Eternal Security
“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast,
and which entereth into that within the veil.”
(Hebrews 6:19)
web site: salembible.org
Sunday School Ministry
Eternal Security
Table of Contents
Intro: An
Important Distinction: Security vs.
Assurance
- The Salvation of God
- The Promises of God
- The Grace of God
- The Faithfulness of God
- The Power of God
- The Life of God
- The Sovereignty of God
- The Justice of God
- The Ministries of God the
Spirit
- The Works of God the Son
- The Love of God the Father
- Misunderstood Terms
Introduction: An Important
Distinction: Security vs. Assurance
A.) Eternal Security Defined: The everlasting and unchanging position of
every true believer in Christ, due to the power and faithfulness of God,
whether realized by the saint or not.
·
John
10:28
B.) Assurance of Salvation Defined: An experiential confidence that one is
genuinely and eternally saved.
·
I
John 5:13 – we can and should KNOW.
·
This
knowledge is not presumption, but FAITH.
C.) Every true believer in Christ is
eternally secure, although NOT every true believer experiences the assurance of
that salvation. Because of ignorance,
many believers (who ARE eternally secure) do not know it, do not believe it,
and thus cannot experience the rest of soul this doctrine was intended to
bring.
D.) Prerequisite for assurance of
salvation: a biblical understanding of
God’s character, God’s promises and the nature of salvation.
E.) Examples of believers who were
“sure” they were going to heaven:
·
Daniel (Dan. 12:13)
·
Paul (II Tim. 1:12; 4:6-8)
·
David (II Sam. 12:23)
F.) Hindrances to assurance of
salvation:
·
A lack of knowledge of the
Scriptures
·
Sin: defeat, unconfessed sin,
repeated failures
·
Trusting exclusively in our own
works for assurance
·
Trusting in our feelings for
assurance
·
Dwelling on our condition rather
than our position
·
Can you think of some others?
I.) The Salvation of God
A.)
Regeneration
1.) Defined: the impartation of
eternal life at the moment of saving faith.
2.) The life given is ETERNAL. (John
3:16; 10:28)
3.) Those regenerated will NEVER
PERISH (John 10:28)
4.) Those regenerated will never come
into CONDEMNATION (John 5:24)
B.)
Propitiation
1.) Defined: The infinite satisfaction
of Divine justice based upon the all sufficiency of the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
2.) I John 2:2 – The present tense
indicates that Christ CONTINUALLY is the propitiation for our sins.
3.) His shed blood has eternally
satisfied the Father with respect to judgment on the believer.
C.)
Redemption
1.) Defined: The work of God through
the blood of Christ whereby He paid as a ransom the price of human sin, and
delivered the believing sinner from the penalty and power of sin.
2.) Heb. 9:12 – an eternal redemption
3.) Eph. 1:13-14 – a promise of future
glorification
D.)
Justification
1.) Defined: To declare righteous
2.)
3.) Rom. 5:9 – saved from any future
wrath
E.)Reconciliation
1.) Defined: The work of God through
the death of Christ, whereby He provided for the changing of man from the state
of enmity to friendship and fellowship.
2.) Rom. 5:10 – those reconciled have
the promise: we SHALL be saved.
3.) Col. 1:21-22 – those reconciled
have the promise of being presented holy and unblamable before God.
F.) Sanctification (Positional)
1.) Defined: the once for all setting
apart of the believer FROM his former position in Adam, his sin and
condemnation and TO his new position in Christ and in His righteousness.
2.) Heb. 10:10 – The believer has been
sanctified once and for all. It never needs to be repeated.
3.) Heb. 10:14 – those sanctified have
been perfected forever.
§
Every aspect of salvation is
clearly revealed to be forever… eternal… secure.
II.) The Promises of God
A.)
Things Which “Shall Be” true
of Every Believer
1.) Rom. 5:9 – we shall be saved
2.) Rom. 8:18 – glory shall be
revealed in us
3.) I Cor. 1:8 – He shall confirm you
unto the end
4.) I Cor. 15:49 – we shall bear the
image of the heavenly
5.) I Cor. 15:51 – we shall be changed
6.) II Cor. 4:14 – we shall be raised
and presented before God with the apostles.
7.) Phil. 1:6 – God will finish the
work of transformation in us
8.) Col. 3:4 – ye shall appear with
Him in glory
9.) I John 3:2 – we shall be like Him.
§
These
are not things that might occur, or could occur. God said that they SHALL be! This could not be said if it were possible to lose one’s
salvation.
§
There
is no uncertainty in any of these promises.
B.)
Promises of Life/Salvation
1.) John 3:16 – Whoever believes shall
have everlasting life.
2.) Acts 16:31 – Believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ and thou SHALT be saved.
3.) Rom. 10:13 – Whosoever shall call
upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved.
4.) Rom. 10:9 – If thou wilt confess
with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised Him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved.
C.)
Promises of No Condemnation
1.)
2.) John
3.) John 3:15-16 – Whosever believeth
in Him should not perish.
4.) John 10:28 – They shall never perish.
5.) John 3:18 – He that believeth on
Him is not condemned.
III.) The Grace of God
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
1.) If salvation were
obtained by our ____good_____ works,
(but it is not!) then it could be lost by our ______bad___works.
2.) Eph.2:8-9 speaks about
the ______past____ tense of salvation.
Salvation has _________already been completed, finished ___
3.) The past tense of
salvation is not a ____process
____that is carried
on and is to be completed later.
4.) What words or expressions
indicate that salvation does not take into
account human merit? gift; grace; not of works;
5.) Note that Paul did NOT
write “By grace are ye __being
__saved.”
Nor did he write “By grace ye __will
__ ___be __ saved.”
Rather, he wrote that “By grace ___ye
___ ___ ARE __ saved.”
The salvation Paul describes is looked
upon as an :
______ completed
______ ____ action ____ .
·
The tense of
the word “saved” in the original indicates a past completed action with present
continuing results.
6.) Salvation by grace....
the kind of salvation God has planned, leaves men
with absolutely no room for ___ boasting
__. Cf.(Rom.3:27)
It demands that 100% of the glory goes to
___ God __. (I Co.1:29)
* Salvation by grace means that human ___ merit
_______
or human _____ effort
____ is not even a consideration on God’s
part with respect to the eternal
destiny of men. (Titus 3:5; Rom.4:5)
7.) Paul states that
salvation is a “gift of God.” A gift is
not earned.
What does God say about His gifts in
Rom.11:29?
God’s gifts and calling are WITHOUT
REPENTENCE. When God gives a free gift, He doesn’t change His
mind!
8.) In Romans 4:16, Paul
states that “it is of faith, that it might by by grace, to the end that the
promise might be sure to all the seed.” This promise is sure because it is of
faith and by grace.
* Paul’s point: If
salvation is of faith by grace (and it
is!) then it
is sure!
* If it were any other
kind of salvation (of works; dependent upon
human
merit even to the tiniest degree) then salvation is NOT sure. That kind of salvation could be lost!
* Since human merit has
NOTHING TO DO WITH eternal destiny, then
salvation rests
totally upon what GOD has done, and is thus sure!
“Every argument
against the eternal security of the believer is based on the human element. As
God definitely and clearly excludes all human element in salvation, every one
of these arguments is thereby ruled out.” (Strombeck, Shall Never Perish)
IV.) The Faithfulness of God
A.) God Cannot Lie
1.
Num.
23:19 – God cannot lie.
2. Heb. 6:17-18 – God’s unilateral promises rest upon HIM and
Him alone for fulfillment.
B.) God Will Not Repent
1.
Num.
23:19 – God does not change His mind.
2.
Rom.
C.) God Performs What He Promises
(Rom. 4:21)
The next time you
are discouraged and thinking about YOUR unfaithfulness to God, think of HIS
faithfulness to His Word! (II Tim.2:13)
V.) The power of God
A.) Kept By the Power of God (I Pet.
1:5)
1. What
is OUR responsibility? To believe!
2. What
is GOD’S responsibility? To keep! Just
believe and leave the keeping to Him!
Cat & monkey
believers: In a region of the Amazon, the natives divided believers up into two
groups: cat & monkey. The “cat”
believers view of salvation viewed their safety as a cat carries her kittens.
Their safety depended upon her grip on them. The monkey group believed they
could lose their salvation. They saw their security in their ability to hold on
to their mother - like a baby monkey holding on to its mother’s back! (author unknown)
B.) No One Can Pluck Us From His Hands
(John 10:29)
- Who could over power Christ
or the Father? No one!
- He never casts us OUT of His
hands or care either. (John 6:37)
C.) He Is Able to Keep That Which I Have
Committed Unto Him (II Tim. 1:12)
1.) What did Paul commit to the Lord?
(His own eternal destiny!)
2.) Of what is Paul persuaded? That God is ABLE to keep.
3.) For how long of a period of time
does God “keep” in this passage? Until that day… of His coming. (Cf. II
Tim.4:18 – Paul was assured of being in the future Kingdom!)
D.) He Is Able to Save to the
Uttermost (Heb. 7:25)
Uttermost is translated “unto the
end” in John 13:1.
E.) He Is Able to Keep Us From
Falling (Jude 24)
The believer is kept
by the infinite power of God! Our salvation rests NOT upon our feeble
ability to “hold on” to God. Our salvation rests upon God’s ability to “hold
on” to us. He is able!
VI.) The Life of God
A.)The Life God Gives Believers Is Eternal
B.)Eternal Life Lasts Forever… It Never Ends
C.)Eternal Life is a Present Possession of Every Believer
1.)
John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not
the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
§
Hath = present
tense; the believer already has everlasting life - NOW!
§
Eternal life
is nothing something we receive when we die and go to heaven.
§
The true
believer has life NOW.
2.)
John 5:24
- Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him
that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but
is passed from death unto life.
§
Hath = present
tense (hath everlasting life now)
§
Is passed =
perfect tense, which speaks of a past completed action with present continuing
results. (He STANDS passed from death unto life with the continuing result of
now still possessing life.)
4.)
John 6:47-Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (Hath = present tense – now!)
5.)
John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my
blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
§
Hath = present
tense – now.
§
Will raise =
Regeneration is present; resurrection of the body is future
6.)
1John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given
to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
§
Hath given =
aorist act. ind. = speaks of action completed in the past.
§
God has
already given the believer LIFE.
7.)
1John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that
hath not the Son of God hath not life.
(Hath = present tense) Those who have received Christ presently HAVE
life. (Cf. John 1:12)
8.)
1John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto
life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in
death.
§
Have passed =
perfect active ind. = past completed action with present continuing results.
§
Perfect
indicates that we have passed from death to life and STAND in that position.
9.)
1John 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.
§
Have = present
tense
10.)
1John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto
life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in
death.
§
Have passed =
perfect active
§
We STAND
passed from death unto life with the continuing result of ongoing LIFE.
11.)
Eternal life
is not something we gain when we die
and go to heaven. It is a present
possession and it never ends.
D.)
Our Life Is Connected to His Life
1.)
John 14:19
– “Because I live, ye shall live also.”
a.)
His
resurrected life is the foundation or basis for our new life.
b.)
If His life
could end, then our life in Him would end. Both are impossible.
c.)
“The life
which He has we have; the life of the head in glory is the life which is in
every one of His members on earth, and we are the members of His body, His
flesh, and His bones. His life can never die, never be affected or destroyed by
enemies, and such is our life. It is hid with Christ in God.” (Arno C.
Gaebelein)
2.)
John 6:51-58 – “If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever.”
a.)
The one who
eats (receives by faith) Christ he shall live forever.
b.)
To have Christ
is to have eternal life.
3.)
I John 5:11 – God gave us eternal life and this life is in His Son.
a.)
vs. 12 – He
that hath the Son hath life (eternal life)
b.)
Do you have
the Son? Then you have life eternal.
VII.) The Sovereignty of God
A.)
God’s Sovereign Purpose for the
Believer
1.) Eph. 1:3-6
- He chose us that we might stand before Him holy and without blame.
2.) God’s purposes are not thwarted by
man’s frailty. God’s purposes are not dependent upon man’s ability. God’s
purposes for the believer SHALL be carried out.
a.) Phil. 1:6
– He will perform that good work in us until the day of Jesus Christ.
b.) I Cor. 1:8-9
– He will confirm us to the end, that we may be blameless in the day of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
c.)
3.) God’s purpose is that no true
believer ever be lost. (John 6:37-40)
4.) Heb. 6:13-18
– The Abrahamic Covenant is an example of the unconditional nature of God’s
promises.
a.) God has promised eternal life to
all those who believe. He has also promised that they shall not come into
condemnation. (John 5:24)
b.) Heb. 6:13 – the covenant was
unilateral (Cf. Gen. 15:8-17)
c.) Vs. 14 – “I will” demonstrates the unconditional nature; God
did all the work; God makes all the promises.
d.) Vs. 15 – fulfillment was delayed,
but it was sure.
e.) Vs. 16 – once ratified, there can
be no more arguing over the terms or changing of terms.
f.)
Vs.
17 – God reassured Abram by an oath – it is confirmed and unchangeable.
5.) Rom. 4:16
– Grace/faith make the covenant 100% dependent upon God and thus SURE!
a.) The subject of this context is
salvation: justification by grace through faith (4:1-9)
b.) Paul’s point is that salvation is
either by law/works or it is by grace/faith.
c.) These two are mutually exclusive.
There can be no mixing of these two concepts or systems. (vs.4-5,14; 11:6)
d.) Paul then explains that salvation
is by the grace/faith system. (vs.3,5)
e.) Abraham is used as an example.
God’s promise to Abraham was not according to the law, but according to faith.
(vs.13) That’s the way God works. That’s the way God makes promises.
f.)
Paul’s
conclusion: (vs. 16)
·
God’s
promise of salvation is by FAITH… so that it might be by grace… and not
according to man’s ability to keep the law.
·
What
is the reason or purpose for making salvation by faith/grace? SO THAT it might
be SURE!
·
The
moment one introduces works (man’s effort/ability) then salvation becomes
uncertain… unsure.
·
But
when it is by means of faith/grace… then it is sure, because it does not depend
upon man’s ability, but it depends upon God’s ability and His faithfulness.
That makes it certain.
·
The
only system that guarantees SECURITY is a system of grace – that removes man’s
ability and effort totally from the equation.
·
Paul’s
point: because salvation is by grace, it is therefore SURE… certain… secure…
VIII.) The justice of God
A.)
God’s Justice Demands Death
1.) Ezek. 18:4 – the soul that sinneth
it shall die
2.) Rom. 6:23 – the wages of sin is
death
B.)
Christ Died in Our Place
1.) Christ died for us (
2.) The Lord laid on Him the iniquity
of us all (Isa. 53:6).
3.) Christ suffered for our sins (I
Peter 3:18)
4.) Christ bore our sins on the cross
(I Peter 2:24)
C.)
The Penalty of the Law Has Already
Been Paid in Full
1.) Christ bore the curse of the Law
(Gal. 3:13). The justice of the law has been satisfied.
D.)
The Judge, the Law, and the
Accuser
1.) The Judge
has been eternally satisfied that His justice has been upheld.
a.) Christ’s sacrifice satisfied the
Father, the Judge (I John 2:2; 4:10)
b.) We are justified in the eyes of
the Judge. (Rom. 5:1)
c.) The Judge is now FOR us. (
d.) The Judge now sees us as “righteous”
before His throne. (Rom. 3:22)
e.) The law does not condemn the
righteous. (Deut. 25:1)
f.)
Therefore
the Judge says of all those in Christ, “There is therefore now NO
condemnation.” (Rom. 8:1)
2.) The Law
has also been upheld and its justice satisfied.
a.) The law demanded death and its
penalty was paid in full. The law was fulfilled and satisfied.
b.) Not only did Christ die for us,
but our old man was crucified with Him (
c.) Hence, the law has nothing to say
to a dead man. It has no jurisdiction over a dead man. (Rom. 7:4)
d.) The law cannot come after us. It
has been settled at the cross. (Col. 2:14)
Christ blotted “out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.”
e.) “My sin, oh the bliss of this
glorious thought; my sin not in part but the whole; is nailed to His cross and
I bear it no more! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh, my soul.” (Horatio G.
Spafford)
3.) The Accuser
- has nothing against us.
a.) The devil may accuse us before the
Judge, but his charges are dismissed out of God’s court.
b.) No one can lay anything to the
charge of God’s elect. (Rom. 8:33)
c.) No one can bring an accusation
against us before this Judge. The Judge is now FOR US. (Rom. 8:31)
d.) No one can condemn us because of
the work of Christ on our behalf – His past and present ministries for us.
(Rom. 8:34)
e.) No man or angel could ever bring
forth a charge that could ever condemn the believer in Christ. God is for us.
4.) Our Advocate
– we have an Advocate in heaven (I John 2:1)
a.) If we sin (and we will!), we are
not condemned.
b.) Rather, we have an Advocate – the
Lord Jesus. The Advocate is on our side. When an accusation comes, our Advocate
says, “I died for that sin. That sin cannot condemn this child. The penalty for
that sin has already been paid in full. No condemnation!”
c.) In addition, He is in heaven
interceding on our behalf.
d.) He is our Propitiation (I John
2:2)
e.) The Father, the Judge, is FOR US.
f.)
Even
our sin cannot condemn us.
g.) There is nothing and no one left
to condemn the blood bought child of God.
h.) Divine justice has been fully and
eternally satisfied at the cross.
i.)
Psalm
127:1-3
IX.) The Ministries of God the Spirit
A.)
Regeneration
1.) Regeneration: the impartation of
eternal life. (John 3:3,5,16)
2.) The life God gives is eternal.
B.)
Indwelling
1.) Indwelling Defined: The Holy
Spirit’s permanent residence (abode; dwelling) in the body of every believer of
this age until the day of redemption. (John 14:17)
2.) Its permanence:
a.) I Cor. 6:19 – if the carnal
Corinthians did not lose their salvation or the indwelling presence of the Holy
Spirit. Even sinning Christians are indwelt by the Spirit. The FACT of
indwelling was the BASIS for the exhortation to a godly life.
b.) II Cor. 5:5 – the presence of the
Spirit is a “gift” of grace. Hence, if it is of grace, it is sure. It is not
merited by good works. It is not lost by bad works.
c.) Rom. 8:9 – if a man is not
indwelt, then he is not saved. Hence, we are indwelt by the Spirit every moment
of our salvation. The presence of the Spirit is proof of salvation.
d.) John 14:16 – He will abide with us
forever.
C.)
Sealing
1.) Defined: The indwelling presence
of the Holy Spirit IS the seal.
2.) The concept of a seal in the Bible
and its implications
a.) A seal speaks of a finished transaction (Jer. 32:9-10)
b.) A seal speaks of ownership. (Jer. 32:10-11)
c.) A seal speaks of security. (Esther 8:8; Dan. 6:17)
d.) A seal speak of reaching a final
destiny (registered mail)
3.) Eph. 4:30
a.) Even sinning believers whose lives
grieve the Spirit are “sealed.” (Not just
spiritual believers)
b.) The seal lasts “until the day of
redemption.” (The day when Christ returns to take us home forever.)
4.) Eph. 1:13-14 – the Spirit’s seal
is our security
a.) Earnest: a down payment; a
deposit; a guarantee that the
transaction WILL be completed
one day.
b.) Redemption of the purchased
possession
·
The
purchased possession: our body
·
Redemption
of our body: will occur at the Rapture
·
We
are sealed and secure UNTIL Christ
takes us home
·
Our
inheritance in heaven is
secure.
·
Our
eternal destiny is sealed and
secure.
·
The
sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit is God’s personal guarantee.
X.) The Works OF GOD the Son
A.)
Christ’s Work on the Cross
1.) His ONE offering of His precious blood on the cross was sufficient
to save us to the uttermost.
(Heb. 7:27)
2.) His blood provided for eternal
redemption. (Heb. 9:12)
3.) He put away our sin once and for all. (Heb. 9:26
4.) The question is, are personal grounds for condemnation
(as the Arminians believe) or has Christ’s death paid fully the debt of sin and
thus removed sin as a ground for condemnation?
5.) According to John, what IS the
ground for condemnation today? (John 3:18)
B.)
Christ’s Resurrection and
Resurrection Life
1.) Christ rose and every believer of
this age has already been raised up with Him into heavenly places.
2.) Our salvation will continue as
long as He lives. (Rom. 5:10)
3.) Our position is in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:6)
4.) Our life is hidden with Christ in God in heaven. (Col. 3:4)
5.) Our inheritance is reserved for us in heaven. (I Pet. 1:3-4)
6.) Our citizenship is in heaven. (Phil. 3:20)
C.)
Christ’s High Priestly Prayer For
Us
1.) John 17:1-26
a.) Christ did not pray for the world. (vs. 9b)
b.) Christ prayed for the disciples (vs.9)
c.) Christ prayed for us (vs.20)
2.) Christ prayed for preservation (vs.11) He prayed that
the Father would KEEP those whom He gave to the Son.
·
Will
the Father keep them? (I Pet. 1:5)
3.) Christ prayed for sanctification (vs.15)
·
Will
they be sanctified? (Heb. 10:10,14)
4.) Christ prayed for glorification (vs.24)
·
Will
they be glorified? (Rom. 8:30; Heb. 2:10; Rom. 8:18)
5.) When does God answer prayer? (I John 5:14)
a.) God answers prayer when it is
prayed according to His will.
b.) Were the motives of Jesus selfish
or according to God’s will?
c.) Was there sin in His life which
would prevent the prayer from being answered?
D.)
Christ’s Ongoing Heavenly Ministry
1.) Rom. 8:34 – He won’t condemn us.
He is continually upholding us in prayer before the Father. (Cf. Heb. 7:23-25)
2.) What does Jesus pray for us? (Luke
22:32)
a.) Can a believer ever cease to be a
believer?
b.) Can faith become weak? (Luke
12:28)
c.) Can faith ever cease altogether?
3.) Christ’s ministry as our Advocate
a.) I John 2:1-2 – our Advocate is
also our propitiation. He is
our defense attorney.
b.) He appears in heaven for us. (Heb. 9:24)
c.) He promised that He would never
no never leave us nor forsake
us. (Heb. 13:5)
d.) The One who is our Defense, our
Advocate, who prays for us, who died for us, who appears in heaven for us and
will never leave us, will certainly never TURN
AGAINST us!
XI.) The Love of God the Father
A. God’s Love For His Chosen People Is Everlasting
1.) Eph. 1:4-5 – God’s choice to place
His love upon us was NOT based upon our merit, works, or “loveliness.” God’s
love is extended to us regardless of what we deserve. Even sin cannot end God’s
agape love for us.
2.) Jeremiah 31:3 – an everlasting
love.
a.) This love was for His elect
nation,
b.) Even in the midst of their
apostasy, His love was everlasting.
c.) Everlasting means that NOTHING can
thwart, hinder, or prevent it.
3.) Rom. 8:38-39 – Nothing can
separate us from the love of God.
B. Whom the Lord Loveth, He Chasteneth
1.) Some would argue that when a
believer sins (a real big sin!) and continues in it, he will lose his
salvation.
a.) That is tantamount to saying that
because of sin, the Father will reject His son.
2.) As a son, we were BORN into God’s
family. (John 1:12)
a.) Not every son is always an
obedient son. Some sons sin. Some sons commit awful sins. (David committed
murder and adultery. Peter denied the Lord.)
b.) The Father DOES deal with sin in
the lives of His children, but not by removing us from His family.
c.) God deals with sin in the lives of
His children by chastening them. (Heb. 12:6-7)
d.) God does NOT chasten those who are
not His sons (those who are not born into His family). (Heb. 12:8)
e.) Chastening is painful to the
disobedient son, but is an expression of the Father’s love. (Heb. 12:6)
3.) Those who teach you can lose your
salvation are teaching that when a son sins (a big sin, or a series of sins),
then God might disown him.
a.) The Bible does not teach that. The
Bible states that when a son sins, the Father deals with him “as a son.” (Heb.
12:7)
b.) The Father chastens SO THAT the
disobedient son will repent, and return to the place of fellowship and fruit
once again. (Heb. 12:10-11)
4.) Sin does not end our position as a
son, but it does temporarily change the condition of our walk and our
fellowship with the Father.
a.) God is grieved when His sons sin.
(Eph. 4:30)
b.) Fellowship is temporarily cut off
because of sin. (Isa. 59:2; I John 1:6-9)
c.) God “spanks” His sons when they
sin.
d.) God never DISOWNS a son when he sins.
e.) Chastening is corrective. It is
designed to cause the disobedient son to repent and become obedient. (Heb.
12:10-11; Luke 15:11-24)
5.) On rare occasion, a disobedient
son will NOT repent. Sometimes a disobedient son will not respond to chastening.
a.) Such a disobedient believer is to
be rejected from the fellowship of the assembly. (I Cor. 5:1-5a)
b.) This non-responsive disobedient
believer is severely chastened of the Lord, rejected from the fellowship, and
is to be turned over to the world (the realm of our adversary). (I Cor. 5:5)
c.) But even if his flesh is
destroyed, his spirit is saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. He may be
chastened, and the chastening may be so severe he looses his earthly life, yet,
he is still saved.
d.) Sin destroyed his testimony, his
usefulness, and his fellowship with God and man, but it COULD NOT take away his
eternal life.
e.) I Cor.
·
As
a result, some of them were severely chastened.
·
The
Lord even took the lives of some. God took their earthly lives, but their souls
were saved.
·
They
were chastened, but not condemned. (vs. 32)
·
Sons
are chastened (Heb. 12:5-6). Illegitimate sons are not chastened (Heb. 12:8).
·
Illegitimate
sons (those who are not genuine sons of God) are not chastened but are
condemned (I Cor. 11:32).
f.)
I
Cor. 3:13-15 – The son whose life is not pleasing to the Father will be
chastened in this life and will be judged at the Bema seat.
·
Time
wasted in the flesh and sin will bring a loss of reward.
·
However,
he himself “shall be saved; yet so
as by fire.” (vs.15)
6.) God, as a loving Father, will deal
with sin in the lives of His own dear children.
a.) He may even deal severely.
b.) But because He loves them as a
Father loves a son, He will never disown them or reject them as sons.
c.) He chastens His sons “that we
should NOT be condemned with the world. (I Cor. 11:32)
d.) Because He loves us, He chastens
us SO THAT we will not be condemned with the world.
e.) There is therefore now NO
condemnation for those whom the Lord loveth.
f.)
Chastening,
yes. Condemnation, never!
XII.) Misunderstood Terms
A.)
Falling
Questions to Consider:
a. Who is being addressed?
b. What is the context?
c. Falling from what?
d. Falling into what?
1.
II
Peter 3:17
a.
Believers
(called “beloved” – used 53 times – of Christ & believers only)
b.
Scoffers
of the last day (3:3); false teachers (2:1-2) who lead many astray.
c.
Steadfastness
- not salvation. Salvation is unchangeable; the steadiness of our walk &
doctrine is not. Our condition can falter. We can fall (Cf. Prov. 24:16)
d.
The
error of the wicked (lawless ones). Yes, believers CAN fall into doctrinal
error, but NOT into Hell! (Similar to the
warning in James 5:19-20)
* led away into error = same
word as carried away in Gal. 2:13 –
Barnabus
2.
I
Cor. 10:12
a.
Believers
– especially, the proud, self sufficient ones. Many of them were carnal, but
they were believers – in Christ (Cf. I Cor. 3:1-3)
b.
A
warning not to abuse liberty – as
c.
FROM
the safe, wise use of liberty…
d.
INTO
pride & sin… which is often the result of abusing liberty. (I can handle
this!) As a result of their sin, they were severely chastened – and 23,000 FELL
and were chastened of the Lord. (Pride
is a trap that causes men to fall – cf. I Tim. 3:6-7) Because of his pride,
Satan was demoted… lost his position… pride brought Satan down… that is the
only point Paul makes with this. (Cf.
Prov.16:18 – pride goes before destruction)
3.
Galatians
5:4
a.
Believers
who had been “made free” (vs.1) & justified by faith (2:16). These folks
had already been made free in Christ and were challenged to stand fast in that
liberty & not to become entangled in legalistic living.
b.
Judaizers:
these false teachers were trying to convince believers in Christ that they were
required to put themselves under the Law of Moses. (justification 1:6; 3:11
& sanctification – 2:4; 3:1-3)
·
Acts
15:1-2; 5-11 – the apostles dealt with this issue at
c.
FROM
grace as a rule of life… they were to walk by grace as a rule of life; in doing
so, the fruit of the Spirit and the indwelling life of Christ would be
manifested (Gal. 4:19; 5:22-23; 6:15)
·
For
a born again believer to reject grace and return to law in hopes of earning his
salvation or keeping it – would be a fall.
·
But
note Paul does not say they fall from salvation – but rather from grace…
used here as the method of their walk or rule of life.
·
Adding
Law (works; flesh) to Grace (faith;
Spirit) = leaven. Vs.9
d.
INTO
bondage to the law... (the believers were being told by the Judaizers that they
needed to submit to circumcision – vs.3. That was tantamount to putting
themselves under the Mosaic Law. Saved by grace – and then trying to live under
the law! (Cf. Gal.3:1-3) Under the law, the fruit of the flesh would be
manifested. Once you place yourself under law, you are obligated to keep the
ENTIRE law…
B.) “IF”
1.) Col. 1:21-23
a.) The word “if” here is not
ean (ἑαν), an unfulfilled, hypothetical
condition used with the subjunctive mode, presenting the possibility of
a future realization,
b.) But it is ei (εἰ) with
the indicative, having here the idea of “assuming that you continue in
the faith.” (first class condition)
c.) Some chose to translate it as “since”…
but that might be too strong. However, “if” is equally misleading.
d.) Paul is not questioning, but
assuming that the Colossians will continue in the faith. That’s what believers
do… they continue.
e.) Continuing in the faith is
EVIDENCE of life…
f.)
A
believer can stumble and not walk with God for a while… BUT God will eventually
step in… conviction; chastening; wooing; lifting up;
2.) Heb. 3:6,14
a.) Who is addressed? Believers!
·
Holy brethren; partakers of the heavenly calling (3:1) “Whose house ARE we.”
(This is the church – in contrast to the house of
·
They
ARE MADE (become; perfect tense) (not hope to become; or shall continue to be) partakers
of Christ (partakers: participate with; a partner; fellows; (vs.14)
b.) IF we hold fast… if we hold… our confidence
steadfast unto the end…
·
Both
“ifs” here are (3rd class
cond.) different than the one in Col. 1:23
·
It
IS possible for a true believer to become discouraged and to lose his
confidence… for a while. (Heb. 10:35)
·
By
holding fast to their confidence to the end, they DEMONSTRATE that they are
true believers. It is not a requirement for salvation so much as it is an
EVIDENCE of it… PROOF of it.
·
That’s
how you can tell a true believer. He continues. (John 8:31)
·
The
one who does NOT continue does not lose his salvation. Rather, he demonstrates
that he never had it.
·
What
a warning to young people brought up in a Christian home. Sometimes parents
don’t know for sure if their kids are saved or not UNTIL they move out on their
own… and see if their faith continues…
OR does it cease… because it was really just an extension of their
parent’s faith… and not their own?
c.) Of course, there ARE folks who appear
to be Christians… but have never experienced the new birth. They are
not genuine… and they will NOT hold fast to the end!
·
II Pet. 2:20-22 –
1.
Here
are folks who SEEM to be saved: They escaped the pollutions of the world
through the knowledge of Christ.
2.
Yet,
they end up worse than before… like dog returning to its own vomit.
3.
These
folks did NOT lose their salvation. They never had it.
a.
The
message they heard: words of vanity! (vs.18)
b.
The
life they led: corruption disguised as liberty (vs.19)
c.
Who
were they following: false teachers! (vs.1)
d.
False
teachers & their followers aren’t saved unto the end, because they were
never saved at the beginning!
·
I John 2:19 – Some aligned themselves with
the believers, but they went out from them – for one cause or another. This was
proof to John that they were NEVER really with them! This happens all often in
our age… especially when there is not such a heavy price to pay to name the
name of Christ.
·
It
is not that these folks lost their salvation. Rather, the fact that they
withered up in time of trouble indicates that they never HAD salvation
in the first place!
·
The
fact that they did not continue was evidence that their profession of faith was
not genuine.
2.) I Cor. 15:2
a.) Paul addresses them as brethren. (vs.1)
b.) They were saved by the gospel. (vs.2)
c.) (εἰ κατεχετε). Condition of first class. Paul assumes
that they are holding fast.
·
The
point of bringing it up was that there were false teachers opposing the
doctrine of resurrection.
·
Paul
states that IF there is no resurrection, THEN they are not saved. (vs.13-14)
·
Paul’s
gospel INCLUDED the resurrection. That gospel saves!
·
To
reject that gospel and cling to one that rejected resurrection would be to
believe in vain.
d.) However, there may have been some
professing believers in their midst. Those who held on to Christian beliefs and
were not saved, could easily let go of them – especially in a time of
persecution.
e.) For those professing believers who
did not hold fast to the Word – their actions proved that they were not
genuinely saved. Their faith was VAIN (empty).
C.) Damnation
1.) I Cor. 11:28-30
a.) Here Paul speaks of a believer
bringing damnation upon himself. Can
that be?
b.) Damnation: it is judgment, but
what kind? The context indicates that it is chastening… (whom the
Lord loveth, He chasteneth)
c.) Vs. 32 – defines it as such. We are
chastened (krima) so that we are not condemned (katakrino) with the
world.
d.) Play on words:
·
vs.29
– not discerning the Lord’s Body (diakrino)
·
vs.
29 - Bring damnation to himself (krima)
·
vs.
31 – if we judge ourselves (diakrima)
·
vs.
31 – we should not be judged (krino ---
in the sense of chastened)
·
vs.
32 – condemned with the world (katakrino)
2.) I Tim. 5:11-12 – younger widows
“have damnation.”
a.) Younger widows were not to be
taken “into the number” of those helped by the church financially. They were to
get married. (vs.9-10)
b.) If a young widow’s bad behavior
would bring a “censure” kind of judgment.
* Cf. usage in Jas. 3:1 – teachers receive greater
condemnation – scrutiny…
3.) The Greek term: krima (judgment; chastening; censure) It CAN refer to judgment on earth
(chastening; censure) or eternal judgment. The context must determine.
4.) Consider Romans 8:1 & John
5:24 – there is NO condemnation (in the sense of being cast into Hell) for the
believer.
D.)
Believers Who Perish?
1.) Acts 8:12-23 – Simon
a.) Simon believed and was baptized. (vs.13)
b.) Simon sought to purchase the gift
of God. He obviously did not understand the doctrine of grace. (vs.17-19) He
didn’t understand salvation by grace.
c.) Peter recognized that this man was
perishing (vs.20) and needed
to repent (vs.22)
d.) Simon believed but was perishing. What kind of faith did he have?
·
He
possessed an intellectual faith
but did not receive Christ by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9)
·
Intellectual
faith did not save him. Neither did his baptism.
·
Simon’s
faith was not genuine.
·
Genuine
faith includes the following:
¨
Intellect
(understanding the correct facts of the gospel)
¨
Emotion
(assent to the truth of the facts of the gospel)
¨
Will
(choose/receive Christ to be one’s personal Savior – John 1:12)
2.) Luke 8:13 – Rocky soil “believers”
a.) These folks “for a while believe”
and then fall away.
b.) Their faith did not continue.
c.) John 3:16 – whosoever BELIEVETH in
Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
·
Believeth
= present tense; this indicates CONTINUOUS action.
·
A
true believer cannot stop believing.
·
His
faith may become weak and FRAIL, but it can never FAIL. (Luke 22:32)
·
If
a man’s faith does not continue, it indicates that it was not genuine, saving faith.
·
It
was either intellectual or emotional
consent to the truth, but not saving faith.
·
If
it doesn’t continue, it isn’t real.
(Col. 1:21-23)
·
The
rocky soil folks fell away and were lost because they were never saved!
If a
believer could lose his salvation, then we must conclude the following:
¨
Eternal life is not eternal (John 3:16).
¨
Those who heard God’s Word and believed on Christ DID come
to condemnation. (John 5:24)
¨
Christ cast out the one He said He would never cast out
(John 6:37)
¨
Jesus was mistaken when He said we would never perish.
(John 10:28)
¨
Someone (Satan? Self?) was, in fact, able to pluck us out
of the Father’s hands. (John 10:28-29)
¨
Some who come to Christ WILL be cast out. (John 6:37)
¨
The Father will refuse to answer the High Priestly prayer
of His Son when He prays for our future glorification. (John 17:24)
¨
Because He lives, we might perish. (John 14:19)
¨
Someone overpowered God and He was not able to keep us (I
Pet. 1:5)
¨
God repented (changed His mind) concerning His gift of life (Eph. 2:8-9) and
His calling us to Himself (Rom. 11:29)
¨
He will confirm us only until we sin. (I Cor. 1:8-9)
¨
The Body of Christ would be dismembered.
¨
God is not faithful to His promises.
¨
Our citizenship in heaven will be revoked. (Phil. 3:20)
¨
God forsook those He claimed He would never forsake.
(Heb.13:5)
¨
The promise of appearing with Christ in glory will not be
kept. (Col. 3:4)
¨
Salvation is dependent upon our works (Eph. 2:8-9)
¨
God’s everlasting love for His chosen people did not last
forever. (Jer. 31:1)
¨
Christ was not able to save to the uttermost those who
come unto God by Him. (Heb. 7:25)
¨
Those justified by His blood shall NOT be saved from wrath
through Him. (Rom. 5:9)
¨
Much more, being reconciled, we might be saved by His
life. (Rom. 5:10)
¨
God who was for us, turned against us. (Rom. 8:31)
¨
In the final analysis, salvation is based upon human merit
and works. (Eph. 2:8-9)
¨
Christ died and rose again for us, and is presently
interceding for us, but someone laid something to our charge that was not
covered by Christ’s work and we were condemned. (
¨
Something separated us from the love of God which is in
Christ Jesus (Rom.
¨
Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall NOT
be saved. (Rom. 10:13)
¨
We shall be sealed only until the day of a big sin. (Eph.
4:30)
¨
We can NOT be confident that He that hath begun a good
work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6)
¨
Eternal redemption is not eternal (Heb. 9:12)
¨
We cannot have assurance of salvation and must live in
fear of losing it daily. There is no rest for our souls.
¨
God’s Word is not reliable, for it made many promises that
were not kept.
¨
Our inheritance in heaven may become corruptible, may be
defiled, may fade away, and the reservation may be broken. (I Pet. 1:4)
¨
The Father is not entirely satisfied with the work of His
Son on the cross. (I John 2:2)
Some of the illustrations used in this lesson were gleaned from
Chafer’s Systematic Theology and from the excellent book by Harold
Barker entitled Secure Forever, published by Loizeaux Brothers.