Is it true that you can never lose your salvation? Folks don’t always
agree on this and are quick to martial certain scriptures to defend their
view. Certainly eternal security is a doctrine that may be used by some to
justify a failure to walk with the Lord; but if it’s not true, all believers
are in trouble. I think the controversy arises from what is meant by being
saved. In today’s religious culture, answering an altar call and inviting
Jesus into one’s heart seems to be the rule. Sadly, the moment often is
seemingly quickly forgotten in the midst of life’s demands. (Hey, we’re a
nation in a hurry.)
The perseverance of the saints is a vital doctrine, too. Scripture places
a lot of emphasis on following through with the initial decision. For
instance, John 8:30-32 is revealing. “As He [Jesus] spoke these
words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,
"If you continue in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” The
rest of the chapter proceeds to show how these same “believers” ended up
trying to stone him. That was the trouble with Jesus. He wouldn’t
immediately commit himself to some who were said to have “believed.” It
makes you wonder if he would appreciate all our soul-winning programs and efforts today.
He would ask
tough questions and challenge people. The parable of the sower is instructive,
too, notably the seed that fell where there was no depth of earth and the seed
that fell where thorns choked it.
The answer to the controversy
is to recognize that one truly saved WILL continue in the faith.
However, that needn’t mean assurance comes all at once. Many believers, if
not most, may struggle long and hard to possess the priceless truth of their
security. Such was my case.
Things too easily obtained are frequently not appreciated like they should
be. Perhaps that is why God may be slow in answering the prayers of His
newborns. It is the hungry that will sing the loudest to the hymn of “Blessed
Assurance, Jesus is Mine.” Then it is seen that the bedrock of the
Christian faith is the assurance scripture offers to all who entrust their
lives to Christ and his finished work on the cross. Believers since the time
of Job and Abraham testified to this. Christ Himself assures us repeatedly,
demonstrating His love through His suffering on the Cross and His power by His
resurrection. Failure to comprehend this is to remain ignorant and
unresponsive to the Holy One who made us and suffered the agony of the Cross to gain our love.
Jesus is both our Lord and Savior. As much as we might want to make Him
Lord we must first know Him as Savior. Only out of a response to his
unconditional love and ability to fulfill his promises can true discipleship
take place. Otherwise, we have no alternative but to depend upon our own
goodness and efforts.
Countless
scriptures give us reason for complete confidence in Christ, that nothing can
ever separate us from His love. To quote but just a few:
JOHN 5:24 Most
assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me
has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from
death into life.
JOHN 6:40 And this is
the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in
Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
JOHN 6:47 Most
assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.
JOHN 10:27-29 My sheep
hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal
life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My
hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is
able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one.
ROMANS 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to those
who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For
whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,
that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He
predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified;
and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
ROMANS 8:38-39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels
nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
nor height nor depth, nor any
other created thing, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Is there a verse above that speaks
to you? Then make it your own by faith. Want to look at others? Click
here. Then, as you
ponder these and other verses you will encounter, bind those that speak to you into your lifeline of trust in Christ.
Like a rope is made strong
by many strands woven together, your confidence will be made stronger, too.
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