The whole work that saves the soul was fully accomplished when Christ suffered and died for our sins upon the Cross, making complete satisfaction to God for all our guilt; His precious blood laying a basis on which a Holy God can be “just and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus.” There is, therefore, a full acquittal from all sins, with a guarantee of eternal salvation.
A most conclusive statement is found in Heb. 10:14, “For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” Seeing that the sins of the believer will God remember no more (verse 17), there is no more offering for sin (verse 18). The sacrifice Christ made on the Cross was once for all, therefore the one who trusts in Him is for ever saved. God cannot righteously demand satisfaction first at our Surety’s hands, and then again at ours.
The most emphatic passage of Scripture concerning eternal security is this, from the Good Shepherd Himself: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My father which gave them Me is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.”
Who can snatch even the feeblest believer from the almighty grasp of both the Father and the Son? No man, demon or Satan can, for we are perfectly secure. Under no consideration whatever will the Shepherd permit the loss of one lamb or sheep of His flock; for so is His Father’s will (John 6:37-39). When at last all the flock are gathered in the Heavenly fold, the Great Shepherd will be able to give the full tally. Praise His name! And not only have we a Saviour, we have a Keeper too (1 Pet. 1:5); so it is not a question of us striving to keep something, or to hold on; the saving and keeping are both alike in His hands.
To satisfy still further our doubting soul, God has not only given us His Word that we are eternally secure, but He has sworn by Himself that He will perform it. Read attentively Heb. 6:16-20. By these two immutable (unchangeable) things, His Word and His oath, we have a strong consolation, as an anchor of the soul. Anchors go overboard and fasten on what is outside the ship, for no sailors cast anchor down the vessel’s hold. The soul’s rest and security is not found within its own bosom, but outside of itself altogether, resting safely and peacefully in Christ alone, and He can never fail.
Finally, in overwhelming assurance, we have the testimony of the Epistle to the Romans, chap. 8, verses 29-39, where everything in time and eternity is brought under review, and the definite conclusion is thus stated: “I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”