"The Security of the Believer"
* Just like diff twixt standby flight and reserved seat, diff twixt faith with assurance of salvation & that without
- "Takes some of the joy out of the journey"
- 2Pet2:10a
* Definitions & distinctions
- LCCC Statement of Faith
- Grudem: "The perseverance of the saints means that all those who are truly born again will be kept by God’s power and will persevere as Christians until the end of their lives, and that only those who persevere until the end have been truly born again."
- Ryrie: "Eternal security is the work of God which guarantees that the gift of salvation, once received, is forever and can not be lost."
- A secure salvation is a true fact whether one realizes it or not. Thus a believer has security whether or not he has assurance.
* Why do people lack assurance?
- Some doubt their commitment to Christ, or can't pinpoint moment of salvation
- Some question they used correct procedure to express faith in Christ
- Some don't believe security of believer
- Some lack assurance when they sin; although a "normal Christian experience never includes sinlessness"
- Trials cause some to doubt; although they are "crucible in which assurance of faith is formed" {Rom5:1,3-4}
* Arminian View of Security
- Presumptuous to assume knowledge of eternal destiny
- Leads to license to sin
- Counter: salvation NOT a joint effort
* Evidence of Eternal Security
- Purpose of God {Rom8:30, Eph1:5-12}
- Power of God {Jude24, John10:28-29, Phil1:6}
- Death of Christ {Rom8:33-34, John6:39-40}
- Intercession of Christ {John17, Heb7:25, 1John2:1}
- Baptism of Holy Spirit {1Cor12:13}
- Seal of Holy Spirit {Eph4:30}
- His Word guarantees nothing will undo salvation {Rom8:28-39, 1John5:13}
* Problem passages
- Gal5:4 or Heb10:26-31: Appeal to live in liberty of grace rather than legalism
- 1Cor9:24-27, 3:14-15: Loss of rewards rather than salvation
- Heb6:1-8: Fearful consequences of willful sin that doesn't include loss of salvation
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1 comment:
During second service I was confused at Jim's interpretation of Heb 6:1-8, he seemed confused as well. And then a few people around me seemed confused. I need to go into it more! Fascinating topic though.
He mentioned troublesome passages. I wish we would have discussed those more beyond what we did. Really Hebrews is the troublesome book on that topic as a whole.
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