Once Saved, Always Saved: The Truth of the Finished Work of Jesus
For years, I have searched for clarity on the question of salvation. Deep in my heart, I have always believed that once saved, always saved is the truth, but I struggled to find a clear, scriptural foundation for this belief. Then, I encountered the message that changed everything for me—a teaching rooted in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
The Revelation of Grace
Growing up, I often heard messages that placed a heavy emphasis on works. Many taught that while faith was essential, it was incomplete without a continued effort to maintain salvation. This created an endless cycle of striving, guilt, and uncertainty. How could salvation be a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9) if I had to work to keep it? That didn’t make sense.
Then, I came across a teaching that unpacked the meaning of James 2:15-17 and the often-misunderstood phrase: "Faith without works is dead." Many interpret this to mean that works are required to prove or maintain salvation. But when examined in biblical context, it became clear that this passage wasn’t saying that works sustain salvation; rather, it was addressing those who claimed faith but rejected Christ as the foundation of salvation.
Jesus Finished the Work
A pivotal moment for me was reading John 17:4, where Jesus prays to the Father, saying, "I have finished the work which You have given Me to do."
This verse struck me. If Jesus Himself declared that the work of salvation was finished, why would I believe that I needed to add to it? The entire foundation of the gospel is that Jesus alone completed what we never could.
At the cross, Jesus didn’t say, "It has begun" or "Now continue the work." He boldly proclaimed, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). His sacrifice paid for all sin—past, present, and future—securing eternal life for those who believe.
Faith in Christ, Not in Works
Many churches today unknowingly place a burden on believers by teaching a performance-based gospel. They make salvation seem conditional on our behavior, rather than on Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10).
But the truth is, we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Romans 5:1). Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the requirement for it. We love and serve God because we are saved, not to earn salvation.
Freedom in the Gospel
Understanding the finality of Christ’s work gave me peace like never before. No longer do I fear that a mistake or sin will cause me to "lose" my salvation. Jesus paid for it completely! His righteousness has been imputed to me (2 Corinthians 5:21), meaning I stand before God justified and secure.
Final Thoughts
I know many struggle with the question of whether salvation is truly secure. But as I reflect on Scripture, I can confidently say:
Salvation is a gift, not a wage (Romans 6:23).
Jesus finished the work, we do not add to it (John 19:30).
We are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14).
If you’ve ever felt burdened by the fear of "losing" your salvation, let me assure you: Jesus is enough. Once saved, always saved—because it is based on His perfect, finished work, not our imperfect efforts.
A special thank you to Johnny Chang for explaining this verse so clearly and helping me understand its true meaning.
Have you found freedom in this truth? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let’s continue this conversation in the comments.
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