Eternal Security – Why or Why Not

I believe all born-again Christians have eternal security. I know this can be a subject for debate. I welcome your comments so we can have a lively, in-depth discussion.

When interpreting the Bible, it is important to look broadly (across many scriptures) and narrowly (in the immediate context of a verse). Also, everything written has an intended audience. The Bible has two main audiences: the Christian and the non-Christian. The Christian should approach the Bible as someone who is already saved and interpret every verse from this perspective. For the true believer, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). I wrote about this several weeks ago: Interpret The Bible With Your Christian Identity. The non-Christian should feel conviction for their sin and need for the Savior.

The question of eternal security is a positional one. Whether you believe you can lose your salvation or not, we should all be able to agree on what it takes to become a Christian. Then you should be able to evaluate whether or not you are saved at the present moment. If you’re saved today, then let’s not worry right now if you weren’t saved yesterday.

The process of gaining salvation requires putting your faith (actively believing) in Christ’s work on your behalf. You can’t provide any “work” other than your faithful belief. Salvation is a gift. Gifts are received not earned.

Ephesians 2:8-9 makes this clear:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

If someone can lose their salvation, there must be an equally clear procedure of how that happens. I suppose someone could return the gift, but I’m not sure why anyone would want to do that. Otherwise, I can’t think of any other way to lose salvation. If you can lose salvation by not working hard enough at it, then this makes salvation sound like a trap: it’s easy to step in, but once you’re in, you have to work increasingly harder to stay in, otherwise, you’ll be kicked out. But then is it easy or hard to get back in again? Besides being confusing, this seems to go against the Gospel message and many Bible passages.

I plan to explore this topic for several weeks and maybe even months. For now consider Jesus’s words:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

—Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus is saying that salvation is process of finding rest for your soul.

Whether you agree or disagree with my belief, please share your comments and ask questions.

Matt Pavlik

Christian Counselor - New Reflections Counseling

Matt Pavlik is a licensed professional clinical counselor who wants to see each individual restored to their true identity. He has more than 15 years of experience counseling individuals and couples at his Christian counseling practice, New Reflections Counseling. Matt and Georgette have been married since 1999 and live with their four children in Centerville, Ohio.

Matt’s books, , , and , contain practical exercises that help God’s truth spring to life.