Salvation And The Security of The Believer, Is Never Based On Good Deeds
Many times, people who have strayed away from living for Christ, say that they think they have lost their salvation. When asked what makes them say this, they reply that they got involved in some sort of sin, like adultery or drug use. When asked how will they get their salvation back, they reply by saying they need to stop being unfaithful to their spouse or stop using drugs. The question is... Did they get saved the first time by faith or good works? Nearly everyone says they got saved by faith and acknowledge that good works does not save them. If they got saved by faith the first time, then why would their works be good enough to save them the second, third, or fourth times? It doesn't. If the Apostle Paul said he was the chief of sinners, how many times a day did he lose his salvation and get it back (Romans 7:14-25; 1 Timothy 1:15-17)? See this ridiculous concept, that we could somehow earn our own way to heaven? This should convict us, that whenever we sin as believers, it does not mean that we are going to hell because of it.
The danger of the belief that one can lose their salvation every time they sin, is that the believer has no assurance of salvation and no trust in God, who is the One who [u]keeps[/u] us saved, according to God's promises. They will always be wondering if they are in right standing with God, if they are not living a perfectly holy life. Jesus knows we cannot live a perfect life, as He did, and He doesn't expect us to. Jesus paid for our sins once and for all. He doesn't have to die on the cross, every time we sin. Once was enough! The power of Jesus' blood, and [u]His work of atonement[/u] for our sins, that He accomplished on the cross, is not so weak or watered down that it has to be repeated, in order to keep us saved. Many fear that if they have not repented of any sin they committed, and then suddenly die, they would end up in hell. Where is faith in that? Jesus doesn't want us living in fear. The given Holy Spirit upon receiving Christ as Savior, is not a Spirit of fear, but security for the believer. We should be convicted to examine ourselves when we are caught up in sinful life styles, and we will not want to repeat our sins, but if we truly believe Jesus saved our soul, we will have no doubt about where we will be, when we take our last breath on earth (1 John 5:13).
What makes us think that we have the power or right, to tell the Holy Spirit to leave, after Christ purchased us with His blood? (Ecclesiastes 8:8; John 10:26-29; Acts 20:27-28; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 1:5-14)
People that are confused by this understanding of security in Christ, in many cases, have not really trusted Christ as their Savior, as their focus is based on having to keep the law, in order to keep their salvation. What a miserable way to live. Once they understand that their salvation and eternal security is NOT based on their performance, but on God's promise to keep us saved, it is amazing to see the change that God makes in their life because of their newfound assurance of salvation and knowledge that they know they have eternal life (1 John 5:13). Praise be to God! Salvation is given freely and each believer is forever spiritually stamped and sealed by the Holy Spirit and God's grace (UN-earned favor from God). If grace depended on our cooperation, it would no longer be grace. Jesus said, "Come as you are. I will in no way, turn you away."
[b][c=BF0000]"For by [u]grace[/u] are ye saved, through faith; and that [u]not of yourselves[/u]: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, [u]lest any man should boast[/u]!" Ephesians 2:8–9[/c][/b]
Boast of what? That he saved himself! We are born with a sinful nature. We cannot forgive our own sins. Only Jesus who is sinless, can do that. That is why God the Father appointed and approved Jesus as the only one worthy enough to be called [i]Savior of the world[/i].
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[/center] We do not change God. God and His Word, transforms [u]us[/u], by His Holy Spirit, upon inviting Jesus, our only Mediator [1 Timothy 2:5] between God and man, into our hearts and lives, to be our Savior. Only then, will the Holy Spirit dwell in us, according to God's promises in His Living Word.
Our sins were paid for by Jesus' death on the cross. By accepting his payment and believing in Him, we can be forgiven; we don't have to earn our way into heaven...which is a good thing, because we can't do it. We don't have to do one thing to earn God's love or favor. He already loves us. Scripture tells us that Christ is the only way to God the Father, because without the forgiveness that comes through Jesus', there's simply no way for us to be able to stand before a Holy God. Jesus, the [u]perfect and sinless[/u] Son of God, was the only one qualified to offer Himself as payment for our sins.
[b][c=BF0000][center]Salvation is not based on our performance. It is based on God's promises.[/center][/c][/b] [center]
