Showing posts with label grace-fallen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grace-fallen. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Eternal Security, 10of15



~ What About “Falling From Grace”? ~

The doctrine of “eternal security” (sometimes described as “once saved—always saved”) is widely accepted with Christianity.  There are however some who deny this important teaching of Scripture—by pulling verses out of their context to make them say something other than intended.  In this series we look at what the Word of God has to say about the subject.  “Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24).

The Scripture  ~  “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.  Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.  And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.  You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Galatians 5:1-6). 

The Interpretation Error  ~  There are some who teach that the phrase “fallen from grace” is a way of saying that a person has lost their salvation! 

The Question  ~  What do these teachers not understand about the term “eternal life”?

The Correct Understanding  ~  The book of Galatians was written to Christians, that is clear in the opening sentence of the quoted Scripture above.  Christians by nature have received eternal life.  Paul was addressing a common problem in the church of Galatia which is also a common problem in our day—to not live our lives in grace but rather choosing to live by the Law.  Living by the Law is an impossible task!  Paul says to live in this way is to cause your salvation in Jesus Christ to have no effect on you (Galatians 4:17).  In other words, what Christ has done for you must not mean anything to you! 

Additional proof that Paul is writing to believers is found throughout this epistle.  A few examples include:  [1] Paul refers to his readers as “brethren” nine times in this short epistle, [2] he calls his readers “children of God” (3:26), [3] “sons of God” (4:6), and [4] “heirs of the promise” (3:29). 

Conclusion  ~  “Falling from grace” has absolutely nothing to do with our eternal salvation! 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:
(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.
(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.
(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 
(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Fallen From Grace



~ It’s NOT About Your Salvation! ~

The Scripture  ~  “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.  Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.  And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.  You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Galatians 5:1-6). 

The Interpretation Error  ~  There are some who teach that the phrase “fallen from grace” is a way of saying that a person has lost their salvation! 

The Question  ~  What do these teachers not understand about the term “eternal life”?

The Correct Understanding  ~  The book of Galatians was written to Christians, that is clear in the opening sentence of the quoted Scripture above.  Christians by nature have received eternal life.  Paul was addressing a common problem in the church of Galatia which is also a common problem in our day—to not live our lives in grace but rather choosing to live by the Law.  Living by the Law is an impossible task!  Paul says to live in this way is to cause your salvation in Jesus Christ to have no effect on you (Galatians 4:17).  In other words, what Christ has done for you must not mean anything to you! 

Additional proof that Paul is writing to believers is found throughout this epistle.  A few examples include:  [1] Paul refers to his readers as “brethren” nine times in this short epistle, [2] he calls his readers “children of God” (3:26), [3] “sons of God” (4:6), and [4] “heirs of the promise” (3:29). 

Conclusion  ~  “Falling from grace” has absolutely nothing to do with our eternal salvation! 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:
(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.
(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.
(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 
(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .