Eternal Security (Part 2)

What are the Biblical evidences for eternal security? In this second discussion of eternal security we note fourteen of the evidences that are found in Scripture.

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God the Father

In relation to God the Father, the eternal security of the believer is based upon four reasons.

First, it is God’s sovereign purpose that those He justified will also be glorified. Paul does not say in Romans 8:28-30 that only those who persevere to the end will make it or that only some who are justified will be glorified, but rather that all those who are justified will be glorified. Other relevant texts include 1 Corinthians 1:8, Ephesians 2:7, and Philippians 2:12-13.

Second, God the Father has promised to keep the believer by His power (John 10:25-29; Romans 4:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 7:25; Jude 24).

Third, if God was willing to provide salvation to us when we were yet his enemies, how much more will the love of God keep us now that we are His friends (cf. Romans 5:7-10).

Fourth, God has promised that believers will not perish (John 3:16; 5:24; Hebrews 6:16-19).

God the Son

In relation to God the Son, the eternal security of the believer is based upon six reasons.

First, Christ bore our condemnation forever, He died for all our sins (Hebrews 2:8-9; 1 John 2:2), regardless of when we committed it (past, present or future).

Second, believers are partakers of Christ’s resurrection life, something which cannot be lost (Romans 4:25; Ephesians 2:6).

Third, because Christ is working as our Advocate on our behalf (1 John 1:1-2:2), sin in the believer’s life is dealt with, but not by loss of salvation.

Fourth, Christ intercedes for us so that no believer can be lost (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).

Fifth, Christ is our Shepherd who gives eternal life, makes sure no sheep perish and no one can snatch His sheep from his hands (John 10:27-29).

Sixth, the purpose of Christ’s redemptive work is to purify the Church so that it will be without spot or blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27), but if one could lose one’s salvation, that would result in a spot or a blemish.

God the Holy Spirit

In relation to God the Holy Spirit, the eternal security of the believer is based upon five reasons.

First, the Holy Spirit’s work of regeneration cannot be undone.

Second, since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit indwells all believers permanently, eternally and forever (John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 2:22; 1 John 2:27).

Third, during the Church age, the Holy Spirit baptises the believer into the Body of Christ and it is not possible to permanently fall out of the body (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13).

Fourth, the Holy Spirit seals the believer permanently, guaranteeing the eternal security of the believer (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30).

Fifth, the power of the Holy Spirit guarantees the eternal security of the believer (Philippians 1:6).

Eternal Security in Romans 8 verse 1 to 39

Not only is there now no condemnation for those who are in Christ, but nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing.

The Meaning of the Word “Eternal”

If the word eternal means anything, it means forever. If a believer could lose his or her salvation, then such life was not eternal, but only temporary. But God gives believers in Christ eternal life, forever. There is an eternal plan that God has for us (Ephesians 3:10-11), we have eternal salvation based upon what Christ has done for us (Hebrews 5:9), we have eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12), an eternal inheritance (Hebrews 9:15), we are destined for eternal glory in an eternal kingdom (2 Timothy 2:10; 2 Peter 1:11), we have an eternal hope (Titus 3:7) which produces eternal comfort (2 Thessalonians 2:16) and the new covenant is an eternal covenant (Hebrews 13:20). Even now we have eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (cf. John 17:3).

The Finished Work of Christ

Those who have received salvation cannot lose it, because otherwise it would require Christ to come and do everything on the cross again (Hebrews 10:12-18). But Christ’s work on the cross is finished, not just until the next sin is committed. Those who have received the benefits of Christ’s completed work cannot lose it. All our sins were yet future at the time Christ died on the cross.

Believers Are New Creations

Believers are new creations and we will eternally exist as such (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The Obedience of the Messiah

According to John 6:37-40, the believer is a gift from God the Father to the Son because of the Son’s obedience — and He is always going to keep the believer.

The Gospel Seed Abides

The gospel seed that produces eternal life abides forever (1 John 3:9).

Salvation is a Free Gift

Salvation is a free gift from God. A free gift is not truly free if it can be demanded back. God is not taking eternal life back from those to whom He has freely given it.

Salvation is a Birth

Just as a physical birth cannot be undone, so too can spiritual birth not be undone (John 1:12; 3:3; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3).

The Believer Cannot Keep Himself or Herself

Believers are not able to keep themselves saved any more than they were able to save themselves in the first place (cf. Galatians 3:3). Just as God saves, God keeps us.

Sins Are Punished Without the Loss of Salvation

Gross sins are punished but without the loss of salvation (1 Corinthians 5:5). God disciplines believers and punishes believers in several ways — weakness, sickness and even death (1 Corinthians 11:29-32) — but this still does not result in these believers losing their salvation.

The Purpose of Warnings and Exhortations

If God is not threatening believers with the loss of salvation, what is the purpose of warnings and exhortations? The purpose of God’s warnings and exhortations is to incite believers to greater faith and prayer, to show believers their duty — not their ability. God promises sufficient grace and He will get believers through. The Lord will keep believers, but He expects us to cooperate in the work of perseverance.

In the third and concluding part of this series about eternal security, some so-called “problem passages” on eternal security will be considered.

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If you would like to read more about this important topic, we suggest you read the original article and source of this summary, Eternal Security, written by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

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