John 10:7-21, The Security of the Believer (2)

1)    What eternal security does not mean...

a)    That every professing Christian gets to heaven (Matt. 7:21-23).  Jesus spoke of those who have done religious works but who He did not know.  They did not have a “good confession” (1 Tim. 6:12-13).

b)   That a Christian can live as he pleases (1 John 2:3-4).  While there are hypocrites (people with external works but no heart of faith), the works of faith are to be evidence of a genuine faith.  Some of my “insecure” friends in Ukraine used to point to the sinfulness of American Christians and blame it on a “once saved, always saved” mentality.  I can’t read hearts, but I will say I have heard people talk like that on occasion.  But there is no doctrine in Scripture that says we are free to sin.

c)    That the true Christian has no responsibility for his own endurance (2 Peter 1:10).  We will need to understand this.  We are kept by God.  Yet, we are called to “be even more diligent to make your call and election sure.” 

d)   That the true Christian never lapses into spiritual depression (Rom. 7:7-25).  My view of Romans 7 is that Paul is speaking as a believer when he says, “the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice” (7:19).  1 John 2:1 is helpful: the goal is that we “may not sin;” but the reality is, “if anyone sins.” 

2)    What eternal security does mean...

“Eternal security” involves the perseverance or endurance, of the saints.  Words like keep, endure, hold fast, continue are some of the related terms.

Here is a brief statement of the doctrine: "True Christians will continue in faith and holiness forever" (John Gerstner).

a)    EVERY TRUE BELIEVER WILL NOT FALL BUT WILL PERSEVERE TO THE END.

i)      Jesus prayed for this, John 17 (esp. vs.11,15,21,23).  His prayer will be answered.

ii)   The concept of eternal life proves this, John 10:27-29.  Eternal life is a quality of life, but, of course, is an unending life as well.

iii)            The concept of election demands this, Eph 1:4 (John 15:16; Gal 4:9; Acts 13:48; Rom 9:6-29).  If you hold that a personal relationship with God depends on His choice as well as our faith, then we must assume that God’s choice cannot be denied.

iv) The questions of Romans 8:28-39 show this.  Those God foreknew (and you can interpret that as a Wesleyan or Calvinist; either way makes no difference with this point) are the same ones who will be glorified. 

v)    The concept of assurance is based on this, Rom 8:16; 1 Jn 5:9-13; Jn 3:36.  The language of Scripture is that the one who believes in Christ has everlasting life.  There is no sense of “iffiness” or conditionality.

We will pick up here in our next post.