There is no doubt, that one of the most debated issues, in modern Christianity, is the issue of the security of salvation given to the believer by God the Father through Jesus. The views for security and those who would argue salvation can be lost, are held sincerely. Therefore, in this study, I wish to honour those sincere believers, and endeavour to set out the arguments for both views fairly and clearly. I must be open from the start, that I stand in the place of believing salvation for the true believer is secure. In this I will comment on Scripture in that light, to ensure the context and other Scripture is brought to bear. In this I want to avoid any charge of ‘text proofing’ but allow the Scriptures to establish the truth.

We start with a look at the Tanach/Old Testament and look at Ezekiel:

These verses are ones used to support the lack of security of salvation. It is important to put these verses into context. The Jewish people were arguing over the sins of the fathers being laid on the sons and deeming it unfair.

They were then wanting to have their own good works accounted to them and thus God not judging their bad actions. They were believing themselves to be righteous in their own eyes. God makes clear His merciful heart:

As we know from Isaiah, good works avail nothing in terms of salvation:

The prophet’s word re brutal but clear. The woman’s monthly period is a sign that the womb has not been fruitful. The people who look to good works for salvation will find it fruitless too. As Habakuk the prophet made clear:

This is the Gospel message for true salvation in Jesus. At the end of the day, those who have truly trusted in Jesus, by faith, will be saved. This is why Peter writing to Jewish people declared:

We then turn to the Gospels and consider what they say on the matter in hand. We consider Matthew’s Gospel and there are four Scriptures that are to note in the argument against security of salvation. They are Matthew 7:21-23, 10:22, 12:32, and 24:13. Also, Mark 13:13. Luke 8:13, 12:45-46 and John 15:6 need to be considered.

In Matthew chapter seven, the verses noted above speak of those who come at the end and claim:

They are told they were never known by the Lord, because of their lawlessness. The simple act of acknowledging Jesus as Lord, without true faith in Him is vacuous. It has no meaning. This is what the sons of Sceva discovered:

Even the demonic recognised false claims. In Matthew chapter ten, we see it said that in times of persecution, those who stand firm will be saved.  This is also reflected in chapter 24. This is also in Mark 13:13 and Luke 8:13. The thought is that those who do not will be lost. This needs to be understood in the light of other Scriptures. Not everyone who is in church or who professes to be followers of the Lord are true believers. John writes:

Jude is even more blunt on the matter, specifically on the common salvation of believers:

This is the reality of the visible church. That is the church we see on earth. However, God sees the universal unseen Church, in which the true believers stand firm.

Chapter 12:32 is about those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. This is often referred to as ‘the unforgiveable sin’. It has caused so many to have unnecessary concern. The context is vital here. This is when the Pharisees were accusing Jesus that it was not the Holy Spirit at work, but that Jesus was in league with Satan. This sin is solely related to that one time. We are comforted by Scripture in the matter:

Of course, as we have noted, many can say ‘Lord’ but this is not Paul’s point. He is referring to the heartfelt sincere believer. It is not just using the name that is important, it is that it comes from the heart. Again Paul:

You see, it is not just using the mouth. It must be coming from a sincere heart. The ones who fall away and are, in heart unrepented, were never true believers, as shown by John and Jude.

We turn to Luke 12. Here we are in a Parable of the unjust servant who beats fellow servants. The master says of hm, “appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.”. Context is of huge importance. There are two attitudes highlighted:

And

The first servant was faithful and was prepared for the Master’s return. The latter was not faithful nor ready or to do the Master’s will. Yet, there is a third servant “But he who did not know…” He was punished but not condemned. This again shows the grace of God. The faithful is saved and the ignorant punished and forgiven. Only the one who knew the will of the Master and deliberately ignored it, was condemned. It is the prophet Isaiah who helps us understand:

This brings us back to wilfulness and contrasts to God’s mercy. The writer to the Hebrews brings this home:

God can reveal Himself and show His Son as The Truth. But if having that knowledge and it is rejected, then judgement comes. This Scripture, as I understand it, is referring to those who hear the Gospel understand it. They may well even know of their sin as an affront to God and yet the choose not to make that step of faith needed for salvation. Scripture is replete with such warnings. Matthew 13 recounts the parable of the Sower and how the seeds are scattered. One grows but the others die or are snatched away. John is clear:

We need to be clear here. The ability to sin is to continue in sin by choice. John has already made clear in the earlier chapter how the believer is to act:

In this John again is looking back to what he knows about Jesus. His Gospel tells us a very important truth:

The truly saved, born again, believer has within them the Holy Spirit. When there is a stumble by the believer, the true believer is immediately sensitive to this and repents immediately.

Turning to John in chapter 15 we read:

Here we see the principle of ‘abiding’. This the one who decides to accept the offer of salvation and through baptism is placed into Jesus. There the believer remains secure. The one who simply ‘visits’ to have a look but does not enter in by faith, deliberately rejecting Jesus, is the one who is cast out. Hosea speaks:

When we look at Paul in Romans, we find similar thought about branches. In Romans 11:20-22, Paul writes of the Jewish people of that day who rejected Jesus being cut off. His warning was to the arrogant Gentiles, that they must be careful, “..perhaps He may not spare you either.” A similar idea is written in Colossians:

This again brings us back to being firm. Paul also addresses being firm in 1 Corinthians 15:1-2. If you are not firm and anchored in Jesus, then you will drift away. This thought is also echoed in 1 Corinthians 10:11-12. Therefore, we return to the question of how the person started out. The Sower parable again comes to mind. Has the seed taken root? If not, then the person is rootless and not grafted into the True Vine (John 15:5-6). Surely, the Hebrew writer speaks to this:

It cannot be clearer, that for the true believer it can be said, “..we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and secure..”.

In Galatians 5:4, Paul speaks of justification:

Again, context is so important. Paul is arguing about how we are justified. True justification comes from faith.

Those who rely on circumcision and the law, the main thrust of Galatians, are not saved. Paul made this clear to the Roman church, quoting Habakuk:

Therefore, falling away from grace is not loss of salvation, as salvation had not been received yet by faith. The grace is seen in the fact that the Lord reveals Himself to the lost, the sorrow is that it is rejected or it is allowed to be stolen by the demonic or anti-Christs who have gone out into the world. This is also addressed by Paul, when we turn to the letters to Timothy, which needs examination. (1 Timothy 4:1 and 2 Timothy 2:12). The first address those who are abandoning faith because of demonic influences and the latter with those who disown Jesus in this life. In the former text, as we noted before, the seed has been stolen by the thief and robber (John 10:1). As we will see later it is the security of the true believers that safeguards them as they truly put their faith in Christ and act on it, showing the fruits of repentance. That is what we find in Luke when the unbelievers are confronted:

Then we turn to those who do not acknowledge Jesus in this life (2 Timothy 2:12) also Matthew 10:33. Again context is so important. The Timothy verse in context reads:

“If we died with Him..” is the key phrase. If we have died with Him in sincere faithful baptism, the promise is that we will live with Him. The Matthew Scripture is of further instruction:

In this context, the disciples are being sent out to spread the Gospel to Israel. Jesus has made clear in the account of the sparrow how valuable they are. They are in His care. If we then look to Peter’s denial (John 18:15ff) later, we see that that denial did not lead to Peter being lost. This because despite not having the fullness of the Holy Spirit, Peter was still devoted to Jesus. This is acknowledged by Jesus, when He confirms Peter’s restoration (John 21:15ff). We can bring much Scripture to bear on this to give understanding.

There is the point. Those who do not deny themselves and have not taken up the cross, cannot be disciples of Jesus. If they do not deny Jesus they find life. Then we have the Jude Scripture mentioned already, These false disciples deny the Lord not only by word but by behaviour. Paul wrote to Titus about such people:

John again has encouragement:

The writer to the Hebrews makes clear those who will be denied:

The letter to the Hebrews has six references to the matter of insecurity of salvation (Hebrews 2:1-3, 3:12-14, 6:4-6, 10:26-27, 10:35-36 and 12:14-15). These are serious warnings and need to be understood. First the overall context of the letter is understood to be to the Jewish people who had professed the had accepted Jesus as the Messiah. The letter has over sixty-seven references or allusions to the Jewish Tanach/Old Testament. That demonstrates the thrust of the letter is Jewish and for Jewish instruction. What the writer is addressing is the conflict that was happening in the hearts of these Jewish people. They were under persecution and trial from their own Jewish community and families who had not turned to Jesus. They were also being mis-treated by Gentiles. In this there was the question of returning to the Jewish faith. This echoes the Exodus and the experience of the wilderness. The Jews having been brought out of bondage, grumbled and complained constantly to Moses. They had no faith in God’s deliverance. Therefore, it says that ‘..not one of those who provoked Me shall see it [the promised land]..”. (Read the full account in Numbers 14). Only those faithful men and their families entered (Caleb, Joshua). Indeed, it is the Hebrew writer calls this to our attention:

This is also referred to in Psalm 95:7-11. Here we see that despite the cutting off of that generation, there is still a Rock of Salvation:

Those who are on that Rock will never be shaken. As is written|;

Those who place themselves on the Rock Christ Jesus, are secure and will be like Caleb and Joshua, they will reach the Promised Land.

James makes clear in his letter that faith and action are bedfellows and must come together. He too, writing to Jewish believers, also warns about straying from the truth. The comments on Hebrews applies here. Peter then also writes this:

This study has covered much of the context of this. Peter, the Apostle to the Jews, is writing to Jews. The ones addressed had been shown the way of righteousness but were now being warned to test their faith – was it a true faith? This is what he pointed to in the opening chapter of this letter. Note also this verse at the head of the chapter under discussion:

Here we are back in the references made to Jude’s letter. It is a constant theme in considering the insecurity of salvation. Such insecurity comes from the lack of true faith in Jesus for salvation. It comes for those who enter in but are false in their faith. It comes for those who seek religion and not the true faith that is called for in Scripture. There are references in Revelation which suggest insecurity but again these have been covered here in other places. The controversial point comes in understanding Revelation. My contention is that it is a revelation by John to the Jewish people about their covenant with God and its fulfilment.

We will now turn to look at the Scriptures that confirm the security of salvation for the true believer. In this we start with the Psalmist, who in a Psalm about the preservation of the holy ones (saints), writes:

Here is a sure and certain promise: God will preserve His Godly ones forever. In Isaiah God speaks to Israel, and those same promises apply to God’s faithfulness to His faithful people (Isaiah 43:1, 46:4, and 54:8-10). In Isaiah 54:8 we read:

The word ‘chesed’ is a word God often uses when talking about His loving kindness. It speaks of the Great Power – God, who cannot help but have pity and love for a lower power – mankind. It is that which is the security of our salvation through our Redeemer – Jesus.

Jeremiah also reminds us of this chesed:

This assurance is carried through into the New Testament, to which we turn.

The greatest testimony to our security must surely come from Jesus. In John’s Gospel we find the direct words of Jesus on the matter. Looking at John’s Gospel, we find this most well-known verse of has a clear unambiguous statement:

The central point is that faith in Jesus is so that believers ‘should not perish’. It is important to speak to the underlying language. ‘Should not’ expresses an absolute denial in both Greek and Hebrew. In other words there is no possibility of perishing. This is further confirmed by John later in the chapter:

See also John 6:47, where this is also confirmed. Faith in Jesus brings possession of eternal life. John brings this home with the inspired Word of God:

Here we see that true faith in Jesus, has the assurance that the believer will not come under judgement. In fact, the believer has passed from death to life. This can only mean that the person once dead in sin has come to life and indeed, life to the full (John 10:10). Then John has Jesus’ great encouragement:

For the one who truly and sincerely through faith, are gathered up in Jesus, has this promise from the lips of Jesus, as to their security in Him. This is more concretely assured in a following verses:

Verse 40 also continues this reassurance. Therefore, here is a certainty from the Lord Himself. God will make certain that true believers will never be lost. (See also John 17:12) These preceding verses are brought together by Jesus in a wonderful and glorious declaration:

Can it be any clearer? The true committed believer who has heard the voice of Jesus, the great Shepherd, has eternal life. They shall not perish. They will never be snatched out of Jesus’ hand. The assurance is wrapped up in the Father’s promises. Jesus and the Father are one in this matter. Then we turn to John’s writing further, Holy Spirit inspired encouragement. Jesus is standing at the grave of Lazurus. His sister is concerned about her brother and his being dead and not understanding what Jesus had said, "Your brother will rise again.". Then He speaks very clearly:

Jesus points her to eternity. Natural death will come to all human beings. This is as a result of the Adamic fall. However, after natural death, every person will face one of two things: eternal life or the second death (Revelation 20:6). The matter will be decided by the person’s choice whilst alive. For the true confessor, that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God, and who has placed their faith in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, will not face the second death and shall never die – that is have eternal life (See also John 17:24).

In turning in to the Apostle Paul we again see a pattern of confirmation of the security of the true committed believer. In the great letter of Romans, Paul sets the whole basis of salvation. In the justification of the believer through the blood of Jesus:

The Tanach, or Old Testament, provided the blood sacrifice of animals for justification before a holy God. This would have to be renewed every year on the day of atonement. Their annual renewal was their guarantee of justification. However, through the propitiation of Jesus’ sacrificial death, there is the permanent justification for those who believe. In Hebrews it is written:

Note, “..thus securing an eternal redemption”. It is again certain that Jesus secured an eternal redemption for all true believers, through His blood.  This is also clear from Paul when he writes:

This needs unpacking. There is the Calvinist view that states God has chosen who will be saved in advance. There is the Armenian view who place human choice above God’s sovereign actions. It is my view that both fail to grasp the wider more gracious intentions of God. If we turn to Psalm 139 we read:

God knows each individual. In His Word we see how His foresight works with the prophet Jeremiah for instance, who was called before he was born (Jeremiah 1:5). Furthermore, it needs to be understood that the predestination is not individual, it is for those in The Christ:

Therefore, for those who have responded with true faith, to the offer of salvation, and baptised into Jesus the Christ, are included in the promise of predestination. We can accept or reject the gift, but once accepted, it will never be lost. A glimpse of this is seen in the encounter between Jesus and Mary (Miriam in Hebrew):

It is in this spirit that Paul was inspired to write:

And I will quote this in full:

This is of great comfort as to the security of the true believer. Their faithfulness to God in the Messiah, even through the suffering and disappointments of life, will still see them triumphant and secure. This is further underlined by Paul when he writes:

 Paul’s confidence of God’s work being completed in us until Jesus’ return is a great security. God it is at work in us. God it is who will see us through. Again Paul reaffirms this confidence:

Paul also reminds his true believing readers, that they are not storm-tossed strangers. They are children of God the Father who has made them heirs. It is the Holy Spirit that bears us witness:

This is a wonderful truth – true believers are children of God. This is something that is sealed by God through His Holy Spirit.

Paul brings home this principle of being sealed to the Ephesians in another place, with a warning:

The grieving of the Ruach ha-Kodesh, the Holy Spirit, is not an unforgiveable sin. It can be dealt with by coming to God in humble contrition and repentance, to receive forgiveness. More than this we have a promise again from Paul that it is God who will keep us secure:

That this is the work of God in Christ is confirmed by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 & 2 Thessalonians 3:3. These confirm He will do it. In looking forward to the return of Jesus, Paul again is confident in his salvation, as we are to be.

We can also see this in Colossians 3:3-4. Because we are ‘hidden’ in Christ, when He appears so will we. This is a confidence born on the knowledge that we are not saved by works but faith through grace.

This gift from God is truly a gift that will never be taken back. We are assured of this principle by Paul, again.

Some final thoughts on Paul before we move to other Scriptures. In 2 Timothy we find Paul’s assurance that is also ours:

Paul had committed his whole life. As a Jew, he had given up everything to be a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus, his Messiah. He was certain that having done that God would protect him and he would arrive safely home. Why was this confidence so strong? He tells us:

Paul again makes clear the security of the true believer:

What a confidence this is. God will never deny Himself or His Word. He will deliver us safely home.

As we turn to other Scripture, we find the writer to the Hebrews state very clearly, the truth of our security:

‘Save completely’ is unequivocal. The Greek is clear in that it stresses that the salvation is perfectly kept by God. The same writer assures us, that He will never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5). It is in the same letter the sacrifice has made those who have been made holy by Jesus are made perfect forever. (Hebrews 10:14) Peter tells us we are ‘shielded’ by God until the return of Jesus. (1 Peter 1:3-5) Again Peter, as Paul does, writes that it is God who will keep us secure. (1 Peter 5:10) What Peter advises us is that we are to make sure of our election, as stated before. Often asked is how can I know for certain I am saved? Let Scripture answer:

These Scriptures guide us. If we are true believers, there will be a genuine love of God’s people. In our lives we will show forth fruit that demonstrate a changed life that loves, cares and has compassion for others, especially the lost. When people see us and our character and behaviour, then they will see the light of Christ and be attracted to know Him.  There are those in Scripture who appeared to be true believers but were clearly not. John wrote:

There will be those who have appeared to fall away but they were never truly committed believers. However, there are some who appear to fall away but they can be restored. (Galatians 6:1) Therefore, we must be careful in our discernment as to which are which. Let us end this study with the comfort and encouragement of Jude, to those who were being tempted by false ones:

AMEN!