As a congregation holding to the doctrines of grace, believing them to be a true understanding of the Bible’s teaching on salvation, we do believe that a Christian, united to Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, by grace alone through faith alone, will persevere (will be preserved) in his faith until he is taken home to be with the Lord!
We need to be careful, however, about doctrinal statements that can fit on to a bumper sticker! A profession of faith does not equal a possessing of faith! Many church going people or folks who used to go to church believe that because they have said a prayer or walked an aisle after a rousing sermon, their action has cinched a deal between the Almighty and themselves. “I’m saved because I said the ‘Sinner’s Prayer'” is the hope of many!
The problem with “once saved always saved” is that it leaves the impression and the false hope that by some mechanical action on the individual’s part that God can be bound to have to save someone from the wrath to come! Many individuals assume that they are Heaven bound, but have neither love for the Lord nor do they demonstrate any obedience to His Word the Bible. (Good trees bear good fruit!)
Perseverance of the Saints is the doctrine that a true Christian, out of gratitude for the salvation that has been secured for him in Jesus Christ, will persevere in holiness (obedience… love for Jesus Christ and what He has taught) until the day that he stands before the Lord of glory! One doesn’t merely say a pray or walk an aisle and then proceed to live as though there is no God! The person who does this should be greatly concerned for his soul!
The Bible warns; “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end…” Hebrews 3:12-14
For further reading on where we stand doctrinally as a Church, you may click on this link:
https://opc.org/books/eBooks/We_Invite_You.pdf