Man, The Image of God #11: The False Security of Once Saved Always Saved

“The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced” (Matt. 13:22 NLT).

Last month, we considered the Biblical teaching on the unpardonable sin. As you recall, this is the sin of apostasy. Apostasy means to fall away from saving faith in Christ and thereby lose one’s salvation. Many Christians will think that they have committed such a sin. However, the very fact that they have had such a thought proves that they have not; the Holy Spirit is still convicting their conscience. Thus, it does not matter how far a person strays from Christ, His grace is still available for them to receive. Yet this does not negate the possibility of a genuine follower of Christ from choosing to no longer follow Him and thereby forfeit their salvation as we saw last month.

This month, I’d like us to consider some common objections that people have to the possibility of a genuine Christian losing their salvation. The first false belief that many Christians believe is that once a person has received God’s grace of salvation, they are always under that grace. However, the Apostle Paul plainly states some of the members of the church in Galatia had fallen from grace. “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace” (Gal. 5:4). A person can only fall from a chair, if they are on a chair and a person can only fall from grace if they were in grace. Peter thinks of the conditionality of covenants and caution of God’s people, “If you do these things, you will never fall” (2 Peter 1:10). If falling from grace is impossible, then why would Peter give this warning?

A second false belief many Christians believe is that once a person is a child of God, that they are always a child of God. However, in the account of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), we see a clear picture of our relationship as Christians with our Heavenly Father. In this passage, the loving father considered his son “lost” when he was away from home (Luke 15:24). The son had to return to the father (Luke 15:17-20), and the father had to restore him into the family (Luke 15:20-24). Therefore, the son, while away from the family was no longer considered to be a part of the family.

A third false belief that many Christians believe is once a person has their name recorded in the Book of Life that their name could never be erased. However, the LORD told Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me I will blot out of My book” (Ex. 32:33). Jesus also stated that the promise of having one’s name written in the book of life is conditional. “He who overcomes…I will never blot out His name from the book of life (Rev. 3:5).

And a fourth false belief that many Christians believe is that once a person is in Christ they are always in Christ. However, John 15 relates Christians to branches in the vine (Jesus) and God is the gardener, who, “cuts off every branch in Me (Jesus) that bears no fruit” (John 15:2). Jesus plainly states, “If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” (John 15:6).

After considering these points, one can see that the teaching that once a person is saved, they are always saved, is clearly false. On the other hand, there are several passages which affirm that we, as faithful followers of Jesus Christ, do have assurance of our salvation. Yet those such passages do not teach unconditional perseverance. “They teach assurance, but an assurance that is consistent with our continuing to meet the conditions upon which salvation was given to us in the first place. In fact, the overwhelming testimony of the NT is that staying saved is just as conditional as becoming saved. These are gracious conditions of course, and not legalistic ones. As Christians, we remain justified by faith, not by good works as Romans 3:28 teaches” (Jack Cottrell, The Faith Once for All, p. 376). 

 There are several places throughout the Bible that teach saving faith must have continuing implications. First, in the original Greek of John 3:16, the word belief speaks of a faith that begins at a certain moment but continues to make a difference in a person’s life. It is a present active trust in Christ for one’s salvation. Second, Jesus said, “IF you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine” (John 8:31 NASB, emphasis mine). Third, in John 15 Jesus teaches that those who do not remain in Him will be cast out and burned, a clear reference to hell. Fourth, the Apostle Paul said, “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, IF you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain” (1 Cor. 15:1-2 emphasis mine). Cottrell also points out how in Romans 11:22, Paul describes Jews who became unbelievers as “those who fell,” and he says that any Christian who does not continue to trust in the provisions of God’s grace “will be cut off.” In the former case the lostness is actual, and in the latter case it is potential; but in both cases it is real (The Faith Once For All, p. 378).

Our salvation is much like the following illustration: picture a father crossing a busy highway with a small child by his side holding his hand quite firmly. The father has good judgment and he is capable of shielding the child from any calamity and protecting him from any outside force harming him as they make their way across the highway. The one which the father cannot prevent is the child being willful and wrenching himself free from his grasp, running off and being struck by a vehicle. This seems to me an adequate parable of what Paul means in Romans 8:31-39. God has a firm loving grip on the believer, and no outside force can separate the believer from God and God’s love.

A believer cannot lose his or her salvation as one might lose one’s glasses. But by willful rebellion, there is the possibility of falling away, of making shipwrecking of one’s faith. The Good News, then, is that one cannot lose or misplace one’s salvation or simply wander away by accident. Indeed, only by an enormous willful effort could one throw it away. Such is the loving grasp God has on His children (Ben Witherington III. Paul’s Letter to the Romans a Socio-Rhetorical Commentary, p. 235).

In His service,

        Matt

Worldview #15: The Absolute Nature of Truth

What are you willing to do for your happiness? Is it God’s job to keep us happy? What do our prayers consist of — prayers centered on our happiness, or that God’s will be accomplished, regardless of our happiness? Believe it or not this thought process, called humanism, has infiltrated our brains 40+ years ago and has reduced God to a ‘self-help Genie’ who bows to our demands through which we can define our lives as we wish – including the acceptance of immoral practices. Paul warned us about this in Romans 1:21-22: They knew God. But they didn’t honor Him as God. They didn’t thank Him. Their thinking became worthless. Their foolish hearts became dark. They claimed to be wise. But they made fools of themselves.

Remember last month’s discussion about Jesus being the light, and shining into the darkness? And through this foolish thinking, we have allowed the idea of relative truth (or what’s true for you is not necessarily true for me) to creep into our thought process. Today, “nearly three out of four Americans say there is no such thing as ultimate or absolute truth. And the numbers don't look much better among those who claim to follow Jesus” (Lindy Keffer, Absolute Truth, available from http://www.focusonthe family.com/parenting/teens/absolute-truth).

If you want proof of absolute truth outside of Scripture, look at the world around us. Does the sun rise every day? Does it come up in the same location? Does 2+2=4 every time? Does gravity hold us in place? If truth was relative, these things and many more would not consistently hold true. And “the effects on civilization would be disastrous! Laws of science and physics would be irrelevant, and commerce would be impossible (see Gotquestion.org).” Putting this into perspective, aren’t you grateful for absolute truth?

Lindy Keffer said, “Truth is powerful. It brings life. It has been here since the beginning, and it still exists today. Truth is available to all who seek it in the person of Jesus Christ. Even though our society tells us that it's narrow-minded to believe in ultimate truth, there is lots of evidence that declares we should run after it with all our hearts. Christ says the truth will set us free. And that promise is true for all time.”

I hope and pray that this article comes as a wake-up call to you as it has been to me. The father of lies has successfully twisted our concept of truth, and altered our perspective of God!! The ways of the world has crept into our hearts and has drawn us from our Creator, Father and Friend. John warned us of the implications of this thinking: Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him… And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15-17).

Thus, I encourage you to examine your thinking, and then take a knee before our God asking His forgiveness and for a purification of our minds and heart to His purpose. May we choose not to “live the way this world lives. Let your thinking be completely changed [by reading Scripture]. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what He wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect (Rom. 12:2).

In His service,

     Matt

Worldview #14: Contenting for the Truth

   Scripture records Jesus being engaged in a handful of debates on hot topics with powerful leaders of His time. He spoke with Nicodemus about attaining eternal life (John 3). Then we learn of Pilate asking Jesus what is truth (John 18). Interestingly, truth is still a hot topic today. So, let’s explore what truth is.

While, John did not include Jesus’ response to Pilate’s question, Jesus does declare His purpose for coming to into the world being to testify to the truth (John 18:37). This is echoed in the introduction to John’s gospel where he wrote that Jesus was full of grace and truth. In this passage, it also talks about Jesus being the Light and shining into the darkness. Putting this in terms of truth, if truth is not absolute, concrete, complete, unvarying and permanent, how can truth shine into darkness and not be overcome by it?  If, instead, truth is relative, it could be overcome by darkness as one person defines truth based on their circumstances and another theirs.

Later, John records a discussion between Jesus and His disciples. In this setting, Jesus is preparing them for His coming crucifixion telling them that He is going away. Then He tells them that they will also follow Him at a later time at which prompts Thomas to ask Jesus how they can know the way. Jesus responds by saying that He is the way, THE TRUTH, and the life (John 14:6).

Thus, through examining these Scriptures, we can see Jesus declaring Himself to be truth. Furthermore, we can see Jesus talking with Jews who chose to believe Him declaring “if you continue in My word… you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free… from sin (John 8:31-34). Based on this brief examination of Scripture, we can surmise that truth is not a wish-washy, do as you wish as relative truth would make you believe. Instead, it is something steadfast that we can put our foot on and stand firm upon through all of our life. (I stand alone on the Word of God, yes that’s the book for me!)

In conclusion, relative truth is a lie in disguise!  Remember, Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44) who can disguise himself as an angel, and whisper thoughts (relative truths) into our ears. So, how do we overcome?  Simple!  Paul instructs us to put on the FULL armor of God every day which includes the belt of truth by which we can stand firm against the spiritual forces of wickedness that assert themselves against us (Eph. 6:12-18).

You might think that this idea of absolute truth is a high-polluting debate among scholars and philosophers but really has no impact upon our lives here in rural Missouri. However, next month, we’ll explore the reality of this thought process infiltrating our lives and the consequences it bears.

In His service,

        Matt

Elder’s Corner: Are You Really “Locked In?”

A few weeks ago I loaned my truck to a friend. I have been having some trouble with the four wheel drive dash light. It stays on even when the truck is in two wheel drive. I know this, but my friend didn't. He thought he had the security of being in four wheel drive when driving on slick roads because the indicator light said he was in 4 X 4 mode. What a shock he had when he started sliding.

I wonder if others or even if I sometimes have the same secure trust that is false in regards to spiritual security? Do we get in a routine that we follow and think that is all it takes to please God? We go to church every week, sing songs, give offerings, read scriptures, keep the commandments, and help others once in a while. Those things “we do” don't save us nor insure our safety in Heaven. Galatians 2:21 NASB says “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law (which we couldn't keep if we tried—my comment), then Christ died needlessly.” So let's accept His gift, His sacrifice on the cross, and show our gratitude by our actions (deeds). “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).

Jesus gives more insight into this teaching in John chapter 8. The Jews in this chapter didn't believe in Jesus' divine birth. They accused Him of being an illegitimate son of Joseph and Mary (verse 41). But, they thought they were on the “fast track” to Heaven because of their superior genealogy (Abraham's children, v. 39). The truth is they weren't willing to acknowledge Jesus as divine and the eternal Son of God. Are You? Let me leave you with a promise from Jesus for the New Year and beyond: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death” (John 8:51). 

Have a great New Year!  

—Alan

Man, The Image of God #10: The Unpardonable Sin

“Every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven” (Matt 12:31 NLT).

The Bible teaches that a person receives salvation (the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life) by God’s grace through our faith in Jesus’s death on the cross. However, Jesus says that there is a sin that is unpardonable. What is the unpardonable sin?

The unpardonable sin is best explained in an illustration. Think of a person’s saving faith like a rope that has several knots in it to help a person climb up and hang on. The knots are things like personal experiences where God worked in recognizable ways in their life, the love of other Christians, the truths contained in God’s Word, creation itself testifying of God’s existence, etc. The last knot is the Holy Spirit.

Scripture teaches that the Spirit convicts our hearts about sin. When a Christian repeatedly rejects that conviction, their hearts begin to harden. Eventually, this person reveals by their thoughts and actions that they want nothing to do with following God. They made the freewill choice to place their faith in Christ and now, they are making the freewill choice to reject Christ.

So, how does one know if they have reached the point of rejecting Christ?  Let’s consider this: “For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame” (Heb. 6:4-6 NASB). Here we find 5 descriptions of a genuine Christian.

First, they were “enlightened.” Only genuine believers can see the light for “the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving” so they cannot understand the Gospel (2 Cor. 4:4, 6; Matt. 13:19-21; Acts 26:18; Heb. 10:32). This is why some of your non-Christian friends look at you like a deer in the headlights.

Second, they “tasted of the heavenly gift.” The gift of salvation is only for genuine believers (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9). It is Jesus who gives this “heavenly gift” only to those who come and ask Him for it (John 4:10).

Third, they “have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit.” Only genuine believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 12:13; Titus 3:5).

Fourth, they “have tasted the good word of God.” Non-believers do not understand the incredible palate of spiritual food in the Bible ((Psalm 34:8; 119:101-103; Jer. 15:16; Eph. 6:17; 1 Peter 2:2-3). It is also important to recognize that “tasting” does not imply a sampling (Heb. 2:9).

And fifth, they “have tasted the powers of the age to come.”  Jack Cottrell explains this as already having experienced resurrection from spiritual death (Eph. 2:5; Col, 2:12-13), in anticipation of the future redemptive resurrection of the body (The Faith Once for All, p. 380).   

On the other hand, numerous passages teach that a person can choose to turn away from God after becoming a genuine follower of Christ (Matt. 13:1-23; Luke 15:11-32; Gal. 5:4; Heb. 10:26-27; 12:15; 2 Peter 1:10; Rev. 3:5; etc.). Alger Fitch said, “It is difficult to understand why the Holy Spirit would give us 21 New Testament books to tell us how to abide faithfully in Christ and only the one book of Acts to tell us how to become Christians, if there were no possibility of falling. Why is there such a disproportionate ratio, if falling away is impossible?” (Pick The Brighter Tulip, p. 65) 

In conclusion, the unpardonable sin is choosing to ignore the Holy Spirit’s conviction. This ultimately takes places in every person who never chooses to receive Christ as Lord of their lives and it can happen in the life a Christian who decides they no longer want to be a Christian. This is known as apostasy; it is a falling away from Christ, rejecting the salvation He made available and there is no forgiveness for this sin. 

Next month we will consider objections that some make to the possibility of a believer giving up their salvation. But for now, let’s consider how a person can give up their salvation and thereby commit the unpardonable sin. First, spiritual suicide: the deliberate decision to stop believing in Christ and His saving work, thus renouncing the Christian faith (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-29). Second, slow spiritual starvation: faith must be continually nurtured and practiced (2 Peter 2:10-11). And third, the strangulation of sin: if a Christian continually practices sin without fighting against it, sooner or later it will  choke the life out of their faith (Matt. 13:7, 22).

It is my prayer that you continually respond to the Holy Spirit’s conviction so you do not find yourself committing the unpardonable sin.

In His service,

     Matt