I just wanted to present what I believe the Bible to clearly state...this is a touchy subject and I'm not trying to force you to believe as I do, only consider what I post.
Many articles have been posted about this from both its promoters and detractors. It brings comfort to some but can be abused by the unrengerated and misinterpreted by the carnal mind. I want to set you at ease by stating, simply, the Bible doesn’t speak of a disobedient faith only obedient faith. The Bible tells us, ‘that all who are by faith united with Christ, who have been justified by God’s grace and regenerated by his Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but certainly persevere therein to the end.†Henry Thiessen It is because Christ fully paid the penalty for sin, the born again believer has security and assurance of salvation. It lies not in spiritual performance but in God’s work that saves. We know that God has a purpose (Job 23:13), Christ died to save a people (Matthew 20:28) and nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-38). We also need to take note of the promise made in Romans 8, “he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son...†This work will be done, even if detractors of eternal security avoid this fact by trying to tell us it doesn’t mean what it plainly states. Latter in Romans 11:29 we find that God’s gifts are without repentance or irrevocable. (see also John 10:27-30)
The Epistle of Romans is such a powerful statement of these truths, see for yourself.
• Romans 4:1-4 justification by faith
• Romans 4:5-12 justifying faith defined
• Romans 5:1-11 seven results of justification
• Romans 5:12-21 sanctification through Christ
Our security is found in Christ. The sacrifice of the sinless Son of God works forever, it never fails, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.†Rom. 5:8-10. Pauls states in Hebrews 7:25 “…He is able to save them to the uttermost…†because Christ always lives to make intercession for the believer. Unless the Father denies the prayer of the Son, unless there is disagreement in the Godhead, the Father always hears the prayer of the Son. It’s because Christ is praying for us (John 17), we have faith until the end.
Classic scriptures such as Philipians 1:6 and 1 Timothy 1:12 speak of believers “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.†(1 Peter 1:5, Romans 16:25, Jude 24)
Objections and concerns should be raised and considered but only in light of what the word of God teaches. For instance, an common objection concerning lazy conduct, but in light of 1 John 3:9 we are told that no one that continues in sin can be saved. (Romans 6:1, 2 Timothy 2:19, 2 Peter 1:10, 1 John 2:2, 29; 3:14, 5:4) The same can be said for Christian service “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.â€Â
I’ll do what I can to handle objections to this thread, and encourage you to trust Christ for your salvation, setting aside the worries customs can instil. Look to the word of God.
Peace, JM.
Many articles have been posted about this from both its promoters and detractors. It brings comfort to some but can be abused by the unrengerated and misinterpreted by the carnal mind. I want to set you at ease by stating, simply, the Bible doesn’t speak of a disobedient faith only obedient faith. The Bible tells us, ‘that all who are by faith united with Christ, who have been justified by God’s grace and regenerated by his Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but certainly persevere therein to the end.†Henry Thiessen It is because Christ fully paid the penalty for sin, the born again believer has security and assurance of salvation. It lies not in spiritual performance but in God’s work that saves. We know that God has a purpose (Job 23:13), Christ died to save a people (Matthew 20:28) and nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-38). We also need to take note of the promise made in Romans 8, “he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son...†This work will be done, even if detractors of eternal security avoid this fact by trying to tell us it doesn’t mean what it plainly states. Latter in Romans 11:29 we find that God’s gifts are without repentance or irrevocable. (see also John 10:27-30)
The Epistle of Romans is such a powerful statement of these truths, see for yourself.
• Romans 4:1-4 justification by faith
• Romans 4:5-12 justifying faith defined
• Romans 5:1-11 seven results of justification
• Romans 5:12-21 sanctification through Christ
Our security is found in Christ. The sacrifice of the sinless Son of God works forever, it never fails, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.†Rom. 5:8-10. Pauls states in Hebrews 7:25 “…He is able to save them to the uttermost…†because Christ always lives to make intercession for the believer. Unless the Father denies the prayer of the Son, unless there is disagreement in the Godhead, the Father always hears the prayer of the Son. It’s because Christ is praying for us (John 17), we have faith until the end.
Classic scriptures such as Philipians 1:6 and 1 Timothy 1:12 speak of believers “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.†(1 Peter 1:5, Romans 16:25, Jude 24)
Objections and concerns should be raised and considered but only in light of what the word of God teaches. For instance, an common objection concerning lazy conduct, but in light of 1 John 3:9 we are told that no one that continues in sin can be saved. (Romans 6:1, 2 Timothy 2:19, 2 Peter 1:10, 1 John 2:2, 29; 3:14, 5:4) The same can be said for Christian service “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.â€Â
I’ll do what I can to handle objections to this thread, and encourage you to trust Christ for your salvation, setting aside the worries customs can instil. Look to the word of God.
Peace, JM.