A Biblical Contrast Between False Security and True Perseverance
Various authors
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There is a grave and growing error in modern evangelical circles that promises Heaven to those who have once “made a decision for Christ,” regardless of how they live afterward. This popular distortion is often labeled as “eternal security,” but it is better described as a false security. It teaches that once a person has professed faith in Christ–no matter how worldly, unrepentant, or godless his life may become–he is eternally secure, and will surely enter Heaven when he dies.
In contrast, Scripture sets forth a far more sobering and sanctifying doctrine: the Preservation and Perseverance of the saints. This biblical truth teaches that all those whom God saves, He also keeps–not in sin, but in faith, repentance, and holiness of life.
1. The Error of False Security: A License for Worldliness
This counterfeit doctrine begins with a superficial view of salvation. It reduces the New Birth to a mere decision or profession, disconnected from true repentance, and entirely devoid of the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. In this view, a person may “pray the sinner’s prayer,” sign a card, or walk an aisle–and then, no matter how wicked his subsequent life is, he is assured that he will go to Heaven when he dies.
This view severs Justification from Sanctification; and Regeneration from transformation. It denies the fruit that always accompanies saving faith. As James warns, “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17). The Lord Jesus likewise solemnly declares, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. But only he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
The problem is not that such people lose their salvation–for they never possessed it. Their profession was false, their faith was spurious, and their hearts remained unchanged.
2. The Scriptural Doctrine: Preservation and Perseverance of the Saints
In contrast to this damning delusion, the Bible teaches that salvation is a sovereign and supernatural work of God from beginning to end. The same God who elects, justifies, and adopts His people–also preserves them by His power and causes them to persevere in the faith and in a holy life.
This is not a doctrine of self-effort, but of divine enablement. True believers are kept “by the power of God through faith” (1 Peter 1:5). God’s preserving grace ensures that no true child of God will ever finally fall away.
As the true child of God is preserved by the indwelling Spirit–he is enabled to persevere in a life of ongoing repentance, faith, and obedience.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish” (John 10:27-28). Note the marks of His true sheep: they hear His voice, and they follow Him. Their lives are characterized by continual submission to Christ as Lord–not perfection, but direction; not sinlessness, but sanctification.
The apostle Paul declared with confidence, “He who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6). Salvation is not sustained by the strength of man’s will, but by the faithfulness of God’s preserving grace. Yet that grace never leaves a man unchanged. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Those whom God has justified, He is sanctifying–and He will glorify (Romans 8:29–30).
Conclusion: Security Without Holiness Is a Soul-damning Lie
The so-called “eternal security” that leaves room for a continued life of ungodliness, rebellion, and disobedience; is not the gospel of Scripture–it is a satanic counterfeit that offers false peace to unregenerate souls. God does not save men, only to leave them in their sins. He saves them from their sins, and works in them to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13).
The Scriptural doctrine of the Preservation and Perseverance of the saints magnifies both the sovereign grace of the Father, and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. It assures the believer, not only of final glory, but of continuing conformity to Jesus. Those whom God saves–He transforms. Those whom He justifies–He sanctifies. And those who truly belong to Him will persevere to the end–not because of their own strength, but because He preserves them in a life of holiness.
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