The Security of the True Believer by Frank Walton

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand" (Jn. 10:27-29). The Bible teaches that true, active believers in Jesus have security in their salvation by God's power.Yet, it is possible to stop listening to Jesus' voice? To stop following Him? The Bible says it is possible for a saved person to stop listening and following Christ, or else these warnings are vain (Heb. 3:13, Jn. 6:66, Ja. 5:19).We have security knowing nothing external in this evil world can separate us from God's love (Rom 8:38-39), but we can selfishly choose to not keep ourselves in God's love and forfeit our security in Christ (Jude 21,24).The question of the security of the believer is not whether God can keep us secure, rather it is whether or not salvation is unconditional or conditional on man's part.The New Testament teaches that a saved believer can choose to turn away from Christ and go back into the world. "My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins" (Ja 5:19-20). The Bible affirms it is possible to "have fallen from grace" (Gal. 5:4). Hence, salvation is by grace but it is conditionally received.Key Bible Facts about the Believer's Security1. Salvation by grace is conditionally received and retained by active faith in Jesus (Lk 8:11-15, Mk 13:13, Eph 2:8-10, Heb 5:9, Phil 2:12-13, Rev 2:10, 3:15-22). Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father" (Matt. 7:21).2. God allows human free-will choices after we are saved (Josh. 24:14-15, Deut. 30:19-20, 1 Cor. 10:12, 2 Pet. 1:8-11, 2:20-22, 2 Tim. 4:10, 1 Jn 3:15). Paul warns, "To him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he falls" (1 Cor. 10:12).3. Satan is active in trying to destroy and seduce believers (1 Pet 5:8-9, 2 Cor 11:13-15, Ja 1:12-21). If Satan could not devour and destroy our soul, then these warnings would be pointless.4. Bible warnings that salvation can be lost (Acts 8:18-24, Heb 3:12-4:1, 6:4-6, 10:26-31, 1 Cor 9:24-27). The Hebrew writer describes believers who have experienced all the blessings of salvation, "and then fallen away" (Heb 6:4-6). Why is it "impossible to renew them unto repentance" (Heb 6:6a)? There is nothing beyond these spiritual blessings to offer them, if they reject Christ, "since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to an open shame" (Heb. 6:6).By trusting God's gracious help in Christ, we will grow in grace and knowledge and have security in our salvation (2 Pet 1:3-11, 3:18). We can "stand firm" in the Lord, with the armor He supplies (Eph 6:10-13).However, "once saved, always saved" is a false and deceptive doctrine of men that lulls the unsuspecting into a sense of false security. The unconditional security of the believer is blinding many to the truth of the believer's responsibility to remain faithful to Christ.