A Response to Andy Woods: Faith and the Assurance of Salvation Without Eternal Security

 Andy Woods, in his defense of Eternal Security through the doctrine of Preservation of the Saints, seeks to offer believers comfort by claiming that once a person is genuinely saved, their salvation is unconditionally secure. While this might seem comforting, it is a dangerously misleading doctrine that ignores the full counsel of Scripture. As a fellow Evangelical, I firmly believe that salvation comes through faith alone. However, it is crucial to understand that maintaining that faith is what keeps us saved. The idea that nothing can cause you to lose your salvation, no matter how you live, not only distorts biblical teaching but also undermines the very nature of a genuine relationship with Christ.

One of the more puzzling aspects of Andy Woods' argument is his attempt to draw a clear line between the "Preservation of the Saints" and the more traditionally understood "Perseverance of the Saints." In reality, this distinction is more theoretical than practical. Both doctrines essentially describe the same truth: that those who are truly saved will continue in their faith until the end. The only difference is that "Perseverance of the Saints" emphasizes the active role of the believer in maintaining their faith, while "Preservation of the Saints" shifts the focus entirely to God's role in securing salvation. However, to separate these concepts is to create a false dichotomy. Scripture consistently teaches that God's preservation and the believer's perseverance are two sides of the same coin. God's grace empowers believers to persevere, and it is through their perseverance that they experience the security of their salvation. To claim that one is fundamentally different from the other is not only unnecessary but also misleading.

Philippians 1:6 and the Conditional Nature of God's Promise

Woods cites Philippians 1:6 to support his view: "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." While this verse does express Paul’s confidence in God’s faithfulness, it is not a blank check for believers to abandon their commitment to Christ. Paul’s assurance here is directed at believers who are actively participating in their faith journey, not those who have made a one-time profession and then drifted away. The "good work" Paul mentions is contingent upon the believer’s continued cooperation with God’s grace. Without this ongoing faith and obedience, there is no guarantee that the work will indeed be completed.

The warning in Hebrews 3:14, "For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end," highlights the conditional aspect of our salvation. This is not a call to works-based salvation but a clear indication that true saving faith is enduring faith. To suggest otherwise, as Woods' doctrine of Preservation of the Saints might imply, risks misleading believers into a false sense of security that could jeopardize their spiritual well-being.

John 10:27-29: A Promise for the Faithful, Not the Wayward

Woods also relies heavily on John 10:27-29, where Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 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." This passage is often used to suggest that a believer’s salvation is irrevocably secure. However, this interpretation overlooks a critical detail: Jesus’ sheep are those who "hear" His voice and "follow" Him. This is not a one-time action but a continuous state of being. The security promised in this passage is for those who remain in Christ, who actively follow Him. It does not apply to those who turn their back on the faith and the following of Christ.

To suggest that this passage guarantees eternal security regardless of how one lives is to ignore the condition Jesus places on the promise. It’s not merely about being part of the flock at one point in time; it’s about ongoing discipleship and faithfulness to the Shepherd. Those who wander away from the Shepherd and stop following Him can hardly expect to remain under His protection.

2 Timothy 1:12: Confidence in God's Faithfulness, Not Presumption

Woods further points to 2 Timothy 1:12, where Paul says, "But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me." Here, Paul expresses confidence in God’s ability to safeguard his salvation. However, this confidence is not based on a passive belief that once saved, always saved. Paul’s trust is rooted in his active, ongoing relationship with Christ—a relationship characterized by obedience, suffering for the gospel, and perseverance. To claim that this verse supports Eternal Security without the need for continued faith is to ignore the very context of Paul’s life and ministry, which was marked by relentless pursuit of Christ and His mission.

Consider also the sobering warning in 2 Timothy 2:12, "If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us." This verse clearly ties the assurance of reigning with Christ to our endurance in faith. It is not enough to begin the race; we must finish it. Paul’s confidence in 2 Timothy 1:12 that "he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me" reflects this understanding—God guards those who continue to trust in Him, not those who abandon their faith.

Romans 8:38-39: A Comfort for the Faithful, Not a License for Sin

Romans 8:38-39 is another passage that Woods references: "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." While this passage indeed offers profound assurance, it does so within the context of those who are in Christ Jesus. Paul is writing to believers who are actively living out their faith, enduring suffering, and facing persecution. This promise of inseparable love is not a blanket assurance for all who have ever made a profession of faith, regardless of how they live afterward. It is a promise to those who continue to walk in the Spirit (Romans 8:1) and set their minds on the things of God (Romans 8:5).

To interpret this passage as a guarantee of salvation regardless of one's ongoing relationship with Christ is to strip it of its true meaning. This promise is for those who are living in accordance with God’s will, not for those who presume upon His grace while living in sin.

2 Timothy 2:13: God's Faithfulness Amid Human Weakness

Lastly, Woods uses 2 Timothy 2:13: "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself." This verse is often misunderstood to suggest that even if we abandon our faith, God will still save us. However, the context of this passage is crucial. The preceding verse (2 Timothy 2:12) warns, "If we deny him, he also will deny us." The faithfulness of God here refers to His character—He will remain true to His promises and His nature. If we persist in faithlessness and deny Christ, He will faithfully carry out His promise of judgment, just as He will faithfully reward those who endure.

This verse is not a loophole for those who abandon their faith but a reminder that God’s faithfulness is unchanging—whether in mercy to the repentant or in judgment to the unfaithful. It should not be twisted to suggest that a believer can live in unrepentant sin and still expect to receive the reward of eternal life.

The Dangers of Eternal Security: A Call to Vigilance

The doctrine of Eternal Security, as Woods presents it, is not just a theological error; it is a dangerous belief that can lead to spiritual complacency. By suggesting that nothing can cause you to lose your salvation, this doctrine effectively removes the incentive to pursue holiness, resist sin, and remain vigilant in faith. It can create a false sense of security that undermines the biblical call to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).

Jesus’ warnings about the necessity of abiding in Him (John 15:5-6) and the countless exhortations in Scripture to endure in faith (Matthew 24:13, Hebrews 3:14) make it clear that salvation is a relationship that must be maintained. It is not a one-time transaction that secures our place in heaven regardless of how we live. True assurance of salvation comes from a persevering faith, not from a doctrine that excuses sin and downplays the importance of ongoing discipleship.

In John 15:5-6, Jesus warns, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." 

This passage makes it abundantly clear that remaining in Christ is not optional; it is essential for salvation. In a generation where sin is rampant and many are tempted to stray from their faith, it is particularly dangerous to tell believers that their salvation is guaranteed no matter what. This kind of teaching can foster spiritual complacency, leading some to believe that they can live in persistent sin without fear of losing their relationship with Christ. Jesus' words are a sobering reminder that our security is found in remaining connected to Him, not in a one-time profession of faith. To teach otherwise risks encouraging a false sense of security that could ultimately lead to spiritual destruction.

Conclusion: Assurance Through Perseverance, Not Presumption

In conclusion, while Andy Woods' desire to provide comfort through the doctrine of Eternal Security is understandable, it is ultimately misguided. The Bible teaches that salvation is by faith alone and allows for the assurance of Salvation, faith must be maintained. The idea that nothing can cause you to lose your salvation is not only unbiblical but dangerous. True assurance of salvation comes from a faith that endures to the end. It is this persevering faith, not a passive reliance on a one-time profession, that secures our place in Christ. Let us therefore be vigilant, striving to remain in Him, and holding fast to the faith that saves us.