SCRIPTURE 1 Timothy 6:10–12 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”  

COMMENTARY We see here that people can err from the faith.  Erred (Greek apoplanaō) means to go astray, stray away from.  This is a clear indication that a person has gone astray from the truth.  Why would Timothy have to “fight the good fight of faith” to “lay hold of eternal life” if Timothy already had a guaranteed and unconditional hold on eternal life? If that were the case, he should have told him to relax and “lean on the promises of God,” as the modern church teaches.  A fight implies a struggle.  What do we struggle against? We struggle with dangers, annoyances, obstacles, standing in the way of faith, holiness, and a desire to spread the gospel.  The choice becomes increasingly clear: We can either believe the Scriptures, or we can believe the man-made doctrine of guaranteed, unconditional eternal security.