2 Pet. 2:20-22, Matt. 24:11-13, John 15:5-8 (NIV)
Salvation is the most important thing in life.
Next to salvation is the assurance that we have passed from death to life.
After assurance, there is the question of security.
Is there a possibility that we can ever be lost again?”
The answer is “no!” Once saved, we are saved forever.
*******
But there are some passages in the Bible that some say teach the loss of salvation.
Let’s find out what they really say as we consider ‘How to be sure we have eternal security’.
*******
Transformation (2 Peter 2:20-22)
Many feel that these verses teach the loss of salvation.
In fact, they teach the opposite!
These verses tell of the person who turns over a new leaf without receiving a new life.
They get into church, make an outward change, but inwardly, they are unchanged and are still lost.
They have recognized the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ, but have never been changed by His transforming power.
They will eventually live out what they really are.
*******
Sinful desires cannot be conquered by reformation.
They will simply hibernate and wake up stronger than before.
Only transformation by salvation can defeat the old nature and give new life.
*******
A person’s true nature will always come out!
A dog may be taught obedience and tricks, but will continue to eat his own vomit.
A pig will always be a pig and will head straight for the wallow when turned loose.
Men may look good in church, but live in sin in the world.
We will always do after our own nature!
*******
Christians can be assured of their security in the Lord Jesus Christ.
They have been given a new nature.
They will avoid sin and they will please God.
Christians are not reformed.
They have been transformed.
*******
TENACITY (Matt. 24:11-13)
Many people believe that these verses mean that endurance leads to salvation and the lack of it to loss of salvation.
But this is not true!
A Christian is not saved because he endures; he endures because he is saved!
*******
True Christianity is marked by tenacity (sticking to something until it is done!).
Eternal security is placed on us by God at the moment of salvation.
We may, and will, wander off, but God will keep drawing us back.
True faith will endure to the end.
*******
TRADE MARK (John 15:5-8)
Many teach that this is the picture of a Christian who has ceased to live for God, is cut off and cast into hell.
In truth, Jesus isn’t even talking about salvation.
He is dealing with fruit bearing.
His whole point is that a healthy, abiding Christian will bear fruit, while a weak, careless Christian will bear no fruit and is a spiritual castaway.
This passage deals not with the loss of salvation, but of rewards.
*******
TURNING AWAY (Heb. 6:4-9)
Perhaps this is the most misunderstood passage in regards to eternal security.
The writer says that it is impossible for a certain class of people, if they fall away, to be renewed again to salvation.
Some believe that these verses teach that we can lose our salvation.
If so, it also teaches that we can never get it back again.
*******
A second interpretation is far better.
It speaks to people who have been confronted with the truth of the Gospel, have had their hearts gripped by the Holy Spirit in conviction, have been enlightened and have seen the truth, but have walked away from Jesus Christ.
These people have been to the very threshold of salvation and looked in on the things of God, have seen that they are true and that they needed what they saw, but they turned away.
They will not be brought to that place again!
This type of person may never have another opportunity to be saved.
This passage does not talk of losing salvation.
It warns against rejecting salvation.
*******
If we are saved, we are eternally saved!
That is great cause for rejoicing!
Salvation is the most important thing in life.
Next to salvation is the assurance that we have passed from death to life.
After assurance, there is the question of security.
Is there a possibility that we can ever be lost again?”
The answer is “no!” Once saved, we are saved forever.
*******
But there are some passages in the Bible that some say teach the loss of salvation.
Let’s find out what they really say as we consider ‘How to be sure we have eternal security’.
*******
Transformation (2 Peter 2:20-22)
Many feel that these verses teach the loss of salvation.
In fact, they teach the opposite!
These verses tell of the person who turns over a new leaf without receiving a new life.
They get into church, make an outward change, but inwardly, they are unchanged and are still lost.
They have recognized the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ, but have never been changed by His transforming power.
They will eventually live out what they really are.
*******
Sinful desires cannot be conquered by reformation.
They will simply hibernate and wake up stronger than before.
Only transformation by salvation can defeat the old nature and give new life.
*******
A person’s true nature will always come out!
A dog may be taught obedience and tricks, but will continue to eat his own vomit.
A pig will always be a pig and will head straight for the wallow when turned loose.
Men may look good in church, but live in sin in the world.
We will always do after our own nature!
*******
Christians can be assured of their security in the Lord Jesus Christ.
They have been given a new nature.
They will avoid sin and they will please God.
Christians are not reformed.
They have been transformed.
*******
TENACITY (Matt. 24:11-13)
Many people believe that these verses mean that endurance leads to salvation and the lack of it to loss of salvation.
But this is not true!
A Christian is not saved because he endures; he endures because he is saved!
*******
True Christianity is marked by tenacity (sticking to something until it is done!).
Eternal security is placed on us by God at the moment of salvation.
We may, and will, wander off, but God will keep drawing us back.
True faith will endure to the end.
*******
TRADE MARK (John 15:5-8)
Many teach that this is the picture of a Christian who has ceased to live for God, is cut off and cast into hell.
In truth, Jesus isn’t even talking about salvation.
He is dealing with fruit bearing.
His whole point is that a healthy, abiding Christian will bear fruit, while a weak, careless Christian will bear no fruit and is a spiritual castaway.
This passage deals not with the loss of salvation, but of rewards.
*******
TURNING AWAY (Heb. 6:4-9)
Perhaps this is the most misunderstood passage in regards to eternal security.
The writer says that it is impossible for a certain class of people, if they fall away, to be renewed again to salvation.
Some believe that these verses teach that we can lose our salvation.
If so, it also teaches that we can never get it back again.
*******
A second interpretation is far better.
It speaks to people who have been confronted with the truth of the Gospel, have had their hearts gripped by the Holy Spirit in conviction, have been enlightened and have seen the truth, but have walked away from Jesus Christ.
These people have been to the very threshold of salvation and looked in on the things of God, have seen that they are true and that they needed what they saw, but they turned away.
They will not be brought to that place again!
This type of person may never have another opportunity to be saved.
This passage does not talk of losing salvation.
It warns against rejecting salvation.
*******
If we are saved, we are eternally saved!
That is great cause for rejoicing!
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