Focal Passage: John 10:7-14, 26-30
The Point: God keeps His children securely in His hands.
Terms like “once saved always saved” or “the security of the believer” or “you can’t lose your salvation” are often tossed around the Church, but without doctrinal foundation. We know these phrases are true, but why are they true? In part John 10 enables us to understand the great truth of the believer’s security.
John 10:7-11 speaks of the promise of salvation to all who come through the only door that leads to eternal life, Jesus Christ. There is no security for a false believer who attempts to come to God by another way.
John 10:14-18 reminds us that while Jesus is the Good Shepherd, there are wolves who would confuse and injure the sheep. While false teachers (wolves) flee at times of need, the true Shepherd lays down his life for and keeps secure His sheep.
John 10:26-30 also reminds us that unbelievers do not believe because they are not sheep; yet, those who believe are those drawn by the Holy Spirit to Jesus Christ by faith. It is these who will never perish or be snatched out of the Father’s hand (vs. 27-28). God the Father keeps all the Son has saved. But are there additional biblical foundations for this great truth? Here are 10.
10 Truths That Undergird This One Truth
(1) God’s Word alone forms the basis of how we know the truth of the gospel that makes us wise to salvation (II Timothy 3:10-17 – 4:1-5).
(2) God’s grace alone secures our salvation because it is a gift from God, not a result of self-justification or good works (Ephesians 2:8-10).
(3) We are justified by faith alone as we place our trust in Jesus Christ through a God-given, Spirit-enabled faith (Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 11:6).
(4) God’s gospel is revealed in Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
(5) God saves us for His glory; we receive the benefits of that glorious salvation (Ephesians 1:11-14).
(6) The necessity of our salvation is due to our condition as sinners — sin that alienates us from God and makes us unwilling and unable (Romans 3:11) to come to Christ apart from the gracious work of the Spirit (John 6:44; 6:65).
(7) We’re made eligible for salvation not on the condition of our own works and goodness, but on the basis of God’s gracious work in us by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:3-6).
(8) While God offers salvation to all people the effect of God’s gracious salvation and the atoning work of Jesus Christ impacts and changes only those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Romans 3:21-26; 8:26-30). Baptists are not universalists. We must believe as God draws us to Himself. Only those who believe are changed and kept by the atoning work of God in Christ.
(9) While we are dead in our sin (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3), God is able to overcome the deadness of our sin by the preaching of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:18; 16:14). He alone makes us alive (Ephesians 2:4-5; Titus 3:1-11). We preach; the Spirit works; we believe; the sinner is saved!
(10) Finally, because of all these truths, biblical Christianity asserts true believers are not only saved in Jesus Christ but are kept secure by God Himself. We are not saved to live how we want; we are saved to live how we ought — in obedience to Jesus Christ. As we persevere in faith, God keeps us secure (I Corinthians 15:1-2; Colossians 1:21-23). Because He keeps us, we are able to persevere (Matthew 24:13). B&R