Eternal Security - Once Saved Always Saved

Sermon notes by Pastor Billy Crone

Psalm 136:1-9 “Give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.”

When it comes to the issue of God’s love, how long does it last? His love endures forever, right? And folks, I don’t know about you, but I’d say especially in light of our imperfect behavior, that’s some really good news, don’t you think? Well, it should be, but that’s right, we’ve got a problem. You see, there are actually folks out there who think God’s love doesn’t endure forever. And believe it or not, they would tell us we can start out being a child of God but somehow end up being a child of the devil again! Can you believe that? Therefore, the question is, “Why in the world would people say God’s love isn’t eternal especially when the Bible clearly says it is?”

1) The first reason why some people say God’s love is not eternal is because They’ve Forgotten about the Context

The first passage taken out of context is Revelation Chapter 3

Revelation 3:15-16 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

Uh, oh! Here we have it, folks. A Christian can be spit out of the mouth of God. They could lose their salvation, right? Wrong! On the surface it may seem to say that, but let’s look at the context. First of all, do non-Christians ever go to Church services? And the reason we know these people were non-Christians is because Jesus said you will know a false teacher by their fruit. And how much fruit did these people have? None! They were neither cold nor hot. They were making Jesus want to puke because they were posing to be Christians when in reality they were imposters! Hey, do people do that today? Uh huh. Therefore, this passage isn’t talking about a Christians losing their salvation. It’s talking about people who never had salvation in the first place! Read the context!


The second passage taken out of context is Hebrews Chapters 6 and 10

Hebrews 6:4-6 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

Hebrews 10:26-27 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”

Uh, oh! Here we have it, folks. A Christian can fall away and losetheir salvation, right? Wrong! On the surface it may seem to say that, but let’s look at the context. First of all, according to the context, we know these people aren’t Christians either because they only “shared in” or literally in the Greek, “partnered with” the Holy Spirit. And people, the Bible is clear. A true Christian isn’t just an external partner with the Holy Spirit, they are an internal possessor of the Spirit. And the point he’s trying to make here is that even though these people have been “enlightened” to “taste” the goodness of the gospel externally, they still weren’t going to receive it internally. The context of both passages are dealing with apostates. And they’ll never repent because even though they know it’s the truth, they still refuse to act on it! No amount of information is going to be good enough for them! Hey, do people do that today? And in case you still don’t see two groups of people here, saved and unsaved, the context clearly says over and over again “those who” “those who” “those who” speaking of the behavior of the apostate but then clarifies at the end in verse 9, “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” Not apostasy! Therefore, these passages aren’t talking about a Christians losing their salvation. It’s talking about people who never had salvation in the first place! Read the context!


The third passage taken out of context Galatians Chapter 5

Galatians 5:3-4 “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace”

Uh, oh! Here we have it, folks. A Christian can fall away from grace and lose their salvation, right? Wrong! On the surface it may seem to say that, but let’s look at the context. According to the context, some of the Galatians believers were being enticed by false teachers to make a fatal error. And that error was to go back to the Old Testament system of rules and regulations as a means of living the Christian life. And Paul was desperately trying to get them to see that if they start obeying God out of
legalism instead of love, it will cut you off from the grace of God. Or in other words, short-circuit their power to live for God. Hey, do people do that today? Therefore, this passage isn’t talking about a Christians losing their salvation from God. It’s talking about Christians losing their power to live
for God!

And people, the point is this. Based on the context of Scripture, I’d say there really is no reason to assume a person can be a child of God and somehow end up being a child of the devil again. Are you kidding? People, the Bible is clear! God’s love for His children endures forever. And if you
don’t think so, then maybe it’s a sign you’ve forgotten the context.


2) The second reason why some people say God’s love is not eternal is because They’ve Forgotten about the Counterfeits.

Just because people say they’re Christians, guess what? That doesn’t mean they really are! In fact, they might be a counterfeit just like Judas of Iscariot. Remember him? In fact, the Bible says in John Chapter 6 that Jesus knew Judas was a phony believer all along. He wasn’t seeking God for God. He was only seeking God for the money. Hey, do people do that today? Slightly! So what are some other signs to indicate a person’s a counterfeit likeJudas seeking God for money, morals, or some other false motive?

The first sign to indicate a person might be a counterfeit like Judas is when they Seek God with Their Head.

James 2:14-17 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

James 2:19 ”Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”

Now folks, according to our text, the Bible is clear. Not all faith is a saving faith, is it? Nope! What did the text say? If a person’s so-called faith is not accompanied with action, then it’s not only fake, it’s what? It’s dead, right? And you can believe in a God in heaven all you want. But that doesn’t mean you’re going to exist with God in heaven. Why? Because even the demons believe in God but are they saved? I don’t think so! Therefore, if all you got is a head knowledge of God instead of a heart knowledge, it might be a sign you’re a counterfeit, just like Judas was!

The second sign to indicate a person might be a counterfeit like Judas is when they Seek God with Their Lips.

Titus 1:15-16 “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

Now folks, according to our text, the Bible is clear. Not everyone whoclaims to know God really belongs to God, do they? No! What did the text say? If all you do is give God lip service instead of life service then your so called faith is not only not worthwhile, it’s what? It’s worthless! Therefore, you can claim to be a Christian all you want, but if you refuse to live like one, it might be a sign you’re a counterfeit, just like Judas was!


The third sign to indicate a person might be a counterfeit believer is when they Seek God with Their Thoughts.

1 John 2:18-19 “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 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."

And folks, it’s this passage that single handedly stops dead in the tracks the hypothetical scenario of those who say you can lose your salvation where they cite some supposed occurrence of some supposed Christian but supposedly walked away from their supposed faith. And so somehow this is supposedly proof that God’s love is not eternal. But what did our text say? Not everyone who goes to a Church service really belongs to the Church, do they? No! Why? Because if you walk away from the truths in the Bible and start following a lie that contradicts the Bible, then it shows you probably weren’t even saved in the first place, right? People of God, the Bible is clear. If a person who professes to know Christ walks away from Christ, then they never really knew Christ. They didn’t lose their salvation. Are you kidding! They never had it in the first place. Why? Because a true Christian remains in the faith. The people who leave the faith show they never really belonged to the faith! Therefore, you can think you belong to the Savior all you want, but if your thoughts don’t line up with the Savior, it might be a sign you’re a counterfeit, just like Judas was!


The fourth sign to indicate a person might be a counterfeit like Judas if when they Seek God with Their Religion.

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Now folks, according to our text, the Bible is clear. Not everyone whosays, Lord, Lord really belongs to the Lord, do they? No! What did the text say? If your faith is based on pious religious deeds instead of a personal relationship, then you not only don’t belong to Christ, but what? Christ never knew you in the first place! And notice He didn’t say, “I knew you once but you blew it so I don’t know you anymore.” What did he say? He said, “I never knew you!” Therefore, you can be as religious for Jesus all you want, but if you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you’re a counterfeit, just like Judas was!

And people, the point is this. Based on the counterfeits in Scripture, I’d say there’s no reason to assume a person can be a child of God and somehow end up being a child of the devil again. Are you kidding? People, the Bible is clear! God’s love for His children endures forever. Therefore, the issue isn’t in losing your salvation but in making sure you got saved in the first place. And people, the point is this. Knowing that God’s love is eternal should be one of the biggest comforts to our souls. Why? Because stop and think about it. If our salvation was ever based upon our performance, what would happen? Not only would none of us ever get saved but none of us could ever stay saved, right? Stop and think about it! If it were the other way around, it would be bad news, right? But people we’ve got the gospel, the good news and that is this. We’re not saved on the basis of our performance. Are you kidding? We’re saved by the performance of Jesus Christ. And therefore God not only save us from our sins, but He save us from our sins forever. Why? Because have you not read? God’s love endures how long? Forever! You’ve got it!


3) The third reason why some people say God’s love is not eternal is because They’ve Forgotten the Corruption of Man.

Romans 3:9-18 “What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Now folks, in light of our text, I know this might be a tough question, but how many people are righteous like God? And how many understand the things of God? How many seek God? And how many are as good as God? Therefore, gee whiz folks, I’d say mankind’s just a little bit corrupt, how about you? And people, the point is this. Unless we understand the corruption of man, we’re never going to understand the salvation of man, let alone realize how secure it really is. For instance, the first thing we learn about the corruption of man is that salvation is offered as a gift.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Now folks, according to our text, the Bible is clear. There’s no way in the world we could ever earn our salvation, right? What did the text say? Because of the corruption of man, we’ve earned what? We’ve earned death! We deserve to die and go to hell, right? Therefore, in light of our condition,salvation’s offered as a what? A gift, right? It has to be! And so the question is this. If salvation’s offered as a gift regardless of our behavior, then how could there be a behavior to cause us to lose it? Stop and think about it. If there was, it would no longer be a gift, would it? Absolutely not! Therefore, I’d say since salvation’s offered as a gift from God, it must also be secure in God, how about you?

The second thing we learn from the corruption of man that salvation is obtained by faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Now folks, according to our text, the Bible is clear. Once again, there’s no way in the world we could earn our salvation, right? What did the text say? We are saved by the grace of God through faith in God, right? Why? Because of the same reason. The corruption of man. We have nothing to boast about in our behavior before God, do we? No! Are you kidding! Therefore, in light of our condition, salvation’s obtained by what? By faith, right? It has to be! And so the question is this. If salvation’s obtained by
faith regardless of our behavior, then how could there be a behavior to cause us to lose it? Stop and think about it. If there was, it would no longer be by faith, would it? Absolutely not! But not only that, if you could work yourself out of your salvation, then how is that any different than working for your salvation? Isn’t that just the flip side of the coin? Of course it is!
Therefore, I’d say since salvation’s obtained by faith in God, it must also be secure in God, how about you? And people, the point is this. Based on the Corruption of Man, there’re no reason to assume a person can be a child of God and somehow end up being a child of the devil again. Are you kidding? People, the Bible is clear! God’s love for His children endures forever. And if a person doesn’t think so, then maybe it’s a sign they’ve forgotten the Corruption of Man.

4) The fourth reason why some people say God’s love is not eternal is because They’ve Forgotten the Atonement of Christ.

John 19:28 “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”

John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

Now folks, in light of our text, I know this might be a tough question, but when Jesus said His atoning work on the cross for our sins was finished, how many of you think He meant finished? Hey, good answer! Therefore, that means His work is over, isn’t it? It’s a done deal, right? Well, you’d think so but here’s the problem. You see, when a person says you can lose your salvation they are in essence saying that Christ’s atonement is not finished because they’re assuming there’s certain sins we can still commit and lose our salvation. And one of the sins they bring up is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. And they say if a Christian does this, they will lose their salvation. Let’s take a look at the text.

Matthew 12:30-31 “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”

And people, what’s creepy is that passage does say plain as day that’s one sin that’s not forgiven. But the point is this. Notice to whom this passage is addressed to. It’s to people who were claiming that the works of Jesus were being done by the devil. Therefore, of course it’s not forgiven because these people aren’t Christians in the first place! A Christian wouldn’t do that! That’s what’s called a straw man argument. But even more importantly is the timing of this sin. No one today can commit the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit even if they wanted to. Why? Because it was when Jesus was here during his earthly ministry that people accused Him of doing things under the devils’ power instead of the Spirit’s power, hence the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. But since Jesus is no longer here in His earthly ministry but is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, how can somebody commit this sin? Answer, they can’t! It could only be committed during His earthly ministry, not today! People, the Bible is clear. Once you accept Christ’s atonement for your sins, He will take away all your sins, once for all, forever. Why? Because it is finished! And that’s exactly what the writer of Hebrews says.

Hebrews 10:14 “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

Now folks, I don’t know about you but I’d say if Jesus forever cleansed us from our sins even to the point of being considered “perfect” in the eyes of God, then there’s no way in the world we can we do something else to make us “imperfect” again, right! It is finished! Therefore, I’d say since salvation’s based on the atonement of Christ, it must also be secure in Christ, how about you?


5) The fifth reason why some people say God’s love is not eternal is because They’ve Forgotten about Common Sense.

John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Now folks, in light of our text, I know this might be a tough question, but what does a person have to do in order to see the kingdom of God? They got to be what? Born again, right? Hey, good answer! Anybody with common sense could figure that one out, right? Well, you’d think so but here’s the problem. You see, those who say you can lose your salvation, in essence, are not applying common sense to what they’re saying. Let me give you some examples.

The first place they don’t apply common sense is right here in our text.

Once again, what did it say? If you’re going to be saved you have to bewhat? Born again, right? And this is precisely the problem. If you say to can lose your salvation, then aren’t you implying you can unborn yourself?

Precisely! But what does common sense tells? Once something’s born, it can’t be unborn, right? In fact, one guy put it this way. “When one is born of the Spirit, it is something that can never be undone.
Some things can never be reversed once they are done. You cannot unscramble eggs. Neither can you unhatch a chicken. You could not get your leg back if you had it amputated. Even so you cannot be unborn after you are born. Jesus did not say you had to be born again and again. No! Just once is enough if you let God do it.”
Now gee whiz folks, I’d say that guy’s applying some common sense, how about you? Therefore, the point is this. If something born and cannot be unborn, then how in the world can we lose our salvation? Isn’t that what common sense tells us? Exactly!

The second place where common sense is not applied is in this text. Let’s take a look.

1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Now folks, in light of our text, I know this might be a tough question, but Christians can know beyond a shadow of doubt that we have what? Eternal life, right? Hey, good answer! Anybody with common sense could figure that one out, right? Well, you’d think so but here’s the problem. If you say you can lose your salvation, then aren’t you implying eternal life is not eternal after all? Precisely! But what does common sense tells us?

That which is eternal can never become uneternal, right? Therefore, the point is this. If we receive eternal life that lasts forever, then how in the world could we ever lose our salvation? Isn’t that what common sense tells us? Exactly!

The third place where common sense is not applied in this next text. Let’s take a look.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Now folks, in light of our text, I know this might be a tough question, but when we get saved, we become a new what? A new creation, right? Hey, good answer! Anybody with common sense could figure that one out, right? Well, you’d think so but here’s the problem. You see, even after sharing all this information we’ve gone through for two studies on the security of our salvation, there’ll still be those who say something like this. “Well, maybe one day a Christian will no longer want be a Christian. Maybe
one day they’ll decide not to follow God anymore and lose their salvation.” But people, what did we read in our text? When you become a Christian you no longer act or think like you used to, right? Everything is changed. Why? Because you’ve been transformed into a new and different person, a new creation, right? Therefore, doesn’t common sense tell us a true follower of Christ would never even think of forsaking Christ? Of course!

For instance, how many of you guys want to go straight to hell right now, forever?” Exactly! That’s my point! Doesn’t common sense tells us no true Christian would even think of giving up their salvation even if they could! Exactly!

Therefore, the point is this. Based on usage of common sense, there’s no reason to assume a person can be a child of God and somehow end up being a child of the devil again. Are you kidding? People, the Bible is clear! God’s love for His children endures forever. And if a person doesn’t think so, then maybe it’s a sign they’ve forgotten to use some common sense.

6) The sixth reason why some people say God’s love is not eternal is because They’ve Forgotten the Clear Passages.

Now folks, believe it or not, I have yet to even address the clear passages in the Bible that declare it’s utterly impossible to lose our salvation. Therefore, to put the nail in the coffin, so to speak, let’s see what God has to say about the security of our salvation.

John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

John 10:28 “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

Romans 38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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.”

1 Corinthians 1:8 “Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”

Ephesians 1:14 “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

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.”

Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Hebrews 9:12 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

Hebrews 9:15 “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

1 Peter 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”

1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Therefore, the point is this. Based on the context, the counterfeits, the corruption of man, the atonement of Christ, the use of common sense and especially the clear passages in Scripture, I’d say there’s no reason to assume a person can be a child of God and somehow end up being a child of the devil again. Are you kidding? People, the Bible is clear! God’s love for His children endures how long? Forever! You’ve got it!


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To find the way to God, to understand the truth of God’s Word, and to
received the gift of eternal life, begin by repentance and faith through a
prayer like this:
“Dear God, I understand that I have broken Your Law and sinned
against You. Please forgive my sins. Thank You that Jesus suffered on
the cross in my place. I now place my trust in Him as My Savior and
Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
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