Conclusion
It is evident that the Bible warns against the possibility of forfeiture of one’s status with God. Scripture is clear that a believer’s only security is in consistent obedience to the will of the Master. This reality fits perfectly with the biblical definition of salvation. Salvation is not a one-time crisis event that seals a believer for all eternity, but a process that has past (Romans 10:9,10; 2 Corinthians 5:17), present (Luke 9:23; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 2:15; 3:18; Philippians 2:12; 3:8–16), and future stages (Romans 8:19–24; 1 Corinthians 15:24–28; 1 Peter 1:3–7; Revelation 12:10; 20:1–10; 21:1 through 22:14). Believers retain the option to choose a life of obedience and submission to the will of God or to walk away from a relationship with God and suffer(ed) eternal separation from God as a result. By teaching your people this truth, you can encourage them live godly lives and respond to those who believe in eternal security.
Endnotes
- W.E. Nunnally, “Defective Views of Salvation,” Enrichment journal 13, no. 3 (Summer 2008):128–135.
- Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998), 998.
- Henry C. Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971), 385.
- “Security of the Believer (Backsliding),” available from http://www.ag.org/top/Beliefs/gendoct_09_security.cfm; accessed February 15, 2008.
- Erickson, 1007.
- Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission (http://www.Lockman.org).
- Erickson, 999.
- J. Rodman Williams, Renewal Theology, vol. 2. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 1990), 131.
