Eternal Security

MEMORY VERSES: John 10:27-28; 1 Corinthians 1:8; Ephesians 1:3, 7;

Philippians 1:6; 1 John 5:11-12; Hebrews 6:19; 9:12; 10:14

The Bible does not use the term “eternal security” to describe the believer’s position in Christ, but it does use the terms “everlasting life (John 3:16) and “everlasting consolation” (2 Thessalonians 2:16). The Bible teaches that the child of God is eternally safe in Christ.

The doctrine of eternal security is very important for stability in the Christian life.

As we will see, eternal security is only promised to those who are born again. It does not refer to hypocrites, nominal professors, or to those who are merely dabbling in the things of Christ. Those who permanently fall away have never been born again.

1.  Believers are secure because of what Jesus did for us.

Jesus died for the believer’s sin, all of it. His blood was the full price that God’s Law demanded; it was perfectly sufficient. Those who believe that the believer can lose his salvation do not understand what Jesus did. They do not understand the gospel properly.

See Ephesians 1:7. “Redemption” means to be bought with a price. Jesus bought us from the slave market of sin and delivered us completely.

See Romans 3:24-25. “Justification” means declared righteous by God. The

believer is not righteous in himself, but he is declared righteous by the great Judge. The basis of this declaration is the fact that Jesus paid the full price to take away the believer’s sin before God.

“Propitiation” refers to this price. It means to satisfy a debt by paying the full amount that is owed. That is what Jesus did. The sinner has broken God’s Law and is incapable of making proper restitution. Jesus paid the price of this debt in the sinner’s place. We owed a debt we could not pay; He paid a debt He did not owe.

2.  Believers are secure because of God’s promises.

The following are just a few of the ways that salvation is described in the New Testament. These are promises that cannot be changed because they are given by a God who cannot lie and whose declarations are immutable. While there are a few passages in the New Testament that might appear on the surface to say that the believer can lose his salvation, there are hundreds that plainly say he cannot!

“shall never perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16) -- If God gives the believer everlasting life and promises that he shall never perish, how could he “lose” his salvation? How can the believer perish if God says he will not perish? God’s promise would fall to the ground if this were to happen.

God shall “confirm you unto the end” (1 Corinthians 1:8) -- Promises like these guarantee the believer’s salvation.

“blessed with all spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3) -- If the believer already has been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ, how could he come short of this and lose his salvation? Notice that these blessings are “in Christ.” The believer’s salvation is wrapped up in Christ and has absolutely nothing to do with his life and works.

“sealed with the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:12-14) -- The sealing of the Holy Spirit is God’s promise of eternal redemption:

 The sealing of the Holy Spirit means ownership. When I believe on Jesus, I become God’s possession. The Holy Spirit is the seal of this possession. This is like when a king seals something with his personal stamp.

 The sealing of the Holy Spirit is a promise. It is the down payment, the guarantee, of the believer’s eternal salvation. It is like a man who gives a down payment for some land. The down payment is his promise to pay the rest. It is also like a plane ticket. If someone gives you a plane ticket to a certain place, you know that you can go to that place with the ticket. The ticket is the guarantee. Likewise, Jesus paid for our trip to heaven, and the Holy Spirit is His promise.

 “seated in heavenly places” (Ephesians 2:5-6) -- The believer does not have to wait until he dies to go to heaven; he is already seated in heaven with Christ in God’s eyes; this is his new position. The believer’s salvation is all wrapped up in Christ. He has died with Him, risen with Him, and lives with Him.

“made fit for heaven” (Colossians 1:12-13) -- Christ has done everything necessary to take the believer to heaven; there is nothing left for the believer to do in this regard; our works do not fit us for heaven or add one jot or tittle to what Christ has already done and provided

“a strong consolation” (Hebrews 6:17-19) -- The terms used to describe salvation in this passage are amazing. The word “immutable” means cannot be changed; when God makes a declaration or promise, it is sure. The word “consolation” means comfort and encouragement; the believer’s consolation is not weak and uncertain; it is “strong.” The term “hope” here does not refer to something uncertain, as it does in this world. It does not mean, “I hope I will be saved,” but, “I am sure I will be saved.” The believer’s hope is described as “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” The reason that all of this is true is that Christ paid the full sin debt.

Conclusion

The knowledge of one’s eternal security in Christ is the believer’s “helmet” to protect him from the devil’s fiery darts of doubt (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

REVIEW QUESTIONS ON ETERNAL SECURITY PART 1

1.  What are two ways that the Bible describes the believer's position in Christ?

2.  What did Jesus do for the believer?

3.  What is the meaning of "redemption"?

4.  What is the meaning of "justification"?

5.  What is the meaning of "propitiation"?

6.  What verse says God will confirm the believer unto the end?

7.  What verse says the believer is blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ?

8.  What two things are meant by the "sealing of the Holy Spirit"?

9.  What verse says the believer is seated in heavenly places in Christ?

10.  What verse says the believer is made fit for heaven?

11.  What does "immutable" mean?

12.  What does "consolation" mean?

13.  How do we know that the believer's hope is certain?

14.  What is the believer's helmet?