Once Saved, Always Saved?
A Sermon on "Once Saved, Always Saved' from Romans 14:14-16
Originally preached Jan. 19, 1968
Scripture
14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him …
Sermon Description
A chief doctrinal debate within church history is the nature and character of eternal security. Does Scripture indeed teach the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints? Or to ask the question another way: is it possible for one for whom Christ died to be lost? Despite the clarity of Scripture on this topic (in places like Romans 8 and John 10), there are a few ambiguous texts which seem to suggest the possibility of a regenerate person falling away from grace. One such difficult text is Romans 14:14–16 where Paul seems to suggests one can destroy – eternally perish – the soul of another brother if they neglect considering their conscience. In this sermon on “Once Saved, Always Saved” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines this passage and others like it, using it as an opportunity to teach Christians how to responsibly handle apparent contradictions in Scripture. With theological acumen, Dr. Lloyd-Jones helps the listener to consider why it is impossible for anyone to be responsible for the everlasting destruction of another person. Not only listen and be encouraged by the assurance believers have, but hear Dr. Lloyd-Jones handle difficult texts with care.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is dealing with the question of eating foods offered to idols and the observance of certain days in Romans 14.
- Some early Christians had forgotten the importance of conscience in connection with faith and had "made shipwreck" of their faith. This is the first lesson.
- Romans 14 also raises the question of the perseverance of the saints and whether it is possible to fall from grace.
- Galatians 5:4 is often incorrectly used to argue that it is possible to fall from grace. In context, Paul is saying that if you argue circumcision is necessary for salvation, you have fallen from grace.
- Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrews 10 seem to indicate it is possible to fall from grace. However, the people described may have only tasted the heavenly gift without being regenerate. Nowhere does it say they were born again.
- We must reconcile passages that seem contradictory by looking at the overall teaching of Scripture and explicit statements. Scripture never contradicts itself as it has the same author: the Spirit.
- Romans 8 and John 10:28-29 clearly teach the perseverance of the saints. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
- If falling from grace were possible, the devil would defeat God, salvation would be uncertain, and no one would be saved.
- Regeneration is the act of God, not man. One cannot go in and out of being born again. Backsliding refers to a disobedient Christian, not one who loses salvation.
- The ultimate destiny of souls cannot depend on man. That would make man's power greater than God's.
- God sent His Son to do what man could not: secure salvation. The promise is sure in Christ.
- Warnings in Scripture are the means by which God preserves His people, not proves they can lose salvation.
- The weaker brother is not meant to be a tyrant controlling the church. This teaching was temporary, for indifferent matters, and the weaker brother should grow in knowledge.
- We should: not misunderstand being "all things to all men"; not adopt unbiblical practices to help the weak; only allow indifferent practices, not vital ones; never accommodate the truth.
- The glory of God, not offending others, and the salvation of souls should be our goals.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Romans 14:14-16
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the final perseverance of the saints is the absolute assurance that all who are truly saved will ultimately arrive in glory. He bases this on Romans 8:28-39, where Paul asserts that nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the eternal destiny of a soul cannot be in human hands but rests securely in God's hands. He states, "If it were ultimately a matter that is in our hands... no one would be saved." The doctrine affirms that true believers, though they may backslide temporarily, will never finally fall away from salvation.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones reconcile Paul's warning about "destroying a brother for whom Christ died" with the doctrine of eternal security?
Lloyd-Jones explains that we must not press words like "destroy" too far in Romans 14:15. He interprets this not as causing final destruction of a believer's soul, but as putting them "on the road that eventually leads to destruction." He teaches that when Scripture appears to contradict itself, we must start with certainties (like Romans 8 and John 10:28-29 where Jesus promises believers "shall never perish") and interpret difficult passages in light of these clear statements. The warnings, according to Lloyd-Jones, are actually the very means God uses to preserve His people from falling away.
What is the difference between backsliding and falling from grace according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that backsliding is when a child of God becomes disobedient, potentially to such an extent that they might temporarily appear not to be a Christian. However, he emphasizes that "the backslider always comes back invariably" and is "even miserable while sinning." This differs from falling from grace, which he clarifies (referring to Galatians 5:4) isn't about losing salvation but about abandoning the grace position in one's thinking by returning to a works-based approach to salvation. Lloyd-Jones affirms that regeneration is God's action, and one cannot "go in and out of regeneration."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about Hebrews 6 regarding those who fall away?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the passage in Hebrews 6:4-6 about those who "fall away" is addressing a hypothetical position. More importantly, he notes that "the apostle nowhere says of those people that they have been born again." He explains that it's possible for people to "have a taste of the heavenly gift and to experience the powers of the world to come without being regenerate," especially during times of revival when some people come under a "general influence of the Spirit" without true regeneration. These individuals may seem like genuine Christians temporarily, but later demonstrate they were never truly converted.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the relationship between the strong and weak believers in the church?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones acknowledges the concern that Paul's teaching might make "the weaker brother a tyrant" who controls the church and prevents growth. He counters this by explaining that: 1) Historically, this teaching did not prevent church growth; 2) This was temporary teaching for a transitional period, not permanent legislation; 3) It only applies to matters that are "indifferent" and not essential to salvation; and 4) The weaker brother is expected to be teachable and grow in knowledge. If a weaker brother refuses to learn and becomes obstinate, "he becomes a sinner" who should be confronted rather than accommodated.
What principles does Dr. Lloyd-Jones provide for helping weaker believers?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers several principles: 1) Don't misunderstand Paul's "all things to all men" to justify doing wrong things to win people; 2) Never adopt pagan or sinful practices into the church to accommodate weaker brothers; 3) Only allow liberty in things that are truly indifferent, not in matters regarded as vital; 4) Never accommodate or compromise the truth itself; 5) Do all things to the glory of God; 6) Give no offense to Jews, Gentiles, or the church; and 7) Seek not your own profit but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe the doctrine of eternal security is necessary?
Lloyd-Jones argues that eternal security is necessary because: 1) The final destiny of souls cannot be in human hands; 2) If humans could undo God's salvation work, it would mean "man has greater power than God"; 3) If falling away were possible, "no one would ever be saved" since all believers sin and fall short; 4) It would mean the devil has ultimately defeated God; 5) It would make regeneration something one could "go in and out of," which contradicts its nature as God's work; and 6) God's purpose in sending Christ was to establish something that "cannot fail" unlike Adam who could and did fail.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.