I have never met a true Christian who ever lost his salvation! Not every person who professes Christ actually possesses Christ. It is imperative that every person be sure that he or she has entered into a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Yet, there are those who may have truly trusted Christ but who, through erroneous teaching or the problem of guilt over unconfessed sin, have a lack of assurance concerning their eternal salvation. When assurance based upon God’s Word is not willingly received, then the basic building blocks of a living, growing relationship with Christ are forfeited and doubts may flood the soul concerning security in Christ.
However, there is more at stake than assurance when eternal security of the believer in Christ is questioned. The very Gospel itself comes under attack. Many holiness and Pentecostal groups (as well as many Mennonite, Amish and others) do question this Bible doctrine. They believe that “continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedience in Christ. This teaching, however, places the responsibility for maintaining salvation on the believer and is adding works to grace. Salvation would no longer be a gift as God proclaimed it to be (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8, 9). It would become a trade – our faithfulness for God’s faithfulness. This is the very thing that, by the Spirit, Paul spoke against (Rom. 4:1-8). Indeed, he called this teaching (whether for receiving or maintaining salvation) “another gospel” and thus the one who preached it “accursed” (Gal. 1:6-9). This surely is a far cry from the good news Jesus preached and Paul heralded. Their gospel was salvation by faith and only by faith. This salvation takes place in a moment of time yet seals the believer for all time. Salvation is ours because of God’s ability to hold onto us as promised in John 10:27-30.
However, there is more at stake than assurance when eternal security of the believer in Christ is questioned. The very Gospel itself comes under attack. Many holiness and Pentecostal groups (as well as many Mennonite, Amish and others) do question this Bible doctrine. They believe that “continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedience in Christ. This teaching, however, places the responsibility for maintaining salvation on the believer and is adding works to grace. Salvation would no longer be a gift as God proclaimed it to be (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8, 9). It would become a trade – our faithfulness for God’s faithfulness. This is the very thing that, by the Spirit, Paul spoke against (Rom. 4:1-8). Indeed, he called this teaching (whether for receiving or maintaining salvation) “another gospel” and thus the one who preached it “accursed” (Gal. 1:6-9). This surely is a far cry from the good news Jesus preached and Paul heralded. Their gospel was salvation by faith and only by faith. This salvation takes place in a moment of time yet seals the believer for all time. Salvation is ours because of God’s ability to hold onto us as promised in John 10:27-30.