Eternal Security: Assurance of Salvation in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance of Salvation in God's Faithfulness

The assurance of salvation is not dependent on our ability to maintain it but is rooted in God's unwavering faithfulness. Romans 8:30 and Philippians 1:6 affirm that those whom God justifies, He also glorifies, underscoring the certainty of our eternal security. This assurance is a comforting reminder that our salvation is secure in Christ, and it is God who completes the work He begins in us. Our journey from justification to glorification is seamless, with no dropouts, as God is faithful to sustain us until the end. [03:38]

"For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it." (Psalm 94:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you rest in the assurance of God's faithfulness today, especially in areas where you feel uncertain or insecure about your spiritual journey?

Day 2: Perseverance as a Confirmation of Faith

Perseverance in faith is not a condition for salvation but a confirmation of it. Hebrews 3:14 highlights that holding our confidence firm to the end confirms our genuine union with Christ. True believers will persevere, demonstrating that they have indeed come to share in Christ. This perseverance is a testament to the genuine work of God in their lives, not a means to earn or maintain salvation. It is a reflection of the transformative power of God's grace at work within us, confirming our standing in grace. [06:34]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a challenge you are currently facing. How can you see this as an opportunity to confirm your faith through perseverance, trusting in God's sustaining power?

Day 3: The Depth of True Faith

True faith is characterized by a genuine relationship with Christ, not merely an initial belief. John 10:27-28 assures us that those who truly know Christ will never be snatched from His hand. This relationship is marked by ongoing trust and obedience, reflecting a deep and abiding connection with Jesus. True faith is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of walking with Christ, listening to His voice, and following Him. It is this enduring relationship that assures us of our eternal security in Him. [09:26]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with Christ. How can you deepen your connection with Him today, ensuring that your faith is not just an initial belief but a living, growing relationship?

Day 4: Sanctification as Evidence of Justification

Sanctification is an ongoing process that evidences our justification. Hebrews 10:14 emphasizes that those being sanctified are perfected for all time, highlighting the inseparable link between justification and sanctification. This process of becoming more like Christ is a testament to the transformative power of God's grace in our lives. As we grow in holiness, we reflect the reality of our justified status before God, demonstrating the work of the Holy Spirit in conforming us to the image of Christ. [08:15]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you see the need for growth in holiness. How can you actively participate in the process of sanctification, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform you?

Day 5: The Danger of False Assurance

Galatians 5:4 serves as a warning against seeking justification through the law, which leads to being severed from Christ. This underscores the importance of relying solely on grace for our salvation. False assurance comes from trusting in our own efforts or adherence to the law rather than in the finished work of Christ. It is crucial to examine the foundation of our faith, ensuring that it is built on the grace of God and not on our own works, which can lead to a false sense of security. [11:46]

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of grace and works. Are there areas in your life where you might be relying on your own efforts for assurance? How can you shift your focus to fully trust in God's grace?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of Galatians 5:1-6, we delve into the profound question of whether a believer can lose their salvation, a topic that has sparked much debate. The verse in question, Galatians 5:4, suggests that those seeking justification through the law are severed from Christ and have fallen away from grace. This raises the question: can someone who was once united with Christ and justified fall away from salvation?

I argue that this interpretation does not align with the broader biblical teaching on the perseverance of the saints. The New Testament provides a robust assurance that those whom God regenerates, unites to Christ, and justifies are kept by Christ infallibly. Romans 8:30, for instance, assures us that those whom God justifies, He also glorifies, indicating a seamless journey from justification to glorification without any dropouts. Similarly, Philippians 1:6 and 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 affirm that God, who begins a good work in believers, will bring it to completion, sustaining them guiltless until the end.

The key lies in understanding the nature of true faith and perseverance. Hebrews 3:14 and 10:14 emphasize that perseverance is not a condition for salvation but a confirmation of it. True believers will hold their confidence firm to the end, demonstrating that they have indeed come to share in Christ. This perseverance is a testament to the genuine work of God in their lives, not a means to earn or maintain salvation.

Moreover, Jesus' words in John 10:27-28 provide a comforting assurance of eternal security for His sheep. Those who hear His voice and follow Him are given eternal life, and no one can snatch them out of His hand. This security is not based on our ability to remain faithful but on God's faithfulness to keep His promises.

In conclusion, while Galatians 5:4 warns against seeking justification through the law, it does not negate the doctrine of eternal security for those truly in Christ. Our perseverance in faith and refusal to embrace false teachings confirm our standing in grace, not the other way around.

Key Takeaways

1. 28 assures us that those who truly know Christ will never be snatched from His hand. [09:26]
4. The Role of Sanctification: Sanctification is an ongoing process that evidences our justification. Hebrews 10:14 emphasizes that those being sanctified are perfected for all time, highlighting the inseparable link between justification and sanctification.

5. Warning Against False Assurance: Galatians 5:4 serves as a warning against seeking justification through the law, which leads to being severed from Christ. This underscores the importance of relying solely on grace for our salvation.

** [09:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Introduction to Galatians 5:1-6
[00:40] - Question of Eternal Security
[01:18] - Misinterpretation of Salvation Loss
[02:09] - Perseverance of the Saints
[03:17] - Biblical Assurance of Salvation
[03:38] - Romans 8:30: Predestination to Glorification
[04:28] - Philippians 1:6: Completion of God's Work
[05:02] - 1 Corinthians 1:8-9: Sustained Guiltless
[05:54] - 1 Thessalonians 5: Faithful God
[06:34] - Hebrews 3:14: Perseverance as Confirmation
[07:55] - Hebrews 10:14: Sanctification and Perfection
[09:26] - John 10: Eternal Security in Christ
[10:19] - 2 Peter 1:10: Confirming Calling and Election
[11:10] - Galatians 5:4: Warning Against Legalism
[12:02] - True vs. False Faith
[13:12] - Perseverance as Evidence of True Faith
[14:08] - Conclusion: Assurance in Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Galatians 5:1-6
Romans 8:30
John 10:27-28

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Observation Questions:

What does Galatians 5:4 mean when it says, "You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law"? How does this relate to the concept of falling away from grace? [00:16]
According to Romans 8:30, what is the sequence of events that leads from predestination to glorification? How does this sequence assure believers of their eternal security? [03:38]
In John 10:27-28, what promises does Jesus make to His sheep, and how do these promises contribute to the assurance of eternal security? [09:26]
How does the sermon interpret the role of perseverance in the life of a believer, according to Hebrews 3:14? [06:34]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon reconcile the warning in Galatians 5:4 with the doctrine of eternal security? What is the significance of understanding this warning in the context of the entire New Testament? [11:10]
What does the sermon suggest about the nature of true faith and its relationship to perseverance? How does this understanding impact the believer's view of salvation? [07:12]
How does the assurance of eternal security, as discussed in the sermon, affect a believer's daily walk with Christ? What role does God's faithfulness play in this assurance? [09:45]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that sanctification is evidence of justification? How does this process of sanctification confirm a believer's standing in grace? [08:15]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt uncertain about your salvation. How does the assurance of eternal security, as discussed in the sermon, provide comfort and confidence in your faith journey? [09:45]
The sermon emphasizes perseverance as a confirmation of true faith. What are some practical ways you can hold your confidence firm to the end, especially during challenging times? [06:34]
Consider the warning against seeking justification through the law in Galatians 5:4. Are there areas in your life where you might be relying on your own efforts rather than God's grace for your sense of righteousness? [11:46]
How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ, as described in John 10:27-28, to ensure that you are one of His sheep who hears His voice and follows Him? [09:26]
The sermon highlights the ongoing process of sanctification. Identify one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to grow in holiness. What steps can you take this week to respond to that call? [08:15]
Reflect on the role of God's faithfulness in your life. How can you remind yourself of His promises and faithfulness when you face doubts or fears about your salvation? [05:20]
How does understanding the nature of true faith, as discussed in the sermon, challenge or affirm your current understanding of your relationship with Christ? What changes might you need to make in your spiritual practices? [12:23]

Sermon Clips

In other words, does it mean that they were United to Christ, they were Justified, they were under the sway of electing Sovereign Grace, they were saved, but now they have been cut off from Christ, having been United with him, they have been unjustified, having been Justified, and they have been severed now and cut off from and Fallen away from electing saving regenerating Grace? [00:00:48]

The perseverance of the Saints teaches that God will enable us to persevere, and if we don't persevere, then this severing and this falling away is not a falling away from actually being united to Christ in a justifying way or in the sway of sovereign and saving grace, but rather severed from Christ as he's offered in the gospels. [00:02:36]

Those whom God regenerates, unites to Christ, has chosen from the foundation of the world, justifies, are kept by Christ infallibly. Nobody is lost. So let me look at those texts with you, and you decide what you think the Bible teaches. So here's Romans 8:30: Those whom he predestined, he also called. [00:03:17]

Philippians 1:6: I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. So this, there is a work that God begins in a person which secures and guarantees the completion of it. [00:04:28]

He will sustain you to the end, Guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will sustain you Guiltless in that last day. You'll do it. This is the you who are truly Born Again, Justified, have saving faith. God is faithful. There's the Key Word by whom you were called. [00:05:10]

For we have, and it's a perfect tense here, we have come to share in Christ. So he's looking at Christians and he's saying that there are true Christians who have come to share in Christ. They are truly United to Christ, and then he puts a condition on it: if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. [00:06:28]

By a single offering, not repeated one time, he has perfected for all time. Perfected for all time. Who has this single offering perfected for all time? Those who are being Sanctified. That's an amazing verse because this implies that there's an ongoing process by which we are becoming perfect. [00:07:55]

My sheep hear my voice, so he has his own sheep. Those are the elect in the world. They know his voice when he calls in the gospel. They come. I know them, and they follow me. Now what? I give them eternal life. They will never, never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. [00:09:26]

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm. Remember I said back here that our perseverance, our holding our original confidence firm to the end, is a confirmation that we have come to be in Christ. Well, here's Peter actually using the word confirm. [00:10:19]

There is a kind of faith that is unreal. Now, when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, Jesus, referring to Jesus, many believed in him in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus, on his part, did not entrust himself to them because he knew all people. [00:12:02]

He's saying there was a kind of believing, but whether it is a true believing or an empty believing, an in-vain believing, is going to be proven by whether people persevere. And that's the way he's thinking about the Galatians because in chapter 3:4, he cries out with perplexity. [00:13:12]

Our perseverance in belief, our refusal to seek justification by law or embrace any other false teaching that comes along, is a confirmation that we are in Christ and in the sway of Grace. So I do not believe that verse four teaches anything contrary to the perseverance of the saints. [00:14:08]

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Eternal Security: Assurance of Salvation in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance of Salvation in God's Faithfulness

Day 2: Perseverance as a Confirmation of Faith

Day 3: The Depth of True Faith

Day 4: Sanctification as Evidence of Justification

Day 5: The Danger of False Assurance

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Eternal Security: Assurance of Salvation in Christ

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