There is a dangerous doctrine that says once a person is saved, he is always saved. It is the “perseverance of the saints” doctrine advocated by Calvinists. It is accepted as truth by millions of people, but there is no scriptural confirmation of it. Instead, the Bible teaches the opposite.
1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)
27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
Galatians 5:3-4 (ESV)
3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
2 Timothy 2:16-18 (NKJV)
16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
It is clear from the scriptures that we can fall from grace. The question is, what must we do to avoid it? In a nutshell, we must remain faithful to God (Revelation 2:10) by living according to the gospel of Christ. If we live in sin, our fellowship with God is lost, along with our salvation (1 John 1:5-6).
A critical part of living faithfully before God is making sure we are well protected against Satan.
Ephesians 6:11, 13 (NKJV)
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The armor of God is impenetrable. The only way the devil can hurt us is if we remove a piece of it. This is why Paul emphasized putting on “the whole armor.”
While every piece of the armor is necessary, the helmet might be the most critical. Serious injuries to the head are almost always fatal. If we want to stay saved, we must keep our helmets on by focusing our minds on the salvation of heaven. Did you notice Paul called this part of the armor the “helmet of salvation?” If we fill our minds with spiritual things, allowing the Word of God to dwell in our hearts (Colossians 3:16), faithfulness will be an inevitable result. Let’s apply the following exhortation of Paul as we journey through life.
Colossians 3:1-2 (NKJV)
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.