Once Saved Always Saved?

The last tenet in Calvinism is called “Perseverance of the Saints.” It teaches that God’s elect “can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.” This teaching is also known as “once saved always saved.” It depends upon the other four teachings already examined and proven to be false. The concept of “once saved always saved” lacks any biblical basis. Consider the first general epistle that Peter wrote as one of many Scriptures that prove this doctrine to be false.

Those Peter wrote to in 1 Peter had obeyed the truth and were born again (1 Pt. 1:22-23). They were part of the brotherhood which we all should love (1 Pt. 2:17). They were Christians (1 Pt. 4:16). They were in Christ (1 Pt. 5:14). In other words, they were in the place where God
placed salvation (cf. Eph. 1:3-7, 5:23).

Why then did Peter give the warning about the devil in 1 Peter 5:8 to these saved individuals? He told the Christians to be sober (self-controlled; circumspect) and vigilant (watchful; alert; awake). The devil, the adversary, is on the prowl as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour! Why be on alert for the devil if he cannot cause a child of God to be destroyed i.e., lose their soul? Consider Amos 3:4 as it relates to a lion roaring which states, “Will a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing? (Am. 3:4 NKJV)” A lion roars when he has prey and the prey the devil desires are God’s children. This teaches us that a Christian can sin so as to be lost, otherwise the devil is seeking an impossible target.

God has given us a complete defense and offense against our enemy which is the faith (1 Pt. 5:9; cf. Eph. 6:10-17). There is only one faith which has been once and for all time delivered (Eph. 4:5; Jd. 3). Resist the devil and he will flee (Jm. 4:7). We have a powerful adversary, but we have a far greater Advocate in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Jn. 2:1)! Let us stay strong and faithful unto death and the crown of life will be ours (Rev. 2:10).

Trent Thrasher