Once Saved Always Saved?

Written by Chris Sallee (Mr Berean@aol.com)

I'm sure you've heard the phrase "once saved always saved", and no doubt it has stirred up some controversy as to whether or not it is an accurate and true statement.  But what does "once saved always saved" mean and what does it imply?  Is it something that the Bible supports or is it an excuse for sinful living? The exact phrase "once saved always saved" cannot be found in Scripture, neither is the phrase "lose your salvation" found anywhere in Scripture. So which is correct? Surely only one of the beliefs can be correct. Well, we can know by considering very carefully what God's Word says. With the guidance of Gods Spirit and careful reading of His Word, He can give us insight into this matter.   Please follow along with me as we dive into this subject and study what "once saved always saved" is all about.  Your thoughts and replies are greatly appreciated.

The phrase "once saved always saved" is a phrase used by Christians and non-Christians alike.  I believe they are both actually referring to the same concept but actually have differing views concerning this concept.  The concept is this - that once a person is saved, once a person becomes a Christian and heaven will be this person's eternal home that no matter what transpires, this person will continue to stay saved and always be a Christian and never lose heaven as their eternal home.  Some people believe that once a person is saved, no matter what they do, they will continue to be a saved person.  Others believe that a person can lose their status as a saved person and their inheritance of heaven as a result of an action that despises heaven or despises what a Christian is.  They believe that particular sins or all sins can negate their status as a Christian and a saved person.

To start our study and determine whether or not salvation is a permanent state or a condition that man can choose and then willfilly deny, I believe we must first define what salvation is.


What is Salvation:
To address the question of whether one can or cannot lose his salvation, we must first define what salvation is.  Salvation is freely received as a gift of God's grace through faith in Christ. A person simply believes and through faith in Christ, receives salvation.  Salvation is simply eternal life. We obtain eternal life through God's promise that He loves us and took our punishment upon Himself and saved us from our own sinful consequences after we realize the depth of our transgressions and seek forgiveness.  God says in Scripture:

[JOHN 10:28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
[ROMANS 6:23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So Scripture does make it clear that this gift is an eternal gift. Salvation is eternal life.  Savation is eternal.  What does "eternal" mean? Websters defines it:

Webster seems to have the same definition and agrees with Scripture that eternal means 'never ending' (as already quoted above in John 10:28 "..and they shall never perish").  So therefore, "eternal" could be illustrated by the following diagram.


This line is eternal (Symbolized by the arrows)

line.bmp (982 bytes)

It has no end.  The line continues on forever or for eternity. In other words, the line will never perish. "Eternal life" would be a strange description of something that didn't last forever, wouldn't it?

It could hardly be "eternal life" if one could have it today and not have it tomorrow. If the line above was to have a break in it, it would no longer be a line (it would not be eternal) but it would become a mere line segment (not eternal).

Is the line below eternal? (Note the broken places)

broken.bmp (982 bytes)

In Geometry, the above could not be classified as a line, for a line is unbroken and continuous. This is a line segment.  By definition, a line is not a line if it is broken anywhere along it's way.  Let's apply this to the word 'eternal' in saying that if it is possible to ever have "eternal life", then not have it -- Then simply by definition it is not "eternal".  Eternity plainly means it lasts forever.  So if you have something one moment and don't have it the next, could someone tell you it was ever eternal?  This may bring on another question.  Some say that the life God gives is definitely eternal and that they do not doubt that this life is eternal but they distinguish a difference between a person lasting forever and a gift that lasts forever.  Frankly, what is life if there is no one to live it?   Nevertheless, some say that we will gain this eternal life when we cross from death to life and that for now, we handle it carelessly.  This brings the question...

Do we have eternal life right now?

Do we really have this eternal life right now or is it something we get later when we enter heaven?

[1 JOHN 5:11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Scripture says that we currently have God's precious gift of salvation. All we must do is simply ask for it....

[MATTHEW 7:7] Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Once we ask, eternal life is immediately given to us in the present. In fact, we are even told that we currently know that we have it.

[1 JOHN 5:13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

So, we don't become his children in eternity, but here and now, the moment we put our faith in Christ. The One who is the truth cannot lie, therefore we have complete confidence that it is impossible for Christ's sheep to ever perish. (See John 10:28) Once we become His, He keeps us and will never let us perish.


Can the righteous be unrighteous?

Is this promise of us "never perishing" backed up and supported by other verses? Or is there another meaning behind "Eternal Life"? Let's consider some other verses which might seem to contradict themselves.

[1 CORINTHIANS 6:9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

This is plainly spoken, no hidden meaning. The "unrighteous" will not enter God's kingdom period, No exceptions.

What makes a person unrighteous? Scripture goes on to tell us:

[1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-10] 9 neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

This is pretty plain. No unrighteous person shall enter heaven. Now who are the unrighteous? Everyone....... Is there any person who is righteous?

[ROMANS 3:10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

So, all of us are unrighteous? Yes.... So how can we enter into heaven? We can't.  It is nothing that we've done that gains us entrance, for we've only done evil and unrighteous things. But Jesus is righteous. He washed us. These things have still caused us to be sinners but Christ's blood justified us. It is what He did that sanctifies us, not what we do.  It's a gift.

[1 CORINTHIANS 6:10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

So, even though we are sinners, Jesus has washed us in his blood, making us righteous. Notice it is not in what we do that maintains our righteousness, but it is entirely in what Jesus did. But, being righteous, what if we sin? Does a sin cause Jesus's blood to be of no effect, have we become unrighteous again?

[1 JOHN 2:1] My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.

We are asked not to sin. We are to be Holy as Christ is holy. Is it possible to never sin again? Perhaps... What if one does sin?

[1 JOHN 2:1] And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Notice that Jesus Christ advocates for us when we sin. That is because we have trusted in him, and he knows we will not continue in sin. What is Jesus advocating? Notice that in the same verse it calls Jesus Christ, the righteous one. Therefore as a righteous person he advocates our righteousness, based on His righteousness. Does a sin stop Christ from advocating? Is God suddenly not appeased anymore?

[1 JOHN 2:2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Propitiation means "to make favorable or appease" Christ's completed work on the cross appeases the Father on our behalf. Notice, it does not say he was the propitiation, but he is. The Greek even uses this wording - "Keeps on appeasing". Why would Jesus do this for us? He does it out of Love. So if we sin, it does not cause us to lose our stautus as children of God, because Christ keeps on advocating on our behalf. So it is like we have never sinned!

Never Sinned? Is this Scriptural?


[1JOHN 3:9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin;

The Christian does not sin. Can he? of course he can! Or can he?

[1 JOHN 3:9] for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin,

Now we know it is impossible for every Christian not to ever sin again, so how can Scripture say that whoever is born of God cannot sin? Thats because we have believed on Jesus and his ability to pay our sin debt.  Therefore we are made clean, just like we never sinned. Yes, Jesus paid it all! For every sin! ALL He paid for past and future sins. For sins forever. ALL By his one sacrifice, all sins forever, are forgiven to those who are called by his name. Jesus paid the penalty for sin so we wouldn't have to endure it. If we then sin after being saved and go to hell, Jesus didn't pay for them all. He missed one.

[Hebrews 10:12] But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;


Problems with losing salvation:

If it were possible to lose our sanctification, our place in heaven, then it would be necessary to gain it back again and the only way to do that is to obtain salvation through Christ again. Is this possible?

[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;

If it were possible for us to "fall away" then Scripture says it is impossible for us to "renew" or gain back "repentance" Why is it impossible to be "renewed" or saved again?

[HEBREWS 6:6] 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.

Getting saved again means that there was a sin which caused Christ's blood to be of no effect. It escaped being covered, because it hadn't been committed as of yet and for it to be covered, Christ would have to die again, which means Christ's blood did not cover all sin. Shame on Christ for having done something so foolish as to die for us after living a perfect life and allowing one small sin to cause his death to be of no good for us. God forbid. He paid it all, forever.

Paul Later says to the Hebrews:

[HEBREWS 6:9] But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

He says - You know better than that - "we are persuaded better things of you."   Better things than what? Concerning things that accompany salvation. What are those things? "Though we thus speak" of. What has Paul been speaking of this whole chapter so far - maturity and falling away. In other words, "falling away" does not "accompany salvation".  "Falling away" is not possible. Salvation is firm and secure. How firm?

[HEBREWS 6:18] That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation,

Thats pretty strong and firm. It is impossible for God to lie. And he doesn't lie about our salvation being unsecure.

[HEBREWS 6:19] Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Once we obtain eternal life, we have become a person with a new inheritance. We are new creatures. Scripture describes our new position in many ways. We are, or have:

1) Born again.......................John 3:3
2) New Creatures.................2 Corinthians 5:17
3) The mind of Christ............Philippians 2:15
4) Believers.........................John 2:22
5) The Sons of God..............John 1:12
6) Anointed..........................2 Corinthians 1:21
7) Baptized..........................1 Corinthians 12:13
8) His Body..........................Ephesians 1:23
9) Spiritually Circumsized......Colossians 2:11
10) Dead to self.....................Colossians 3:3

Scriptures describes belivers in many, many more different ways. For just these few descriptions, realize what they would be called if such a title could be nullified. If a sin would cause us to lose these titles, we would be.

1) Dead again
2) Old new Creatures
3) Forgot the mind of Christ
4) Deniers
5) Disowned
6) Cast off the anointing
7) Nullified the baptism
8) Amputated body
9) Un- Circumsized ??
10) Alive to self again

God's word does not support these titles. How can one be a "Believer" and then reject that which he believes?  It doesn't make sense. Can one be circumcized and then revert back to the way he was before circumcision?  Of course not. Scripture addresses these who have believed on Christ as Believers since they first believed. If you do not believe, you will not see eternal life.

[JOHN 3:36] He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him

When does this Scripture apply? If we "believe" when we are young, or "believe" when we are old or "believe" at our last breath? Scripture simply says "believe" We can believe at any time in our lives.

[JOHN 3:15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Christ does the keeping

Our eternal life is in what Christ did in his completed work on the cross. Of course we sin, but Christ continually keeps us.

[JUDE 1:24] Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Christ keeps us? He sure does. Scripture even says we are "sealed" by him. A seal speaks of protection and/or ownership. So Christ actually owns us. Can this be so? What did he do that gives him ownership over us?

[1 CORINTHIANS 6:20] For ye are bought with a price:

We are bought, with his blood. We are now his children. In fact, being former children "of the world" He bought us and therefore adopted us.

[ROMANS 8:15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Adopted into God's kingdom. In fact, adoption ties are next to impossible to break. Adoption ties are upheld by the law. When an adoption takes place, even a new birth certificate is made, so that the adoptee will have the adopter's name. Can this tie be revoked? Can out gift of salvation be repented of?

[ROMANS 11:29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Once we are partakers of Gods gift, and our new calling, they can in no way be repented of. Where does Scripture say we can have our eternal life revoked?  Is there anyone who has personally known God, but will not enter the Kingdom? No, Scripture does not tell of those who once knew God, but of those who either know him or never knew him, as described by Jesus at the end of his sermon on the mount.

[MATTHEW 7:23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

These people proclaimed "Lord Lord" and even had done "many wonderful works" but obviously never knew God in a personal way. Take Judas Iscariot for example. Judas was one of the twelve disciples. Certainly he knew Jesus and believed. What does Scripture say?

[JOHN 6:70] Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

Jesus says he hand picked Judas. Certainly Judas had every opportunity to get to know the Lord in a way many never would, yet he is called a "devil". Perhaps that is because of who Judas really was. He never cared for, loved or even believed on Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

[JOHN 6:64] But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

Judas never believed? No. Scripture never says he did, In fact, look what Judas was concerned with instead:


This isnt the portrait of someone who Loved their Lord, and then lost their place in the Lamb's book of life. Judas was concerned for himself, and always had been. He never "knew" nor was part of God's family.

Judas was called the "Son of Perdition".

[JOHN 17:12] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Notice that Christ "kept" the others. The other eleven diciples believed, therefore Jesus "kept" them as members of his own. Would Christ cut off a member of his own body?

[1 CORINTHIANS 6:15] Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

Sinning, as a member of Christ, does not bring us into condemnation, but only under chastisement.

[1 CORINTHIANS 11:32] But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

No condemnation? To believers, no.

[ROMANS 8:1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

We are not free, by any means to do entirely what we want, we are called to be conformed to be like Jesus. If we have accepted Christ and his gift of salvation, God knows we will seek him, but we are still prone to sin. God knows all things and somehow uses even that which displeases him, to continue to teach and conform us.

[ROMANS 8:28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

If we are truly the called, and die with a sin on our shoulders, would going to hell be the good workings of "his purpose"? No, hell is judgement unto condemnation, heaven is a gift of love unto life eternal, which was given to us by Christ's death on the cross. He died once for all, for sins forever. It is He who obtained and retains our salvation. All we must do is to believe on Him. His love does the rest. Calls us, keeps us, saves us, redeems us. How did we ever get such opportunity to be objects of Gods love? Who shall separarte us from that relationship? Not a soul, not even ourselves.

[ROMANS 8:38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do you know Jesus personally? Be assured He will never leave you nor forsake you. You are eternally His always!

2 Timothy 3:16

Chris

[1Peter 4:19]
"Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."