Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Blog
    • Grace in Focus International Blogs
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Email Subscription
    • Bookstore
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
Home
→
Grace in Focus Articles
→
Five Differences Between Perseverance of the Saints and Eternal Security

Five Differences Between Perseverance of the Saints and Eternal Security

May 1, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Grace in Focus Articles - Assurance, Once saved always saved, Perseverance of the Saints

By Shawn Lazar

Q: What’s the difference between eternal security (or once saved, always saved, OSAS), and perseverance of the saints (POTS)? Aren’t they the same thing?

A: Well, they are often taken to be the same doctrine, but they shouldn’t be. I admit that some people use the terms interchangeably. But I think we should be more precise and distinguish between them. For example, here are five differences that I see between POTS and OSAS.

First, POTS is part of Calvinism, while OSAS is not (at least, not necessarily). Many OSAS advocates reject Calvinism, such as Baptist Traditionalists and those who hold to Free Grace theology.

Second, POTS and OSAS have different foundations. POTS is founded on the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election, where God predestines some individuals to eternal salvation who are therefore guaranteed to persevere because God chose them to be saved. By contrast, OSAS is not based on any doctrine of election, but on Jesus’ promise of everlasting life. Jesus promised that whoever believes in Him has: everlasting life, shall not perish, shall not hunger, shall not thirst, shall not be cast out, shall not come into judgment, etc. (John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 6:35, 37). In short, believers are eternally secure. (See my book Chosen to Serve for a defense of the idea that election is to service, not to eternal life.)

Third, POTS and OSAS have different views of the condition of salvation. This comes out clearly when POTS advocates say that people who fall away into error or unbelief never truly believed to begin with. In effect, POTS advocates typically teach that you are born again or justified by a continuous faith, that produces good works, which must also be the “gift” faith that God only gives to the elect. Essentially, salvation does not only depend on what you believe, but on how you believe it. By contrast, OSAS says there is only one kind of faith (i.e., persuasion that something is true) and that what matters is what you believe (i.e., the saving message), not how you believe it. Salvation requires a single act of faith in Jesus for eternal life. And the moment you do, you have everlasting life. Continuous faith and works are for discipleship, not salvation.

Fourth, POTS and OSAS take different perspectives on sanctification. According to POTS, sanctification is unconditional. Since the elect are predestined to salvation, and God causes them to be sanctified, they will never fall into major sin or unbelief in this life but will persevere in faith and good works until death. By contrast, OSAS sees sanctification as conditional. You have to choose to be a doer of the word to be sanctified, and there is no guarantee that you will progress from a carnal state to a spiritual one in this life. But believers are eternally secure whether they experience practical sanctification or not.

Fifth, POTS and OSAS have different effects on assurance. Under POTS, you cannot be sure of your salvation because you cannot be sure if you are one of the elect with special gift faith who will persevere in faith and good works until death. By contrast, for OSAS, assurance is not only possible, it is the essence of saving faith. Jesus promised believers everlasting life. Hence, you cannot believe that promise without believing the life He gives is everlasting.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Shawn_L

by Shawn Lazar

Shawn Lazar (BTh, McGill; MA, VU Amsterdam) was the Editor of Grace in Focus magazine and Director of Publications for Grace Evangelical Society from May 2012 through June 2022. He and his wife Abby have three children. He has written several books including: Beyond Doubt: How to Be Sure of Your Salvation and Chosen to Serve: Why Divine Election Is to Service, Not to Eternal Life.

Cart

Recently Added

March 27, 2023

1 Peter–Part 06–5:1-11 Epilogue

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Ken Yates, Philippe Sterling and Bob Wilkin are winding down an excellent short study of the NT book...
March 27, 2023

Is My Testimony Common or Uncommon?

I’ve been teaching a Sunday school class entitled “Answering Your Bible Questions.” Each week I answer four or five questions. One of them was this...
March 24, 2023

1 Peter–Part 05–3:8-4:19

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Bob Wilkin, Philippe Sterling and Ken Yates continue their study and discussion of 1 Peter. Suffering is a...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen to Stitcher

Listen on Spotify

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • A Free Grace Primer: The Hungry Inherit, The Gospel Under Siege, and Grace in Eclipse $20.00 $12.00
  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Hardcover) $13.95 $5.00
  • The Road to Reward, 2nd Edition $9.95 $5.00
  • Absolutely Free, 2nd Edition $20.00 $12.00
  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Paperback) $6.95 $3.00
Grace Evangelical Society

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube