IN the previous comment, I introduced a lengthy discussion concerning my reservations about the phrase eternal security, preferring the approach of perseverance of the saints. Saying that however, I’ve learned overtime and there are different ways to look at a thing and not loose sight of the core truth. For example, even though I lean towards perseverance of the saints, when I look deeper into this, I think there may be a better way to appreciate this teaching. I caught this from another in a recent study and believe the instructor was right in observing and in changing perseverance of the saints to perseverance of the God. After all, is this not what our Lord said in John 10:27-29. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. Or, how about Paul’s words to the Philippians, 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. Phil 1:6
SO, hearkening back again to the Larger Catechism questions 79, please note the underlined portions:
True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God, and his decree and covenant to give them perseverance, their inseparable union with Christ, his continual intercession for them, and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. Q79 (see also Q80-81)
A PRECIOUS truth this is indeed: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him…” (1 John 3:2).
SO with that, let’s get on with our reading where we left off, Security in Christ – continued.
In the wondrous blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
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Chapter 22—Completeness and Security
Secure in Christ – continued
The spiritual explanation for opposition to true eternal security is not the claim that it produces lawlessness. It is rather that those who oppose do not exercise faith in the Word, which would enable them to see and accept their position in the risen Lord for assurance, acceptance and security. They are condition-centered, hence self-centered and earthbound.
On the other hand, the believer who knows he has died unto sin and has been recreated in the risen Lord Jesus, understands that he has no other position before God than the very life of Christ. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26). “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…” (Rom. 8:17). “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him…” (1 John 3:2).
It certainly is not yet manifest in our condition what we already are in our position, or what we shall be when He appears. But the resting believer does not rely upon appearances, neither is he affected one way or another by his condition. He knows he is accepted and secure on a different basis altogether, that of his position in Christ, the Man of God’s choosing. This is not carelessness, but confidence in Him. In quietness and assurance we are to continue, “waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:7, 8).
The believer who rests in the Son of God knows he is eternally secure. “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory” (Col. 3:3, 4 NASB). “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Rom. 5:11).
…….To be continued
