Perhaps the reason some Christians doubt the eternal security of the believer in Christ is that they doubt the efficacy [value] of the work of Christ at the cross. They may think like the one who said, “He is rowing on one side of the boat and I must row on the other side to get to heaven.” But such sad thinking suggests that our Lord did not do a complete work at Calvary. The Apostle Paul presents the truth. “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:6).
Grace or Works?
Other believers allow that the work of redemption was completed by Christ, but they still think their salvation depends on their own ability to measure up and maintain it. These folks don’t see that redemption is a finished work and is a free gift by grace (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:4-9; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5), something none can ever measure up to or maintain.
God tells us that man is helpless, corrupted and dead in sin (Rom. 3:10-12; Eph. 2:17)—down in a horrible pit (Psa. 40:2). It should be apparent that he can do nothing to achieve or earn salvation by his own works (Isa. 64:6-8). Only God can redeem a soul, and that by grace (unmerited favor, gratis). We must receive the gift with thanksgiving and by faith make it good to our own soul.
Holding on or Being Held?
Failing to appreciate the difference between the believer’s standing (depends on Christ) and state (depends on the believer) results in thinking that whenever the flesh acts salvation might be lost.
Our standing depends on the finished and perfect work of Christ on the cross, not on ourselves. We must not discredit that holy work.
Our state, on the other hand, depends on our obedience and faithfulness. Standing is redemption and the gift of eternal life. Faithfulness has to do with rewards in heaven, not our going to heaven.
Salvation and Restoration
Consider a child who is born into a family or adopted. (Believers are both; see John 3:3; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:4-6.) If such a child is disobedient to his parents, he is not put out of the family for sins, but he loses the favor of the parents until repentant and restored. The prodigal son did not cease to be the son because he sinned, but he had to repent and return to enjoy restoration to happy fellowship with his father and receive blessings (Luke 15:11-24).
Believers must confess their sins in order to continue in happy fellowship with our God (1 John 1:9). We also ought to know that believers are the children of God and He is our Father forever (1 John 2:16; 1 John 3:12).
R. DeWitt (adapted)
Ed. Note: The above excerpt has been taken from a pamphlet written by our brother on this subject. For a complete list of available pamphlets on various Christian subjects, please contact the author.