Does the Bible Teach Eternal Security? Part 8

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

  1. W.E. Nunnally, “Defective Views of Salvation,” Enrichment journal 13, no. 3 (Summer 2008):128–135.

  2. Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998), 998.

  3. Henry C. Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971), 385.

  4. “Security of the Believer (Backsliding),” available from http://www.ag.org/top/Beliefs/gendoct_09_security.cfm; accessed February 15, 2008.

  5. Erickson, 1007.

  6. 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).

  7. Erickson, 999.

  8. J. Rodman Williams, Renewal Theology, vol. 2. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 1990), 131.

      captcha