Salvation comes through faith, but not through any person’s will but through God’s will. God saves forever. (All bold are my emphases added. Square brackets [ ] indicate meanings of words. King James Version Easy-Reading Bible (KJVER) used.)
John 1:12,13 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Looking at those words in bold in John 1:12
But as many as received [λαμβάνω lambano = accept, have, hold, obtain, receive] Him, to them gave He power [ἐξουσία exousia = authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe [πιστεύω pisteuo = put trust in] on His name:
God gives power and authority to them that trust in him. These are those that are generated, reborn, of God.
1 John 5:10-13 He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life. 13 These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
God has put it in us to know that we have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 17:2,3 As You have given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
Eternal life is knowing Christ, which is given to all those who really believe (have put their trust in) Him.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
God chose us before the beginning of time.
John 3:36 He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.
That means right now you have eternal life, if you believe.
Jude 1:21-24 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now to Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Some, God literally saves from the jaws of Death, pulling them out of Devil’s grasp. It is Christ who keeps us sanctified whilst we live in the world.
1 Peter 1:3-7 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a lively [living] hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept [protected] by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
We are tried and tested in this life, but our eternal inheritance is already secured, it cannot be lost, because Christ paid it all for those who have repented of their sins. His sacrifice was 100% effective. The power of God protects us through faith until the end. Nothing can defeat God’s power.
1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.
John 10:2-5 But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter [gatekeeper] opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. 4 And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Jesus is the chief Shepherd and he shall not only protect his sheep but he knows them all by name.
John 6:28,29 Then said they to Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He has sent.
God’s work results in you believing in Him. So you cannot even claim credit for that.
John 6:37-40 All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me; and him that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. 39 And this is the Father’s will which has sent Me, that of all which He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise Him up at the last day.
Quite plainly said. God will never cast you out, and all those the Father has given Christ, as the Good Shepherd will He preserve until the end. This means everlasting life is a permanent gift from the Creator. You cannot lose it. Hence it is called everlasting. Otherwise it would not make sense.
John 6:43-47 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes to Me. 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he has seen the Father. 47 Verily, verily, I say to you, He that believes on Me has everlasting life.
God draws those He chooses to Himself. Quite powerfully whosoever believes on Christ has eternal life right now.
John 6:63-65 It is the spirit that quickens [makes alive]; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And He said, Therefore said I to you, that no man can come to Me, except it were given to him of my Father.
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine.
John 10:26-30 But you believe not, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. 29 My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
God says those who are not his sheep are those who do not believe. Those who do are those He has given eternal life to and you cannot lose it, you cannot pluck yourself out of the Father’s hand.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say to you, He that hears My word, and believes on Him that sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Eternal life: you have it now, and you shall never be condemned.
John 5:37-40 And the Father Himself, which has sent Me, has borne witness of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape. 38 And you have not His word abiding in you: for whom He has sent, Him you believe not. 39 Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. 40 And you will not come to Me, that you might have life.
In the scriptures we can find eternal life if we will believe. But those who will not come to Christ will never have life—eternal life.
Ephesians 1:13,14 In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest [guarantee] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.
The ‘earnest’ is a legal guarantee to the eternal inheritance promised. This is given by the Holy Spirit who cannot lie.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep [guard] that which I have committed to Him against that day.
God will keep and guard your salvation unto the end. You can’t do it anyway. You couldn’t save yourself nor can you keep yourself from falling.
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
God cannot lie and he has promised. You can depend on Him. This is where you trust in Him comes in.
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are His. And, Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Those who are sealed with the promise—eternal life—can be sure they will never permanently fall away.
2 John 1:7-11 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that bids him God speed [speaks a greeting] is partaker of his evil deeds.
You may be tested and fail, you may sin and sin badly, but He will keep you until the end as promised.
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Revelations 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:38,39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing can separate you a born-again Christian from Christ, not even your own self. But you will be tempted and you may fall badly. That is the effect of sin on our lives. But God will make a way through that you come out the other side like gold tried in the fire, purer than before, through His grace and nothing of yourself.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 3:11-16 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
When you are tried in the trials of life, it is not about your salvation but about God making you His child just as a father does his children. Those children do not lose their inheritance. They were chosen long before they acted against the Father’s will.
Ephesians 1:11,13,14 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will: 13 In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest [guarantee] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.
In that day we come into glory we receive our rewards for good service. This is not about salvation but reward for service.
2 Timothy 4:7,8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations [various trials]; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.
Stay the course, weather the storms of life and trust Jesus will keep your salvation intact. That is a promise. You couldn’t save yourself, so how can you possibly think that there is anything you can do to keep yourself saved?
The following verses are commonly used to support the idea that you can lose your salvation. All are warnings to a ‘professing’ believer who is not the real thing. Those who ‘abide’ are real disciples; it shows the hallmark of a saved person.
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed;
Salvation only comes through the grace delivered through the Word, which is Jesus Christ. It does not depend on your ability to study God’s Word. That would be works.
John 15:6 If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned
Here Christ is talking to those who appear to be with the church but do not abide in Christ. They are the fake professing but not believing Christians.
Matthew 10:22 And you shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.
A similar idea here. As if works of enduring, ie. maintaining your own belief will save you. All these false teachings are based on works of man, that he could do something to contribute to his own salvation. But he cannot.
Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Romans 2:6,7 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life
Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness: otherwise you also shalt be cut off.
These verses are about us continuing love and serve God, not about losing salvation because the only way you can maintain any goodness is through Christ. His grace is sufficient. Your works are nothing.
Colossians 1:21, 23 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has He reconciled. 23 If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Hebrews 3:6,14 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end;
1 Corinthians 15:2 By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain.
This is was a true believer does, she/he loves God’s Word and it keeps her/him in Christ through all trials of life. Because there is nothing you can do to get saved or maintain salvation.
Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Saved by grace, kept by grace; cannot do anything themselves, persevere means you will and means you are the real thing.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
That means those who left were not saved.
2 Timothy 2:12,13 If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet He abides faithful: He cannot deny Himself.
Keep the faith!
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