Never Saved in the First Place?

Many false teachers choose to support the doctrine of eternal security (closely related to the Calvinist perseverance / preservation of the saints and “once saved, always saved”). Proponents of this doctrine must provide an answer concerning those who depart from the faith. Consistency forces them to further contradict, rather than holding to the teaching of the New Testament. And so, when an individual no longer walks in the faith, they claim that person was never saved in the first place. They contend that the person in question only pretended belief in Christ and fooled the church, but their later departure from godly living is proof that they were never a true disciple.

If this teaching is true, then the inspired text warns about what is impossible. If members of the church cannot lose their salvation, then why all the warnings? Why alert the faithful to Satan’s desire to have them if he cannot (Lk. 22:31; 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:8)? Why tell of the deceitful words of the wicked if the church is immune to them (Acts 20:30-31; 2 Tim. 3:13-15; 2 Pet. 2:1-3)? Why warn against falling from grace (1 Cor. 9:27; Gal. 5:3-4; Heb. 6:4-6; 12:15)? Clearly, the Bible does teach that a saved person can again become entangled in the world (2 Pet. 2:20-22). This is a real danger!

If this teaching is true, then the inspired text commands what is unnecessary. Why should an eternally secure Christian add to their faith or pursue righteousness (1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Pet. 1:5-8)? If "once saved, always saved" were true, then there would be no consequence for abandoning the church (Heb. 10:23-25), neglecting the poor (Jam. 1:25-27), and refusing to evangelize (Mt. 10:32-33; 28:19-20). Yet all these things are commanded because they are essential. The promise that the Lord’s sheep cannot be snatched out of His hand is attached to the words “I know them, and they follow me” (Jn. 10:27-30). We have security as we submit to Him! God requires obedience (Mt. 7:21; Jn. 15:10; 1 Jn. 2:3; 2 Jn. 9). What’s more, He demands continuing obedience (1 Th. 4:1-2; Rev. 2:10)!

If this teaching is true, then the Lord Christ is fooled by pretenders. Judas was sent out by Christ to preach, along with the rest of the apostles, and given power over unclean spirits (Mt. 10:1-5). Judas truly was “one of His disciples” (Jn. 12:4). He was “numbered with” them and shared in the ministry (Acts 1:16-17). He must have been among the faithful at one time, because Satan does not cast out Satan (Mt. 12:25-27). And yet Judas obviously betrayed Jesus, fell by his transgression, and became a “son of perdition” (Mt. 27:3-5; Jn. 17:12; Acts 1:24-25). Beyond the example of Judas, why would the Lord have people’s names in the Book of Life only to blot some of them out later (Rev. 3:5; 20:11-15; 22:19). If they were only pretenders, surely the One who knows what is in man (Jn. 2:25) would not add them in the first place!

The idea that Christians who return to a life of sin were never saved in the first place is false. The Bible shows us how real Christians who are actually converted can truly sin and be lost eternally! Therefore, today and every day, we must endeavor to grow spiritually and live out our obedience.