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'ETERNAL SECURITY' Is Often Misrepresented

by linzy bruno
11/06/2023 / Bible Studies

Surely, we are eternally secure as God has promised in both the Old Testament and the New.

Moreover, He has also said that He will never forsake us in 2Chronicles 15:2, Ezekiel 22:20, Jeremiah 6:13, Matthew 7:23 and Joshua 24:20.

(To the contrary of this, see Hebrews 13:5, Jeremiah 23:39 & Deuteronomy 31:6 for an ominous wake-up call!)

The New Testament believer IS eternally secure upon accepting Jesus Christ as Savior with an unfeigned heart. However, ‘eternal security’ has become a catchy phrase, rather than an accurate biblical teaching…

The phrase ‘eternal security’ is huge in certain religious circles, but what exactly are they trying to say through this well-known phrase?

Their ‘doctrine’ (Once Saved always Saved) insists that just because someone says the salvation prayer when they were 14 or 27 or 45 that they have the seal of God on their foreheads, whether they are actively pursuing God or not, whether they are in relationship with God through Christ or not. But the Scriptures clearly illustrate to believers that we are to "put on the new man and put off the old" and that we are to "work out our salvation." And Jesus said we are to "pick up our cross and follow Him" and that if we love Him, we will obey Him and that we are to ‘count the cost.’ See Luke 14:28-28.

To say a salvation prayer is lovely, beautiful even and God approves, providing it is said in Truth and sincerity. However, if that's all we get out of it; a warm gushy moment, a special feeling that only results in memory and we go on with life as if nothing happened, then nothing will.

And to those who live this way and think they're saved; God’s Word has a lot to say.

"that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24)

"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:1-4)

"He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39)

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."

And He also said: “If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15)

Through God's Word, those who want to know the truth, can surely find it. God never used the phrase 'eternal security.'

This is not to say that these words do not express Truth! They most certainly do! BUT, it does appear that those who rely heavily on this phrase and the OSAS doctrine, are teaching through an unbiblical context. Rather than teach eternal life, which is promised for those who believe on Jesus in John 3:3 & 16, 10:28-29, 1John 5:13, Romans 5:1 & 8:31-39, Ephesians 1:13-14, Hebrews 6:18-20 & 13:5 & 2Corinthians 5:17. They teach that as long as you've said your salvation prayer it doesn't matter how much you sin because God will forgive you.

But God's Word does teach that we are forgiven because of our faith in Christ doesn't it? Yes it does, but this teaching is still twisting the meaning. This teaching is saying that you can plan your forgiveness ahead of time. Like thinking 'all my friends are getting drunk tonight and God knows I don't want to be left out, He'll forgive me, so I think I'll cut loose tonight!' is appropriate in God's Economy, well it's not. This is an attempt to manipulate God and perverts the Scriptures! See Galatians 6:7.

Of course the Scriptures that teach on eternal life are synonymous with eternal security, but that's not how this concept is being taught at the present time.

There is a difference between forgiveness for those in Christ and abuse of God's Grace. If it were not so, Jesus would not have used so many parables or parables at all. Every parable carries a message about the importance of relationship with God through Christ, of consecration; living a live devoted before HIM and scores of Scriptures encourage believers on how to accomplish this spiritual work. We can develop "fruit of the Spirit" by working with God to gain spiritual maturity and the joy and blessings that come as a result are beyond measure; priceless and reliable. And through this lifestyle, believers grow in relationship with HIM, what could be better?

Moreover, there are warnings for those who choose to rely on merely believing what sounds good and not investigating for themselves; keeping themselves in ignorance.

As mentioned earlier, the Parables of Jesus teach a variety of lessons: taking the Word of God seriously, that this is not our real home, the blessings of obedience, not trying to get away with things; integrity, not worrying, but trusting in God's Provision and more.......But they all have one common message: Follow The Example of Christ, be a bondservant; holy consecrated toward Him. Forsake the world, give up friends if necessary. Put God first and do not deny Him, even to the point of death. If it wasn't absolutely critical for all believers to know these things then Jesus certainly would not have told the parable about the 10 virgins in Matthew 25. This parable makes it clear, only those who are in relationship with Him are truly saved.

And what about the seal of God on everyone who says the salvation prayer? Certainly this cannot be true in light of all the pertinent Scriptures noted. The seal of God is for those who love God above all else and are devoted to Him:

"Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work."

But God knows we cannot obey Him perfectly; we all make mistakes and all have sinned (Romans 3:23). But we have a mediator: Christ our Lord. And God has also provided us with repentance, which when we sin, is there for us as a gift from God, so it is not of our own works (Ephesians 2:9).

" in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth," (2Timothy 2:25)

Another example of what God Commands and really expects is highlighted in the Book of Revelation. This prophetic masterpiece provides a sample of the requirements for salvation: true faith, not casual faith or mere head knowledge. Those who have true faith will obey the Lord and will be humble and repentant. The passages that reflect this are those regarding the letters to the 7 Churches. Revelation 2:4-5:

"Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent."

AND:
" Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you." (Revelation 3:3)

God requires repentance. We see evidence in both the New Testament, as well as the old, right up to the end of the Church Age, as we can see from the Scriptures in the Book of Revelation and all the way back to the beginning of time.

Here’s an example of repentance in the Old Testament in the Book of Job:

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You.
Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 4:5-6)

Other examples are: King David’s repentance, recorded in Psalm 51 and one time Moses repents on behalf of the Israelites in Exodus 32:30-34.

Furthermore, God Declared Israel’s dire need for Him; for their very survival in the Book of Deuteronomy:

Deuteronomy 8:2-3
“And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.”

A casual acknowledgement of the Power of Christ through a one-time prayer and then go on with life as usual?

Help me spread the word; that is not what true faith looks like!……..

Revelation 3:16-17:

“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—"

NKJV

Linzy has been writing for many years; seriously since her 3 kids were still young and inspirational. She has taken 2 courses in Bible studies and completed "Four Soils" Bible study course in a 26-month period; earning her certification in Bible Counselling.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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