I have been thinking a lot lately about assurance -- the doctrine that God will give persevering grace to those whom he has initially called to himself in Christ -- what is sometimes called "once saved, always saved." The question is, are Christians truly secure in their walk with Christ? Or, to put it the other way around, is it possible for a born-again believer to lose his salvation? After years of thought and prayer, my answer is an emphatic yes, we are secure in Christ, and, no, a truly born-again Christian cannot lose the salvation secured for him in Christ. Of course, there are plenty of passages in the Bible where we who are called Christian are cautioned about spiritual presumptuousness and easy-believe-ism. The books of Hebrews and James come to mind. On the other hand, one of the greatest joys of apostolic Christianity is the promise Christ gives his followers:
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:28)
Paul reflects this promise of his Master when he writes, "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." (Phil. 1:6) There is much more that has to be said, but not before we add a humble and grateful Amen!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDitto. And that's got to be tied to statements in John 6 and 11. E.g., "And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. " There's an intra-Trinitarian act whereby the Father who elects, delivers sinners to his Son, and the Son, doing what his Father tells him to do, will never let go.
ReplyDelete