The Unbreakable Promise: The Assurance of Eternal Security in Christ

Between eternity past in God’s predestination, and eternity future in God’s glorification, none is lost. This unbreakable steel chain of divine covenant faithfulness is a promise from our God who cannot lie. Those who are born again are as secure as God is faithful.

In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul writes, "Those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified" (Romans 8:30). This passage assures us that those whom God has predestined for sonship will not fail to be called. And those who are called will be justified. And those who are justified will be glorified. It is a guarantee of our eternal security in Christ.

Paul further reinforces this truth in his letter to the Philippians, saying, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). God, who initiated the work of salvation in us, will surely bring it to completion. Our salvation is not dependent on our own efforts or abilities, but on the faithfulness of God.

1 Corinthians 1:8-9 also affirms the faithfulness of God in preserving our salvation: "He will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." God's faithfulness ensures that we will be kept blameless until the day of Christ's return. It is through God's faithfulness that we were called into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

These promises of eternal security are not just empty words. They are rooted in the character of our unchanging God. He is faithful and true, and His promises never fail. Just as He predestined, called, justified, and glorified those whom He has chosen, He will also sustain and preserve them until the end.

As believers, we can take great comfort in the assurance of our eternal security. We can have confidence that our salvation is secure in the hands of our faithful God. Our salvation does not depend on our own efforts or abilities, but on the finished work of Christ on the cross. He has paid the price for our sins and secured our place in His kingdom.

But what about those who claim to be believers but later fall away or abandon their faith? Are they exceptions to the promise of eternal security? It is important to understand that true believers will persevere in their faith. Those who appear to fall away were never truly born again to begin with. As Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:27-28). True believers will continue to follow Christ and will not be snatched out of His hand.

This does not mean that believers will never struggle or face doubts. It is possible for a believer to go through seasons of doubt or struggle with sin. However, the Holy Spirit within us will continue to convict and guide us back to the truth. God's faithfulness ensures that He will never abandon us or leave us to our own devices. He will continue to work in us and transform us into the likeness of Christ.

It is also important to note that our eternal security is not a license to sin or live however we please. True believers will have a genuine desire to live for Christ and obey His commands. As Paul writes in Romans 6:1-2, "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?" Our salvation is not a free pass to indulge in sinful behavior, but a call to live a life that is pleasing to God.

In conclusion, the doctrine of eternal security is a comforting and assuring truth for believers. It is a promise from our faithful God that those whom He has predestined, called, justified, and glorified will be kept secure in their salvation until the end. Our eternal security does not rest on our own efforts or abilities, but on the faithfulness of God. He has initiated the work of salvation in us and will bring it to completion. As believers, we can have confidence in our eternal security and live in the assurance of our salvation.