“He became the author of eternal salvation.” (Heb 5:9)
Receiving God’s gift of salvation is a huge moment in one’s life. To know that the God of the universe unquestionably forgives us of everything we have ever done, calls us His child, and says we are co-heirs with His Son is overwhelming. The joy that floods over us is truly life-altering.
But what many young believers soon realize is that salvation does not necessarily mean a smooth, easy road for the rest of their lives. Typically, the road gets bumpier and steeper at times, and there is only one reason why—Satan.
The devil hates it when we give our lives to Jesus, making him attack us with greater vigor. He tempts us to slip, stumble, and just plain mess up. And before we know it, we sin. Sometimes we might even do it repeatedly, which can make us feel like failures.
The cycle of sanctification is not always easy to bear. Even as God refines us and continues to extend His grace, Satan keeps attacking. Our slip-ups might even make us wonder whether we can lose our salvation.
The good news is we absolutely cannot.
The initial assurance we have is that the Lord instantly sends His Spirit to dwell permanently within us when we decide to follow Him (1 Cor 6:19; Rom 8:11). It is a gift that God promises never to take back. In fact, we are sealed with it.
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Rom 11:29)
“Having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” (Eph 1:13)
What does “sealed with the Holy Spirit” mean?
In Greek, to be sealed is sphragizo (“sfrag-id-zoh”), which means “to stamp with a private signet or mark for preservation.” Recall how kings once dripped wax on letters and pressed a signet ring into them to seal them before sending them out. The seal signified authority, security, authenticity, and ownership.
In the same way, God seals us with His authority and love like a stamp on a letter, claiming us as His own with the “Holy Spirit of promise”. Therefore, because the Holy Spirit is eternal, His indwelling is eternal, making our salvation also eternal.
Sealed with a Promise
The Bible further tells us that we are not simply sealed with the Holy Spirit but also sealed with His promise. What is the promise?
Ephesians 1:14 explains that the Holy Spirit is the “guarantee of our inheritance,” meaning He pledges to keep believers until the day of redemption. This is the day when God finally resurrects us (that is, our immaterial part), and we receive our glorified bodies (Phil 3:20-21). Because God keeps us, He guarantees our salvation is eternal. Further, that guarantee means that no one—not even Satan—can “snatch” us out of God’s hand.
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (Jn 10:28-29)
The Bible further tells us outright that salvation is eternal because Jesus is eternal.
“And having been perfected, [Jesus] became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Heb 5:9)
Recall the doctrine of the Trinity. God is not comprised of only the Father but also the Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Together, they are “three in one” as the eternal Godhead.
“The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deut 6:4)
Because the Father is everlasting, the Son and the Holy Spirit are also everlasting. Therefore, followers of the eternal Son Jesus cannot lose their salvation because of the indwelling of the eternal Holy Spirit, who seals us and keeps us as His own for the Father.
We are His children, and no one can take us out of His hand (Jn 10:28-29). We are forever His. Better yet, He is forever ours.
