Eternal Security Sýnishorn

The Basic Support

Some refer to the doctrine of eternal security as “the perseverance of the saints.” Perhaps a better expression would be “the preservation of the saints.” The former emphasizes man’s effort, while the latter centers on God’s efforts. In the final analysis, the eternal security of the believer rests on the power of God to preserve the saints, not on the power of the saints to persevere. It is like the father who was leading his little boy across a busy intersection hand-in-hand. They had nearly crossed the street when the little boy slipped and fell. But before he could hit the ground, his father’s powerful right arm whisked him into the curb with one great swing. Pleased, the little boy looked at his father and exclaimed, “I held on, didn’t I, Daddy?” His father smiled and replied knowingly, “Yes, you did, Son; but I held on first.” It’s God holding on to us, not our holding on to Him, which lies at the core of eternal security. In light of the fact that eternal security rests on the person and work of God, the best evidence for this doctrine comes from the contribution each member of the Godhead makes toward the preservation of the saints. Therefore, let’s look at two contributions made by the Godhead which add up to eternal security. 

Firstly, His omnipotence. Numerous verses testify to the ability of God to preserve His children, and the inability of anyone or anything else to overcome His power. God has promised eternal life to all who believe. He is able to perform what He has promised. To say one can lose his salvation is to say God cannot keep him from losing it. Who is more powerful, God or us? Denial of eternal security is a slam on the omnipotence of God. 

Secondly, His unconditional love. The unconditional character of God’s love lifts it several levels above man’s love. God proved His love toward us while we were still sinners by sending His Son to die for us. We didn’t deserve His love because of our sins. God loves us much more now that we are His children than when we were His enemies. If our sins don’t turn off the faucet of His love before salvation, they certainly won’t after salvation. The Father’s great power and His great love undergird the doctrine of eternal security.