Security

I don’t know the source of this graphic, but it’s one of my favorites because Jesus is the solid rock for me, the foundation of my faith. Part of that faith is a Baptist doctrine – eternal security. That was our lesson last night. Chapter Four of “First Steps for New Christians,” by Paul Chappell.

There’s absolutely nothing that we Christians have done to earn this security. We’ve done nothing to earn our salvation, either. It’s offered based on His love:

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15 KJV)

I did add a bit to Paul’s words from one of these foundational scriptures that firm my belief:

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,

Nor any form of earthly strife,

nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,

Nor things from Satan’s bowers,

nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor far away, nor near at home,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,

Nor false God, nor wrong teacher

shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
(Romans 8:38-39 KJV)

There are other scriptures, too, that speak of this security.

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. (John 10:28-30 KJV)

It is God’s boundless grace and mercy that provides eternity, not one ounce of activity on my part. I’ve done nothing, absolutely nothing, to earn His love. In fact:

We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19 KJV)

Because He is not limited by time, God knew this before the foundation of this world:

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (1 Peter 1:20 KJV)

Based on those forgiven sins detailed in His word, what could I possibly do that could cause Him to cut me off? Murder? Forgiven. Sexual sins? Forgiven. Come on, come up with something other than Matthew 12:31.

God has not promised us life until we mess up, He has promised eternal life. Not ten-year eternal, twenty-year eternal, but eternal as in everlasting. So, does that give us permission to live sinfully, to do as we please? Paul had that answer (obviously the question came up!!):

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. (Romans 6:15 KJV)

We do have to live in this world, as His children. As Christ prayed for us, He asked our Father:

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (John 17:15 KJV)

Paul’s discourse in Romans 7 about what we would do as opposed to what we should do pretty well covers the fact that we will make errors. We can expect parental discipline spiritually, through a loving Father, eternally.