An old proverb says: “The path you choose determines where your journey ends.” In many Christian circles, the question arises: once a person is saved, are they forever saved, no matter what they do afterward? This teaching comforts some, confuses others, and, if misunderstood, can become as dangerous as handing a child a box of matches in a house filled with dry straw.

The doctrine of “once saved, forever saved” (OSAS) claims that once a person accepts Christ, nothing — not even sin, unbelief or apostasy — can affect their eternal destiny. But is this what the scripture truly teaches? Does grace mean a license to sin, or is it the power to live above sin?

These questions demand sober reflection. Jesus warned in Matthew 24:13: “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Salvation is not a one-time event to be casually checked off, but a continuing walk, a race to be run, a faith to be held fast.

Paul speaks of this race repeatedly. In 1 Corinthians 9:27, he admits: “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” If even Paul feared disqualification after preaching the gospel, should we treat salvation as a certificate framed on the wall, untouchable by our choices.

Grace is not a loophole; it is empowerment. Titus 2:11–12 says: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” Grace trains us to resist sin, not excuse it.

Scripture is filled with solemn warnings. Hebrews 6:4–6 states: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance…”

The language is stark. A person can taste God’s goodness yet fall away. Peter warns similarly in 2 Peter 2:20–21:
• Sunday Ogidigbo is the Pastor, Holyhill Church, Abuja. Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @SOgidigbo.Email:[email protected]

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord.

and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”

These are not idle threats; they are caution signs along the road of faith. To ignore them is like tearing down the guardrails on a mountain highway and assuming the car will never veer off the cliff.

Yes, there is blessed assurance. John 10:28 declares: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” This is a glorious promise. But note — it is not a license for rebellion. No external force can snatch us from Christ’s hand, yet the scripture never suggests that we cannot walk away ourselves.

Jude 21 exhorts believers: “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” The security of salvation is like living in a fortress. No enemy can break in. But if the inhabitant carelessly walks out of the gates and refuses to return, the danger lies not with the fortress, but with the deserter.

In the Nigerian context, this doctrine has taken root in some pulpits as “easy believism.” People are told that a single prayer at an altar call is enough, no matter how they live afterward. This has created pews filled with members who profess Christ on Sunday, but serve other gods of corruption, immorality, and greed during the week.

The gospel of “once saved, forever saved, no matter the sin” has become a narcotic for a generation that wants heaven’s crown without carrying heaven’s cross. Yet Jesus was clear in Luke 9:23: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Daily cross-bearing cannot be substituted with one moment of confession followed by years of rebellion.

Salvation is not a mere transaction; it is a relationship. To claim “once saved, forever saved no matter what” is like saying that once married, one can abandon, betray, and abuse a spouse without consequence. Any earthly court would laugh at such logic. Marriage demands fidelity. How much more our covenant with the living God?

The Father’s love is constant, the Son’s sacrifice is sufficient, and the Spirit’s power is available. But relationships thrive on mutual commitment. Philippians 2:12 says: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Not because salvation is insecure, but because it is precious.

So, is it “once saved, forever saved”? Yes – in the sense that Christ’s work is complete, His blood sufficient, and His grip secure. But no—if that means sin has no consequence, or that faith once professed can never be abandoned. Salvation is a race to be run, a faith to be kept, and a relationship to be cherished.

The path we choose determines where our journey ends. Let us not be deceived by comforting half-truths. Let us walk daily in the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. For in this triune fellowship, we find not just the promise of salvation, but the power to finish well.
• Sunday Ogidigbo is thePastor, Holyhill Church, Abuja.Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @SOgidigbo.Email:[email protected]