Once Saved, Always Saved: The Strength in Struggle and the Assurance for Our Children
When the question arises about losing salvation, I am often asked by friends to share my thoughts. It’s a difficult question for me to answer because everyone’s experience and motive for asking is so unique. This question can stir up feelings of doubt—not just from others, but sometimes even within ourselves. Yet, amidst these conversations and debates, one truth remains constant and deeply reassuring: the bond between God and His children is unbreakable. This promise isn’t just for us—it’s for our children too. Knowing that their salvation is secure fills me with a profound sense of peace and joy, as I see God’s enduring love and protection guiding them through life’s highs and lows.
The Mother-Child Connection
Think of a mother and her child. Regardless of circumstances, the reality of that connection is immutable. A mother can never genuinely say, “You are not my child,” because the truth is written in their very existence. In the same way, when we accept Christ into our lives, the Holy Spirit marks us as His. It’s a bond so profound that no power on Earth or in the heavens can break it.
This truth gives us comfort as parents. When our children accept Christ at a young age, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in their hearts. Life may lead them down winding roads, but God’s hand never leaves them. His promise is eternal, and His protection is unwavering.
As Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Salvation is not fragile. It’s a gift sealed by God, and His promises are unshakable—for us and for our children.
The Journey of Faith for Our Children
Like many parents, I’ve watched my children grow up in faith. They received Christ at a young age, and the joy of their salvation was evident in their innocence and wonder. But as they grew, life brought challenges and temptations. They had their fun, made their choices, and experienced their struggles.
Yet through it all, they never forgot who lives in their hearts. The love of Christ planted in them at a young age remained, even when life seemed to pull them away. As a parent, I’ve seen firsthand how God’s hand of protection and love has covered them, guiding them back to Him.
Proverbs 22:6 reminds us:
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.”
This isn’t just a hopeful thought—it’s a promise. God’s love for our children is steadfast, and His Spirit never leaves them.
The Slingshot Metaphor
Pastor Bob Coy beautifully illustrated this relationship using a slingshot. Imagine pulling the slingshot further and further back—this is the struggle, the distance we sometimes feel as we wrestle with doubt, sin, or pain. The tension builds, and it feels like we’re moving further from God.
But here’s the beauty: the moment we surrender and let go, the slingshot propels forward with extraordinary force. That tension, that struggle, becomes the very strength that brings us closer to God with renewed faith and purpose.
This applies to our children as well. The struggles they face may seem like they’re pulling away, but God uses that tension to bring them back stronger than ever. Their journey becomes a testimony of His grace and faithfulness.
A Love That Pulls Us Back
God’s love doesn’t falter when we stumble. Like the Prodigal Son’s father, He waits for us—and our children—with open arms. The distance we feel is often self-imposed, but the moment we turn back to Him, His grace meets us stronger than ever.
As parents, we can take heart in knowing that God’s love is greater than our fears. Even when we see our children struggle, we can trust in His promise to protect and guide them.
Takeaway
If you’re feeling far from God or worried about your children, remember this: the bond of salvation cannot be broken. Your struggles, and theirs, are not signs of failure—they’re the tension of the slingshot preparing you for a stronger, faster return to Him. Let go of the fear and hold on to His promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
God’s love for you and your children is eternal. Rest in the assurance that He holds them in His hands, no matter where their journey takes them.
Call to Action
Are you struggling to trust God’s plan for your life or your children’s? Surrender your fears to Him today. Reflect on the slingshot in your life—what tension are you holding onto that God can transform into strength? Pray for your children, trusting that His love and protection surround them always.
Let God’s love remind you that you and your children are His, now and forever.
#FaithInStruggle #OnceSavedAlwaysSaved #GodsLove #ParentingInFaith #ChristianFaith
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