Week #4 "Eternal Security"

"Now that I am saved, can I ever lose my salvation?"

Once you have settled the question of salvation as the Bible declare it - by grace through Jesus Christ - it is imperative you understand how this decision has affected your life.

In lesson #2 we learned there are only two spiritual families on this earth, God's and the devil's. We learned that we were born into the devil's family at the time of our physical birth and we are born into God's family when we receive Jesus Christ as our savior. (John 1:12-13) In this lesson we will discuss the state of the new believer in God' family from the biblical facts, settle the question of the eternal security of the Christian.

I. The testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ is clear on this subject.

 

    A. Jesus Christ promises, "...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37) God will not cast you out of his family under any circumstances.

 

    B. John 10:27-29 makes it clear no man can cause you to lose your salvation because God your Father is greater than all men.

 

II. Salvation does not depend on your works, but on the grace of God.

 

    A. Salvation is by grace through faith and not by works. It is a GIFT from God. No one can lose salvation because no one can earn salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9

 

    B. Galatians 3:10 and James 2:10 tells if we had to do anything to keep salvation we would lose it easily. Yet, II Timothy 1:12 assures us it is Jesus Christ who keeps us, not we ourselves.

 

    C. Galations 2:21 states clearly if we could become righteous by anything we do, then Jesus Christ's death was a waste.

 

III. There is nothing that can separate you from your salvation.

 

     Romans 8:38-39 says, "For I am persuaded, that neither..."

 

    A. "Death" - you can't lose it when you die;

 

    B. "Life" - you can't loose it while you are alive;

 

    C. "Angles" - can't take it from you;

 

    D. "Principalities" - The government can't take it from you;

 

    E. "Powers" - the devil can't cause you to lose it;

 

    F. "Things Present" - nothing happening right now can take it away;

 

    G. "Things to come" - nothing in the future;

 

    H. "Height" - nothing above you;

 

    I. "Depth" - nothing below you can make you lose it;

 

    J. "Nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

 

IV. Your salvation is secure because of your new relationship to God.

 

    A. Your relationship is now a father/child relationship by birth.

         Review John 1:12-13

 

    B. When you were born physically, there was a record made of your birth called a birth certificate. When you were born again, a record was also made. I John 5:11-13

 

    C. Your birth certificate was marked with a seal. Your spiritual birth is sealed by the Holy Spirit of God. Ephesians 1:13, 4:30

 

    D. You will always be your earthly father's child because you were born of his seed. You could leave the country, disown each other, change your name, or never see him or hear from him, or even think about him for the rest of your life but it will never change the fact that he is your father. The same is true of your Heavenly Father. You can die but you can never be unborn. Your birth is fixed forever - both physically and spiritually. Even God himself can not change this fact.

 

V. Basic questions.

 

    A. How can I know for sure I am saved? --- The epistle of I John is written for this purpose. I John 5:13 says, "These things I have written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; That ye may know that you have eternal life,..." As a new Christian, I John should be a primary focal point to help you grow and to settle this issue.

 

    B. What if I don't feel saved?

 

1. Your salvation is not based on feelings. It is based on the objective factual truth of the Word of God.

            a. I John 3.20 says, "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." God knows if you are saved or not, even when you have doubts, negative thoughts and feelings of being lost.

       

            b. Doubts should always be addressed. Take them to God and he will show you how to handle them. God wants you to know that you are saved more than you want to know! If you continue to struggle with doubts, seek council from your pastor. --- I John 4:18

 

            c. Titus 1:2 says, "In hope of eternal life, which is God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."

 

Just believe what God has said! --- I John 2:25