Series: Not of Works – A Series on the Gospel of Grace

Anchor Text: Galatians 1:6–9

One of the most dangerous distortions in Christendom today is the teaching that justification by faith is only “phase one”—that you’re declared righteous by grace, but you won’t receive final salvation unless you persevere in holiness, love, fruit, and obedience.

Many denominations—especially in America—preach some form of “final salvation.”
Over the years, I’ve met countless people who didn’t even realize they were trusting in a faith plus something gospel.
Whether it’s faith plus fruit, obedience, baptism, law-keeping, or perseverance, the result is the same:
They weren’t resting in faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross. And that’s what Paul calls another gospel, a false gospel.

It’s a clever lie.
It sounds spiritual.
It sounds serious.
But it’s another gospel—and Paul said anyone who preaches it is accursed.

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel—
which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you,
let him be accursed.”
—Galatians 1:6–8

❌ What Is “Final Salvation”?

The term doesn’t appear anywhere in Scripture.
It’s a theological invention used to describe an imagined second tier of salvation—a future reward based on works.

Here’s what this false gospel claims:

• You are justified by faith…
• But you are finally saved by a life of holiness, fruit, and obedience.

That’s not salvation. That’s probation.
And it puts the burden of heaven back on the shoulders of man.

✅ Justification Is Salvation

Paul doesn’t separate justification from salvation.
He doesn’t treat it as the start of a process with an uncertain outcome.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
—Romans 5:1

“But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.”
—Romans 4:5

The moment you believe the gospel—you’re saved.
Sealed. Forgiven. Righteous. Reconciled. Redeemed.
Not on probation. Not waiting for final approval.

🔥 The True Danger of “Final Salvation”

Here’s why this lie is so destructive:

• It places the assurance of salvation on your performance—not Christ’s finished work.
• It causes fear, confusion, and insecurity in the believer’s heart.
• It makes fruit and obedience conditions for salvation, not results of salvation.
• It shifts the glory from Christ to man.
• It’s exactly what the enemy wants: a Christless, cross-less gospel that sounds right but condemns.

And Paul saw it coming:

“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”
—Galatians 3:3

🗝️ Key Takeaway

There is no such thing as “final salvation.”
You’re either saved or you’re not.

Salvation is not a reward for good behavior.
It’s a gift—purchased by the shed blood of Christ, received by faith alone.