Is “Once saved, always saved,” a Biblical teaching?
Is the doctrine of eternal security supported by the Bible?”
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13 NASB)
It is asserted by the proponents of the “Once Saved, Always Saved” doctrine that 1 John 5:13, among other scriptures, proves this belief to be Scriptural. One of the main fallacies of reasoning is “over-simplification.” While every scripture in the “inspired” word of God, from Genesis through Revelation, is true (2 Timothy 3:16; John 17:17), the scriptures must be “accurately” handled (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB). As is very typical of all false doctrines, 1 John 5:13 is taken out of context, and used in a way that John never intended, to prove the “Once Saved, Always Saved” doctrine.read more
Must a Christian Work So As Not To Lose Salvation?
Must a Christian work, or make effort, so as not to lose salvation? Many people who believe in the doctrine of “eternal security” don’t think so. They say all you have to do is believe in Jesus, and “once saved, always saved”, and that your Christian works are completely irrelevant to your salvation. But what does the Bible say? Let’s find out.Must a Christian put forth any effort so as not to lose salvation?
“Work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.” (2 Pt 1:10 NLT) The Bible does not say we’re saved by works. However, a “called and chosen” Christian can “fall away” if he does not “work hard.”
“‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.'” (Jn 6:28-29 ESV) Believing in Jesus is a work that Christians must do.
“For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” (Rom 13:11 ESV) Christian “salvation is nearer,” but not yet achieved. This is a far cry from the “once saved, always saved” dogma.
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil 2:12 ESV) While not being saved by works, a Christian is encouraged to make every effort toward salvation.
“‘Lord are only a few people going to be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter but will not be able to.'” (Lk 13:23-24 NIV) Jesus shows that tremendous effort is needed to finally be granted salvation.
“I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Cor 9:27 NIV) Paul, obviously a “saved” Christian, was concerned that after all the preaching he had done to and for others, he himself might give in to sin and become “disqualified for the prize” of eternal life or salvation. In other words, he did not want to lose his salvation.
While it is true that there is nothing that we can do to “earn” salvation, that does not mean that our salvation, as Christians, doesn’t depend on our doing Christian work. Jesus said,
“‘Don’t work for the food that spoils. Instead, work for the food that endures into eternal life'” (John 6:27 GWT). “‘Then what must we do,’ they asked him, ‘if our work is to be the work of God?’ Jesus replied, ‘This is the work that God requires: to believe in the one whom he has sent'” (John 6:28,29 REB).read more
Salvation Through Faith – What About Christian Works?
In our previous article on salvation, we established that the Bible does not support the eternal salvation (or “once saved, always saved”) doctrine. So how is a Christian saved? Is it by doing good deeds and refraining from doing bad things? Is salvation attained by Christian works? Or is it by faith alone? If by faith alone, then where do Christian works fit in? Let’s see what the Bible has to say on this matter.
Do Christian works produce salvation, or does salvation produce Christian works?
“Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done.” (Ephesians 2:9 NLT) The same verse in the NIV says that salvation is “not by works.” So obviously, the Bible says our own works cannot save us. It is not saying that as Christians, we should not be doing good works. Rather, it is saying that salvation is not attained simply by doing good works.
“To cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.” (Titus 2:14 CSB) We Christians should be eager to do good works.
“To equip his people for works of service.” (Ephesians 4:12 NIV) So God’s people, Christians, are saved and continuously equipped for “works of service.” So rather than being the mechanism by which Christians are saved, good works are actually a product of salvation. A Christian who is truly saved will be equipped by God for good works and will therefore be fully able to accomplish these works.
“You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.” (Revelation 3:1 CSB) A Christian who is not working for God and Christ is spiritually dead.
“For I have not found your works complete before my God.” (Revelation 3:2 CSB) While no amount of Christian works can save the Christian, works of Christian service are vital for a Christian so that Jesus “will never erase his name from the book of life.” (Revelation3:5 CSB)
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV) Saved Christians are “God’s handiwork.” God through Christ has done a special work being “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:24 NIV) The point of being “saved” (vs. 8) starts the work of being “created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” This is not “working one’s way to salvation,” but working for God and Christ because one is saved. Anyone who is not saved is “dead” spiritually in “transgressions and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1 NIV) But now, God has “made us alive with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV), to do good works.
James 2:14-26 discusses the relationship of faith and works in some detail, even giving Biblical examples, such as Rahab and Abraham. The main point is “that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24 CSB) He says that “I will show you my faith from my works.” (James 2:18 CSB) Obviously, proper Christian works are vital, not optional. While no Christian can earn their salvation through good works, James’ conclusion is that “faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26 CSB)
But let’s be clear: Just as “Abraham was” not “justified by works” (Romans 4:2 CSB), neither are we. Let no one mistake that.
Just as Romans 4 uses Abraham as an example of how no one is justified or declared righteous by works, but by faith, James 2 uses Abraham to prove that genuine faith is accompanied by works.
“You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” (James 2:20 NIV) Some who don’t like what James says here about works claim this contradicts what Paul says about faith alone in Romans. Martin Luther, for example, was one of them. He, and others today, have dismissed James as being uninspired. Like other parts of the Bible that may appear to be contradictory but are actually complementary, James and Romans complement each other. How so?
“You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” (James 2:22 NIV) Without actions, faith is incomplete. Biblical faith and works go together.
“And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'” (James 2:23 NIV) Abraham believed God, “so much so that he was willing to sacrifice his one and only son.” (Hebrews 11:17 NIV) This is how Abraham’s faith and works worked together. One was not complete without the other.
The misunderstanding that many have based on scriptures such as Romans 4 is that they don’t look at the scriptures in context. When the scriptures are looked at isolated from their context, misunderstandings occur. What is the context of Romans 4?
Notice how many times in Romans 4 circumcision is mentioned. The Jews thought that outward actions proved their righteousness. They also were fanatical about keeping the Mosaic Law, and all their man-made rules pertaining to it. By doing all this, they thought their righteousness was guaranteed. This is similar to pagans thinking they could manipulate their gods through various actions. Notice how Romans 4:14 refers to “those who depend on the law” (NIV). Romans 4 therefore argues against dependence on “works of the law” (Galatians 2:16 NIV), like Galatians does.
Getting the context of Romans and Galatians helps us to see clearly there is no contradiction between these two Bible books and the book of James. Paul tells us that Christians are saved through faith and not works, and James tells us that Christians who are saved through their faith will produce good works as a result of their faith. These ideas are not contradictory – they are complimentary. Christian works are an outward sign of faith, but they are not the means of salvation. And this faith in Jesus Christ and the work he accomplished is the only means of salvation.
Many modern Christians believe in the doctrine known as “eternal security” (commonly known as “once saved, always saved”). But is this belief scriptural? Let’s allow the scriptures to speak for themselves.
Is the doctrine of eternal security supported by the Bible?
“I mention it that you may be saved.” (John 5:34 NIV). Salvation is not guaranteed to everyone, or anyone. See Matthew 7:21-23.
“For in this hope we were saved” (Romans 8:24 NIV). “It is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:5). As these verses show, in one sense, salvation is past tense.
“To us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV). “We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved.” (2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV).“Being saved” in these two verses is in the present tense. Salvation began at baptism and this process continues during a Christian’s life, as long as he/she is faithful. So in another sense, salvation is an ongoing process for Christians.
“The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22). To be finally saved, we must be faithful to the end, and not give up. According to the Scriptures, “Once saved, always saved” is unscriptural. This may be surprising for some, but it is true.
The Apostle Paul did not consider anyone, including himself, to have eternal security
This can be clearly seen from the Apostle Paul’s candid discussion of his “goal” in Philippians 3:11-14:
“And so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
These verses make it obvious that Paul did not consider himself “once saved, always saved.” Other verses he wrote will also emphasize this point.
“For in this hope you were saved.” (Romans 8:24). So Paul is saying salvation is past tense. “But…” But what? “Hope that is seen is not hope at all.” So the salvation Roman Christians had received was not finalized, otherwise it would “be seen,” which “is no hope at all.” This can be seen in the final part of verse 24: “Who hopes for what they already have?”
“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:25). Paul is saying “the redemption of our bodies” referred to in verse 23 is not yet attained. The “salvation” referred to in verse 24 is not finalized. These Christians are not “once saved, always saved.”
“I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be read more
Are People Predestined, or Do They Have Free Will?
Do humans really have free will, “‘Predestination’ is a word often used to signify God’s foreordaining of all events of world history — past, present, and future. This usage is quite appropriate. In Scripture and historic Protestant theology, ‘predestination’ refers specifically to God’s decision, made in eternity before the world existed, regarding the final destinies of individual persons . . . it is usual in Protestant theology to define predestination as including both God’s decision to save some from sin (election) and the corresponding decision not to save others (reprobation)”—The Reformation Study Bible, page 1345
Are humans predestined, or do they have free will?
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him”—John 6:44
God warned Adam of the dire consequences of eating from a certain tree. (Genesis 2:16-17)
“If you do what is right, will you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door.” (Genesis 4:7 NIV) God warned Cain. His language indicates that Cain had a choice, or free will.
“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV) God made clear there is a very serious choice to make, and he urged, but did not force, the right choice..
“Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to destruction is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NJB, emphasis added) Notice how the NLT renders the key phrase: “broad, and its gate is wide, for the many who choose that way.” Jesus clearly articulates the choice that people have, and that many, unfortunately, make the wrong choice. Jesus urges the imperative: “Enter by the narrow gate.”
“Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God, or I speak on my own.” (John 7:17 NIV) Doing God’s will, or not doing it, is a choice. Anyone, and everyone, has a very serious choice to make.
“Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4 NIV) Being an enemy of God is also a choice each person has.
So, although God chooses who will serve him, human will is also at work. God allows each person to make their own choices. People have the free will to make choices in life, which can either be contrary to God’s will, or in harmony with His purpose.
However, belief in predestination, meaning that long ago God decided which humans will get eternal life, and which ones will get eternal damnation, is also quite popular. Due to this belief, or dogma, the Greek words “proginsko” and “proginzo” are translated as “predestined” in many Bible translations at Romans 8:29,30; Ephesians 1:5,11 (NIV; NKJV). However, these scriptures are more accurately translated as follows:
“Because whom He foreknew, He also foreordained conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be firstborn among many brothers; and whom He foreordained, these He also called; whom He called, these He also declared righteous; and whom He declared righteous, these He also glorified”—Romans 8:29,30 LSVread more
