One of the most popular doctrines of Satan is the unbiblical teaching that once a person becomes saved he will never loose his salvation. In spite of the fact that the Bible very plainly states that some Christians had “fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4 [See also: Heb. 6:4-6; 2 Pet. 2:20-22; James 5:19-20; John 15:1-6]) the false belief in the impossibility of apostasy has firmly ensnared many good souls.
Unknown (because it has been hidden) to those who present their verses in the attempt to establish their case for “once saved, always saved,” are the other verses which show that those which they have presented are conditional—that is, the promise of the certainty of a Christian’s salvation is dependent upon the Christian remaining faithful to God and His teachings in the Bible.
Below are a few verses which are often presented in the effort to teach the impossibility of apostasy. Following each of these is a verse which makes clear that the promise is conditional.
“A child of God has eternal life (John 5:24), and ‘eternal’ is forever—it cannot be lost.” But, “If any does not provide for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel [non-Christian]” (1 Tim. 5:8).
“A child of God will not come into condemnation—thus he will not ever be judged as condemned.” But, “If he discern not the body” when he takes the Lord’s Supper, he “eats and drinks judgment to himself” (1 Cor. 11:29).
“A child of God will not be cast out (John 6:37).” But, “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6).
“A child of God shall live forever—thus, he can never be lost (John 6:58). But, “For now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord” (1 Thes. 3:8).
“A child of God cannot be plucked out of God’s hand (John 10:27). But, “Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” (1 Pet. 3:13).
“A child of God shall never perish (John 10:29). But, “If a man keep my word, he shall never see death” (John 8:51).
If only those who now believe in the impossibility of apostasy would have been shown these conditional verses they surely never would have believed this false doctrine. May it be that such good people can yet see this truth.
Gary Henson