Author: Mike

I suspect most Christians have heard of the doctrine of Eternal Security, also known as ‘once saved always saved’ (OSAS). A friend, who is perhaps best described as a non-conformist, has said to me that OSAS is definitely not true, but was then unable to justify that opinion biblically. Another, an Anglican, says that OSAS definitely is true but, again, cannot support that opinion biblically. In other words, each has formed an opinion on what they believe to be true, but with no real understanding of why. (I’m not sure that non-conformist vs Anglican has anything to do with it). My own opinion has no credibility because it is only based on a gut-feeling: my salvation can be lost if I seriously mess up.
I’ve never been tempted to embark on a full study of this subject, although I have previously dipped my toe into this doctrine and didn’t take long to find strong biblical arguments on both sides. Here are some favourite quotes that highlight the difficulty:
For …
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord [Romans 8:38-39].
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand [John 10:27-28].
Against …
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit . . . if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance . . . For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins [Hebrews 6:4, 6].
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, [Hebrews 10:26].
If I were to pursue a serious study and come to a conclusion for or against, how would I absolutely know that my conclusion would be correct? There is the possibility that one side of the debate is quite straightforward to prove, and the other is the result of misinterpretation of Scripture, for whatever reason. Considering this might be the case, why am I still not concerned about studying the subject?
My personal view is that it doesn’t matter whether OSAS is true or false. I much prefer to take the attitude that it’s false and not risk any subconscious, or deliberate, temporary lowering of standards to satisfy a temptation. We are weak humans. If we believe our salvation is secure, then we will be more susceptible to sinning.
Surely, if you believe your salvation can be lost, then your resolve to resist temptations of any kind will be stronger.

Paul tells us that if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. [Romans 10:9] (All quotes are from MKJV).
The implication here is that, providing you don’t hide your faith, and truly believe, then you are saved.
There are a few verses in John’s gospel that support the idea that simply believing results in everlasting life:
[3:15] …. whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[3:16] For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
[3:36] He who believes on the Son has everlasting life ….
[5:24] ….He who hears My Word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life……
It’s easy to select these verses and feel comfortable in your salvation.
My problem with this is that, over the years, I’ve come across situations, personally, on television, and reading online, where people who profess to be good Christians at times behave in a way that falls short of what would be expected of them. Putting it plainly, they, to varying degrees and at various times, are hypocritical in either word or deed. I know we all sin on occasions but, as Christians, these should be transient sins committed during a moment of weakness that we immediately regret, followed by a prayer for forgiveness. They should not be sins committed regularly as if they were somehow not bad enough to worry about. I can’t help wondering how hypocrisy affects salvation.
James says You believe that there is one God; you do well: even the demons believe and tremble [James 2:19]. The demons believe, but their chance of everlasting life is zero, suggesting simply believing isn’t enough.
Is there a threshold somewhere between the demons attitude and being a committed, evangelising Christian which, when we cross it, we will have everlasting life? I doubt it, but I’ve no idea how we will be judged in this respect.
My personal view is to accept that believing in Jesus also encompasses all that goes with it: acceptance of Jesus as my saviour, true repentance and keeping his commandments.
If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love [John 15:10]
Whether simply believing is thought to be enough or not, we should lead our lives as if it isn’t. Our belief in Jesus should be the foundation on which we build all that the gospels and epistles teach us.

This blog is in an experimental phase to decide whether it is something I can commit some time to, and whether EasyBible is the right place to host it.
Only time will tell.