Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
1. They are confused about God's Grace.
Salvation is God's grace. Grace means unmerited favor. We don't deserve Salvation and we can't earn it or work for it instead God designed it to be a free, voluntary gift. The gift is His sacrificial death in the cross. It is to be received as a gift and the gift is sealed or wrapped that we can't add anything to it. We can receive it only by faith. It is the trusting that His sacrificial death in the cross is the ultimate sacrificial payment for our debt, which is sin. It is substitution, Jesus is our substitute, He died in our stead.
This gruesome, inhuman, shameful, painful sacrifice is suffered by Christ not intended for a season only but He done that, once for all suffering for us to enjoy life with Him ETERNALLY!
We are the undeserving beneficiary of His grace.
The REQUIREMENT: YOU NEED TO RECEIVE IT BY FAITH.
God's grace is intended for all human beings...
1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
God's love is expressed by GIVING His Son, not His best angel, not His best messenger but His only begotten SON!
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
GRACE can not be mixed with WORKS! Good Works, Works of Righteousness, works according to the law.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus(Saved in Christ Jesus) unto good works(SAVED to DO good works), which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Our BEST Righteousness can not ever reach God's Holy Standards and is FILTHY and it STINKS!
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
We need GRACE to save, NOT the LAW.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Rom_6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Link: Free Salvation
2.They are confused about the correct placement of Good Works.
Good Works is good. Righteous works is righteous. But even how good a thing is if it is placed in the wrong place became WRONG.
In Salvation, it is 100% work of God. The Father planned it before the World begun, The Son, Jesus Christ executed it by dying on the cross, and the Holy Spirit administers it to all who will receive Christ.
So, what's left is, only by faith, by faith alone, RECEIVE it.
Why RECEIVE, because it is an offer, a gift, free but priceless, meaning, the price is so high that no man can afford or earn or deserve it. It is so precious. So, God by His grace, gave it 100% FREE!
It is the sign of His great love to us... that He was willing to give His Son to suffer and die to save man.
Now, where is the human good works, place in the picture?
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
It is designed that we are saved by God freely by grace, to do GOOD WORKS. It means God is expecting that those who are saved freely will work. What kind of work? You are to work as a child. You did not became a child because of your own works but you, after you became a child must work, not to be saved, because you are already saved but for God's glory and pleasure. When you work He will bless you and reward you. Salvation is never a reward and reward is never salvation.
Good works is the RESULT, the fruit of Salvation. You will work because you are already a child. Your work will never affect your relationship as a child or your status as a saved. It is always a permanent relationship.
Our good works is never a part of the process of salvation.
Correct Formula: REPENTANCE + FAITH = SALVATION, SALVATION -> GOOD WORKS (Salvation RESULTS to Good Works)
The wrong formulas with mixture of human good works: (ADULTERATED)
REPENTANCE+FAITH+WORK=SALVATION (Wrong)
REPENTANCE+FAITH+BAPTISM=SALVATION (Wrong)
REPENTANCE+FAITH+CHURCH=SALVATION (Wrong)
Good works is intended after salvation. NOT FOR MAINTENANCE OF SALVATION BUT FOR REWARDS.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
This is a child already because he will glorify his Father, who is God and he will do it by his good works.
Good works is a sign that you are a believer, a child of God. If you are a real child it wil be seen by the fruits and by your works.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Good works are an expression of gratitude in the believer's heart.
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Good works is the fruit of the Spirit.
Tit 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Good works of the most sincere believers are all imperfect, yet like their persons they are accepted through the mediation of Jesus Christ (Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.), and so are rewarded; they have no merit intrinsically, but are rewarded wholly of grace.
All the good works that will qualify will be rewarded during the Judgment Seat of Christ
SALVATION VERSUS
REWARDS FOR CHRISTIANS
There is a vast difference between the doctrine of salvation for the lost, and the doctrine of rewards for the saved.
1. Salvation Is Free
Salvation is “the gift of God, not of works” (Eph 2:8, 9). Salvation is received by faith in what Jesus did on the cross. “This is my blood which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Mat_26:28 ).
Christ died, for our sins according to the Scriptures’ “(1Co_15:3).
When I believe that the blood Jesus shed on the cross was the full payment for my sin, I have everlasting life (John 3:36).
2. Rewards Are Earned
Rewards are according to the works of the believer (Mat_16:27).
The scripture verses from 1Co_3:8-15 give a most revealing insight into rewards.
a. Rewarded For Labor. Every believer will be rewarded according to his own labor (vs 8). We do not labor for salvation,
b. God’s Fellow Workers. “We are God’s fellow workers” (vs 9) — not for salvation, but for rewards.
c. Build On Christ. The believer is to build on the Lord Jesus Christ — the only foundation (vs 11).
d. Choice Of Materials. The believer has a choice of two main types of building materials: “gold, silver, precious stones”
— eternal materials; or “wood, hay, straw” — temporal materials (vs 12; cf. 2Co_4:18).
e. Receive A Reward. The believer who builds on Christ with eternal materials, “gold, silver, precious stones,” will receive a reward.
f. Receive No Reward. Those who build on Christ with temporal materials, “wood, hay, straw,” will receive no reward. The “wood, hay, straw “works will be destroyed at the judgment seat of Christ “(2Co_5:10), and the believer will suffer loss — not the loss of salvation, but the loss of his crown or his reward.
Link: Is Good Works important?
3. They are confused about the relationship of the Father and the children.
When we REPENTED AND by FAITH Received Jesus our Lord, we obeyed God's command to be saved.
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
This is the first message of Jesus after He was baptized and tempted after His forty days and nights fasting.
It is clear that the formula of salvation is set. REPENTANCE AND FAITH.
Act_20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
We should not add to that formula because it will destroy and make dangerous consequences and miss eternal life with our own human ideas and methods.
Mar 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
We should realize the fact that we are BORN... experiencing the unique and special relationship to the Father by the SPIRITUAL BIRTH.
Joh_3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh_3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 1Pe_1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
This SPIRITUAL BIRTH is a real process of entering the FAMILY OF GOD. It is when we received Jesus Christ that this process is consummated and you are born to be a CHILD of GOD!
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
This birth is God's design and plan, that in the moment that you Receive Him, you are BORN, like physical birth it created a permanent relationship with your parent. In this case, God is your father and you are the child.
Mat_5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Luk_20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Joh_11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Rom_8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom_8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Rom_9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Gal_3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
1Jn_3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
1Jn_5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
This relationship entails benefits and responsibilities. But the relationship is permanent that you can never be unborn. The responsibilities is not a condition of the termination of the relationship.It is not to maintain the relationship. It is for the enjoyment and good fellowship of the relationship. It is a double benefit because God will reward His children who will continue to obey and please Him and discipline His children who will disobey and disregard His commands.
God will always treat you as His child. We should not confuse ourselves with those who did not accepted Jesus Christ truly in their hearts or is not sincere. They are still unsaved unless they repent. Many of these are in churches, religious organizations that are not truly saved. They can not backslide because they are from the beginning never been saved.
1Jn_2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Those who are truly saved can never be lost again. He may be a prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 but he will surely come back. He is experiencing the loving discipline of a loving Father who is always waiting for his return and will celebrate his return.
The sin that separates has no power now to destroy the relationship completely because all the payment is enough and is sufficient to cover and forgive all sins. Our sins after we are saved affects us in our good fellowship with God called the "joy of our salvation" but remember, salvation is always intact and permanent, only the JOY is affected.Psa_51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
King David was saved in an early life and had been a victorious child of God, he killed Goliath in his young age and anointed king also at young age, but he never lost that relationship later by his sins of adultery and murder. Instead, we can see God's discipline and the consequences of sin that the sword never left his house. His child Absalom even try to kill him. But still the indications of His being a child of God is seen that he requested to restore to him the joy of his salvation.
The discipline is hurtful and is painful to the flesh and to the soul but it is to correct and purify us which is enough to make us realize God's good intentions and plan to make the best for us. That we can say that ALL THINGS... is for our Good!
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Link: The new birth, the start of the relationship
Link: How to be born again?
4. They are confused with Discipline.
Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psa 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Those who does not believe Eternal Salvation springs from the unfounded fear that eternal security may result to abuse and that people will not do good works. But that teaching that salvation is by good works or you must maintain good works to be saved have bring many to hell because of the percentage of faith they exercise for salvation and they violated and adulterated God's plan of salvation that should be by Christ alone.
Salvation is 100% faith in Jesus Christ to save you and no adulteration of any human effort or works. It is 100% grace before and after salvation.
If a person believes that 99.9% Jesus can save him and .1% he believes that by his own human work will help save him, he goes to hell. It must be 100% FAITH in JESUS alone.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The article, "the" indicates that it is absolute and only by Jesus, it means He is the only one Way to Heaven.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
It is only in the NAME of Jesus Christ that man can be saved.
Now, the fear of abuse is unfounded because in God's wisdom, He has established the system to deal with His children whom He loved if they commit sin in the flesh.
Remember, sin is committed in the flesh only, it's the soul that decides and the flesh suffers discipline but the spirit does not commit sin. Check this verses:
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
These verses teaches us that we are sinners saved by grace(in the flesh) and we sin daily in thinking, in action, and in words and we need to confess to God daily and ask forgiveness daily. These truth is referring to our flesh.
Luk 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Luk 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
Luk 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
In the model prayer, we are given by Christ the pattern of asking forgiveness of sin because we are in the flesh can sin. And God will discipline us.
These activities and system is not to maintain salvation but for us to be usable for his glory and the discipline is hurting us including the consequences that happens because of that sins.
Heb 12:5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
Heb 12:6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
Heb 12:7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
Heb 12:8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Heb 12:9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
Heb 12:10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
Heb 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Heb 12:12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
Heb 12:13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
Discipline will prevent abuse and it will create Godly fear, and because it is motivated by God's love we can see His goodness in the process and love Him more.
Those who does not trust God in His process of discipline and still think that eternal security is false is telling God that His system is in error and is weak and still can be abused. If God had loved and saved us when we were sinners why He can't help us and discipline us when we are already inside His care as our Father and in His keeping.
Our spirit which is from God which we acquired after we received Christ can not sin.
1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Our spirit which is born of God can not sin. The spirit is not affected and it is the flesh that is suffering the discipline. Remember, it is the spirit which is with God's spirit that dwells in us and will never leave us is the seal and the assurance of our eternal security. We can also observe these truths in these verses.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Psa 89:30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
Psa 89:31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
Psa 89:32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
Psa 89:33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
Psa 89:34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
Psa 89:35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
You can observe in these verses that if God's dear children disobeys, He has the rod to put disciplinary stripes and that hurts. That will be the fearful thing to happen if we commit sin... or abuse... but see the beautiful words, His lovingkindness, and His faithfulness will not fail. His covenants that once you have received Christ you have eternal life, He will not break nor alter it by saying you now will go to hell because you sinned again. He will with the rod put bruises or stripes but you are still saved.
1Co 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Here are another verses that illustrates God's discipline and the eternal salvation that we have in His grace. This person sinned a fornication that is not common and done by a member of the church at Corinth. You can see that Satan will be given the authority to do harm to his flesh that may cause pain and destruction to discipline him but you can see that the spirit may be saved. It indicates that the spirit of the saved is not included in the discipline because it can not sin. The spirit is the one giving us the assurance that even if we die in the flesh because of the sins of the flesh, we are always secured. Where is abuse then? If a person does not experience discipline after sinning, he may be not saved. But a real saved person will do good works because he love his God who saved him and avoid sin to avoid discipline and be useful so he can be used to saved others by his witness and by his light.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
A person after judgment, may suffer loss because he has no good works that may qualify him for rewards, but he is saved from hell because he has eternal security.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2Co_5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
Link: Temptation... Stand ground and avoid discipline!
Link: Discipline, the mark of a disciple.
Link: God's guidance
Link: The soldier - obedience
5. They are confused about the two natures of the SAVED.
The two natures we now possess are referred to by various terms in the Scriptures.
A. ADAMIC NATURE: Outward man, old man, carnal man, fleshly man.
B. SPIRIT NATURE: Inward man, inner man, new man, divine nature.The spirit is born again, not the flesh, John 3:6-7; I John 3:9; I Peter 1:23.
During salvation, the Fleshly nature was not abolished right way but a new nature was added, the spiritual nature acquired by the spiritual birth referred as being born again. The salvation of the flesh is in the future during rapture or resurrection that we will have the glorified body.
The flesh is against God and must be disciplined and controlled by God through the spirit to be useful for His glory.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
We must be subject to the Holy Spirit to control the flesh nature. These two natures are fighting for supremacy and by surrendering to God and by the filling of the Holy Spirit which means we give our will under His will, we can reflect what God wants and His characteristics are manifested in us.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
St. Paul, the apostle expressed the conflict he is experiencing that by the flesh, he do what he is against, and only by the spirit nature that he can enjoy spiritual things. These truths gives us the Biblical stand that our eternal salvation is not based in our flesh which everyday can commit sin but in the sinless spirit that is from God and can not sin. These also shows that in our human effort, we can never maintain salvation through good works because by the flesh we will surely fail.
So before and after salvation, good works is never a requirement for saving or maintaining salvation. Good works is for rewards.
Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
In the flesh, we can never inherit God's kingdom but when our vile bodies is changed into the glorious body like Christ during the resurrection or rapture, we can never sin again.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
The flesh must be subjected, trained and disciplined to function correctly and not to obey its lusts. The process is to crucify the flesh, that is to sacrifice as stated in Rom. 12:1-2.
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| Solution to sin: Crucify the flesh! Think you are dead to sin. |
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Mortify means: To subdue or bring into subjection, as the bodily appetites by abstinence or rigorous severities. To subdue; to abase; to humble; to reduce; to restrain; as inordinate passions.
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Link: Two natures
6. They are confused about ETERNAL LIFE.
Eternal Life means eternal life. Eternal means no ending. Life means meaningful, abundant, joyful, life with God in heaven. It simply means a truly SAVED is always SAVED.
Saved not by feelings or emotion, not because somebody told you so... but founded or based in the promises of the Bible that those who have Christ is saved.
Eternal life is found 30 times in the Bible.
Eternal life was designed and planned by God in eternity to those who will believe, receive Jesus Christ as Savior. It is packaged in Jesus Christ. It is always through Jesus Christ. Without Christ, no eternal life. Eternal life was promised before the world began.
Tit_1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
1Jn_2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
1Jn_5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Eternal life is permanent. It is fixed and covenanted that nothing can change what was promised by God to those who obey the command to REPENT and by faith RECEIVE the Son of God who is the way, the truth and the life. Eternal life is not conditioned or dependent in us. We are not the one holding God, it is God holding us who promised.
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
This is the Trinity that is ensuring that those who by faith trusted Jesus for salvation is Eternally saved.
There are 10 cows in the fold, one of them jumped... How many cows are left?
Answer: Still 10.
Romans 8:35-39 is teaching us that nothing, even we ourselves will jump from God's hands, we can never pluck ourselves out from His love, that's how stubborn is God's love for us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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| You are More than Conqueror through Christ! |
In verse Romans 8:39, "nor any other creature...", remember we are just God's creature. Satan is only a fallen angel, nor height, how high can you jump? and the depth, how deep can you fall... Nothing can separate you from His eternal salvation that you are declared MORE THAN CONQUEROR because of Jesus Christ, our mighty Lord and Savior.
We will even know for sure that we have the possession and that we enjoy eternal life.
1Jn_5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn_5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1Jn_5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Lastly, we can see that in this verse it speaks of the two different destinies of Man.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
The only difference why they will go to such a place, is their decision and how they respond to God's offer of free eternal salvation. Will they reject of receive it.
Thank God for the Eternal salvation He has given us.
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Isa 14:24 The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:
Think, if Jesus have died for us, will He allow that the people He died for, will ever be lost again?
Will God allow the blood and death of His Son be wasted?
Never!
Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
If those He died for will again be lost... then you need to crucify Christ again to save them!
Never!
Salvation is not about us... It's for God's glory and pleasure!
Thank you Lord for your AMAZING GRACE!
Amen!
Link: 101 Bible reasons proving eternal security.
Link: Eternal Security
Link: Eternal Preservation
Link: Victorious Living
