6 3 Eternal Security 3 Handout

Hebrews Series- Fellowship Baptist Church

Eternal Security – The Believer’s Faith is Secure

At the end of last week I left you with another question—is it possible to lose God’s salvation?  Let me put it another way—if my belief, “faith,” is a product of God’s grace in the first place, what would have to happen for my belief to end or be abandoned (to return to my natural state)?  The answer is that it would require the abandonment of God’s grace in my life.  It is only by the grace of God that salvation can occur and it is only by the grace of God that salvation is maintained.  Salvation is not the result of my efforts before conversion and it is not the result of my efforts after conversion.

This brings us to today’s question—is it possible for me to do something that would cause God to remove His saving grace from my life and return me to a pre-salvation state?  Would God abandon His work of grace in my life?  Would He allow my faith to cease?

The Bible is clear that not only is salvation a work of God’s grace, but that the continuance of my faith and completion of that work of salvation after this life is also a work of God’s grace that will never be ended.  Let’s look at a few key passages that address this truth.

1. My faith is secure because there is nothing that can interrupt or eliminate the relationship that God has established with His children.  Romans 8

Paul’s instruction on Salvation – vv. 1-16

No condemnation to those in Christ Jesus

Change in behavior-walk after spirit not after flesh

Spirit of God dwells in you

Spirit of God witnesses in us that we are His children

We have become fellow-heirs with Christ

Paul’s instruction on Christians and suffering – vv. 17-27

We share in the sufferings of Christ

Now our bodies suffer but God’s children look forward to the redemption of the body

We know that this suffering is part of God’s good work in us—conforming us to the image of Christ

Paul’s instruction on our assurance of salvation in suffering – vv. 28-39

     God has called us according to His purpose

     He foreknew that He would call us – His plan for us from eternity past

     He predestined us to be conform us to Christ image – His plan for us from eternity past

     So those predestined were called, those called were justified, those justified were glorified.  All of these terms are in the past tense.  Even our glorification is complete from God’s perspective.

So what are the results?  vv. 31-39

     God is on our side in spite of any who would seek to change that relationship.

     No charge can be brought against us before God because our account has been cleared (justification)

     There is no one who can condemn us before God because Christ intercedes on our behalf against accusers.

     There is absolutely no one or nothing that can end the relationship that I enjoy with God the Father.  There is nothing that would cause Him to remove His grace—therefore my faith is secure.

1. My faith is secure because God Himself has taken responsibility to complete the work of salvation in me. 

Philippians 1:6 – the point of Paul’s thankfulness is that they are saints who are participating in the same grace he has received.  He states that God began the work in them and God will complete it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 – Paul expresses his desire that God would continue to sanctify them and keep them blameless until Christ’s return. 

He then reminds them in verse 24 that God is faithful, that God has called them, and that God will do it.  No doubts or ifs and none of this is contingent upon their efforts.

The message of both is this: that the grace which began in the act of salvation will complete the process of sanctification.  It will not stop until we are fully sanctified (glorified)

God began the process with His grace which produced faith.  God has personally taken responsibility to finish the process and He is faithful to complete whatever He begins, therefore my faith is secure.