Question 49: Eternal Security

Question: What is eternal security?

Answer:  Eternal security is the assurance that believers in Christ will not lose their salvation.  

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28

Jesus makes this bold claim while he is surrounded by angry religious leaders. They demand that he tell them plainly if he is the Messiah (John 10:24). Jesus and his followers could be stoned, depending on his answer. In this tense moment, Jesus makes a stunning promise about his followers’ security. The imagery of being held in Jesus’s and the Father’s hands would resonate deeply. Shepherds know the danger of predators trying to snatch sheep from the flock. Jesus assures his followers that God’s grip is stronger than any threat. This isn’t merely hopeful thinking but Jesus‘s definitive statement: believers are secure because God himself protects them.

This truth brings immense freedom for growth on our spiritual journeys. Those who have placed their trust in Christ for salvation will not lose their salvation. Eternal security gives us incredible joy, rest and confidence as we pursue following Christ. Without it, we can easily remain in bondage to fear of judgment. Our security rests not in our power but in God’s power—the same power that brought Christ back from the dead (Ephesians 1:18-21). We are “shielded by God’s power” (1 Peter 1:3-5). Salvation is not a ticket easily acquired and clumsily lost; it is a new life in Christ, created by God himself through faith. God is highly relational and doesn’t take his relationships lightly. Christ never forgives someone only to later condemn them. Those who trust Christ for salvation never need to fear that God will turn his back on them.

TODAY: Thank God for the security you have in Christ. Let this confidence free you to live boldly for him without fear of losing your salvation. Learn more about eternal security in our We Believe document HERE.