How saved are you? The importance of Eternal Security.

If you and I have any part in maintaining our salvation, it will be difficult to live with much assurance because we blow it on a daily basis as we are told in 1 John 1:8-10.

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Actually, the whole epistle of 1 John is about assure a group of people, that were in fact saved and had the assurance of eternal life: These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life. —1 John 5:13

Where there is no assurance of God’s acceptance, there is no peace. Where there is no peace, there is no joy. Where there is no joy, there is a limitation on one’s ability to love unconditionally. Why? Because a person with no assurance is by definition partially motivated by fear. Fear and love do not mingle well. One will always dilute the other. Furthermore, fear spills over into worry. Let’s be realistic for a moment. If my salvation is not a settled issue, how can I be anxious for nothing as in Phil. 4:6?


Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

If Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost, and yet we can somehow become unsaved—and therefore undo what Christ came to do. I know of no one powerful enough to undo what Jesus accomplished on the cross.




Also at stake here is the extent of God’s forgiveness. When Christ died, which of your sins did He die for?



Which sins were you forgiven of when you trusted Him as Savior? If the sins you commit after becoming a Christian can annul your relationship with the Savior, clearly those sins were not covered at Calvary. Forgiven is forgiven.


To differentiate between forgiven and unforgiven sins is to make a distinction foreign to Scripture.





The timing of your sins is irrelevant since they were all in the future from the perspective of the Cross. To disregard eternal security is to take away from what happened at Calvary.




Salvation by faith is at stake. Once good works are introduced into the salvation process, salvation is no longer by faith alone; it is by faith and works. To imply that salvation is maintained by good works (or not sinning) is to take the daily burden of our salvation upon ourselves. (That trick never works) In that case, there will be room for boasting in heaven.




“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:9

If salvation is not forever, salvation cannot be through faith alone.

Was the repentant thief on the cross saved?


1) "And he said unto Jesus, Lord," (kai legen lesou) "And he said, Jesus," Savior or Deliverer, liberator, who sets men free from sin and death, Luk_4:18; Heb_2:14; Joh_8:32; Joh_8:36. He may have been encouraged by hearing Jesus pray for His murderers.

2) "Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." (mnestheti mou horan elthes eis ten basilelan sou) "Remember me when you come into your kingdom," to intercede for sin, Heb_7:25; 1Jn_2:1-2. It was a cry for mercy, much as the publican prayed, Luk_18:13; Psa_106:4-5; Psa_145:18-19; Rom_10:9-10; 1Co_6:10-11.

Garner
J.

And if we stop believing, we don't have that promise anymore.

The Holy Spirit doesn't leave people, they leave Him.

And it is Ruach haKodesh/Hagios Pneuma/HOLY Spirit, not HS...
J.

You need to do some studying and leave the sarcasm at the door before entering.
J.

To say "There is no saving efficacy in water." is to say that water is not necessary for salvation. One must be clear when making comments. Since obedience is necessary for salvation then water baptism is necessary for salvation. Water baptism is not a show as many people claim. If it was then a person would remain wet forever to show he was baptized. How do we know a person was baptized if we were not present? Baptism is a command from our Lord.