The Key to a Sure Salvation
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 5:17
It is good for us to claim in faith every word which God has given us (Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4). When we do this, we can be confidently assured of our eternal salvation (I John 5:13).
Today, however, many professing Christians rest on the doctrine of eternal security; also referred to by the phrase “once saved, always saved.” It is a grave point of concern, fort this doctrine is not founded on the complete content of God’s Word; but on the additions and subtractions to it by modern day Pharisees.
There are also many who practice belief in this doctrine, but do not confess it. Actions speak louder than words, and these individuals claim to have at one time received salvation—but their current lives plainly show no ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord. The opening scripture I used (II Corinthians 5:17) tells us that a redeemed life will be a visibly changed life. Only too many today profess a saving relationship with Christ, without any visible evidence! God’s Word says this cannot be so.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:20
Note also this excerpt from Matthew 25:14-30; please read the entire passage when you can. “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man…And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth…His Lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant…take therefore the talent from him…and cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness…” (This example also speaks against eternal security.)
Nor can one be silent about their walk with Christ. “So then faith cometh by hearing…” (Romans 10:17) “…it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (I Corinthians 1:21) “…Go ye into all the world, and preach…” (Mark 16:15) “Howbeit Jesus…saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee…” (Mark 5:1)
The doctrine of eternal security is a part of the larger outlook known as Dispensationalism. This philosophy tends toward faithlessness, by chopping up God’s Word; claiming that much of it isn’t really meant for us today. All scriptures then that indicate and warn about a falling away from the faith (and there are many) are therefore written off as not applying to our lives. This is, of course, a denial of Jesus Christ and His words. The following references are but a few examples from God’s Holy Word (KJV only) that warn us about the falling from faith in Christ. (Ezekiel 33:13, Matthew 7:21-23, 18:21-35, 24:22, Mark 13:20, Romans 11:22, II Thessalonians 2:3, I Timothy 4:1, II Timothy 4:3,4, Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:26, II Peter 2:21, Revelation 2:5, 3:5)
Our Lord wants a daily relationship with us, so we must continue growing spiritually each day. If we walk with Him in this way, we have a sure salvation. We know that salvation is a gift of God, and simple to receive;
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
Our own good works can not secure eternal life;
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:10-12…23
Jesus perfect blood is our atonement;
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Salvation then is a free gift which only God can give through Christ;
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9
Yet overcoming our sinful flesh is an incredibly frustrating struggle, when deep within ourselves we want to serve the Lord faithfully at all times.
We also know that Christ our savior is also our intercessor to our Heavenly Father. As we walk after Christ, no outer force—not even our own failings, can separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31-39). Just look at these assurances given to us for ongoing sin “relief.”
When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. Ezekiel 33:18,19
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1,2
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:8-10
But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:24,25
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: I John 2:1
What then, is the difference between eternal security and a sure salvation? The fruit of each teaching reveals the answer; eternal security implies, if not teaches, a permissiveness toward sin; a sure salvation teaches an ongoing perfection toward holiness.
One professing believer in eternal security commented to me, “I could never sin too much to lose my salvation.” Honestly, it is hard for me to imagine a child of God making this statement—let alone passing along that teaching to others! The Lord will be his judge for these words (Matthew 12:36,37).
True believers are to press on into true holiness (Philippians 3:12-15) day by day (Luke 9:23). We pray and read God’s Word, asking for more of His Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. We know that because of the flesh, we will often fall short of where God wants us to be (Isaiah 64:6)—but this is the point at which Christ’s perfect blood makes up our shortfalls! Jesus Christ is our Passover lamb, whose blood is evident on the doorposts of our hearts—when we are then viewed by God, we are “passed over” for judgment. God’s Word assures us that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”—I John 1:9
Romans chapter seven brings forth the battle of flesh versus spirit. God uses the Apostle Paul as our example for this struggle. How well I can relate to the desire to serve God, but fall flat on my face! Let’s look at this passage;
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Romans 7:18-23
Paul clearly states how he is bound in the flesh by sin; yet with his mind (spirit), he is fully committed to living uprightly for God. How can he be free of this sinful flesh which keeps pulling him down? Jesus Christ our Lord has made the way!
The simple, freeing promise of a sure salvation is found in Romans 8:1—what the Holy Ghost revealed to Paul, and through Paul to us.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1
It is important to note every word—God conveyed them to us for our benefit.
First of all there is the hopeful, eye-catching phrase, “There is therefore now no condemnation.” This is what every human desperately needs and cannot earn—to be uncondemned before God. But this can only come through Christ Jesus (John 14:6, Acts 4:12), and this verse makes that fact plain, as well.
Yet the real key in this verse, toward a sure salvation are the last words which qualify the believer for this privilege; it is for those “in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.” You will find this truth repeated elsewhere, in places like Romans 8:4,14, and Galatians 5:16,25.
Today there are many who claim to know Christ—but they walk solidly after the flesh! They live as if their lives were entirely bound by the things of the earth; houses, cars, clothes, education, reputations, etc. Worst of all, most churches promote worldly ways to bolster attendance. It could be rock groups, movies, holiday parties—I’ve even seen a church advertise that it is “biker-friendly” (motorcyclists)! What happened to being a new creature in Christ? Instead of “coming out” from among them and being separate (II Corinthians 6:17), churches are rushing back into the world—and emulating it, instead of Christ.
Jesus said “he that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal.”—John 12:25. Paul wrote that he is “crucified with Christ” in Galatians 2:20. Our Lord also told us that if we are to come after Him, we must first deny ourselves.
It is clear that salvation does not bring about a natural longing for the things of God, so that we automatically walk after the Spirit. Romans chapter 7 testifies to that! Romans 8 then tells us how to be free, going even a little further in verses 13 & 14;
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:13,14
Once we become saved, Jesus needs to be our LORD, as well. We must be led by the Holy Spirit to be “sons of God.” Therefore we must also die to ourselves daily, mortifying the deeds of the flesh. Please understand the truth; give yourself fully to Christ, and not to the indulgences of the flesh which deny His Lordship.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8
Yet another reminder of our key, and that is to walk after the Spirit (Holy Spirit), being led by Him. We then are the “sons of God,” with no condemnation.
The same promise is phrased a bit differently in I John chapter 1:5-10; this passage as a whole provides an explanation and framework for our focal verse, verse 7.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. I John 1:5-10
Romans 8:1 states that believers in Christ are not condemned when they walk after the Spirit (Capital “S” indicates the Holy Spirit of God). I John 1:7 declares that if we walk in the light as He (God) is in the light (verse 5), the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. Neither scripture indicates eternal security; but rather, a sure salvation. Please visit our section on A Sure Salvation vs. Eternal Security for a more thorough outlook.
This section in I John 1 plainly tells us that we cannot continue to walk in sin, and call ourselves children of God (verse 6). It also clearly states that when we sin, we must confess them to God; then we are assured forgiveness because of Christ.
The misleading doctrine of eternal security undermines our call to holiness; it does so by declaring that no matter how we act or what we do, even without repentance, the “once saved” believer will continue to be in good standing with the Lord.
What God’s Word actually declares to us is a sure salvation. When we are saved through Christ, we become new creatures. We begin to pray and seek God—loving Him, and naturally wanting to please Him who gave His own son for us. Then when we fall short, the sacrifice of Christ makes atonement for this, as well. Our love for our savior leads us naturally to repent.
Neither is there any external force that can separate us from Christ—yet in love, God never removes our ability to make choices; though at times we may be chastened because of that love.
For myself, I love the guidance in Romans chapter 5. I love the promise of still having access into grace by faith in Christ (verse 2), as Jesus will still intercede for us.
Yet in deeply loving and wanting to serve the Lord, I am often grieved by my own failures; and wonder how God could use such a flesh-bound person as myself!
Then the Lord then reminds me of His Word; that the scripture has concluded all men under sin (Galatians 3:22), and that absolutely no one can be saved without Christ (Mark 10:26,27). Then there is also the further beauty found in Romans 5:8-10. Verse 10 tells us that when we were God’s enemies (before salvation), we were reconciled to Him by the death of His Son (Jesus Christ). So much more then, now that we have been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
In other words, Jesus loved us and died for us when we were still in sin. If He loved us then, won’t He love us yet the more now—when we want to faithfully serve Him, and fall short? Praise God for His mercy and faithfulness!
And so, brethren, rest in the peace of the finished work of Christ; being fully confident through God’s Word of A sure salvation. We may be tried at times, yet we must continually rest in the Lord by trusting Him with patient faith—His own blood having already provided the best outcome.
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:15
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. James 5:11
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Hebrews 10:35-36
WARNING: To avoid Satan’s snares and deceptions, return to the pure Word of God; which is the King James Bible. Revised translations are not small word alterations meant to bring clarity! Major doctrinal changes have occurred, which will tend to bring doubt and destroy your faith. To follow these new “versions” of the truth, is to build your spiritual house upon sand, and become as the ones reflected in Matthew 7:21-23. Please use this entire passage, Matthew 7:21-27.
Satan means to deceive you into sincerely following his alternate “truth.” You are really being set up to fall, and serve the antichrist.
Pray and seek God diligently in this matter; for time is short. See also our Word of God section and the section on A Sure Salvation vs. Eternal Security.