Unfortunately, there is considerable division among believers on the subject of whether one can lose their salvation. However, the overwhelming weight of biblical evidence affirms that once a person is truly born again, their salvation is eternally secure.
I firmly believe that a person cannot lose their salvation once they have been genuinely regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Those who later abandon their faith were never truly born again or saved in the first place. As the Apostle John explains:
"They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us." (1 John 2:19)
This shows that falling away is evidence that one was never truly part of the redeemed.
Being saved means your old self has been crucified with Christ, and you now live controlled by the Spirit of God (Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20). This new life in Christ is not temporary or dependent on human effort; it is a sovereign work of God. The Holy Spirit indwells and seals every true believer, guaranteeing their salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14). His presence marks the believer as God’s own, making it impossible for God to lose what He has given.
On the other hand, many associate with “Christianity” as a religion or tradition without having experienced regeneration through the Holy Spirit. They may attend church, quote Scripture, and appear devoted, but their hearts are untouched by God’s transforming power. Such individuals are described as “antichrists” (1 John 2:18) and are likely to abandon their faith because they were never truly saved.
John MacArthur offers a simple yet profound insight:
"If I could lose my salvation, I would, because I don't have the power to hold it."
This underscores the biblical truth that salvation is God’s work, not ours, and that it is God who keeps us secure until the end (John 10:28-29).
The Bible assures us that nothing—including death, life, angels, or any created thing—can separate the believer from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). Furthermore, the act of justification by faith guarantees glorification (Romans 8:30), meaning our eternal destiny is as certain as God’s promise.
It’s important to clarify that eternal security is not a license to sin. True salvation results in a transformed life that bears fruit (Matthew 7:16; Romans 7:4). Those persisting in unrepentant sin reveal they never possessed genuine faith (1 John 3:6). Saving faith perseveres as evidence of a real relationship with Christ.
Even As Saved Believers, We Still Struggle With Sin
Even as saved believers, sealed by the Holy Spirit, we will still struggle with sin. This is part of living in a fallen world and carrying our human nature (Romans 7:15-25). But for the true believer, sin is no longer our master (Romans 6:14), nor can we embrace or excuse it. When we do fall, sin grieves us because it feels like betraying the One who gave Himself for us. True Christians cannot sin with lasting joy—because the Spirit convicts and calls us back to repentance. And even in our failures, God’s Word reassures us:
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)
Conclusion
The biblical doctrine of eternal security offers immense comfort. Once saved, always saved is not wishful thinking—it is God’s promise. Our salvation is not lost by human weakness but kept secure by God’s unchanging grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Common Objections and Answers to "Once Saved, Always Saved"
Objection 1: If salvation is secure, won't people just sin freely?
Answer: Eternal security is not a license to sin. True salvation changes the heart so that believers do not live in willful sin but are convicted and led to repentance (Romans 6:1-2; 1 John 3:6).
Objection 2: What about verses warning about falling away?
Answer: These warnings often concern people who only appeared to be believers. True believers are preserved by God’s power (John 10:28-29; Ephesians 1:13-14).
Objection 3: Isn’t salvation conditional on continued faith and obedience?
Answer: Faith and obedience are evidences—not conditions—of salvation. The believer’s security rests on God’s faithfulness (Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 2:8-9).
Objection 4: Doesn’t “fall from grace” mean losing salvation?
Answer: In Galatians 5:4, “fall from grace” means turning from faith to law-keeping, rejecting Christ’s work—not losing salvation.
Objection 5: What about those who once believed but now renounce faith?
Answer: Scripture says they were never truly saved to begin with (1 John 2:19; John 6:37-40).
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