The Debate on Eternal Security

The Debate on Eternal Security

There is so much debate and misunderstanding on the subject of eternal security. The moment one mentions the phrase “once saved, always saved”, it triggers such backlash from others in the community saying that this is a false doctrine and there is no scriptural evidence for this. Then they go about trying to prove the opposite, that one can lose their salvation. They grab their Bibles and list the following scriptures below, adding a bunch of conditions and requisites to state their case.

Matthew 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Hebrews 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 

The honest truth is that these individuals will probably never be convinced until they pick up a Bible for themselves and actually read it so they can learn two things,

1. The above verses are in reference to Israel under the law, not for us under grace. If one would exercise right division of the Word (2 Tim.2:15), thus recognizing Israel as distinct and separate from all other nations by dispensation, this would become clear and undeniable.
2. God has not left us without a source of reference. God has provided for us all the answers we ever need regarding His righteousness, His salvation, and His free gift of justification through Jesus Christ.

So, for those on the fence, who are still swayed by arguments for and against eternal security, let me encourage you to read the first eight chapters of the book of Romans, so that God Himself can convince you, through His Word, of His grace to those who choose to believe in His Son, and his free gift of righteousness (justification) to them who trust in the cross work of Christ alone.

Let me summarize what I have learned from Romans about eternal security, and “once saved always saved”.

• The first 3 chapters of Romans lays out the dire state of humanity. Paul contrasts the absolute righteousness of God with the utter depravity of fallen humanity. The key to understand from these three chapters is that there is too great a gap between God’s holiness and righteousness for even the best and most righteous of humans to cross. There is absolutely NO way that anyone can achieve a right standing before God. Paul concludes the following,

Rom 3:9-12  What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;  (10)  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  (11)  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  (12)  They are all gone out of the way (astray), they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

• When the above point sinks in, when you come to that point of truth and clarity of your absolute guilt before God, only then can you start to understand the grace of God, and the need for Him to provide you with the gift of righteousness through His Son. You see, it is not your own righteousness, but that of Christ that justifies you. You stand no chance before a righteous, holy God. His standards are far too high for you. In this respect, God gifts you the righteousness of His Son. So, justification is freely given to you when you believe in Jesus Christ. There is no effort, no deeds, no workings, nor earning of righteousness that you can do, ever. Your fate is sealed. Without Jesus Christ, you are doomed. Paul writes,

Rom 3:21-24  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  (22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:  (23)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  (24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

• So, what about eternal security? Let me end with this. Thank God for Jesus Christ! Without Him we are all doomed anyways. God has provided the imputed righteousness of Christ to us when we respond in faith to the gospel of His Son. Justification (being in right standing with God) is freely given to us at the moment of our salvation through the gospel. God does not take the gift He gives us back if we misbehave! Besides, even if we fall in sin, misbehave, or disobey Him, these are our own ‘unrighteous’ deeds that have consequences in this world and in our flesh. These misdeeds have nothing to do with, and cannot overshadow the grace of God and the righteousness of His Son imputed to us. We must get off our high horse, thinking that ANYTHING we do can add value to, or subtract from, the righteousness of Christ gifted to us by Gods grace and choosing. You see, God set the standard. If we believe in His Son, we are justified. That is it! We are declared righteous because of Christ’s righteousness. It has NOTHING to do with us! We are eternally saved when we believe in Jesus Christ.

Rom 3:26-28  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.  (27)  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.  (28)  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

God bless