It is of vital importance that we are established in the full assurance of our eternal
salvation. Doubting our salvation is assured will give opportunity to the enemy and
will cultivate instability. As every good parent knows a child needs the stability that
comes from knowing they are and always will be loved, and they will never be
abandoned. God’s Word is clear, we cannot earn or deserve eternal salvation, it is
freely given by a gracious God. Once salvation to eternal life is received, we can
never lose it! He gives it by grace, we receive it by faith. Doubting our salvation is
actually doubting God Himself, because our guarantee of everlasting life is based
solely on His Work and His Word. Our faith should not be in our faith – but based on
the truth of His Word.
“but these things have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His Name.” (John 20:31).
“being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ
Jesus;” (Romans 3:24).
“But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his
faith is credited as righteousness,” (Romans 4:5).
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is]
the gift of God;” (Ephesians 2:8). Here, as in 2:5, “you have been saved” the Greek
is in the perfect tense, meaning it is an action completed in the past with continuing
results.
The verses above show that our eternal salvation, justification, and the
righteousness of Christ are freely given by His grace through faith. We cannot lift a
finger to earn it or deserve it, it is by grace through faith. When the jailer in Philippi
cried out, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas said, “Believe in the
Lord Jesus,” (Acts 16:30-31).
Eternal salvation cannot be lost, taken away, or relinquished
Because salvation is a free gift and eternal, literally lasting for ever, it cannot be lost
or taken away, if it could be lost it would not be eternal. 1 John 5:13 assures us,
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in
order that you may know that you have eternal life.” Those who believe have been
gifted life forever! What an amazing thing our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished at
Calvary! What a truth to stir up hearts to thankfulness and joy even if it were the only
truth we ever heard. Eternal life has already begun for those who believe. But, if this
gift of everlasting life can be taken away or lost, it could never have been eternal in
the first place. The Apostle John said that you may know that you have the gift of life,
and it is forever (1 John 5:13), it cannot be lost as it is an eternal possession. See
the following verses.
“”For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).
“”My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch
them out of My hand. My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and
no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:27-29). [Note:
We are in both Christ’s hands and the Father’s hands. Hence, Jesus goes on to say
“I and the Father are one”. (Verse 30).]
Neither can we forfeit or relinquish our salvation. Some teach that we can jump out
of the Father’s hands, or, take off the life jacket that we have been gifted with. This is
wrong, making us the determining factor in arriving at our eternal destination. Eternal
salvation depends entirely on Him, and He has declared that once He has given it, it
is for ever. It is His gracious act of mercy and love.
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, [including ourselves] will be
able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 8:38-39).
“Even from eternity I am He; and there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act
and who can reverse it?” Isaiah 43:13. Notice how Christ echoes these words in
John 10:28-29 as we saw previously.
The giving and the maintaining of our eternal salvation has got nothings to do with us
– He gave us life, He will preserve our life. If our preservation depends on our
behaviour and ‘keeping the faith’ how can we ever be assured that we have eternal
life. Our salvation and preservation to eternal life depends entirely on the only One
who is able to accomplish such a wonderful work. “For you have died and your life is
hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3. This is eternal security.