What does the phrase 'once saved, always saved' mean?

'Once saved, always saved' refers to the assurance that true believers will persevere in faith until the end, grounded in the doctrine of God's preservation. This teaching emphasizes that true salvation is a work initiated and sustained by the grace of God. While there can be misunderstandings surrounding this doctrine, it should not imply that salvation can be superficially claimed through human effort or free will. Rather, it underscores the necessity of genuine faith and the transformational work of the Spirit in the life of the believer, affirming that only those who truly belong to Christ will bear the fruits of faith.