Once Saved, Always Saved

The issue of “once saved always saved” and “ one can lose their salvation” is the topic that drove me into theology. Being brought up in a Baptist church, one of the core doctrines taught me is eternal security. As I began to examine Scripture more closely I found within the writings of Paul conditional statements “He has reconciled you…if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith” (Col 1:22-23); “If you remain in His kindness” (Ro 11:22). These (and other passages) made me question and doubt the idea about “once saved, always saved.” In response to my doubts I began asking “Are people saved at the moment they have faith?” Hebrews 9:28 says that “the Messiah…will appear a 2nd time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Also, in Romans 13:11 Paul writes “Besides this, knowing the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” Technically, we are not saved until Christ’s return and our faith is the assurance of the salvation we will receive at that time. So when I went forward to accept Jesus into my heart, I did not receive salvation at that time but I accepted in faith that salvation will be provided in the glorious day of Christ’s return. Perhaps the reason why we could speak of it in a past-tense form is that because anything we ask for in faith we are to act as if we’ve already received it (Mark 11:24). To accept the phrase “once saved, always saved” literally leaves the phrase useless because salvation has not yet been received. What I have accepted through my faith and belief is that salvation will be brought to me. Ergo, I cannot lose something which I have not yet received nor can I permanently keep something which I have not yet obtained.