Question
I have kind of a confusing question. I keep hearing people talking about how the Bible sometimes says that we are ‘eternally secure’ (can’t lose our salvation), and other times it talks about Christians losing their salvation.
Answer
Hi, my dear friend, what a great question. Don’t worry I understand your question completely. Unfortunately, my answer is going to be more confusing than your question. Is there security that we will go to heaven? I’m still processing this in my own heart, I don’t believe the Bible gives assurance in every situation, since it has to do with what God is doing in our lives and appears to be based on relationship with Christ. So, let’s do a super fast examination of what people are talking about.
- Once Saved, Always Saved – We do have passages like Romans 8:38, where Paul is SURE that nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ (but does this mean salvation? Depends on who you ask), we have Philippians 1:16 – that says Paul is SURE that “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it at the day of Jesus Christ” (tends to suggest that He will get us home). We have 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, which is really powerful since it talks about God perfecting us and Paul is SURE about that. Hebrews 6:19 talks of being SURE of Christ’s work in our life.
- Losing Our Salvation – But then again we have stuff like 2 Peter 3:8-11 – “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” And many others that talk about ‘if this happens…’ (Hebrews chapter 6) and other passages that say, ‘if you endure to the end’ and stuff like that.
So Now What? – How our part and how God’s part work together, I do not know for sure, so I do not give false senses of assurance, but I do give confidence to those that cling to Christ that He is more than ABLE to get us home.
