Positive Bible Teaching that a Saved Person Cannot be Lost

Now let us turn to some of the many passages wherein the Bible very clearly teaches the eternal security and safety of the man who has trusted in Christ.

Everlasting Life

More than forty times the terms or some form of the terms "eternal life" and "everlasting life" are used in the Bible.

God promises everlasting life to the believer - John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.

John 6:47 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 5:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Take God's Word for it and be happy. If you have trusted in Christ, you now have everlasting life, life that will alst forever; and you will not lose it!

Suppose that ten years after I believed in Jesus and got everlasting life, I sinned and lost it. That would not be everlasting life because it only lasted ten years. God has guaranteed everlasting life to the one who trusts Christ. Notice that in each case the word "believeth" is used in the present tense, but the everlasting life runs on into eternity. Look not at your own unworthiness, but look to the eternal promises of God that when you believed in Christ you got everlasting life. 

John 6:37 - All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 

—abridged from Can a Saved Person Ever Be Lost? by John R. Rice. To read the full article, order the pamphlet here.

Can a Saved Person Ever Be Lost? Lest I Should be a Castaway

I Corinthians 9:27

In this passage, Paul tells how carefully he controlled and buffeted his fleshly nature, lest he should be a castaway. Did he mean that he was afraid he would lose his soul?

"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

The word "castaway" here is translated from a Greek work making unworthy or not approved. Paul really means that after God has greatly used him to preach the Gospel and has shown His approval on Paul's ministry by Holy Spirit power, that even Paul could lose that Holy Spirit power. He could find himself not approved of God for the ministry if he lets the fleshly nature control his life.

As far as the ministry is concerned, some men who were once used are now castaways, unprofitable servants, instruments not fit for God's use in the ministry.

In John 6:37, Jesus plainly promises that the individual soul that comes to Him for salvation will in no wise be cast out. The Christian is in no danger of losing his soul. He may lose the approval of God and it was this disapproval of God which Paul feared, not of losing his salvation.

—abridged from Can a Saved Person Ever Be Lost? by John R. Rice. To read the full article, order the pamphlet here.

Can a Saved Person Be Lost? Falling From Grace

Galatians 5:4

"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."

The Scripture does say in Galatians 5:4, "Ye are fallen from grace" but read the whole verse and see that this refers to one who would be justified by the law. One who is counting on his own righteousness to save him.

Grace is a higher plan than the law, and these Galatians had begun to teach salvation by circumcision and the Law of Moses instead of staying with God's high Gospel of mercy which teaches that people are saved by faith. It has no reference to a saved person's becoming lost.

—abridged from Can a Saved Person Ever Be Lost? by John R. Rice. To read the full article, order the pamphlet here.

No One Expected Me!