Weekly Devotional 8-31-15 Safe & Secure
Recently I received a call from a friend wondering if a Christian could lose his or her salvation. That question has probably been argued since the time of the apostles in the first century of Christianity. Personally, this question was settled at the time of my salvation. Jesus himself, speaking of those who are truly His, said, “27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30I and my Father are one” (John 10:27-30). Being one of His sheep, I therefore have eternal life. It can’t be clearer. Four things stood out as I considered this passage.
1) God the Father gave God the Son certain ones to be His sheep.
2) Jesus gave to His sheep eternal life.
3) His sheep shall never perish.
4) God is greater than all, and no one is able to pluck (remove) a child (sheep) from His hand.
Because the passage emphatically confirms that those who are the Lord’s, are His sheep. His sheep are kept by the authority (power) of both Jesus (God the Son), and God the Father. The Father and the Son are not independent, but work in co-operation with one another. Therefore, I had to conclude that I could never lose my salvation. My salvation and yours, dear friend, is not dependent on us, but on the Triune God (God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit).
Perhaps much of the confusion about eternal security would be eliminated with a clear understanding of the meaning of grace. Salvation is by grace through faith and not by works. We are not saved because we are good, nor lost because we are bad. A man who is truly born again is safe forever and can be as sure of heaven as if he has already been there ten thousand years. He may fall into sin since the flesh (the fallen nature) of the believer has not been changed and is still corrupt. He may do some evil things as King David did. David was guilty of adultery and murder even though he had been brought into a true relationship with God. David was forgiven for those sins and restored to God’s fellowship. He did however suffer greatly as a result of his sins as does every child of God. Salvation does not give license to sin, nor excuse it. Perhaps looking at eternal security from the following perspective will ease the angst of some. God the Father and God the Son in eternity past (Revelation 13:8), put into motion those things that would glorify themselves. This verse states that Jesus, the Lamb of God, was slain from the foundation of the world. That is, before creation. In that counsel a pact was made (if I may be as bold as to say pact). God the Father purposed that certain ones of humanity would be redeemed, or purchased back from their eternal separation from Him. God the Son offered up Himself as the purchase price for that salvation. This was the agreement between the Father and the Son. It is unimaginable to consider that God the Father would break confidence with the Son. Jesus gave His life for those who were to be saved.
If one could lose his salvation, Jesus’ death would be in vain for that person. God the Father would have to break faith with the Son and that is just not going to happen. Ask yourself. Could God the Father fail God the Son or God the Holy Spirit? Could God the Son fail God the Father or God the Holy Spirit? Could God the Holy Spirit fail God the Father or God the Son? The answer is an emphatic no. Each One counseled to glorify the other.
Finally, I wish to direct your attention to Romans chapter 8, verses 28-30, “28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
God has efficaciously called all those He is conforming to the image of God the Son. Those He called He also justified. Those He justified He also glorified. This calling, justifying, and glorifying are all written in the past tense while people are still living in the present (verse 28). Each one who was predestined is also called, justified, and glorified in the court of God. None of these are ever lost.
Remember, Jesus said, “28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30I and my Father are one.” (John 10:28-30).
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
www.gbchurch.us