The great promise of eternal security
Welcome back to my blog. We are in the middle of a wonderful discussion of eternal security. This is a vital theme in the Christian life that gives us confidence in our relationship with God and allows us peace of mind, spiritual growth as well as to better serve both our Lord and other men.
To date, we have discussed direct statements in scripture that state our salvation is secure God Himself causes us to persevere, the Holy Spirit has sealed us to our salvation, and we are regenerated into a new holy person acceptable to God. Please review the last few blogs for our initial compelling discussion on eternal security.
Let us continue today by discussing the two more primary positions in Christ that result from salvation and are unchangeable.
Justification (we are innocent)
This is a vital result of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Let us examine in some detail the meaning of this great promise.
- Meaning of the New Testament word – This word is key because the complete meaning in Greek of the word, “justification” (δικαιος, dikaios) is not fully conveyed by the English. The word dikaios carried a legal sense that still exists today in modern Greek. In the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, the term signified that someone who was found innocent in a court of law of all charges against them, just like now, there was no double jeopardy (1). This important legal concept means once you have been found innocent you cannot be charged again for the same crime.
- Christ’s work in justification – The Bible indicates that each of us has sinned and “fallen short” of what God requires of us (Romans 3:23). Because God is just, He demands punishment for our misdeeds. However, because He is loving, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment in our place (Romans 3:24-26).
- It’s as though Christ acted as a courtroom judge, found us guilty of our sins, sentenced us to death, but afterwards, stood up, removed His judicial robe, came around in front of the judge’s bench and took the punishment for us, our past present and future sins!
- Christ’s death satisfied God’s demand for righteousness but also showed His great and gracious love for us.
- No other work or sacrifice is required – Importantly, Christ is a sufficient sacrifice for our sins as He is perfect, holy and without sin (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 7:26; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, Christ satisfied God’s righteous demand for judgment. Accordingly, He died once for all sin, for all time, and He does not need to repeat this as did the Old Testament priests (Hebrews 6:1-14; 10:10-18).
- Our legal position before God was pronounced “innocent” when we trusted Christ for forgiveness of our sins. We do this only once and our sins are forgiven for all time. Since Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient for all our sins for all time, nobody can charge us again (Romans 8:31-34). There is no double jeopardy!
Adoption
This concept is important in our society because when a family legally adopts a child the new family member gains all the rights and privileges of a naturally born child (2). In other words, their new status in the family is permanent and cannot be overturned. What a great promise of security to the child!
Likewise, in the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, as in our own society (with some differences), adoption provided permanent legal status for a child that could not be overturned (3). The Apostle Paul states our status as adopted children into God’s family in four separate places in his epistles, indicating the importance of our new position following accepting Christ as Savior through faith (Romans 8:15; 23; Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:5). Consequently, we are children of God, adopted into His family with legal protection and a permanent status.
What great promised positions we hold before God, permanently accepted and guaranteed to please Him.
Next time we will cover a special passage talking about those who do not believe that Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient and God's attitude towards them. This passage will also help confirm that we are secure in our salvation. Join us again.
A full life is reserved for those who know and do scripture!
William C. Stewart, MD
1. http://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/adoption.html
2. http://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/seal.html
3. https://www.westernseminary.edu/transformedblog/2014/02/25/baptisim-meaning-and-mode/
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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. 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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