Salvation Security


Gary P. Adkins


Some people believe and teach that once a person has salvation, he or she cannot lose his or her salvation. There are two main scriptures used to “prove” this belief. Jesus stated, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)


This is an incomplete statement because this verse is connected with the preceding, verse 27: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” In other words, as long as His sheep (Christians) are following the good shepherd (Christ), verse 28 is a true statement.


In Luke, chapter 15, Jesus told three parables: a “lost” sheep, a “lost” coin, and the prodigal son, whom the father said was “lost.” As long as this sheep was with the shepherd, the coin was in the woman’s possession, and the son stayed with his father, they were safe. Being “lost” means to be in an unfound, unsaved condition.


Jesus stated in Luke 15:10, “Likewise, I say unto you (Pharisees and Scribes), there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.” They were “… the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” God’s chosen people. (Matthew 10:6). Repent means either to change one’s life or return to Jesus’ “fold.”


The other partial scripture used for salvation security is: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus ...” Romans 8:1. The rest of this verse is “... who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” The word therefore in this verse is there for the reason of the preceding verse.


The apostle Paul wrote to Christians, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:25. There is no condemnation to those who serve and walk after the Spirit in Christ Jesus, those who fulfill the law of God. In other words, if Christians walk after the Spirit, they are serving Christ and fulfilling the law of God. Christians, however, who walk after the flesh are living in sin.


Another similar scripture is, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.


James 5:19, 20 says, “Brethren, if any of you err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins.” This includes any Christian who is in error, committing sin, and is converted (repenting of sin), saving his or her soul from death, which is eternal separation from God. Revelation 20:14, 15.


A key verse is found in Matthew 7:21, concerning this salvation security belief. Jesus stated, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” -P.O. Box 841, Culloden, WV 25510. (304) 743-4074.


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