“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God”, 1 John 5:11-13..
The doctrine of the eternal security of the believer, or ‘once saved, always saved’,
is founded upon the very definition of the phrase ‘eternal life’. How long is ‘eternal’? It is everlasting, perpetual, infinite duration! To be eternal implies never ending! In Romans 6:23b one reads, “. . . the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This doctrine does not advocate a license to sin, but is a motivator to sin-less. Out of hearts full of gratitude Christians choose to live holy and righteous lives pleasing to the Savior!Eternal life is in Jesus Christ. Eternal life is now. Eternal life is a gift from God. Eternal life means the recipients will never perish or go to hell, John 10:28. Eternal life means God has the believers securely in His hands, John 10:29-30. Eternal life means the repentant believer is forgiven and cleansed from all sin, 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 8:12. Eternal life means salvation from the wrath of God to come, John 3:36; Romans 5:8-9. Eternal life means there is no condemnation in Christ, John 3:18, 5:24; Romans 8:1.
The eternal security of the believer in Christ is a truth found throughout Scripture. It is unfortunate that many people have been deceived to doubt this great truth and promise from God. To doubt the power of God to keep saved those whom He has saved, is to doubt His power to save in the beginning. In Philippians 1:6, the writer assures the reader he is confident that God was more than able to complete within him the work that He had began. This truth is reiterated in 2 Timothy 1:12, “. . . I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him until that Day.” One must clearly understand God’s salvation of repentant sinners in order to understand God’s eternal security of the believer. No one works and earns salvation and no one works to maintain salvation, Ephesians 2:8-9. It is all by God’s Amazing Grace!
When people begin to look at the actions of others, take an experience from someone else’s life, or believe the words of a preacher/teacher over the Word of God, then doubt and confusion enters and clouds the understanding of the security of every repentant believer in Jesus Christ. Never base your salvation on feelings, emotions, or circumstances, because they will change everyday. Rest upon the unchanging Word of God!
Lord, thank You for saving us and keeping us saved! It is assuring to know that salvation is all from You and by You. Enable us to trust in You and not our feelings. Your word is truth. You are truth! We believe, but help now our unbelief!
Learning to serve,
Robert Finley
