Eternal Security, 12of15

~ The “Unfailing” Love of God ~

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).

Consider  ~  “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19). 

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind.  Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy” (Psalm 107:21-22).

Comment  ~  Can you not rest in the love of your magnificent Savior?  Can you not rejoice in the reality that His marvelous and unconditional love will never leave you?  His love for you is forever—everlasting! 

Conclusion  ~  “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).  Should you not live your life with a consistent attitude of gratitude and thankfulness?

~ 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/ .

Eternal Security, 11of15

~ The Sheltering Love of God Protects The Believer ~

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).

Key Passage  ~  Jesus prayed to His Father about believers:  “I pray for them.  I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.  And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.  Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You.  Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be One as We are.  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name.  Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled” (John 17:9-12). 

Our Savior’s Heart  ~  Jesus Christ had and has a deep compassionate for His followers.  While in the world He protected His own.  Now the Father protects us.  This intercessory prayer of our Savior displays His tenderness toward His own people.  “Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.  He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler” (Psalm 91:3-4).  The image presented here is of a hen protecting its chicks. 

Our Need Is Supplied  ~  It is clear from Scripture—beginning with The Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden—that we cannot successfully protect ourselves.  But as His children we are divinely protected and sheltered from the hostile culture and world in which we live and can have peace regarding of the storms around us.  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

Summary  ~  God is the divine protector and guardian of all who truly know His Son as their personal savior.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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/ .