Eternal Security

by D. Richards (Canada)

Paper 1

The subject of the eternal security of the believer is one that seriously divides the people of God. On both sides believers sincerely claim to be guarding the truth of God. On the one hand, those who believe that it is possible to lose one’s salvation, teach that the doctrine of eternal security is an excuse for believers to continue a life of sin. On the other hand, those who believe in eternal security, teach that to deny the eternal security of the believer takes away from the value of the work of Christ and elevates the flesh. Which is correct? This is not a doctrine that we can discard as being of little importance. It is vital that we have a right understanding of what the Bible teaches on this subject.

That there are verses in the Bible that seem to support both points of view is undeniable. But, clearly, both viewpoints cannot be correct. The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, and is totally devoid of contradictions. There are things in the Bible which we will never understand, after all, the Author of the Bible is an infinite Being. It has often been stated that, what is not clear is not vital, and what is vital is clear. So we should be able to resolve this particular difference of opinion.

The author of these papers will seek to look at a number of verses of Scripture that are used as material by both sides of the argument. Whichever viewpoint one takes, it is necessary to answer questions that arise from verses that appear to teach the opposite view.

From the outset the present author will state that his own conviction on this vital subject is that the moment a person trusts Christ as Saviour that person is eternally saved. We will approach this subject from this perspective, first of all looking at a number of verses and passages that clearly teach the eternal security of the believer. Then we will look at such verses and passages that, on the surface, appear to teach otherwise.

Jn.5.24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth [on] Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

First of all I will explain why I put the word “on” in square brackets. It does not represent a word in the original Greek text. We believe God, but we are not asked to believe on God. The object of our faith is the Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps, before we look at the text we should look at what the Bible means by “believing”. Believing, in Bible terms, is not merely giving a mental assent to historical facts. Rather, it is a matter of putting one’s whole confidence in those facts. By way of a very simple illustration, in Bible terms I do not believe in a chair while I stand beside it saying “I believe that that chair can support my weight.” I believe in the chair when I sit on it, depending upon it to support my weight. In the text at the beginning of this paragraph the Lord Jesus Christ Himself says that the one who believes God “hath everlasting life.” That is, everlasting life is not something to hope to possess in the future, but something that is presently possessed by all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Then He states that such believers “shall not come into condemnation (judgment).” All who have believed God, not only possess everlasting life in the present, but, as far as the future is concerned, they shall not come into judgment. You will notice that the Lord Jesus does not add any conditions, other than that of believing. He says nothing about being baptized (although this is desirable), nor does He say that we must hold on with all our might. It is simply a matter of believing what God says, firstly about ourselves (that we are sinners), and secondly, about his Son (that He died to provide salvation for us).

Jn.10.27-30 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

Once again, these are the words of the Lord Jesus Himself. First of all we must identify who are His sheep. In this chapter it is clear that in verse 26 (not quoted) the Lord is addressing the Jews, and He says to them, “But ye believe not, because ye are not of My sheep...”. So His sheep are those who believe. He says of such, “My sheep hear My voice.... and they follow Me.” Many will insist that following the Lord is essential to being one of His sheep. But, do sheep become the property of a shepherd by following him? Surely, if a sheep strayed from a flock, and began following another shepherd this would not constitute it one of the latter’s sheep. In actual fact the sheep do not follow the shepherd to become his sheep, but because they are his sheep. Following the shepherd is not the cause of them being his sheep, but rather, the consequence. Notice now what the Lord says in relation to His sheep, “I give unto them eternal life...”. This corresponds with what we saw in John 5: 24. But the Lord proceeds to say, “..and they shall never perish...”. Nothing can be clearer than this. As far as the present is concerned they have eternal life. As to the future, “they shall never perish.” Then He adds, “… neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” Those who are His sheep are in the double hand clasp of the God who brought the universe into existence, and upholds all things by the word of His power.

Rom.5.1,2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

The first clause of these wonderful verses, “Therefore being [literally “having been”] justified by faith”, speaks of a past experience. The tense of the original Greek implies an act complete in itself, settled and unalterable. The next clause, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”, expresses the result of having been justified by faith, and speaks of our present experience. The result of having been justified by faith is that now we have peace with God. Peace with God is not dependant upon our condition as Christians, but purely and simply upon the fact that there was a time in our lives when we were justified by faith. Added to this Paul says, “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand …” The verb “access” is in the perfect tense. This expresses a past act with continuing results, so that the verse could read, “By whom we have had, and continue to have access by faith …” Our standing before God in grace is dependant solely upon that moment when we were justified by faith. But notice now the last part of verse 2, “and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” “Hope” in the Bible is always something certain, but it is future, so that this clause could read, “and rejoice in prospect of the glory of God.” Notice here that there is no element of uncertainty! Why did Paul have such confidence that we can “rejoice in prospect of the glory of God”? Simply because we have been justified by faith. That one act of faith not only gives present peace with God, but also settles our future destination.

—to be continued (D.V.)