Is Once Saved, Always Saved Biblical?

 

Can a saved person become unsaved? Is once saved always saved biblical?

What does the Bible say about Once Saved, Forever Saved? Let's find out!

Salvation in Christ is the very central goal of the Bible. It is the end-goal of Faith, Grace, Mercy and several other subjects of the scriptures.

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2Ti 3:15 KJV

"Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you." 1Pe 1:9-10 KJV

The believer is instructed to properly study and understand it, and be diligent in teaching it.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2Ti 2:15 KJV

A proper understanding of the concept of Salvation as taught in the scriptures will open up a well of unceasing joy in you. Your feet will be firm, not tossed about by every wind of doctrine. And like a tree planted by the riverside, you will grow and flourish in your walk with the Lord Jesus, bearing good fruits for Him.

So let's go back to answering the question we have at hand.

Is Once Saved, Always Saved Biblical?

The answer to this question largely depends on what you mean by "once saved, always saved"

This is because to some persons, the statement "once saved, always saved" is another way of saying "nothing you do as a Christian matters after salvation. The moment you are saved, you can go ahead and live as worldly as you want, you won't get punished for it. God doesn't and won't give a damn about that." This ideology is an error and certainly not what the "once saved, always saved" statement is all about.

In the real sense, "once saved, always saved" is a catchphrase that addresses the durability or eternal nature of the Salvation we received when we appropriated the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sin(s).

With this understanding of what the statement is truly about, let's then do justice to the question from the scriptures.

Is once saved, always saved really biblical?

In talking about the Salvation, Redemption or Eternal Life we have in Christ, the Bible repeatedly used the words "once", "everlasting", "forever", "eternal", "true" and "once and for all" to describe how it occurred and the longevity.

Pay close attention as you read through the Bible verses outlined below. Meditate on each of them briefly.

Joh 3:16 KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Joh 10:28-29 KJV 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Heb 5:9 KJV And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

Heb 9:12 KJV Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Heb 9:15 KJV And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Heb 10:10-14 KJV 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

But can't a believer lose his salvation and go to hell (perish) if he's not careful after he has been saved? You may ask.

In answer to that question, take a look at these verses one more time and meditate on them.

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." John 10:28-29 KJV

The essence of Eternal Life is to keep the believer from perishing. Mind you, the believer is not the one keeping his Eternal Life from perishing. The Eternal Life is actually what is keeping him from perishing. Whether he is careful how he lives his life on earth or not, that Eternal Life he has received continually keeps him from destruction.

However, a believer who foolishly lives in sin continually will lose his rewards and will have nothing to show for his Salvation or Eternal Life in heaven.

Take note that I said he will lose his rewards in heaven, not his Salvation or Eternal Life. That is because the believer is committed with the responsibility of working for and keeping his heavenly rewards by living righteously on earth, not his Salvation or Eternal Life. That is God's part according to the scriptures.

Salvation (Eternal Life) is a gift he received on the basis of his faith in the finished works of Christ, whereas heavenly rewards are dependent on his lifestyle while on earth here.

If he lives a godly lifestyle, a crown of glory awaits him in heaven. If he doesn't, he will not get anything reward from God in heaven though he is saved and shall spend eternity in heaven.

Eph 2:8-10 KJV 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1Co 3:13-15 KJV 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

This is what the Bible teaches about Once Saved, Always Saved. It is purely biblical. Set aside any misconception you may have had about the catchphrase and see the eternal nature of Salvation as it has always been in the scriptures - open, simple and clear!

I hope this blesses you. Glory to God!