The doctrine known as Once Saved, Always Saved teaches that once a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, his salvation is secured because it is impossible for God to fail in what He sets out to do. This method of thinking asserts that once one is truly saved, he is saved forever. However, if it is possible for a person to fail to enter God's kingdom, it is not God who has failed. The doctrine generally operates on the belief that God's sole purpose is to save people, overlooking other aspects of His purpose, such as the ongoing nature of His creation and the importance of free moral agency. Those who believe in this doctrine do not fully understand the responsibilities to God and man, nor the aspects of His mercy, love, and justice in governing His creation. It would not be merciful love to allow a rebel to continue in misery, causing problems for others forever.

The idea of eternal security, often termed "once saved, always saved," is foreign to the Bible. It is puzzling how such a doctrine could develop when the Bible repeatedly comments, warns, and advises that we can lose it all through sin. Certain portions of Paul's writings, like Romans 2:1-16, are uncomfortable for those who hold this view, as they expound upon the judgment of God and emphasize that the doers of the law will be justified. Failure to keep God's law is sin, and those who sin will be judged by the law, facing the wages of sin, which is death. Jesus Himself warns that unless we repent, we will perish. For those who believe in eternal security, II Peter 1:10-11 delivers a significant challenge by exposing the falsehood in this teaching. It states a simple command to validate our calling and election by producing fruit. We live in spiritually dangerous times, and the way to stay on course is to keep on growing. If we grow, our salvation is assured, as God is faithful and has promised us salvation if we remain faithful. Jesus Christ earnestly desires to present us holy, blameless, and irreproachable to the Father in His Kingdom, but we must uphold our part of the covenant. We must continue in the faith, remain grounded and steadfast, keep on growing, and hold fast to the hope of our resurrection and eternal life. We must not take God's salvation for granted, assuming eternal security without obedience to God's way of life, but instead strive to make our calling and election sure.

The concept of 'Once Saved, Always Saved' is challenged by the clear scriptural evidence that salvation is not an unchangeable state. The doctrine of 'Once Saved, Always Saved' suggests there are no conditions once a person comes under the blood of Jesus Christ, implying that salvation is permanently secured regardless of subsequent actions. However, numerous warnings in the Bible indicate the possibility of losing salvation. Scriptures show that salvation is a process with past, present, and future aspects, and it is not incorrect to say one is saved, yet the potential for falling away remains evident. In Hebrews, strong warnings highlight the danger of slipping away from faith, emphasizing that Christ's sacrifice does not cover those who continue sinning without repentance. The impossibility of a second beginning after falling away from Christianity underscores the unique nature of initial repentance and forgiveness. The presence of conditions for maintaining salvation, such as holding fast to faith, further contradicts the notion of unconditional security. Additionally, examples like the Israelites in the wilderness demonstrate that even after being saved from physical bondage, spiritual separation was not achieved, leading to their demise due to persistent unbelief. Peter also warns of those who, having escaped the world's pollution through knowledge of their Lord and Savior, return to it, becoming worse off than before. These accounts serve as sobering reminders that salvation, though initiated by God's grace, requires ongoing faith and yielding to His workmanship to produce good works fit for His Kingdom. Thus, the burden of salvation rests on God, who never fails, but the responsibility to remain faithful lies with His children.

The doctrine of Eternal Security, often referred to as "Once Saved, Always Saved," is a foundational belief in Protestantism, asserting that once a person accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, their salvation is assured regardless of subsequent actions. This concept suggests that God is bound to grant them eternal security under His grace, no matter what occurs afterward. However, this idea is viewed as deceptive and contrary to the truth revealed by God. It is seen as a lie akin to the Immortal Soul Doctrine, propagated by the devil since the Garden of Eden, implying that God's threat of death for sin cannot be enforced. This belief in eternal security is challenged by the understanding that God's grace does not perpetually cover unrepentant sin. Just as a criminal absolved of one crime can still be guilty of future offenses, a person who continues in sin risks losing the promised salvation by defying God's will. Scriptures emphasize that willful sin, done in rebellion against God, nullifies the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, bringing judgment upon the sinner. God, being pure and holy, will not accept those who persist in sin, expecting them to approach Him with an attitude of guaranteed security. The Bible repeatedly warns against the notion of eternal security, indicating that salvation can be lost if one does not remain diligent. In II Peter 1:10-11, believers are urged to make their calling and election sure through diligent effort, with the consequence of stumbling and missing entrance into the Kingdom of God if they fail to do so. This command reflects the necessity of ongoing action on the part of believers, as God has already provided His calling, election, Holy Spirit, repentance, forgiveness, truth, and grace. Without reciprocal effort, one can fall away. The urgency to counter false teachings and apostasy, as seen in the early church, underscores the rejection of eternal security. False teachers, influenced by the devil, aim to lead believers astray, which would be pointless if salvation were irrevocably secured. Peter's writings, intended for all true Christians across time, stress the importance of safeguarding against deception by continuously validating one's calling through bearing fruit and growing in faith. Jesus Christ Himself taught that failing to bear fruit results in being cut off, reinforcing that abiding in Him is essential to avoid judgment. Ultimately, the path to ensuring salvation lies in persistent growth, holy conduct, and godliness, as God is faithful and longsuffering, desiring none to perish. However, there is a limit to His patience, and judgment awaits those who do not meet His standard. By diligently adding to their faith and producing fruit, believers can validate their calling and election, ensuring they remain on the right path and avoid falling into deception or sin that could lead to the loss of salvation.

The concept of 'Once Saved, Always Saved' is not supported as a simple, completed act in the Christian journey. Salvation is a process with distinct stages: justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification occurs at baptism, where God, by His grace, forgives sins and imputes Christ's righteousness to us, making us spiritually alive and setting us apart as holy in His sight. Sanctification is the ongoing present aspect, where we work out our salvation with God working in us, striving to live God-like despite our human limitations and continual struggles with sin. Glorification is the future completion of this process, when at Christ's return, we will be changed to spirit in the resurrection and fully share in His glory. God speaks of this entire process with certainty, as if it is already accomplished, showing His commitment to guide us through every step. However, we remain the weak link, capable of halting this process through our own choices, as the Bible warns that we can fall away if we willfully reject Him and return to a life of sin.

The doctrine of Eternal Security, often referred to as "Once Saved, Always Saved," asserts that once a person is justified by the blood of Jesus Christ, with His righteousness imputed and the Holy Spirit given, their salvation is absolutely guaranteed and cannot be lost due to the combination of Christ's righteousness and God's grace. This teaching is highly appealing, creating a comforting sense of security, yet it is seen as a deceptive lie that severely distorts the true nature of salvation. It suggests that a believer's actions or lack thereof have no bearing on their salvation, implying that they will be saved regardless of their conduct. However, the Scriptures reveal a different perspective through various tenses of salvation—past, present, and future—indicating that salvation is not a completed, guaranteed state at justification. In the past tense, salvation is something believers have already received; in the present, it is an ongoing process that must be expressed through a Christian's life; and in the future, it remains something yet to be fully realized at Christ's return. This progression shows that while salvation is within grasp at justification, it is not finalized and requires active effort and expression. The uncertainty introduced by the need to express salvation raises the question of what happens if it is not expressed, suggesting that salvation can indeed be lost if faith falters or if one fails to live according to God's requirements. The appeal of the Eternal Security doctrine lies in its comforting, warm, and fuzzy nature, making people feel good about God's kindness, gentleness, mercy, and forgiveness. Yet, this perception comes at the expense of His justice, creating an unbalanced view of His character and grace. It limits spiritual growth and can turn grace into a license to sin, fostering a dangerous complacency where one might assume God will overlook their failings. This doctrine echoes the original lie in the Garden of Eden, where satan persuaded Adam and Eve that they need not fear death, mirroring the false assurance of eternal security that blunts God's warnings about the serious consequences of sin. Salvation, as depicted in the Scriptures, demands a response of loyalty and love toward God, expressed through obedience to His commandments. If a believer, under the assumption of guaranteed salvation, chooses not to keep the law, they fail to show love for God, and He is not bound to fulfill His part of the covenant if they do not meet His requirements. The sobering reality is that sin, even for those with God's Spirit, remains deadly, potentially leading to the second death from which there is no resurrection to eternal life. Thus, the notion of Eternal Security is a misleading doctrine that overlooks the necessity of ongoing faithfulness and the relational aspect of salvation, which hinges on a continuous, loyal connection with God.

The notion of eternal security, often expressed as "Once saved, always saved," emerges from the perception of God's comprehensive plan as a neatly tied package, suggesting security and steadiness in the journey to the Kingdom of God. However, this idea is challenged by the numerous warnings throughout the Bible that urge believers to keep their course aligned with God's will. These warnings, starting from Genesis with Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden, continuing through the Old Testament with God's displeasure at Israel's conduct, and reiterated by Jesus Christ and the apostles, emphasize the need to count the cost and remain vigilant as time closes in. The experiences of many who were once part of the church, yet have spiritually drifted to other paths or dropped out entirely, further illustrate the risk of falling away. The Bible outlines clear stages of this drifting process, beginning with looking back with longing, as exemplified by Lot's wife, and progressing through drawing back, turning away, and ultimately reaching a point of no return. Despite God's awesome power, patience, and mercy, and His urgent desire for all to succeed, there exists a critical point beyond which return becomes exceedingly difficult, highlighting that salvation is not an unassailable guarantee but a journey requiring constant attention and resolve.

The concept of 'Once Saved, Always Saved' is challenged by the clear distinction between justification and salvation. Justification is not salvation; it is the imputing of righteousness, aligning with a standard, or being legally declared free of guilt. Salvation, however, means deliverance into the Kingdom of God. Even though justification provides a measure of deliverance, it is only the first step towards complete salvation. A person who has been justified can still fail and fall away, as evidenced by strong warnings in Scripture. These warnings indicate that some within the church, having been justified, can return to a carnal state, living in enmity against God through law-breaking. Their willful rejection of His ways shows that justification does not guarantee salvation. The journey from justification to salvation requires enduring trials and living by faith, as disobedience can lead to perishing before reaching the ultimate inheritance.