The Perseverance of the Saints
Since salvation is a free gift not conditioned upon one's performance, else salvation would be of works, once a person is saved they are guaranteed eternal life. There are those who argue, such as the Lutherans, that since salvation is conditioned upon faith, loss of faith would result in loss of salvation. However as noted previously, it is not possible for those born of God to live a lifestyle of sin let alone lose faith. Those who have been born of God will endure to the end. Failing to do so just indicates they were not born of God in the first place as John noted, "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." 1John 2:19
Thus Paul writes of the eternal security of the believer. "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession— to the praise of his glory." Eph 1:13 "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." 2Cor 1:21,22
The Gospel Series
Since salvation is a free gift not conditioned upon one's performance, else salvation would be of works, once a person is saved they are guaranteed eternal life. There are those who argue, such as the Lutherans, that since salvation is conditioned upon faith, loss of faith would result in loss of salvation. However as noted previously, it is not possible for those born of God to live a lifestyle of sin let alone lose faith. Those who have been born of God will endure to the end. Failing to do so just indicates they were not born of God in the first place as John noted, "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." 1John 2:19
Thus Paul writes of the eternal security of the believer. "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession— to the praise of his glory." Eph 1:13 "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." 2Cor 1:21,22
The Gospel Series