Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Lose it or leave it? Our eternal redemption in Christ


Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.               Hebrews 7:25

In the Last few articles I've posted I have endeavored to till the good ground of our hearts with truth and not tradition. I've laid a good foundation from the Word concerning who we are in Christ and the true nature of salvation. I highly encourage you to read these articles if you have not done so. Some of the questions that may arise in these upcoming posts will find answers in these previous articles. 

Having laid the proper foundation of what it truly means to follow Christ, then the objections that eternal salvation is really a means to be lazy or to continue living in sinful indulgence are no longer valid. I do understand that there will be those, so entrenched in their religious traditions, that no matter what truth from God's Word you show them they will dig their heels in deeper and reject the truth that eternal salvation is just that, eternal.


Why is this? Because the flesh loves to boast in some level of accomplishment. That and the flesh ruled mind just won't wrap its mind around the concept that it's a finished work. Its like those misinformed among us who seek to fast to become more righteous. Or like the brethren who say we need to walk in love so let me seek God to be more loving. Wait, hold it. Doesn't the Word say the very love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts? Something that is already been done. Grace supplies, He so loved us, so we can now love others. All it takes is one to simply agree with God about who He said we already are. Doing this will allow that love to 
effortlessly flow through us to others.

For the next several posts we are going to examine if we can lose our salvation or forfeit it, walk away from it, or "return" it to God. You don't want to miss any of these posts. We are going to examine all the passages that seem to suggest we can forfeit our salvation or lose it by our actions. When it comes down to it there is only four 
views about eternal salvation. 

The first view is that salvation is something predetermined and not based upon any choice or freely offered gift. This is the Calvinistic view. That God preordains some to Hell and some to Heaven. Since you can't choose to receive Him then you can't lose it or leave it. 
The second view is that based upon your level of commitment and obedience is your salvation secure or assured. 
The third view is that though your conduct is vitally important the fact that we aren't completely perfect some allowance for sin is made. Yet, if you choose to "walk away" or forfeit your salvation then you have lost your salvation because you left it.
The final view is the freely offered grace of God. That your merit didn't get you into the Family of God therefore your merit is not the measure of your salvation. That once you freely receive God's perfect gift of grace you can never lose it and will never walk away. That His grace perfects you and is the true source of fruitful Christian living.

Let me start this off by stating I disagree with the first view. Why? Because Jesus stated in John 3:16 that whosoever believes in Him will never perish. For there to be a whosoever that offer must be consciously made to all. So I am not a Calvinist. I believe we can make a conscious choice to receive God's grace and love it is never forced upon us. This is exactly what the inclusion delusion is perpetrating on the Body of Christ. By saying all are already saved but don't know it means they had something put on them against their will.

Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.               Hebrews 7:25

This passage sums this series up. He is able to save once and forever those who come to Him. So, if you will, lay down the weapons and lets examine the Scripture with an open heart. Nothing I write in the upcoming posts is to stir division or strife. 

I pray you stay with me on this journey and examine our salvation in Christ and the security He offers. Pray blessings on you and your loved ones this week. God is good. 

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