WHO IS ETERNALLY SECURE?
Every single individual who has received Jesus Christ as their Savior having placed their faith and trust in Him and Him alone for their salvation. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God... which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12&13) Each person who has received Christ has been born into the family of God. Just as an individual has an earthy father (which relationship can never be broken on earth) so every believer has an Heavenly Father (which relationship is eternally binding). You can be an obedient son or a disobedient son - but a son nonetheless. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." (John 3:36)
HOW IS ONE ETERNALLY SECURE?
By the power of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. "This is the record, that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." (I John 5: I 1). God has promised that He will keep His own, "though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand... for the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved forever..." (Psalm 37:24,18). Jesus keeps us and continues to intercede for us, "wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25). A person has no power to accomplish his own salvation (Eph. 2:8&9), nor the power to perpetuate it. "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phile. 1:6).
WHY IS ONE ETERNALLY SECURE?
Because Jesus Christ, the Savior in Whom one has trusted, paid the penalty of sin; "The wages of sin is death..." (Rom. 6:23). "For while we were yet sinner, Christ died for US..." (Rom. 5:8). "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree..." (I Pet. 2:24) Because Christ rose from the dead as satisfaction to God on our behalf, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Rom. 4:25) "And He is the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins" (I John 2:2). Born again believers are secure because, "there is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1). Because God promised it and He cannot lie! "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (I Pet. 1:3-5)
WHEN IS ONE ETERNALLY SECURE?
A person becomes eternally secure the very moment he or she believes in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but HAVE EVERLASTING life." (John 3:16) Notice that the person receives everlasting life (that means lasts forever). When? At the moment he believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. God promises to make sure that we are secure until He takes us to be with Himself, "and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Eph. 4:30)
ARE YOU ETERNALLY SECURE?
YOU CAN BE! Right now, won't you please bow your head and pray, "Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner undeserving of Heaven and on my way to hell. I now turn to Jesus Christ alone and receive Him as my Lord and Savior trusting Him to forgive my sins and give me eternal life. Thank you Lord for saving me."
NOW WHAT?
If you have just received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you should not be ashamed to tell others. "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in Heaven." (Matt. 10:32) Find a good Bible-believing church, go forward and tell the folks that you have been saved, be baptized, and join.
WHAT IF I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS?
We want to help any way that we can. If you have other questions, please feel free to stop into the church office or call. If you have received Christ as your personal Savior, we want to congratulate you upon making the most important decision of your life. May God bless you as you seek to serve Him.
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Dr. George H. Alquist Jr. is the senior pastor of Grace of Calvary Baptist Church in Erie, PA.