The Conditional Security of Salvation
A Biblical Examination of 'Once Saved, Always Saved
The teaching of "once saved, always saved" is a popular belief in many denominational circles, asserting that salvation is a one-time transaction—once someone believes in Jesus, they can never lose their salvation regardless of how they live afterward. However, does Scripture truly teach this? A careful study of God’s Word reveals that salvation is conditional upon faithfulness, and God has given us free will to remain faithful or to turn away. Let us examine biblical evidence that refutes this doctrine and affirms the necessity of perseverance in the faith.
Salvation Is Conditional Upon Faithfulness
One of the most frequently quoted passages by proponents of "once saved, always saved" is John 10:28-29 (NKJV):
"And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand."
This verse emphasizes the security that Christ offers to His followers. However, those who teach "once saved, always saved" often fail to include John 10:27 (NKJV), which sets the condition for this security:
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."
The promise of eternal security applies only to those who hear Jesus' voice and follow Him. Hearing and following are continuous actions that require ongoing commitment. If someone stops hearing His voice and chooses to stop following, they no longer remain His sheep. Their free will plays a critical role in their relationship with Christ.
The Apostle John confirms this truth in 1 John 1:7 (NKJV):
"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
The key word is "if." Walking in the light is a continual action. If we cease to walk in the light, we forfeit the cleansing blood of Christ.
Warnings Against Falling Away
The New Testament provides numerous warnings about the possibility of falling away:
Galatians 5:4 (NKJV):
"You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace."
Paul directly states that it is possible to fall from grace. If "once saved, always saved" were true, such a warning would be meaningless.Hebrews 6:4-6 (NKJV):
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."
This passage vividly describes individuals who were saved and yet fell away. Their falling away was not due to never being saved but to willfully departing from the truth.2 Peter 2:20-22 (NKJV):
"For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: 'A dog returns to his own vomit,' and, 'a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.'"
Here, Peter describes individuals who were saved ("escaped the pollutions of the world") but returned to sin. Their condition worsened because they turned away from God’s path.
The Free Will to Choose
God created us with free will, and He does not override our ability to choose to follow Him or to walk away. This principle is evident throughout Scripture:
Joshua 24:15 (NKJV):
"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..."
Even after entering the Promised Land, God’s people had to continually choose to serve Him.John 6:66-67 (NKJV):
"From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you also want to go away?'"
Jesus did not force anyone to stay; the choice to follow Him was always theirs.
Encouragement to Remain Faithful
The Bible calls Christians to remain steadfast in their faith:
Revelation 2:10 (NKJV):
"Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
The reward of eternal life is for those who remain faithful to the end.2 Peter 1:10-11 (NKJV):
"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Peter urges diligence in faith and obedience to ensure our entrance into God’s kingdom.
Assurance of Salvation
While salvation can be forfeited through disobedience, Christians can have confidence in their salvation when they walk faithfully with the Lord. 1 John 5:13 (NKJV) says:
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life..."
God desires for us to live with assurance, not fear. This assurance is rooted in abiding in Him, as Jesus explains in John 15:4-6 (NKJV):
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. ... If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."
Abiding in Christ ensures that we remain connected to the source of eternal life.
Continual Faithfulness
The Bible does not teach "once saved, always saved." Instead, it teaches that salvation is a gift of grace through faith, but it requires continual faithfulness. God has given us free will to choose whether to follow Him or to walk away. Warnings about falling from grace, turning back to sin, and choosing not to abide in Christ emphasize the conditional nature of salvation.
At the same time, we can have assurance of our salvation if we walk in the light, remain faithful, and abide in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV) encourages us:
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Let us press on in faith, holding fast to the promise of eternal life as we live for Christ daily.