RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-04-15	Assurance of Salvation
		Assurance of Salvation There are many churches and organizations that believe a person can be “saved” or “born again” and then lose that salvation. Such a doctrine flies in the face of what the Bible tells us about the nature of God. Those who teach a true believer can lose his salvation focuses on man, and not on God. Salvation is not the work of man. We cannot do anything to earn it. It is a gift of God (Ep.2:8-9). Nothing in Scripture teaches that we can give the gift back to God either by sin of choice. Yes, there are plenty of people who were “religious” for a while, and then turned away from God. This, according to Scripture, is evidence they were not truly saved (1Jn.2:19). 1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.  Allow me to give a brief summary of what the Bible says about believer's security in Christ. Paul tells us all believers are “sealed for the day of redemption” (Ep.4:30). It says we are sealed (protected) and for how long (day of redemption). Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Paul further tells us Christ will continue to do a good work in us until the day He returns (Ph.1:6). Php 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ Jesus said that all the Father has given to Him, none will be lost. That is a wonderful promise. Joh 18:9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none." The Bible teaches this assurance is in no way a license to sin (Rm.6:1-2; 1Jn.2:19). Rom 6:1  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  Rom 6:2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  This doctrine should motivate believers to be set apart to a holy life (1Th.4:7; Rm.8:1; 11:6; 2Co.5:17). To have assurance that our salvation is secure in Christ, takes the focus off of us and onto Christ. Thus, we can spend our energy thinking about others. God's view of the believer: 1. Believers have been given to the Son by the Father (Jn.6:37), and the Son will not cast out anyone who comes to Him. 2. It is the Father's will that none who have been given to the Son will be lost (Jn.6:37), and Jesus will raise them on the last day (Jn.6:40,44). 3. Eternal life's security is based on Jesus doing the will of the Father (Jn.6:39). Jesus always does the will of the Father (Jn.8:29). 4. Since salvation is not by the will of man (Jn.1:13), man cannot “will” himself out of that salvation. This way of thinking shifts the burden from Christ to the believer. 5. If someone given to the Son by the Father ends up being lost, then the Father failed because His will is that none be lost. Believer's view of God: 1. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Rm.8:16). 2. No one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand (Jn.10:27-30). 3. If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart (1Jn.3:19-21). 4. He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day (2Tm.1:12) 5. That you may know that you have eternal life (1Jn.5:11-13). Joh 6:37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. Joh 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. Joh 6:39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. Joh 6:40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." 1Jn 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

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