Question: Numerous verses in the Bible declare that... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:27.28

Question: Numerous verses in the Bible declare that a believer in Christ cannot be lost. Other passages, however, seem to indicate the opposite. What is the explanation of this contrast?

Answer: Let us first point out two facts that show that a born-again Christian is saved for eternity. In the first place, salvation does not depend on any merit of man: it is God who through His grace saves everyone who turns to Him believing in Jesus Christ. God has chosen him and given him eternal life. Could God begin an act of love without finishing it in a way worthy of Him? Whoever has everlasting life has a relationship with God for eternity. Anything else would be a contradiction of God's dealings. Secondly, our final salvation is not dependent on a Christian's faithfulness, but on the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus Christ. "He always lives to make intercession" for them. He "is able to save to the uttermost" (Hebrews 7:25) in every dangerous situation, until He brings the believers to the Father's house.

Then there are verses in the Bible that emphatically address the Christian's responsibility. But that is only the other side of the same coin. On the one hand, God grants full, eternal salvation, on the other hand, a Christian is responsible to live according to the will of God, not to be saved, but because he is saved.

That God assures the believer of eternal salvation is thus a fact. But it should not lead the Christian to do as he likes, but rather motivate gratitude and devotion to the Lord.

Today's reading: Leviticus 4:27-35 · Psalm 50:16-23