Once Saved - Always Saved?
Randy Kea

In a vain attempt to try to substantiate the doctrine of "Once Saved Always Saved", several so-called "proof-texts" are sometimes used. Let us examine some of the main ones.

John 6:37-39 - "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he that given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."

Jesus will "cast out" no one; however, a disciple may decide to leave as in verse 66. It is the Father's will that no disciple be lost (verse 39), but it is also God's will that no one in the world be lost (II Peter 3:9). Yet the Bible teaches that "many" will be lost (Matthew 7:13-14).

John 10:27-29 - "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 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."

Jesus says that His sheep will "never perish." He says no one shall "pluck them out of my hand." However, notice how the "sheep" are described. They "hear" the Lord's voice (i.e. heed it). Also, they "follow" the Lord. Based upon these conditions, they will never perish. This verse does not teach unconditional security.

Jude 24 - "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy ... "

This refers to God's part. Our part is in verse 21, "Keep yourselves in the love of God ... " We keep ourselves by keeping God's commands. (John 15:10; 14:21).

I Peter 1:5 - "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." God keeps us by His power. His power for salvation is the Gospel. (Romans 1:16)

This verse also says man's faith is involved. (Romans 10:17) We must remember that the faith of some may last only for a while (Luke 8:1314), may be overthrown (II Timothy 2:18), or may turn to unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-13).

Romans 8:28-39 - In this section Paul has in view people who have responded to the Gospel call (verses 28 and 30; II Thessalonians 2:14), and who continue to "love God" (verse 28). Remember, we must keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 21), abide in His love (John 15:10) and make our calling and election sure (II Peter 1 : 1 0).

Conclusion: God is faithful (I Corinthians 1 :9; 10: 13) but man sometimes is not (Corinthians 10:12; Hebrew 12:15).