Your Relationship with God is Secure!
Welcome back to my blog. Several weeks so we began a vital discussion, our security of salvation. This is a critical point to understand scripture.
Christians have entered the gateway to a relationship with God by faith in Christ’s forgiveness for our sins by His death on the cross. Through His gracious sacrifice, God sees us without fault and completely accepted by Him (Ephesians 2:7-9; Romans 3:21-25; Romans 10:9).
What is next step? After salvation, it is important to realize that as Christians we are SECURE in our relationship with God. In providing salvation God also has graciously given us promises and positions that cannot be broken.
Why is this critical? We cannot grow in our faith and serve others well if we lack confidence that God accepts us.
Over the last several blogs we discussed the critical concepts of our spiritual baptism, justification before God, adoption into God's family and that we are his permanent possession. This week let us examine two more incredible promises from God that confirms the permanent relationship of a born-again believer to our God.
Perseverance
This word is does not appear in the scriptures, however, it represents an important concept built on the fact that God Himself safeguards our salvation and not us. Therefore, we do not have to work or strive to maintain our salvation and worry that we will spoil it in some manner. Important scripture verses pertaining to God’s keeping us are 1 Corinthians 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and Philippians 1:6.
God chose us to salvation
This important doctrine can be a cause of heated debate. However, as always, we must look to scripture as our source of truth. The Bible tells us that God indeed chose us to come to salvation. Let us look at what scripture says. The primary verses are Ephesians 1:4,5 and 11, as well as Romans 8:28-39.
Reason for God’s choosing God had to choose us because scripture is clear that we were incapable of choosing Him because of our fallen nature (Psalms 14:1-3: 53:1-3; Romans 3:10-18). As fallen people we would not choose Him, we do not understand him we did not seek h\Him and have no capacity to do good. Consequently, for any of us to be saved God must choose and drag us to salvation (John 6:44). This is out of His mercy and grace; we do not deserve it!
Attitude in choosing us - He chose us to salvation out of graciousness, love, wisdom, knowledge, for His good pleasure and to His praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:4-8).
God must choose - God throughout history has had to choose His servants for His purposes and maintain a remnant of His people to testify of Him on earth; for example, Noah, Moses, Abraham, and David, along with many others. Therefore, the fact that He chose us as Christians to come to know Him is consistent with His past behavior in maintaining a witness in the world.
Intent of the passages describing God’s choosing – The purpose of predestination verses in context is not to create controversy but to give the reader comfort that they are secure in salvation with God. Our salvation is apart from works.
Surely, we have a wonderful God who is provided for us a great salvation which is secure and embedded in his great promises that cannot be overturned. He deserves our thanks and praise every day for this kind provision.
Join me again next time as we continue discuss the great promises that provide security in our salvation.
William C. Stewart, MD
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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.
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