Security of Salvation: Part 4

Your Relationship with God is Secure!

Welcome back to my blog. Over the last several blogs, we have 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 confirm the permanent relationship of a born-again believer to our God.  

God's love for us is deep and unconditional. He chooses us despite our past, our flaws, and our mistakes. His desire is for all people to be saved and come to know the truth. God's choice is not limited to a select few; it extends to everyone throughout history and into the future. He eagerly waits for us to accept Him. 

Perseverance 

 

This word 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 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.

 

·       The 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.

  

In summary, God's choice and our free will intersect beautifully. He chooses us out of love, and we respond by choosing Him. 

Surely, we have a wonderful God who iprovided 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 of provision. 

 

Join me again next time as we continue to discuss the great promises that provide security in our salvation.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

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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 alone 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.

 

 

 

Security of Salvation: Part 3

 

Your relationship with God is secure!

Welcome back to my blog. We continue this series about security of salvation. Last week we discussed the important concept of our justification before God; that He sees us without sin based on the forgiveness by faith through Christ. This week let us examine two other great promises that point to our permanent relationship with God that cannot be broken.

Adoption 

In the Bible, adoption is one of several important terms used to describe the process of salvation and its subsequent benefits. God, as a loving Father, graciously adopts believers in Christ into His spiritual family, granting them all the privileges of heirship. It’s much more than forgiveness of sins; it’s a position of great blessing. Believers become children of God, part of His eternal family. While the term “adoption” doesn’t appear in the Old Testament, the metaphor of God as Israel’s Father provides a theological foundation for their designation as His children. In the New Testament, adoption signifies believers being received into God’s family through His gracious choice, made possible by Jesus Christ.

When a family legally adopts a child, the new family member gains all the rights and privileges of a naturally born offspring. In other words, their new status in the family is permanent and cannot be overturned. What great security to the adopted child!

Likewise, in the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, generally comparable to our own society, adoption provided permanent legal status for a child that could not be overturned.

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 assurance 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 a great promise!

God’s possession

The wonderful story of our being the possession of God starts in Exodus 19:5-6 when our Father told the redeemed Israelites that He intended them to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation and His special possession. However, they failed in their commitment to God and sinned against Him. Therefore, they did not become the kingdom of priests or holy nation that God desired. Nonetheless, God will keep His promise to Israel – that the nation will be His eternal possession (Psalm 89; Psalms 132:11-17; Romans 11:26-29).

However, through Christ’s death on the cross, He redeemed us (purchasing us at the cross) and thereby enabled usto become a kingdom of priests, a holy nation and His special possession (1 Peter 2:9).

The Spirit’s sealing

We are marked as God’s possession at salvation when the Holy Spirit is given to us as God’s down payment to completing our full redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9). This is a great promise and is a part of the results of our belief to salvation by faith alone in Christ’s substitutionary work on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Seals were used in the ancient world as a legal means to make a document official. If a king had given a new order, molten wax might be poured on the document to seal it and the king’s signet ring pressed into the wax. The king’s symbol in the wax would tell the carrier or the recipient that the contents of the document were the king’s will and breaking the seal inappropriately or ignoring the order was done at a person’s own peril.

We are sealed by our King, and it reflects the same legal and unbreakable character as ancient law. Further, the Spirit seals us throughout our whole life on earth as God’s own possession, until we go to heaven. Importantly, all those who believe by grace in Christ’s forgiveness on the cross are Christians and possess the Spirit and the seal (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9).

The benefits of salvation are profound and transformative. Remember that these benefits are not earned through our efforts but are freely given by God’s grace. Surely, we have a wonderful God who deserves our thanks and praise every day for this kind provision.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Join me again next time as we continue to discuss the great promises that provide our security in our salvation.

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email – info@teleiosresearch.com

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/

 

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 alone 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.

Security of Salvation: Part 2

 

Welcome back to my blog! 

 

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 is completely accepted by Him (Ephesians 2:7-9; Romans 3:21-25; Romans 10:9).

 

What is the next step? After salvation, it is vital to realize that as Christians, we are SECURE in our relationship with God. Eternal security asserts that once a person genuinely accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are eternally secure in their salvation. Their salvation cannot be lost or forfeited, regardless of subsequent actions or behavior. Why is this critical? We cannot grow in our faith and serve others well if we lack confidence that God accepts us.

 

We are starting a discussion today over the assurances of salvation. These guarantees are critical to understand so we have a complete knowledge of our salvation and confidence before God. 

 

This week let us describe justification: 

 

Justification (we are declared innocent) 

 

This is the wonderful result of Christ’s sacrificial death. Let’s examine the details of the meaning of this great promise.

 

• Meaning of the Greek New Testament word – Importantly, the complete meaning in Greek of the word “justification” (δικαιος, dikaios) is not fully conveyed in 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 that once you have been found innocent, you cannot be charged again for the same crime.

 

• Christ’s work in justification – The Bible teaches 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).

 

• We were pronounced “innocent” before God 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). Again, there is no double jeopardy!

 

• No other work is required – Importantly, Christ is a sufficient sacrifice for our sins as He Himself 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 do this again as did the Old Testament priests (Hebrews 6:1-14, and 10:10-18). This is signified when he sat down at the right hand of God the Father; His work to provide salvation was finished (Ephesians 1:20).

 

• For example, 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, for our past, present and future sins!

What a fantastic promise, given out of love and wisdom, from our gracious God who considers us sinless based on the sacrifice of His precious Son who makes it to us out of his love and wisdom. Thanks be to God who has provided us such a gracious salvation as a free gift through faith in Christ.

Join me next time as we continue this amazing discussion of the results of salvation and the wonderful security that we have in our relationship with God.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/

 

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 alone 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.

 

 

 

Security of Salvation: Part 1

 Welcome back to my blog, and thank you for visiting. Few topics are as important as the knowledge of our eternal security. An unconditional relationship with God is characterized by boundless love, acceptance, and forgiveness. It’s understanding that God’s love for us is not contingent upon our actions or worthiness. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, not by doing good things or being “good.” Jesus died for sinners, and God declared the ungodly to be righteous. So, we don’t need to become “good” first; we are saved through faith. God has given us such great promises. Read and enjoy! 

 

The Foundation of Our Faith

 

Born again Christians have entered the gateway to a relationship with God by faith in Christ’s forgiveness for our sins by His death and resurrection. Through Christ’s gracious sacrifice, God sees us without fault and completely accepted by Him (Ephesians 2:7-9; Romans 3:21-25; Romans 10:9).

 

Our Relationship with God is Secure!

 

What is the next step after salvation? It is vital to realize that as Christians, we are SECURE in our relationship with God. Why is this critical? We cannot grow in our faith and serve others well if we lack confidence that God accepts us. Otherwise, we will be distracted from serving God and others by wondering if God will reject us for some sin.

 

The Bible makes a great example in Ephesians 5:20-33. In this wonderful passage, the Apostle Paul likens the relationship between Christ and the church (individual believers) to marriage. In the same way, a married couple will find it difficult to grow in their love, intimacy, and confidence in each other if they fear their partner will reject them, so a Christian will find it nearly impossible to grow in the love of God if they fear His repudiation.

 

Likewise, our loving God, who made and understands us, knows we cannot grow in His love without the confidence that He will not reject us. Wow, what a great promise!

 

So then, how can we know from scripture that we are secure?

 

Direct statements - God states directly that we are secure (1 Peter 1:3-5; John 10:27-31; Romans 8:28-39).

 

Assurances - After we become a Christian by faith alone, we are not simply called a Christian; there is so much more. Our precious salvation provides wonderful, irreversible morphologic and legal assurances to our standing before God. No scripture indicates these assurances of salvation can ever be reversed, returning us to our original corrupt and sinful selves. These assurances are linked to the security of our salvation, which is discussed in another summary in the Teleios ‘Know the Bible’ section (under ‘Our great salvation’). Below is a short summary of our standing before God after we come to salvation by faith.

 

o   Legally innocent – We are declared ‘not guilty’; as in a court of law, this cannot be overturned (Romans 3:21-25)!

 

o   In God’s family – We are adopted as God’s children (Ephesians 1:5).

 

o   Possession – We are sealed by the Holy Spirit to salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:5).

 

o   Spiritual baptism – We are baptized a new person by the Holy Spirit, being made like Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:2-9)!

 

o   Perseverance – God Himself causes us to persevere through our life unto salvation, not by our own works and resources (2 Timothy 1:12; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

 

o   Chosen – God chose us for salvation before the world began (Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:28-20).

 

Wow, God is gracious to us! Because of our faith in Christ, we are a new person who cannot be unmade, with legally unchangeable promises that guarantee our salvation. This comfort and confidence allow us to invest ourselves in knowing and serving God. We should not be burdened with guilt and worry over the status of God’s acceptance of us.

 

The certainty of our salvation is one of the great comforting promises of Scripture. It is our hope! 

 

Thank you for joining me today. In the following blogs we will look at more detail of these assurances of salvation so you can gain a complete and joyful understanding of what God has done for us by grace. I look forward to seeing you then.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/

 

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 alone 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.

 

 

 

The Return of Christ – Eschatology: Part 3

 

Welcome to my blog. Thank you for visiting.   

  

Christ’s return is our great hope of salvation and a glorious eternity with God. Consequently, the study of eschatology (end times) is critical to understanding our salvation and is a great blessing (Revelation 1:3). Although the exact nature of the second coming of Christ is often a controversial topic among theologians, it is important to base our beliefs in scripture.  

  

Let us return to discussing the exciting events leading to the second coming of Christ following the time of tribulation. The Second Coming of Christ will occur after a series of world-shaking events. It will involve Jesus returning with the hosts of heaven and the Church to establish the Messianic Kingdom on earth, which will last for a thousand years. During this momentous event, the Antichrist will be cast into the Lake of Fire, and Satan will be bound for a thousand years.

 

Return of Christ (Revelation 22:17; Zechariah 14:1-11)

Our Savior will return, in glory, to establish His rule upon the earth (see below, please). His return will:   

o   Occur at the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19)   

o   Happen rapidly like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10)   

o   Be accompanied by celestial signs (2 Peter 3:10-12; Matthew 24:29)   

o   Bring Christ to the earth (as opposed to the rapture, which will be in the clouds)   

o   Be glorious (Revelation 19)   

o   Gather His elect (Colossians 3:4, Matthew 24:31)   

o   Provide salvation to those whose names are in the Book of Life. Those whose names are not found will not live during Christ's reign.   

  

Kingdom of Christ - 1000-year reign (Revelation 20:1-7; Jeremiah 23,31-33; Ezekiel 36-38; Isaiah 59-66) 

This period is also known as the kingdom of God or heaven, eternal Kingdom, or thousand-year reign. The kingdom will have the following characteristics:   

o   1,000 years when Christ will rule over the earth as King from Jerusalem   

o   A time of peace and prosperity upon the earth   

o   Satan is bound (Revelation 20:2,5)   

o   Christ will rule justly all nations   

o   Fulfill the promise of the Kingdom to the Jews and their eternal rest   

o   Include both Jews and Gentiles.   

  

Eternity (Revelation 20-21) 

This is the period after the 1,000-year reign when Satan, the antichrist, and unbelievers will be freed to rebel again, only to be defeated. God will judge unbelievers after this battle. Satan and the antichrist will be bound forever in hell. Then , a new glorious heaven and new Jerusalem will come down from above. Believers will live eternally with God, fulfilling their great hope and His promise.   

All praise, honor, and glory are due God and our Savior Jesus Christ for the great salvation we have received as a free gift through our faith in Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection.   

  

Join me next time as we continue discussing major themes of scripture.  

  

Further reading   

1.   Ryrie CC. Basic theology: A popular systematic guide to understanding biblical truth. Moody Publishers, 1999.   

2.    Chafer LS. Systematic Theology. Abridged Volume II. Kregel Publications, 1947.   

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/

 

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 alone 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.