The doctrine often referred to as “once saved, always saved” (also called “eternal security”) is widely held among some branches of evangelical Christianity. It teaches that once a person is truly saved, they can never lose their salvation—no matter what they do afterward. While this idea may seem comforting at first glance, it can be theologically problematic, pastorally dangerous, and biblically unsound when taken to its logical conclusions.
A Misunderstood Comfort
At its heart, the desire behind this teaching is understandable. Christians want assurance that God is faithful, that salvation is not fragile or dependent on constant spiritual performance. And rightly so. Scripture teaches that God is indeed faithful, and that no one can snatch us from His hand (John 10:28). But assurance of salvation is not the same thing as unconditional security, especially if that security ignores the call to perseverance, holiness, and obedience.
The danger arises when this doctrine is interpreted to mean, “Once I’ve said a prayer or made a decision, nothing I do from that point on matters.”
The Foundation of Antinomianism
This idea—that one can be saved and live however they please—is called antinomianism, meaning “against the law.” It is the belief that moral obligations and commandments no longer apply to the believer because of grace. This mindset has ancient roots and has been rejected by the Church from its earliest days.
Paul encountered this very attitude and responded sharply:
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2)
Antinomianism turns grace into a license for sin, and the “once saved, always saved” doctrine often becomes its theological platform. If salvation is viewed as a one-time event with no ongoing responsibility, it creates space for spiritual complacency, moral compromise, and even apostasy.
The Biblical Call to Perseverance
The New Testament repeatedly exhorts believers to continue in the faith and remain steadfast. The warnings are not hypothetical—they are serious calls to endure in holiness and obedience:
- “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples” (John 8:31)
- “But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13)
- “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12)
These verses do not make sense if salvation cannot be forfeited. Scripture does not present salvation as a static status, but as a living relationship—one that requires faithfulness, much like a covenantal marriage.
The Wesleyan-Arminian Alternative: Security in Relationship
From a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective, salvation is indeed secure—but it is secure in Christ, not in ourselves. As long as a person continues to abide in Christ, they are eternally secure. But God will not force anyone to stay. A person who once believed can harden their heart, reject Christ, and walk away.
This view honors both God’s grace and human responsibility. It doesn’t treat salvation like a revolving door, nor does it turn grace into an excuse for lawlessness. It affirms that believers are saved by grace through faith—and that faith must be living, enduring, and obedient.
The Real Danger: False Assurance
The greatest pastoral concern with “once saved, always saved” is that it can give false assurance to those whose lives show no evidence of regeneration. Jesus warned:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
Faith that does not produce fruit is not saving faith. James writes, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). The Christian life is not about perfection, but it is about direction. Salvation leads to transformation.
Conclusion: A Call to Watchfulness
Grace is not opposed to effort—it is opposed to earning. The idea that salvation requires no response or participation beyond an initial decision is foreign to Scripture. The doctrine of “once saved, always saved,” when misunderstood or misapplied, can nurture apathy, invite sin, and reject the clear biblical call to perseverance.
Instead, Scripture calls believers to walk daily with Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, bearing fruit in keeping with repentance. True assurance is not found in a past moment, but in a present faith that abides, obeys, and endures.
Let us not settle for a shallow assurance. Let us pursue a living, active, persevering faith—the kind of faith that saves.
