The correct way to describe this doctrine is the perseverance of the saints rather than

eternal security.

It is not just that we are eternally secure, it is that we are eternally secure because our

faith perseveres. Persevers. Welcome to Grace to you with John MacArthur.

I'm your host, Phil Johnson.

Now, you've probably heard the phrase,

Once saved, always saved.

What do you think?

Is that a true statement? Or could you do something? Could you commit

some horrible sin that would cause you to forfeit your salvation? Well, today, John MacArthur is

going to help you see what the Bible says about the permanence of salvation. He's beginning a study

titled, God won't let you go. Now, John, this issue of whether salvation is something you can lose, I know that throughout your ministry, this is something people are deeply concerned about and have often asked you about.

So why do you think this topic keeps coming up?

Yeah, I think there are two reasons for it.

There has been, for ages, the theology that you can lose your salvation.

It's been out there. It's been taught. It's been advocated. It's been fought for even people who believe in the security or perseverance of the saints have been vilified by the people who reject that.

So it is a very aggressive and old idea that you can lose your salvation.

That's one of the reasons it's still an issue.

The second reason why people struggle with their salvation is because of a lack of personal

assurance.

It doesn't have so much to do with theology. It has to do

with the fear that they're not genuinely converted. And you ask, well, why do people fear that they're not

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