ETERNAL SECURITY: Eternal security, also called "Once-Saved-Always-Saved," is the belief that once a person believes in Jesus as Savior there is nothing that can undo that decision or their eternal destiny. There are a surprising number of popular teachers who insist this includes leaving the faith and/or any amount of deliberate sin and rebellion. Their reason: Salvation is based on Jesus' faithfulness, not yours. As correct as that might sound, it is clear from Jesus' own word that such a teaching is dead wrong.
The Bible is clear: Faith in God and repentance from sin is needed to get saved and to stay saved. One would think this is obvious -- and it is, until some popular teacher comes along to muddy the waters.
As a former adherent of Eternal Security, I thought it would be worthwhile for me to put down on paper a testimonial of my transition to a more Wesleyan perspective. If you believe in Eternal Security or "once saved/always saved," you might find this an interesting read. Perhaps you are a little frightened (like I was) by the thought of abandoning your belief in Eternal Security. All the more reason to look it square in the face. You'll either come away more convinced that you are on the right track, or you will have an opportunity to change course. Either outcome will be worth the time you invest. Feel free to give us feedback on our "contact us" link.
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SALVATION is about the heart: “I’m a Christian because I believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and died on the cross for my sins.”
What do you think? Is this person right?
Yes and no. Christians do believe these things, but simply believing correct facts about who and what Jesus did does not make one a child of God. The concept is similar to a statement in the epistle of James: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe – and tremble!” If believing correct facts were sufficient, then the demons would be saved.
But more is required than a mental ascent to right facts. The person who believes the truth about Jesus now has an important decision to make. Will this person receive Jesus as the Lord of their life? Biblically, this decision is on par with a woman saying yes to a man’s marriage proposal, and then, actually marrying him. We think this section is among the more important on this site.
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