Understanding eternal security and the assurance believers can have in their relationship with God.
The Bible teaches that true believers are eternally secure in their salvation. This security doesn't depend on our ability to maintain our faith, but on God's power to keep us. Once we are genuinely born again, we become God's children forever. However, this security should never be taken as a license to sin, but should motivate us to live holy lives out of gratitude.
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand."
— John 10:27-28
Jesus promised that those who come to Him will never be cast out and that no one can snatch us from His hand. These promises indicate that our salvation rests not on our ability to hold onto God, but on God's ability to hold onto us.
"All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away."
— John 6:37
When we believe, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance. This sealing suggests permanent security - God Himself guarantees our salvation through the presence of His Spirit within us.
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit."
— Ephesians 1:13
When we become Christians, we are born again - born of God. Just as physical birth cannot be undone, spiritual birth creates a permanent relationship. We become God's children, and He remains our Father forever.
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
— John 1:12
True believers will persevere in faith because God works in them to will and to act according to His good purpose. While we may struggle and falter, genuine saving faith will endure because it is sustained by God's power.
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
— Philippians 1:6
While believers can have confidence in their eternal security, this doesn't mean we can live carelessly. True saving faith produces a changed life and a desire to follow Christ. Those who show no evidence of transformation may need to examine whether their faith is genuine.
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?"
— 2 Corinthians 13:5
Find peace and assurance in God's promises while growing in faith and obedience to Him.