31. Secure Enough

JEANNIE: Welcome to Exploring the Word.

LONNIE: Glad you could join us for another session of digging a little deeper into the riches of the Bible. Today we’re going to study a topic at the heart of the Gospel message and also at the core of every human being. It has to do with security, security about our eternal destiny.

JEANNIE: We got a letter from a young woman, Sasha, and this is what she said, “I know that when I ask God for forgiveness he will forgive me. But some of my sins that I have asked forgiveness for still gnaw at me. Does this mean I haven’t been forgiven yet?”

LONNIE: I’ve talked to many people who have that basic concern Jeannie, “Am I forgiven?”

JEANNIE: And here’s an e-mail from a man named Wilbert who writes, “Can salvation be lost if you fall back into a lifestyle of sin? Could your name slowly be erased from the Book of Life?” So people not only have questions about getting forgiven, feeling secure about their salvation, but also about losing that forgiveness. Can you lose your salvation once you get it?

LONNIE: Today we’d like to explore some issues that lie behind these kinds of questions, issues that compel us to keep asking them. And then we’re going to try to zero in on some very clear answers from Scripture.

Now, for more information on today’s topic, take a look at our Discover Bible Guide number five, “Bridge to a Satisfying Life.”

Let’s look at exactly how we can know that we’re are accepted by God, how we can have an assurance that will stick with us. Now there’s no failsafe logic that will stamp out all worry. That is, we can’t be argued into feeling secure. But we can uncover the biblical grounds for security. We can clear up some fuzzy thinking on the subject.

Practically speaking, what’s a good way to know that we’re in, that we’re accepted, that we’re going to heaven?

Well here’s one answer that’s been around for a while. People say this: it’s not up to you; it’s up to God. You don’t have to worry about salvation because it’s God’s doing, not yours.

Well, these people have a point; a good point. Listen to this wonderful passage in Ephesians chapter two. That was our homework assignment, remember? I hope you were able to absorb these encouraging words. Let’s start with verse four:

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:4,5,8,9.

Paul makes it plain. Salvation is a gift. It’s not an accomplishment we can boast of.

So, yes, salvation is all GOD’S doing. He chooses to rescue people who are “dead in trespasses.”

But that raises a question. If salvation is all God’s doing, why isn’t everyone saved? Why isn’t everyone going to heaven? The Bible tells us clearly that some people are not going to make it. Some people are going to be shut out of those pearly gates. There’s a sharp division at the end of the world between those who gain eternal life and those who perish, those who are consumed.

To explain that, certain theologians pushed the idea of “it’s all up to God” all the way. They said, “A Sovereign God chooses whom to save; we have nothing to do with it.” In other words, He predestines some to salvation; he predestines others to damnation.

What was the result of trying to make it all a matter of God’s choice?

Ironically, attempts to completely remove human works from the picture, to make it all God’s choice, tend to make people obsess about their works, in the end.

Completely bypassing human choice just doesn’t produce security. It’s a mistake. And more importantly, it’s not biblical.

What does the Bible tell us about God’s choice?

It tells us it’s His will that all come to salvation.

It tells us Christ draws all people to Himself.

The New Testament assures us over and over that God has worked to save all humanity.

So why do some perish? Remember our first text, the one from Ephesians chapter two? It said we’re saved by God’s grace “through faith.” Through faith. Salvation is a gift. It’s all God. But it’s a gift we have to ACCEPT. We have to respond in faith. We believe in what Christ has accomplished for us—and we’re accepted, period.

God doesn’t force salvation on anyone. He graciously gives us a choice. That’s why you find invitations scattered throughout the Bible. You find Jesus calling out, “Come to Me, all you who are heavy laden.” (Matthew 11:28) You hear Him saying, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” (Revelation 3:20) You hear these welcoming words in the Bible’s last chapter: “Whoever is thirsty, let him come.” (Revelation 22:17 NIV)

God urges us to respond to His grace; to accept the gift of salvation. We have a choice.

Most people understand that today. It’s hard to make sense out of the Bible without free will. But that choosing still makes some individuals nervous. It seems a little precarious. I mean, what if you choose God’s grace today, and then choose something different tomorrow? Our choosing goes up and down. That may not seem like a sound basis for security.

To make us feel more secure, people have come up with is this: we’ve got one choice. It’s all a matter of one choice. This is sometimes known as “once saved, always saved.” In other words, once you choose to accept Christ, that’s it; you’re in; your choice is sealed; you are eternally secure.

To back up this assurance, people quote texts like this one in John 6:36. Jesus says:

“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all he has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.”

What is God’s will? That no one given to Christ, no one who comes to Christ, will be lost. A little later, in John 10, we hear Jesus talking about His sheep, the individuals who hear His voice and follow Him. And Jesus says:

“…they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28

These are strong assurances. They tell us that once we choose Christ, God will do everything in His power to keep us safe in Christ. The New Testament is full of assurances like that. It tells us God doesn’t reject us because we sin or make mistakes or sometimes feel angry or distant from Him. It tells us that once we’ve made the big choice, accepting Him as Savior and Lord, God won’t reject us because our little, every-day choices are less than perfect.

God forgives. God picks us up. God sets us back on the right path.

God makes sure that our big choice, to follow Him, really counts.

But once in a while you run into something that seems to throw a wrench in God’s plan. What about people who come to Christ, and then later, completely turn their back on Him? On occasion that seems to happen. Some individuals certainly seem to make more than one big choice.

What about a person who chooses Christ, and then later deliberately and continually rejects Christ? That was Wilbert’s question. What if a person falls away? Does God honor his second big choice? Does it count?

What does the New Testament say on the subject? Well, take a look at Second Peter chapter two. The Apostle is writing about certain church leaders who have “escaped the corruption of the world by their knowledge of Jesus Christ.” But then they turned back to their old life. Verse twenty-one says:

“It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.” 2 Peter 2:21

That certainly sounds like individuals made a second big choice. And it counted. Their fate is worse than if they’d never chosen Christ in the first place.

Here’s the writer of Hebrews, chapter ten. In verse twenty-six he states that, if we deliberately keep on sinning, keep on rejecting God, after we’ve accepted the gospel:

“There no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment…” Hebrews 10:26

It certainly seems, from these texts, that people can reject grace—even after they’ve been accepted. It certainly seems like they can choose a different destiny than the one God planned for them.

The idea that we only have one big choice in our lives is not biblical. And you know what? It’s not really a good source of security.

Here’s why. Let’s say you believe in “once saved, always saved.” And let’s say you meet a person who was a Christian and is now living the life of a criminal. That’s pretty hard to swallow. So this is how people have responded: “Well, he wasn’t really saved in the first place.” “He didn’t really, genuinely receive Christ back then.”

That’s how some believers try to come to grips with a person who once claimed to be a Christian and now denies the faith.

But listen, that just opens the door to all kinds of doubts, for all kinds of people. Maybe you fall into sin, maybe you feel discouraged one day. What are you going to wonder? “Oh, maybe I didn’t really, genuinely, receive Christ in my heart.” Anytime God seems kind of distant, that doubt pops up in the back of your head – “Did I really believe in the first place?”

Friends, it’s so much better to do what the Bible does. Celebrate choice, period! God honors our CHOICES! He makes it simple. He makes it clear. Remember the texts we read: Come to Me. Knock and the door will be opened. Take the free gift.

You don’t have to second-guess your commitments. You don’t have to wonder if you’re among the elect. You can simply choose. If you want Christ then choose Him! You’ve got Him! You’ve got eternal life.

JEANNIE: Lonnie, you know that this issue of security and the assurance of salvation is something that I’ve struggled with. I can certainly identify with people who have a tough time knowing they’re accepted.

LONNIE: And I think you’ve been able to really help people get to that point, Jeannie.

JEANNIE: Well it’s because I’ve struggled with this issue. We both have.

LONNIE: That’s true. I have to admit, as a little boy, many times when I was tucked in bed at night I was afraid to go to sleep for fear my parents, who were godly people, would be taken up to heaven and I’d be left behind. I just knew Mom and Dad would make it, but me? I knew I messed up.

JEANNIE: And sometimes you’d actually cry yourself to sleep you were so anxious about that.

I was fearful most of my childhood and into my youth. I had plenty of doubts about my salvation. But during my freshman year of college I began reading the gospels and a book on the life of Christ, “Desire of Ages.” Slowly I started seeing real reason Jesus came to this earth. He came to save me from my sins. Me, Jeannie! And I finally realized that salvation is indeed a free gift. Accepting that gift by faith really empowered me I think. It was my choice. Jesus made it that simple.

LONNIE: I thank God He got both of us to that point.

JEANNIE: Yes, so I really think it’s important to give people assurance who are feeling insecure about their own choices in life.

LONNIE: I agree.

When it comes to salvation, please remember one thing: God doesn’t emphasize a certain kind of choosing or a certain kind of faith. He just says, choose, believe. Keep it simple. Choosing is not an accomplishment. Believing is not an accomplishment. It’s just a gesture we make toward God – which He honors. And what’s more, He promises to continue honoring it, to continue saving us, to continue keeping us in the hollow of His hand. The only way we can change that is to deliberately, continually reject Him. We have to keep saying “No,” in order not to be saved. We have to resist all of God’s appeals, all of God’s advances, all of God’s offers.

How can we have “eternal security?” By realizing that security is a simple choice. By realizing that God is always there to welcome us home. And by realizing that He will keep us safe to the end. Listen to this wonderful promise in Philippians 1:6:

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Don’t fret about whether you are strong enough to hold on. God is holding on! Don’t worry about whether you will keep growing enough. God will complete His good work.

God can be resilient for you. God can be stand strong for you. God can be persistent for you. The only thing He can’t do is choose for you! But that’s a source of security, not insecurity. It means God will always honor your desire to be rescued. It means God will always honor your fondest wishes.

How can you be more secure than that!?

You may be moody. But God is on His throne. He holds you in His hands.

You may be angry and perplexed. But God is steady in His love.

You may make the same mistakes over and over again. The Heavenly Father forgives seventy times seventy. He’s ready to hear your confession.

You may feel like you’re languishing in the dark. God remains the brilliant sunshine above the clouds.

You may not be able to feel any assurance at all. God promises: nothing in heaven or earth can separate you from My love.

Do you want to know that assurance? Do you want something that a living, feeling human being can hold onto? Then right now acknowledge that God always chooses you. Thank Him that you can always choose back. Keep it simple. Choose Christ. Choose to remain in His hand. He won’t let anyone or anything snatch you away. Why not begin to experience an eternal kind of security just now as we pray.

Dear Father, thank You for going to such lengths to bring us salvation. Thank You for going to such lengths to give us assurance. We open the door of our hearts right now. We accept Your gift of eternal life. We choose Christ. He has earned our allegiance. He deserves our faith. Thank You for accepting us. Thank You for keeping us safe. Thank You that You will continue to work inside us until the very end. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

JEANNIE: How about a little homework assignment? Here on Exploring the Word we’re helping people dig deeper into the riches of Scripture, and this is a way to do just that.

LONNIE: Next week we’ll be tackling a very practical subject: communicating as a couple; how to move from accusations to solutions. And I’d like you to look at this passage in the Gospel of John. John 13:1-17.

JEANNIE: This is the story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. Please read the passage and try to imagine what this scene has to say about marriage, specifically what it has to say about resolving quarrels in a relationship.

LONNIE: So remember, John 13:1-17 for next week. Until then, God bless you. Never stop Exploring the Word. And remember, God really does love you.