Unshakeable Assurance

Eternal Security - Once Saved, Always Saved

Bible Passages: John 5:24, John 10:27–30, John 11:25–26, Galatians 5:4, Revelation 3:5

Intro: Promises Secured in Christ

John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”

Promiser, Promise, Power

Continuing with the theme of assurance of salvation we revisit this important verse about the three tenses of salvation. Believe and you have everlasting life in the present. You have passed from death into life in the past at the moment of salvation. And you will not come into judgment concerning your eternal destiny, that’s future and that’s everlasting. Jesus starts out this verse with a declarative assertion, “Most assuredly, I say to you”. He Who cannot lie is telling us this is the truth.

In the original Greek the phrase “most assuredly” is Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν or as we say in English - Amen amen. Jesus was saying what follows is as sure as a heavenly royal decree.

Our salvation is as sure and complete as the Savior who said “it is finished” on the cross of Calvary.

1. Protection Under the Shepherd

John 10:27–30 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.””

Lk 15 Describes “lost things” - a sheep, a coin, and a son. In the first parable the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine secure sheep to look for and rescue the one. Lost things are always the possession of the Owner even when they stray and are lost.

John 10:27 tells us Jesus considers us “His sheep”, that’s a possessive phrase. We are His. He gives us eternal life, we shall never perish. No one can snatch us out of His hand. No one is greater than our Savior. Not Satan, not the cares of the world, not even ourselves. If we were to go to the far country like the prodigal son, we would still be Jesus’ sheep (His possession) in a far country.

The good news is that He would not leave us there but would come after us. He would convict us through the Holy Spirit. He would not leave us if we leave Him. Much needless pain and suffering comes from the conviction, discipline and correction directed upon the backslidden Christian.

2. Power Over Death

John 11:25–26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?””

An assured resurrection - the gospel includes the principal of eternal security by design. To believe the gospel, the saving message, we must include the part about eternal life. It’s what we believe Jesus for.

One can believe Jesus for many things, health, safety, direction. But to be saved we must believe Him for what He promises, everlasting life. All through the Gospel of John Jesus makes the proposition that salvation is believing on Him for everlasting life. It is an integral part of the gospel. Jesus Himself defines the gospel and everlasting life is indispensable from the gospel message.

When talking to Martha at the time of Lazarus’ death Jesus makes two claims. He was the Resurrection and He was the Life.

What did Martha have to believe?

Jesus was the Resurrection - His life imputed to the believer would insure that even though a believer would die that believer would be resurrected unto everlasting life.

Jesus was the Life - that if a person would believe in Him that person would not die, the second death, but have everlasting life.

He was describing His work as Savior and Martha believed those facts.

3. Perils of Legalism

Galatians 5:4 “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

What does Paul mean when he says, “you have fallen from grace”? Let’s look into this because it is a much misunderstood passage.

First thing is to realize Paul is addressing believers. Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

Paul is warning the Jewish believers not to return to the Law for justification. If they were to be circumcised in obedience to the Law they would be at odds with the gospel. They would a debtor to keep the whole Law. The good news is justification by faith they would be putting themselves at odds with Christ and His sacrifice. This is what is meant by estranged, out of fellowship.

Falling from grace then is the teaching that mixes a little law in with grace. Just a little dependance on “good works” is legalism and is a very real problem with many today. Let’s rely on the pure grace of God to show us how to please our Lord.

Preservation in the Book of Life

Revelation 3:5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”

In closing many legalistic preachers will use Re 3:5 to say , “if you’re not an overcomer you will lose your salvation”.

This is far from correct exegesis. Here he is praising the overcomers in Sardis and telling them what their reward will be - “white garments” in heaven and a special mention before the throne room of heaven.

John is using a literary rhetorical device know as a litotes. Litotes uses exaggerated language to the explain the opposite view. Its ironically understates something, and relies on negation. The affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary. For example, “It's not the worst thing I've eaten” means that it probably tastes pretty good or “you won’t be sorry” means “you’ll be glad” or in our case in Re 3:5 “your name will be in the Book of Life”.

Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” He will remember your hard work!

Correct exposition alleviates misinterpretation and brings those few questionable verses in line with the vast majority of Scripture that teaches assurance to the believer.