to “God’s securing of believers.” This gives tremendous assurance to the truly born again Christian. It refers to that constant work of the Holy Spirit by which He brings to ultimate completion that salvation He began in the heart of the believer (cf. John 10:28, 29; 11:42; Romans 8:29-39; 11:29; Philippians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Titus 1:12; 4:18; Hebrews 3:14; 6:11; 7:25; 10:22; 2 Peter 1:10).

In the present God keeps the believer from continued sin that would lead to their damnation. In the future, God will finally complete their salvation. There are two sides to the equation. It is God who preserves us, and also the believer perseveres, but under the influence, operation and power of the Holy Spirit (1 John 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:19). Here is evidence for the doctrine.

God declares true believers are eternally saved. One powerful statement reads, “All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out…And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise him up on that last day” (John 6:37, 39, 40). 

Let’s try another one, “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 My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29). Several things we can learn from these declarations.

•We will never be cast out or lost

•It is God’s will that we are secure

•We possess eternal life

•We will never perish

•No one is able (even you or the devil) is able to rob you away from Him.

•God is powerful to keep us saved – He has the ability.

This follows on the intent, promise, declaration, and established will of God as seen in the previous verses. God cannot lie; therefore, our salvation is grounded in God’s perfect, holy character. Sure, He warns, disciplines, and teaches you and me to live holy, but that is to correct and perfect us. Another thought: we do not have the power to save ourselves; consequently, how could we have the power to keep ourselves saved? Eternal security is true. 

This follows on the intent, promise, declaration, and established will of God as seen in the previous verses. God cannot lie; therefore, our salvation is grounded in God’s perfect, holy character. Sure, He warns, disciplines, and teaches you and me to live holy, but that is to correct and perfect us. Another thought: we do not have the power to save ourselves; consequently, how could we have the power to keep ourselves saved? Eternal security is true. 

Eternal life, by definition, is everlasting life as well as a particular quality. Eternal and everlasting means it is a state of being that never has an end. If we could lose our salvation, then we would not have eternal life. We would need to call it intermittent, possible, periodic, partial, perhaps – anything but eternal (cf. John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 6:51). 

If eternal security is not true, then we never will have eternal life. Let me put it another way. If we have eternal life, then we necessarily have eternal security. Here is another thing to chew on. If you can lose your salvation in this life, what will keep you from losing it in the next life? Eternal security is true!

Jesus requested of the Father, “Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory (John 17:24). As to Christ’s prayer life, He stated, “Father, I thank Thee that Thou heardest Me. And I knew that Thou hearest Me always” (John 11:41, 42). 

Jesus Christ always had His prayers answered, and He asked that we be kept eternally secure regarding our salvation. If not, then we would need to say that Jesus may not have had His prayers answered. Frankly, I don’t want to accuse Jesus of unanswered prayer. Do you think eternal security is true? Well, let’s add more reasons.

Many doctrines are called into question if we can lose our salvation. Regeneration is one. Defined, it is that act of God in which He implants within us new life which makes holy the governing tendency of our soul. We are made alive in Christ. 

John wrote, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12, 13). 

We are born into the family of God. That is a reality. Just as my children can never be unborn, neither can we undo our spiritual rebirth. It is permanent, and cannot be undone. Eternal security is true.

Three issues. First is the doctrine of justification. Defined, it is that legal action of God whereby based on the righteousness of Christ, He declares and treats the sinner as righteous, or just before the courtroom of the universe. This experience is instant, complete and deals with the change in our standing before God.

The whole issue boils down to this: who pays the penalty for our sin – Christ or us? We are told that Christ paid for all the sins for all time for all those who place their faith in Him (Hebrews 10:10, 12, 14). If, then, He fully paid the penalty for all our sin, how can any charge ever be placed against us (cf. Romans 8:31-34)? Further, we are justified by faith, never by our works (Galatians 3:24; Romans 3:20, 28; Ephesians 2:8, 9).

There is the legal issue of adoption. Paul wrote that we, “receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:5; cf. Romans 8:15-17, 23; 9:4; Ephesians 1:5). This is another courtroom action which makes legal our new position in Christ. By regeneration we are born into the family of God; by adoption we are legally declared that exalted status.

The sealing of the Holy Spirit is another legal transaction (cf. Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22). A seal indicates ownership, possession, protection, a guarantee of the finality and security of our salvation. God owns us, has invested in us, and will never lose His investment. Eternal security is true!

In the final analysis, our salvation is never nor ever has been based on what we do, but entirely upon what God has done for us through Christ. The only thing we can do is to receive the legal pardon God offers to us. And remember, God is the “Supreme Court Justice,” and His decision is final. There is no court of appeals above Him. 

To wrap up, eternal security is true. Praise God! Enjoy what God has done for you! And, because of His gift to you, live your life in love and obedience to Him.

Dr. Willis and Esmie Newman

1. According to John 3:16, what must we do to receive salvation?

2. According to Ephesians 2:8, 9, what is our salvation considered? What can you do to earn or work for a gift?

3. According to Hebrews 10:10-14, how many sins did Christ die for?

4. According to Romans 3:28; 4:3, 9, 16, how do we receive salvation?

5. According to John 10:27, 29, who is able to snatch our salvation away from us?

5. Since God is the one who justifies us, who has the higher authority to charge us with sin (Romans 8:33, 34)?

6. How much condemnation is against those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)?

7. How would you describe the doctrine of eternal security?

8. What is the sin(s) Christians can commit to lose their salvation? What is your evidence?

How would you align John 10:27, 29 with your view?

9. What does the doctrine of eternal security mean to you?

10. What stands out to you the most in this study of eternal security? Explain.