THE DOCTRINE OF ETERNAL SECURITY
Note: The Doctrine of Eternal Security means that those who have exercised sincere repentance and placed genuine faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, have experienced salvation, and will be kept eternally secure by the power of God. It does not mean, and is not an excuse for professing Christians to live sinful and spiritually indifferent lives. - II Corinthians 5:17.
The Doctrine of Eternal Security Assumes Certain Conditions:
1. Not all church members are saved. Hebrews 3:14.
2. Not all who engage in church work are saved. Matthew 7:22, 23.
3. Not all who claim to be saved, genuinely are. 1 John 2:19.
4. It is possible for a Christian to commit sin. 1 John 18, 9.
5. Personal experience and observation is not a valid basis for establishing doctrinal truth. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
6. The basis for soul judgment belongs to the Lord alone. Romans 2:1-3.
7. No place in the Bible does it define the nature or depth of sin that would cause one to lose his salvation.
Why The Believer Cannot Lose His Salvation:
1. Terminology: God has given to the believer life that is "eternal" and "everlasting". 1 Jn. 5:11; Jn. 5:24. Not tentative, conditional or temporary.
2. Relationship: The believer is given a new position as God's children, a relationship that is irrevocable and impossible to change. Gal. 3:26.
3. Standing: The believer has a new standing before God. He is forgiven Eph. 1:7. Washed. 1 Cor. 6:11. Cleansed. 1 John 1:7.
4. Position: The believer has a position that is incapable of being reversed. Born again. Jn. 3:3. Regenerated. Titus 3:5. Sealed. Eph. 4:30. Redeemed. 1 Pt. 1:18. Incorruptible. 1 Pt. 1:23.
5. Basis: The basis of salvation is "grace through faith", not good works or human effort. Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5. If salvation is a gift that cannot be earned, how then could it be kept by human effort.
6. Power: The believer is kept secure by the power of God, not human effort or achieving a certain degree of holiness. Romans 8:35-39.
7. Preservation: Jesus Christ alone is the preserving agent that assures the believer of his salvation. Jude 1.
8. Experience: Those who forsake the Lord give evidence that they were never really saved to begin with. 1 John 2:19.
9. Testimony of Scripture: The scripture was written to give assurance and security to the one in Christ. 1 John 5:13.
10. Perseverance: Salvation is not realized through the perseverance of the sinner or believer; but rather the determination of God to perform that which He has begun. Philippians 1:6.
11. Predestination: The doctrine of election and predestination is one way that God establishes the believer's security. Ephesians 1:4.
12. Pride: The natural tendency of man is to be proud and boastful in his achievements. Thus, salvation is designed to eliminate any potential for self-glory. Ephesians 2:9; Romans 3:27.
13. The Sheepfold: The believer is described as a sheep in the Lord's sheepfold. As the perfect shepherd, the Lord watches night and day to protect the sheep from harm..."And they shall never perish". John 10:27-29.
14. The Holy Spirit: The believer is baptized by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:12-13; and hence "sealed unto the day of redemption". This is the divine promise to the believer. Ephesians 4:30.
15. God's Promise God's promises can never be broken. He promised, "I will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5.
16. God's Sovereignty: God is totally sovereign. Rom. 9:30. Yet, "revolving door" Christianity makes man sovereign and a manipulator of God.
17. Marriage: The believer is united to Christ in marriage, Ephesians 5:23, and this relationship is typified by the permanent bond between the husband and wife. Matthew 19:6.
18. Memory: God promises that he would put away the believer's sin and "remember them no more". Hebrews 10:17.
19. Symbol of Baptism: Baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, and the believer's future identity with Christ. Rom. 6:3-5.
20. The Believer is Seated in the Heavenlies: In the mind of God, the believer is already raised and seated in the heavenlies, in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:6.
21. God's Will: This is the will of the Father, that Jesus Christ lose nothing that was given to Him by the Father. John 6:39.
22. Sealed: The Holy Spirit abides forever, and is given to the believer as a seal that cannot be broken. John 14:16-17.
23. Incorruptible Seed: The seed that the believer is given, is incorruptible, and liveth and abideth forever. 1 Peter 1:23.
24.Body-Soul-Spirit: God has promised to preserve the spirit, soul and body of the believer. 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
25. Intercession: Jesus lives as the present intercessor for the believer. Hebrews 7:25.
26. Conquerors: Through the blood of Christ, the believer is described as a conqueror, who has already defeated the claim of Satan on this life. Rom. 8:37.
27. Defilement: The inheritance that is given to the believer cannot be defiled. 1 Peter 1:4.
28. Reserved: The believer's hope is reserved in heaven, as if it were an accomplished fact.
29. God's Gift: Salvation is not a wage, but a gift that is freely offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8, 9.
30. Friendship If God is willing to accept His enemies, surely He is willing to accept us now that we are friends. Rom. 5:10.
31. Resurrection: The believer is declared already "risen" with Christ. Col. 3:1-4.
CONCLUSIONS
The concept that the believer can lose his salvation is based on a wrong premise, namely that there is something that man can do to please or appease God. This led to the error in the Galatians, who believed that they were saved by faith, yet perfected by works. Galatians 3:1-3. This question also led to the writing of the book of Hebrews that declares that blood alone is sufficient to cleanse the spot of sin. Hebrews 10:14-18. Further, the supposition that one can lose his salvation feeds pride, James 4:6, by suggesting that there is something that I can do to merit God's favor, and hence, keep my salvation. It leads to a judgmental spirit, whereby, we are free to question the salvation of someone we feel is erring from the truth; and further, fosters an omniscient spirit that replaces Biblical truth with personal feeling and experience.
To propose that one can lose his salvation is not an innocent or acceptable variation of Biblical interpretation, for it changes the entire essence of salvation from grace to works. Titus 3:5; Romans 11:6. One cannot have it both ways. Salvation is either by grace or by works, and we err to allow human pride or observation combine them! 1 Corinthians 1:29.