If Jesus’ work is completed, does that mean our salvation is assured?

Question:

I stumbled upon your website while searching for answers to a lot of burning questions. I like your answers because they are biblical. May God richly bless you.

I have some questions:

When preachers teach about the completed work of Jesus or the finished work of Jesus, does this mean that once you repent and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, all your past, present, and future sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus, so much that:

  1. You don't have to pray to ask for forgiveness ever, no matter how much you mess up because you were adopted, grafted, and made righteous when you received Jesus Christ and Jesus already paid for all your sins at the cross -- past, present, and future sins?
  2. Is it true that when we live in the dispensation of Grace, sin is no more? The moment we bring back the word sin we are going back to the law?
  3. Let's say I am a Christian, I repented years ago, did a sinner's prayer, received Jesus Christ as my Savior then I fall into sin e.g. stole, lie, cheat, hate, drink alcohol, look at a woman lustful, etc. Am I not supposed to keep coming to God asking for mercy and forgiveness, and asking for the blood of Jesus to cleanse me because I messed up? Instead, am I supposed to not ask for forgiveness because Jesus Christ finished all the work on the cross and I am a child of God regardless, I will still inherit eternal life but may not get rewards in the Kingdom to come -- rewards such as crowns and glory or shining?

Thank you for taking the time to answer these burning questions.

Answer:

When the Bible talks about Jesus' completed work it is referring to:

  1. Jesus has accomplished all the tasks set for him by the Father. "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do" (John 17:4).
  2. The Old Law, with its promise of future salvation, was brought to completion. "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" (Romans 10:4).
  3. A perfect sacrifice for sin was offered that never needs to be repeated again. "By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10).

It refers to what Jesus did, not what happens to us.

First, the idea of "accepting Jesus into your heart" or "praying a sinner's prayer" in order to be saved is not found in the pages of the Bible. See: Praying a Sinner's Prayer and What Saves a Person?

Second, your conclusion places you in direct conflict with John who said, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 1:8-2:1). The idea of once saved, always saved is contrary to the teachings of God. See: There's No Security for the Believer in 'Once Saved, Always Saved' and Is "Once Saved -- Always Saved" a Bible Doctrine?

If talking about sin means we are going back to the Law of Moses, then Paul would be contradicting himself, since he talked a lot about sin: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" (Romans 6:1-2) and talked about the Law's end: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace" (Galatians 5:1-4).

Response:

Thank you very much for your reply. Good biblical teaching. May God bless you through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.