The doctrine of Calvinism teaches, among other things, “All those who are spiritually united to Christ through regeneration are eternally secure in Him…. They have been predestined unto eternal glory and are therefore assured of heaven” (The Five Points of Calvinism, p.56). Simply put, the doctrine of Calvinism teaches that once one is saved, he can never be lost. In every chapter of 2nd Peter, this doctrine is shown to be false.
Having commanded Christians to add various qualities to their character, Peter says, “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (1:8, 10-11). The necessary implication is that if you don’t do these things, you will not be supplied an entrance into heaven. Therefore, a Christian can be lost.
In chapter 2, Peter wrote about the danger of false teachers who would lead Christians astray. They are described as men who “have forsaken the right way and gone astray” (2:15). This language necessarily implies that at one time they were in the right way, of which there is only one – the way of Christ. These are men who were once saved. They are described as men who had “escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2:20), and this is the very definition used to describe Christians in verses 3-4 of chapter 1. Thus, these men who have gone astray are Christians who were once saved. But they have turned “from the holy commandment” (2:21) and “the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” (2:20). No doubt these who were once saved are now lost.
In chapter 3, Peter warns Christians to “beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked” (3:17). It is possible for a Christian to be led away from truth, away from Christ, and into the error of the wicked, who in the context of 2 Peter are the false teachers for whom punishment awaits (2:3). It is possible for a Christian to be lost.
The doctrine of “once saved always saved” is refuted in 2 Peter. But at this point, considering the dangers of falling, a Christian may be inclined to say, “How pessimistic. What a downer. Who then can be saved?”
Peter gives to Christians the antidote to falling from steadfastness and being led away by error: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (3:18). The epistle began with instruction to grow, in chapter 1. Who would say that the elements to add into our lives, instructed in that chapter, are not the highly favored and most desirable qualities of character to possess? What more beautiful traits could be yours and abounding? And the epistle ends with the instruction to grow, having supplied ample reason for the necessity of growth.
In this epistle, God is instructing Christians, His children, to make diligent effort to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is a life-long effort to increase in them, and there is no more noble, worthwhile undertaking to be devoted to, for it fulfils the purpose for which we have been created and will give us an eternal home in heaven!
“Once saved always saved” is false. A Christian can be lost. But the answer to staying saved is taught throughout the Scriptures and includes the final instruction given in 2 Peter – “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” -Larry Jones