Eternal security states that when a person has once received salvation, they can never lose that salvation—not by sinning, or by choosing to go back to their old lifestyle instead of pursuing holiness.

            If you and/or your church teaches this doctrine, I challenge you to examine it more closely according to the Word of God. By challenging you on this teaching, I am in fact trying to motivate you into a deeper walk with Christ. One that is growing, and being transformed daily into greater purity and truth. Please be patient, and pray.

            My first reaction is to wonder why professing Christians would believe such a doctrine. Simple logic seems to dictate that each person was given the freedom to choose Christ or reject Him. If we have that liberty, why would God deny us freedom to reject him after we are saved?

            Here again we must not talk about what we think is logical, but must rely on the Holy Word of God (KJV only) to guide us into the truth. (John 8:31,32; 17:17) We need to examine it in entirety, and in the complete passages.

            The deception that Satan brings with this false teaching serves his purposes, and appeals to our carnal nature. First of all, mankind does fear death and what will happen afterward. Eternal security declares that once some appropriate words have been said, we are heaven-bound! What a relief! No need to fear or try anymore, it will all be just fine. This serves Satan, by implying that there is really no need for a change to holiness.

            Secondly, it appeals to our carnal nature by allowing us to hold on to sin:  instead of making uncomfortable and unpopular changes.

            You may have caught on that these two appeals are really one and the same, from different angles. It is designed to give mankind a false sense of eternal security, one which leads directly to the lake of fire.

            Some who hold this doctrine would stand in refute with their own reasoning, such as; “If any man is in Christ he is a new creature –just see II Corinthians 5:17. The type of person you speak of is not truly saved, not wanting to please God and move away from sin.”

            As you read on in this section, you will find I believe in a sure salvation for the redeemed of God. Biblically, that is not the same as eternal security. When someone honestly receives Jesus Christ as savior, it will show. It does not imply immediate perfection—but a desire to please the Lord (salvation gratitude) and leave sin behind. While growing spiritually along the way, he or she will often stumble and fall short of perfection. Some stumblings are sin, but some are lesser faults. This person brings these to the Lord, and asks forgiveness—along with prayers for the Holy Ghost to strengthen them in these areas to overcome.

            Such a one is in tune with the Lord. They are very aware of their shortcomings, because they love Jesus and want to please Him. There is no danger of an “accidental” falling away. If such a one has committed an offense to God without realizing, the blood of Jesus will cover it.

            Yet the issue may be of actual sin. Sin separates us from God, and can lead to backsliding. That sincere believer must repent. The Holy Spirit will begin moving to bring them conviction, and chastening may be needed to get that person’s attention; or even as punishment for the sin. If that believer repents for the sin, Jesus is faithful to forgive. If they do not, God will continue to strive with them to return. This striving may last several years, but it will end. The Word of God shows us this plainly in it’s teachings and examples. It is not a pleasant topic for this end times “church”. Even now, this watchman is proclaiming to you that we are leaving the age of grace, and entering the age of judgment. Return to the Lord while there is still time. Diligently seek the Lord with reverent fear.

            So what does the Word of God say about the possibility of “falling away?” Frankly, it is utterly and completely filled with passages and examples. I will take the time to only go over a few, while listing a great many more. Even this partial list pales in comparison to the vast references in the Word. PLEASE read all, and pray for Holy Ghost understanding.

            We will start with some Old Testament references on the subject. The Word of God is remarkably consistent throughout its entirety, even as Jesus declared he had not come to abolish the law, but fulfill it. (Matthew 5:17,18)

            The term “backslide” is what I grew up with when referring to falling back into sin. The root word “backslide” is used only in the Old Testament. It is found in Proverbs 14:14; Jeremiah 2:19; 3:6,8,11,12,14,22; 5:6; 8:5; 14:7; 31:22: 49:4; Hosea 4:16; 11:7; 14:4 Some people may shun the repetition, and blame that on the individual prophet. Yet they are only quoting from God himself—when the Lord Jesus (the Word:  see John 1) repeats something, it is very important.

            Deuteronomy 28 is the longest chapter in the book. Verses 1-14 are God’s promises of blessing Israel if they continue in obedience. The last 54 verses are warning about the judgment of God if they should stray. Nearly 4 times as much negative as positive! (Please read—chapter is too long to write out)

            Thus is established that God’s elect people can fall back into sin, and be judged as evil doers.

Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you. When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you. Joshua 23:15,16

            This passage is another clear example of conditional salvation. So many call Israel God’s chosen people, or elect. Biblically, however, this was only so as long as they followed after the Lord.

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle. Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them? Jeremiah 8:5-9

            Through Solomon God declared that “there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) There is much from the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel that also applies today, or is about today directly. Yet here God is rebuking His people through Jeremiah, and it is an identical situation to that in the organized church of today. They claim to keep the Word, but have actually rejected it. (compare with I Samuel 15, Matthew 7:21-23, and 15:7-9) And they do not recognize God’s judgment.

            Does this remind you of anything? I pray that it does. Today, people are worshiping the Lord (in vain); singing, dancing, crying. They claim to be devout Christians; loving and obeying the Word of God. But they actually use a new age version of the word, one they “feel” is more comfortable and easily understood. They listen attentively to speakers and church leaders (not testing the spirits, or using discernment), never questioning them as they rip apart the perfectly preserved Word of God:  showing the congregation where it is wrong, and telling you what it should say!

            God is calling to you now, even through Jeremiah, to repent and return to the truth of the Word. This is kind of a last days “two minute warning”; before it is too late.

Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Ezekiel 33:12,13

            Doesn’t this say it all? Righteous people who turn to wickedness will not have the “good” remembered! It is a powerful early testimony about salvation. If one has repented and been saved, but then falls away back into sin, they will lose their salvation if they do not repent. I’m talking about a life such as Elvis Presley—saved at a young age, but seduced into sin by the god of this world. His life plainly represented rebellion, with unrepented sin replacing that once beautiful salvation.

            The ultimate end of the Eternal Security doctrine is destruction. The “saved” individual who has been taught this will ultimately turn back into sin, knowing he/she doesn’t need to pursue holiness to be saved. This is a lie, from Satan himself!

            Also see in Old Testament Deuteronomy 30:10-20; Judges 2:11-19; Joshua 24:20; I Chronicles 28:9; Jeremiah 11:10,11; 7:16 Ezekiel 3:20; 14:5; 33:8

            As we now turn to the New Testament, you might be surprised to realize how much I struggled to condense my number of references! Please read all that are listed. Many are direct, but some also are clearly implied. Take John 8:31 for example:

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; John 8:31

            Jesus is speaking to the Jews that believed on him, that they were his disciples if they continued in His Word! Hence, it is implied that they could fall away if they do not. Yes, they were saved, but they had to continue following Jesus (via the Word) to make that salvation sure. John 15:13,14 is the same:

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15:13,14

            Remember that in this scripture, Jesus is with the 11 true disciples in the upper room. The “if” here is again about obedience! If they do whatsoever Jesus commands, then they are his friends and He gave His life for them. The implication of disobedience is clear—no salvation!

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his Lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that was done. Then his Lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:21-35

            Here again is an example of how one can forfeit salvation. Even after the larger debt had been forgiven, it was reinstated because of the offense.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:5,6

            In this example, again, Jesus is talking to his disciples only. He states that he is the vine, and that they are the branches. Branches that bear no fruit are burned. See, salvation comes by the grace and mercy of God through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, His son. This salvation is to produce fruit—that is, works. We will go over this in the Works vs. Grace section. Eternal security states that works don’t matter after salvation. The Word tells us that faith without works is dead. (James 2:17) For our current purposes, this passage shows how even the chosen disciples could lose their salvation! Jesus did not lie, or use idle words—he means for us to believe him.

For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Romans 11:21,22

            Ouch! Consider yourself warned. These are the words of God almighty, written through a letter to the Gentile believers in Rome. It is instruction by the Holy Spirit to true Christian followers at all times and all places. (II Timothy 3:16,17) (II Peter 1:21)

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. Galatians 2:17,18

            Here is another warning about returning to the ways of sin. The sins the Galatians were falling into were religious in nature! Trying to please God through their own righteousness and ritual, just like the professing “church” of today.

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; II Thessalonians 2:2,3

            This letter is written to the Christians at Thessalonica, and prophesies the falling away of the end times (it’s in full swing now). What is being fallen away from? True faith in God—yes, believers getting unsaved fast! The entire passage is II Thessalonians 2:2-12. Thessalonians and Timothy feature numerous prophecies about world and church conditions in the last days. It is the most spiritually deceptive time in history.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; I Timothy 4:1

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. II Timothy 4:2-4

            We are plainly told here that many will turn away from God.

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; Hebrews 3:12-14

            Still more warning about departing from God, and a big “if” in verse 14!

These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 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 therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. II Peter 2:17-21

            This chapter addresses spiritual deception in the church, very thoroughly. Please read it all! Yet it makes plain that false teachers will promise believers liberty in Christ through certain doctrines, and lead them back into sin. Sounds like Eternal Security to me! It promises liberty to do anything they desire; assuring them they are still saved. All the while it leads them backward into a more depraved state, and eternal damnation.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Revelation 2:5

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Revelation 3:3

            Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are directly from Christ to the seven churches. Some say that each one represents a particular church “age”—the Word of God does not. I believe these types of churches could be found throughout the years, at any given place. This way Christ can address and warn all of His followers, without a stamp that states it is only for certain believers.

            Within these chapters, the word repent is used 4 times. Even apart from that word, warnings are given over and over. 2:5,7,10,11,13,16; 3:3,11,16,19. Some are direct, and some by implication. The only church with a completely favorable accounting is Philadelphia. Yet in 3:11 even they are warned!

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Revelation 3:11

            Other New Testament references are Matthew 7:21-27; 10:33; 15:7-9; 13:18-23; 24:13,24,44-51; I Corinthians 9:24-27; Galatians 1:6-8; 2:2; 4:9-11; 5:4; Philip 2:12; 3:17,18 Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:6; 4:1,11,14; 10:38; 12:7,8,17; James 2:14-20; II Peter 1:10, Jude 24,25; Revelation 16:15; 18:4; Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26-29 will be gone over with Predestination.

            Is this enough? If we really could be “once saved, always saved,” why so many warnings about being deceived and falling away? All these passages listed above could be replaced with salvation strategies and emphasis!

            Getting saved is easy, praise be to God. After this, however, we are in a battle for our eternal destination (John 15:33)

            When I was in Army basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, we had to qualify in a number of areas. At 21, I was required to do a minimum of 40 push-ups within 2 minutes time. By the time I had to do mine, I had stiffened a bit from lesser activity in the morning.

            After breezing through the first 37, I tightened up--#40 just would not come. For over a minute I fought to complete that last “minimum” push-up, without succeeding; but not giving up, either. When the time was up, the Sgt. Attending said to me, “Get up, son—you did 40 push-ups.” This is a decent analogy of a true believer’s life. We can never achieve a holy life, but we continue to grow and press toward it. (Philip 3:12-13) The blood of Jesus makes up the difference, thank God! Do you think my Sgt. Would have given me the 40, had I quit at 37—when I first felt uncomfortable?

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

            As believers, we must keep pressing on.

            So what of passages telling us of a sure salvation?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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. John 10:27-29

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. I John 5:13

            Also see John 3:36; 5:24; 6:37; Romans 5:1-10; 8:1-4, 33-39; Ephesians 2:8-10

            Out of every religion on earth, only the Word of God Guarantees salvation to its followers; followers of Christ. Jesus paid it all for us, we need only accept this gift of God (Romans 6:3) It does not mean our lives will be a constant joy ride! We can also still deny Christ, and turn away. We must choose for Jesus every day. No one can take your salvation! Your spiritual condition can not be changed through physical affliction (II Corithians 4:16-18). Check out these verses as further clarification…Acts 14:22; I Peter 1:6-9; I Corinthians 10:13

            We do not have eternal security, but a sure salvation. That salvation is eternally secure, as long as you choose to keep it. Cling to the Lord, who has given us the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance in claiming that sure salvation (Revelation 2:10)

WARNING:  To avoid falling away, return to the pure Word of God; which is the King James Bible. Revised translations are not small word alterations meant to bring clarity! Major doctrinal changes have occurred, which will bring doubt and destroy your faith. To follow these new “versions” of the truth, is to build your spiritual house upon sand, and become as the ones reflected in Matthew 7:21-23. Please use this entire passage, Matthew 7:21-27.

            Satan means to deceive you into sincerely following his alternate “truth.” You are really being set up to fall, and serve the antichrist.

            Pray and seek God diligently in this matter; for time is short. See also our Bible Version section.

                                                                        With Charity from Christ,

                                                                        Andy