1 Peter 1:3-9,22-25, The Security of the Believer (3)

We are supporting this idea: “every true believer will not fall but will persevere to the end.”

vi)      This is the natural conclusion to the fact that it is God that justifies, Rom 8:33.  Our relationship with God is dependent, not on my righteousness, but on the righteousness of Christ.  Thus, in justification, the ungodly are “declared righteous” (Rom. 4:5).  That is why no one, not Satan, not even me, can bring a charge against those God has chosen.  It is because God has declared that one righteous, and God cannot lie.

vii)   It is also the natural conclusion to justification (being declared righteous), Rom 3:24-26.  The end of justification is that we become a testimony to the fact that God is perfectly righteous in what he has done.  He is “just and the justifier.”  If that process is short-circuited, that says that God has in some way failed.  His provision, which is based on the fully satisfying price of the blood of Christ (redemption) as well as in our Lord fully taking our judgment upon Himself (propitiation), cannot fail.

viii)            There is no hope without this, Rom 5:2; 12:12; Eph 2:12; Col 1:5,27; 1 Th 5:8; 1 Tim 1:1; 4:10; Tit 1:2; 3:7; Heb 6:18-19; 1 Pet 1:3,21.  What kind of hope is it if we cannot speak with assurance about our future life with Christ?  It is not the “hope” of the Scriptures.  Our hope is the anchor of the soul because it is based on our High Priest who has poured out His blood in the Holy of Holies in Heaven.  It is a living hope because it is bound up in the resurrection of Christ, by which He rendered powerless the one who has the power of death.

ix) The imperishable seed with which we were born again is a lie without this, 1 Pet 1:18-25.  Again, in Scripture, the seed that is sown that brings salvation, the seed of the word of God (James 1:21), is incorruptible.  Thus, our faith and hope are in God, not in ourselves.

x)    The concept of imputation (our sins charged to Christ's account) produces this, Rom 4:3-8; 2 Cor 5:21.  If Christ has stamped “paid in full” on our account, that payment must include every sin.  If this is not true, then Christ is made to be a fraud, forgive me for even making such a statement.

xi) The promise of "no condemnation" requires this, Rom 8:1.  Lastly, what does “no condemnation” mean but “no condemnation.”  And to whom does this apply?  To those who are “in Christ Jesus.”  I am “in” my Lord by the grace and work of God.  I did not earn this position; I did not somehow put myself there.