The present reality of Eternal Security for those who are in Christ

Believers are eternally secure from condemnation through the work of Christ’s Atonement (Rom 8.1.3)

Explanation: Paul begins this section with the word therefore which serves as a summary of the first 7 chapters. Paul has taught that all people are born with a sin nature and are under condemnation. He has taught that humanity is incapable of achieving a righteousness from our own efforts (trying to obey the Law). He has demonstrated that the failure of the first Adam was passed on to all humanity which necessitated the Coming of the Second Adam - Jesus Christ.

This 2nd Adam did come, and He did accomplish His purpose. As a result of Jesus’ righteous sacrifice for the sin debt of humanity, there have been, and continue to be, those who are empowered to experience a life free from the burden of sin and guilt. Paul begins to describe the wonderful and amazing gift of what we call the Eternal Security of the Believer!

Notice the present tense - there IS now no condemnation. Freedom from condemnation is a present reality for believers. Paul is declaring the Gospel truth that those who have yielded their lives and trusted in the finished work of Jesus through faith ARE secure! This is a declaration from God in His inspired word, not an opinion. This is not a feeling; it is based on the Objective Reality of what Jesus has accomplished. This is one of his gifts to His followers - peace that comes with knowing we are His (cf. Romans 5:1)

Illustrate: importance of security. We live in an anxiety-filled world. We live with the possibility of earthquakes, hurricanes, and flooding; we live with unstable markets and a messed up economy; we live in a world in which a growing number of persons are confused about their gender, and we can no longer define what it means to be a woman.

Argument: The values and morals of our nation seem to be in free fall. It is now difficult to know which news stories can be trusted. It is possible, even for believers, to be caught up in anxious thoughts for the future. While there is a need for a thoughtful Christian response to the issues of our day, we are not to give in to the general despair that seems to affect many others.

Application: Remember that this world is NOT the end. We cannot control the events of history, but we can face them with confidence because of who Jesus is and what He has done and will continue to do for His followers. Knowing that our salvation is based on His finished work on the Cross, not our feelings, brings peace.

Yes, the struggle against sin continues (we discussed this topic last Sunday), but God is the One who saves His people, and God is the One who will keep ALL of His children. (John 6.39; 1 Peter 1.3.5)

The Believer’s security is evidenced by a life patterned after the Spirit, not the flesh (Rom 8.4.6)

Explanation: This Eternal Security is real, but it is not to be presumed on by all. This present and future reality is reserved for those who have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to “fulfill the righteousness of the Law” (Rom 8.4). Those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit can be identified by the patterns of their lives.

Paul makes a sharp and clear contrast between those in the Spirit and those who remain in the flesh in verses 4 -6.

Those who are in the Flesh Those who are in the Spirit

care about worldly matters care about Spiritual matters

eternal death is future experience life and peace

Hostile to God strive to please God

incapable of pleasing God living in hope of resurrection

Illustrate: the old saying is true and easy to understand: if something looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck - it is a duck.

Argument: Those who are IN CHRIST are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and He supernaturally brings change in a person’s way of thinking and living (cf., 2 Corinthians 5.17) Believers will never achieve perfection in this life (Romans 7.14.25), but we have been and will continue to be impacted and affected by the Spirit’s presence in our lives. The reality of a changed life is what allows us to live in confidence.

This is one side of the contrast, the second focus is not as pleasant, but must be addressed:

Those who live according to the flesh have no security because they are the enemies of God (Rom 8.7.8)

Explanation: Stated in such blunt terms sounds harsh and judgmental. It sounds uncaring to the untrained ear. But it is the Biblical reality of those who are outside of Christ - they are the enemies of God and abide under His righteous wrath (cf., John 3:36)

Paul is clear in declaring that those who are in the flesh are hostile to the law of God and that they in fact cannot please God through any of their efforts! This is not Paul’s opinion - this is the inspired Word of God and it is binding and authoritative.

Argument: The idea that a person can be neutral in relation to God is a myth created by the minds of those who do not like the idea of being accountable to Him. Some people have the mistaken idea that they don’t need peace with God because they haven’t really done anything against God. They see themselves as simply living life on their own terms. They may even consider themselves to be good citizens who contribute to society in positive ways by being nice and helpings others.

This type of thinking reveals a mind that is blinded to the good news of the Gospel (cf., 2 Corinthians 4.3.4). This type of thinking relies on the mistaken idea that a lost person can produce a righteous work that will please God and tilt the scales of justice in his or her favor. This is not possible (Rom 8.8; Isaiah 64.6)

Application: This is a hard truth, but it is truth and we are called to share it. First point of application is a self check: are you vainly trusting in your own unrighteous efforts to please God? If you are, you need to repent and trust in Christ as your only hope.

Second point of application: we are to pray for those who are trusting in their own efforts and plead with God to save them. We are to be willing to share the Gospel and how a relationship with Jesus will actually result in a changed life and eternal security in the future.

The Believer’s security will be completed through the guarantee of Resurrection by the Triune God (Rom 8.9.11)

Explanation: The conjunction but immediately swings the discussion in the other direction. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God BUT the clear implication is that believers can please God. Paul describes these people with a positive and a negative that highlights an interesting aspect of the Trinitarian nature of salvation.

In the positive: Paul declares it is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that removes a person from being in the flesh.

In the negative: Paul states that if a person does not have the Spirit of Christ he does not belong to God.

This wording of v. 9 shows the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Christ as interchangeable and equals - both fully God

He adds to this truth in v. 11. He states that if the One who raised Jesus dwells in you, the that One will also raise you by the Holy Spirit. In other Scripture God the Father is the One who raised Jesus (cf Acts 2:24). So, in these two verses we see the inter working of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as the Triune God brings about the completion of a believer’s security in the act of bodily resurrection.

Argument: These verses are not designed to give a full understanding of the Trinitarian nature of God. They are put forth is Scripture to share this Divine Truth, and, more importantly, in the context these words are designed to increase our confidence. The Godhead is in full agreement with the continued salvation and complete security of those who are in Christ!

Application: Understand the confidence God gives His children. He does not save us for a period of time - He saves us forever. As one commentator stated, “A person does not move out and in of condemnation. It is wrong to think God moves a person out of condemnation when he or she repents and trusts in Christ, only to put that same person back under condemnation when he or she commits a future sin.” (possibly Bishop Ryle?)

Christians do not have a revolving door of salvation. Yes, we struggle with sin, but our sins as believers do not remove us from the Hand of God. When He saved us and declared us free from condemnation, He covered ALL of our sins - past, present and future. Those who are IN Christ are Eternally Secure!! This is a cause for great rejoicing and for the Glory of God. It is for His Glory because He is the Only One who can pull it off!!