Eternal security is often mistaken for the assurance of one’s salvation. Assurance refers to the knowledge that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13), while eternal security is the belief in God’s unwavering promise that once you have eternal life, you cannot lose it.
Jesus said in John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” This is God’s Unmistakable Promise and He will not be made a liar!
John 5:24 proves this point further by quoting the promise of Jesus again, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
Over the centuries well-meaning people have turned God’s eternal promises into nothing more than temporary possibilities. But God did not send His Son to be a martyr or to create a religion. God gave His Son for one Unchangeable Purpose: that man would depend on Jesus for eternal life.
Jesus said, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:38-40)
Thankfully, eternal life after death is not based on my works but by God’s Unshakable Power. John 10:27-29 reads, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” Simple dependence on Christ alone is all that is necessary for eternal life and He alone holds the dependent sinner.
Some have been taught that their eternal security is based on how they choose to live their life. Although God wants His children to live a life that pleases Him – a life of victory, free from sin – the choice man makes to yield to his flesh and sin against a holy God never changes the character of God. God’s passion (love) for mankind is unquenchable! Your sin cannot separate you from God’s love or His forgiveness! Romans 8:38-39 says, “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 creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Along with that, there is no way a child of God can ever cease being a child! The Father will never disown His children, no matter their actions! John 6:37 is very clear, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” Furthermore, no son can ever choose to stop being a son of the Father! The redeemed are God’s Un-returnable Possession! In Ephesians 1:12-14 we read, “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Once you have been purchased by God you cannot be returned to the Devil!
Doubting eternal security has cost many individuals great turmoil and sleepless nights. If you, a family member, or a friend are questioning whether you are secure in God’s promised gift of eternal life, you must place your dependence on Jesus and rest in the truths of God’s Word. ”He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)