OPENING COMMENTS.
WH;Y SPEND TIME doing a Bible study on ETERNAL SECURITY?
For me, it’s an integral part of a discipleship program … given that many new believers often end up, at some point, wondering if they are still saved and/or if they can lose their salvation.
OVERVIEW OF A DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM — A Proposal
The PROCESS:
A to B to C to D … Attender to Believer to Christian (Christ-follower) to Discipler.
- For Attenders … the need is to hear, understand and believe the Gospel.
- For Believers … the need is to commit to following Christ.
- For Christ-followers … the need is to share Christ, with the hope of getting others to believe and follow Christ.
The CURRICULA:
- The curriculum for Attenders … The Gospel in ‘P’s …
- The curriculum for Believers … The ABC for New Believers … Assurance, Baptism, Church (Christian friends)
1. Salvation is BY GRACE
- Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
- Titus 3:3-5 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost
- 2 Timothy 1:8-9 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
2. Salvation is NOT BY FAITH
- Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
3. Salvation is IN CHRIST
- 2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the [a]elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Where did this idea of eternal security come from?
- There are two aspects to consider: 1) the nature of the security and 2) the duration of the security.
- Re: the nature of the SECURITY …
- We are safe and secure because our salvation is “in Christ” (2 Timothy 2:10).
- The fact that we “have been saved” (perfect tense) means we have been made safe and secure … and that security is a present reality — a certainty in the present.
- Re: the duration of the security …
- There is little doubt that we have security as a PRESENT reality.
- The concern has to do with the security of our salvation IN THE FUTURE. How can we be sure that our salvation (and security) will be a certainty in the future?
- Our security is IN CHRIST (2 Tim.2:10) … and He is eternal (Romans 6:9). See Romans 5:3-4, 5-7, 8-11 for context.
- God’s plan and purpose of our lives is FUTURE ORIENTED, based on His promises.
- John 3:16 He gave us eternal, not temporary, lives.
- Philippians 1:6 … God WILL complete the work (of salvation) that He began.
The Role of the GOD THE FATHER in Eternal Security
1. Your heavenly Father has eternal plans and purposes for you.
Philippians 2:12-13 … He is the one working in you to accomplish His will and purpose.
2. Your heavenly Father has the power to keep you.
Romans 4:21 … What He promised you, He is also able to perform.
Romans 14:4 … God is able to make you stand.
Thessalonians 5:23-24 … He will preserve your spirit, soul, and body
3. Your heavenly Father has an infinite love for you.
Romans 5:7-10 … His infinite love provided you salvation as His enemy and now provides you security as His friend.
4. Your heavenly Father has made specific promises to you.
John 3:16 … The Father promises that you cannot ever perish.
John 5:24 … The Father promises that you have already passed from death to life.
The Role of GOD THE SON in Eternal Security
1. Jesus bore your condemnation forever.
- Hebrews 5:8-9 …
3. Jesus always acts as your Advocate during your journey.
- 1 John 2:1
4. Jesus never ceases to do His work of intercession during your journey.
- Romans 8:34 …
- Hebrews 7:25 …
5. Jesus is your Good Shepherd for your entire journey.
- John 10:27-28.
6. Jesus’ purpose is to present you without blemish.
- Ephesians 4:25-27.
7. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation only.
- Hebrews 5:9.
- .h. Hebrews 7:25 … He will save you to the uttermost.
8. Jesus suffered only once for your sins forever.
- 1 Peter 3:18.
The Role of GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT in Eternal Security
1. The Holy Spirit’s Work Of Regeneration.
- Titus 3:4-6 …
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 …
- Galatians 6:15 …
- Ephesians 2:10 …
2. The Holy Spirit’s Permanent Indwelling
- John 14:16-17 …
- 1 Corinthians 6:19 …
- Ephesians 2:22 …
3. The Holy Spirit’s Ministry Of Spirit Baptism.
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
4. The Holy Spirit’s Ministry Of Sealing
- 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 …
- Ephesians 1-13-14 …
- Ephesians 4:30 …
5. The Holy Spirit’s Power To Finish What He Begins
- Philippians 1:6 …
From Truth Seekers Fellowship …
One of the Biblical proofs that confirm one’s eternal security “in Christ” comes from what God has revealed through the Apostle Paul’s teachings in chapter 8 of his letter to the believers in Rome. This is a long passage but it is a tremendous security passage for you to understand. We will break it down for you so you can personally appreciate all of Paul’s logical proofs why you can never lose your position or eternal security “in Christ.”
Letʹs summarize Paul’s teaching under the following headings:
1. Verse 1: Your position “in Christ” guarantees you no condemnation forever.
2. Verses 2‐8: Your no longer being under Law guarantees no future condemnation.
3. Verses 9‐13: You now share God’s divine nature and are incapable of spiritual death.
4. Verses 14‐17: You are now an heir and cannot lose your eternal inheritance.
5. Verses 28‐29: You were called according to God’s purposes not your performance.
6. Verses 30‐33: You are now a part of God’s Eternal Plan to glorify all “in Christ.”
7. Verse 34: Your eternal security results from the eternal work of Christ alone.
8. Verses 35‐39: You are totally incapable of saving or securing yourself.
1. Verse 1: Your position “in Christ” guarantees you no future condemnation.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Did you notice that there is now, at this moment, no condemnation for you “in Christ”? By virtue of your position “in Christ” you are no longer under any condemnation, present or future. No matter how deeply you sin during your journey, you are under no condemnation that could affect your position “in Christ” and your eternal security. You can and will be disciplined as needed by your Heavenly Father but He will never again condemn you or put you back “in Adam.” Paul’s first proof is that your “position” guarantees no future condemnation and thus eternal security.
2. Verses 2-8: You’re no longer being under Law guarantees no future condemnation.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Did you notice in verse 2 that what the Law could not do, God did for you “in Christ”? What could the Law not do? The Law could not remove your condemnation “in Adam.” And in verse 4 Paul says that the righteousness or righteous requirements of the Law have been fulfilled in you. How was the Law fulfilled in you when you could not keep the Law? Jesus fulfilled it and because you are “in Christ”; His righteousness has been credited to you. What does this mean to your eternal security? The Law or your not keeping the Law can never again put you back under condemnation because you are not under law but under grace “in Christ.” Your fellowship with the Father and His Son and with other believers is severed when you commit journey sins, but your position in God’s family is secure because the Law can never again condemn you. The fact that you are not under Law but Grace “in Christ” is Paul’s second proof for your eternal security.
3. Verses 9-13: You now share God’s divine nature and are incapable of spiritual death.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors ‐‐ not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Paul states in verse 9 that you have received the Spirit of Christ. In verse 10 Paul states that Christ is in you. How does this indwelling guarantee your eternal security? You are now a partaker of God’s divine nature and you are incapable of spiritual death just as Jesus is now incapable of spiritual death again. You can never again die spiritually because you have been raised from your spiritual death “in Adam” by the same power that raised Jesus from spiritual and physical death. Christ dies no more and neither can you! Paul’s third proof of your eternal security is that you now share God’s divine nature “in Christ” making you incapable of spiritual death resulting in your being condemned again and put back into your former position “in Adam.”
4. Verses 14-17: You are now an heir and you cannot lose your eternal inheritance.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ʺAbba, Father.ʺ 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs ‐‐ heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Verse 15 states that you have received the Spirit of adoption. Verse 16 says you are a child of God. Verse 17 states that if you are a child of God, you are an heir and a joint‐heir with Christ Himself. If you are an heir, you have an inheritance.
What is your inheritance “in Christ”? You have already visited your Inheritance Blessings in our previous study, but with regard to your eternal security, your eternal inheritance is that all justified will be glorified! Paul’s fourth proof is that because you are an heir, you have received an eternal inheritance that you did not deserve or earn. Since you didn’t do anything to earn it, you cannot do anything to lose it.
Verses 28-29: You were called according to God’s purposes not your performance.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Did you notice in verse 28 that you were called according to His purpose not your performance?
What then is His purpose in calling you? His purpose is that you be conformed to the image of His Son in time and in eternity and that requires that you be around for eternity. Paul’s fifth proof is that you have been called according to God’s purpose and since God will complete all of His purposes, you are eternally secure.
6. Verses 30-33: You are now a part of God’s Eternal Plan to glorify all “in Christ”.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against Godʹs elect? It is God who justifies.
Did you notice in verse 30 that God’s Divine Plan is that those “whom He justified, these He also glorified? You were justified by God’s mercy and grace not your merit or performance. You are positionally glorified at this moment, but you will not be experientially glorified until Jesus returns or you go to be with Him in heaven. And God clearly states that once you have been justified, you will be glorified. How can you be absolutely sure? Did you notice in verse 33 that God will not accept any charges against those He has elected and justified? If God will not accept any charges against you, how can you be condemned?
Paul’s sixth proof for your eternal security is that all charges against you, past, present, and future, have been satisfied by Christ’s death and resurrection for you, and those charges are eternally dismissed by God the Eternal Judge.
7. Verse 34: Your eternal security results from the work of Christ alone.
34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Paul begins by asking who could possibly condemn you? He wants to know the basis or grounds for anyone to condemn you. He answers his own question by stating that it is Christ alone who died for your justification, not you. It is Christ alone who is risen and seated at the right hand of God the Father to make intercession for you. Where do you fit into all of this? You are the beneficiary of Christ work alone and no one except Christ alone can condemn you and He has promised He will never condemn you.
Paul’s seventh proof is that you are justified by the work of Christ alone and all justified will be glorified. Your eternal security is guaranteed by Christ’s achievement, not yours!
8. Verses 35-39: You are totally incapable of saving or securing yourself.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: ʺFor Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.ʺ 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In verse 35 Paul asks the question of who or what shall separate you from the love of Christ? All the things he lists in verse 35, including death itself in verse 36, are not able to separate you. In verse 37 Paul says that you are more than conqueror over these things through Him or your position “in Christ.” Paul concludes his proofs in Romans 8 by listing all the possibilities he could think of that are not able to “separate you from the love of God which is “in Christ Jesus.” Can you think of one possible thing that can separate you that Paul has not covered? These verses clearly teach that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, which can now or ever separate you from God’s love “in Christ.” Paul says that nothing from outside of you, nothing from inside of you, not even you yourself, can separate you from the love of God that is yours “in Christ.” Your security does not rest upon keeping yourself saved, which is why he included the “any other created thing” in verse 39 referring to you. You cannot separate yourself from the love of God that is “in Christ.”
Throughout this long chapter, Paul clearly teaches that your position “in Christ” can never change regardless of the condition you might allow your life to get into during your journey. Always remember Paul’s overwhelming evidence found in verse 30 that all justified will be glorified!
Exercise 14 Paul’s Teaching in Romans 8
1. What does Paul mean when he states that there is no condemnation to you in Christ?
- NO to double jeopardy
2. How does your being delivered from the Law of Moses confirm your security?
- Consider what it defined and identified
3. What does your possessing the Divine nature mean to your security?
- cannot die … incapable of spiritual death … incapable of eternal death
4. How does your being an heir affirm your eternal security?
- I never stop being a child of God …
- I’m an heir of eternal riches in Christ
5. How does Paul’s affirmation that all justified will be glorified confirm your security?
- just as all called were justified … all justified will be glorified.
- We are justified
6. How does God’s Divine Plan secure your eternal salvation?
- the “golden chain of salvation”.
- because the Plan was designed to fulfill a purpose that required me being “in Christ” and in eternity.
7. How does Christ’s own achievement negate your securing your own eternal salvation?
- Christ achieved all that was necessary for my eternal salvation.
8. What one thing can separate you from the love of God “in Christ” that Paul did not cover in his list?
- 0 0 0
9. Why is your position so important to your eternal security?
- my position is fixed … in Christ, who is eternal.
Summary — Paul’s Teaching in Romans 8.
• There is now no condemnation because of your position “in Christ.”
• You are delivered from the Law and its condemnation.
• You now possess God’s Divine nature, which cannot die.
• You are an heir of God’s eternal riches “in Christ.”
• God’s Divine purpose is that having justified you, He will glorify you.
• God will not accept any charges against you as His elect.
• Christ’s own achievement, not yours, guarantees your security.
• God knows you are incapable of keeping yourself secure.