ETERNAL SECURITY

of the

BORN AGAIN BELIEVER

in

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

(Last updated on 12-14-2001)

There are things that we just cannot not count on happening. We cannot count on getting the same amount income tax return that we filed for. Even if we do the IRS can come back years later and say we owe a certain amount. We cannot count on a politician keeping a promise, nor anybody else's for that matter. We cannot guarantee that we will be alive tomorrow on this earth!

There are things we can count on though. We can count on politicians lying. We can count on innocent men, women, children, and babies being killed at times, even daily somewhere! We can count on this body of ours dying (or being caught away - raptured first). We can count on the Lord Jesus Christ coming back! The greatest thing I know of, though, is we can count on our salvation (and knowing we cannot lose it) in the Lord Jesus Christ in whom we have believed, even our God!

It is very plain to see in the Bible that God does not want us to have fear about losing our salvation. In fact, in 1 John 4:17-18 we are told that our love is "made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment." If you are worrying about your salvation your love is not made perfect and how can you have boldness on the day of judgment? Worrying about losing your salvation produces false fear and self righteousness. Self righteousness in turn produces pride and God hates, "a proud look!" (Proverb 6:16-17) He hates pride because it is evil and we are to hate it too! (Proverb 8:13) False fear is produced because you cannot lose your salvation; you're fearing something that does not exist. The self righteousness stems from trying to earn your salvation by doing good works and being good enough. Therefore, the flesh can say, "Look at me, look what I'm doing, look how good I am!"

By the way, just how good do you have to be or how much sin can you get away with if you think you can lose your salvation? What did Christ die for if you can earn your salvation and have to do enough good works or sin too much to lose it? Christ died in vain if you believe that!

Remember the Apostle Paul's words:

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:18)

So, how then can we be eternally secure if the flesh is no good? First of all, God promises to save forevermore all people that believe on his Son, even the Lord Jesus Christ. Any honest person will believe it after reading this work in full and believing what you read, the scripture that is, exactly for what it says.

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (Colossians 2:11)

Briefly speaking, when you are born again, God does a spiritual circumcision (Colossians 2:11) which separates the spirit from the body and soul. The spirit is then born again into a sinless spirit (1 John 3:9) with Christ's righteousness (Philippians 3:9).

So, let's go on and see what God has to say about your salvation:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Before I believed in "once saved, always saved" the Bible would confuse me about the issue. In some places it said that someone could lose their salvation and in other places it said no way! In "rightly dividing the word of truth" we will find some answers. (2 Timothy 2:15) I finally started looking at all the verses that said I could not lose my salvation, (which there are many of). I figured that I must be saved forevermore regardless of what anybody says or what other verses say, because of so many versus saying I was secure in Jesus Christ forevermore. I only had to believe that he died on the cross for my sins, that I needed forgiveness for my sins through him, and to turn away from my sinful ways. I then proceeded to find some answers about the verses that contradicted my eternal security - both those that did and those that actually just appeared that way! Guess what? The LORD gave me answers then!

Let's look at some of the verses that say you cannot lose your salvation:

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)

You may not like it, but if you are born again "of God," you cannot take being a son away, nor can you lose it. I can be very disobedient of my Dad's commands. My Dad or I can say we are no longer father and son. That does not change the fact that I am still his son. The same is with our relationship with God the Father! We are born of the Spirit and made perfect for ever (John 3:1-7; Hebrews 10:14; 1 John 3:9)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Probably the most quoted verse in the Bible is John 3:16. Many of us have it memorized from Sunday School from years and years ago, but yet, there are those that will add words that are not there. We seem to get hung on some others verses though that it appears we can lose our salvation, but "everlasting life" is "everlasting life" regardless of what the other verses say. Normally, when the Bible contradicts itself it is because of one of three reasons. First of, a verse(s) are taken out of content. Secondly, the verse(s) is misinterpreted. Lastly, the verse is taken out of another dispensation. For example, you surely you not stone your children to death if they cursed at you or hit you (Exodus 21:15, 17) then why go into other dispensations for a verse that does not doctrinally (teaching) apply to the church age, "the dispensation of the grace of God." (Ephesians 3:2)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)

You have everlasting life - present tense. How long is everlasting? Does that mean everlasting as long as you don't become unfaithful? Don't you think that God would have said that if that is what he meant? When you read the scripture, don't add to it or take away. Are you that vain that you would put words in God's mouth? It says you have already "passed from death unto life," past tense! That is irreversible. You will not go to hell once you are born again.

But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me...When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 5:36; 19:30)

We "are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Yes or no; it cannot be both ways, one or the other? (Hebrews 10:10) Did God manifest himself "in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16) to "save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10) or not? Since his blood was good enough near 2000 years ago and it is good today, does it somehow mystically quit working after you get saved? Does the Lord Jesus have to go through it again for you (Hebrews 6:6) or will you believe him when he said, "It is finished." (John 19:30) It is all said brother or sister, done and over with, finished - your sins, past, present, and future are nailed to the cross forevermore! (Colossians 2:14) Perhaps the problem for you is "ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not."? (John 5:38) Read on and see what the Lord God says about your salvation and not the "tradition of men". (Mark 7:8)

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)

A lot of people will look at that verse and say, "Jesus will not cast you out - unless - you sin too much, become unfaithful, or do not do enough good works." "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar." (Romans 3:4) The people that doubt may not be saved, nor would they have Jesus' words in them. For the same one who had Paul write "let God be true," said this, (and is still saying it today):

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you...And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. (John 5:38; 10:26)

Again, people want to read things into the scripture that are not there. They wrongly insist, "You will never perish (John 10:28) as long as you do enough good works or if you don't sin too much." How much is too much? How about, "You are perfected forever" (Hebrews 10:14) as long as you go to mass and eat a cracker and drink some wine." No, no, no! What does the scripture say?

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (John 6:39)

Jesus is perfect and sinless, agreed? He cannot lose you to hell, else he would be in sin because he would not being doing the will of the Father. But you still insist, "But I can lose it; he'll let me do that if I sin too much." If you believe that, then Jesus lost you or you are calling him a liar. Brother - it is that simple - there was no condition set above except for God the Father gave you to Christ with the condition that he raise you on the last day, period. This stuff is really not that hard to understand if you simply read the scripture for what it says without adding to it. You will be raised on the last day if you have been born again! I was lost, but now I'm found, and I will never be lost anymore. Nope, nope, nope, even so, going up, up, up, very, very, soon. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20)

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)

Eternal is forevermore and always, even everlasting! Guess what "never perish" means? Keep thinking; it will come to you. Figure it out yet? In case you are not sure, I will tell you. Hold on tight now. This may come to you as a real shock, so do not get too alarmed when I tell you. Ready? Here it comes. "Never perish" means never perish! (OK, so I get sarcastic at times.) Believe it or not there are very many people that appear cannot read plain fifth grade English that have graduated from Colossianslege. If the shoe fits; isn't time to grow out of it!

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:29)

OK, now you have a real problem here if you think you can lose it. First of all, not only would you have to pluck yourself out of the Lord Jesus Christ's hand, but also God the Father's who "is greater than all." Exalting yourself there a little bit aren't you? You would also have to steal a gift from Jesus that the Father gave him which is you! You cannot do that. You were bought for a price; you are not yours! (1 Corinthians 6:20) Thou shalt not steal! Get the point. It also says, "no man." That includes you too - like it or not. Look at it this way. You are a gift to the Son from the Father. The Father will not repent of his gifts (Romans 11:29) and the Son will not in any way cast you into hell! Praise the Lord - eternally secure - once saved, always saved!

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)

If you still insist that you can be cast into hell once you are born again, then you just called Jesus a liar. It's that simple - he is not going to trash you. Don't get mad at me; I didn't say it - the Lord Jesus Christ did!

In case you did not hear that, I repeat:

There isn't anybody that can pluck you out of the Father's hand!
There isn't anybody that can pluck you out of Jesus' hand!
That includes you. You are a man aren't you?
You were bought for a price! It is not your salvation to lose!
You do not belong to yourself! The father gave you to Jesus!
You cannot steal your salvation from the Lord!
Thou shalt not steal! You cannot send yourself to hell!
Jesus promised that he will not cast you out!
There isn't anybody that is going to cause you to perish!

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:39)

You mean from all sin, even a lack of works too? Some people just refuse to read the scripture for what it says: "by him all that believe are justified from all things." That is "are justified from all things." It is very important to note the tiny word, "are," in the verse. That is present tense. There is only one condition set and that is belief. Remember, there are many other places in the scripture that uses the present tense, (that is in the true word of God, the King James Bible of 1611 also known as the AV1611 "authorized vesrion". The modern version changes the text to "are being saved" which is a corruption of the Greek, a flat out lie and purposed change and deception of the most holy scripture. That is another lengthy topic altogethr though.)

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

"[J]ustified from all things," even "from all sin." How plain can it get? Once again, since the blood was good enough to get saved 2000 years after the death of Christ Jesus, how does it all the sudden become to no avail? It does not! If you still doubt, read on:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35; 38-39)

"Nor any other creature" includes you if you are a "new creature in Christ!" Those passages will be commented on later, but for now know that - absolutely nothing - "shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord!"

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord....For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 6:23; 11:29)

Your salvation is a gift (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-10) and God will not change his mind and take back a promise else he becomes a liar and we know that God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18). Even if you become unfaithful, even if you sin "too much," even if you do not do a thing for the Lord, even if you come to a state of unbelief, even if you do not believe what the scriptures say. Plainly put, God simply will not repent (change his mind) of a gift that he gave you - period!

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)

Our almighty and all knowing living God foreknew who would come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved from eternal torment. Therefore, he did indeed predestinate all who would be saved to become his sons "conformed to the image of his Son,". My friend, there are some things that just cannot be undone. In the above case it is like pulling the trigger on a gun. Once that bullet is fired - you cannot stop it. The same with God's promises, once he promises us eternal life, being eternally secure with him, he cannot change his mind. Dear reader, please, do not add to it something like, "But, if we become unfaithful..." Read and believe God's word the way he said it. Don't add to it or take away.

Here is a similar verse to above:

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4)

Again, God foreknew who would come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ so he chose "us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:". So, do you see it? There is no way of escaping that if you read it for what it says, "holy and without blame".

So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:7-8)

And, yet another promise of eternally secure in him:

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)

Once again, God will not repent of a gift he gave you. I believe Jesus said what he meant, "that he may abide with you for ever." Not till you quench the Spirit, not till you sin, not if you do not do a good work, but for ever!

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts....In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory....And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30)

The one who sealed his Son (John 6:27) has also sealed you with his holy Spirit, until our bodies are redeemed, not just until you sin - that's a fact!!! (Romans 8:23) We are sealed in the Spirit so if anyone of us were to go to hell, he would bring the holy Spirit and all of us with him.

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. (2 Corinthians 4:14)

Don't worry about losing your salvation. God will raise us up or he is a liar!

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)

God wants us to be confident that he will not give up on us until we get our glorified bodies no matter what you think! Why else would he perform a good work in us "until the day of Jesus Christ?" Kind of a waste of his time doing it someone that "lost" his salvation, wouldn't you say?

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace," (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

God wants us to be comforted knowing that we have everlasting assurance of being with him for eternity.

If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)

God wants you to know for sure you cannot lose it under any circumstances whatsoever, even the worse scenario. The first part of the verse above says that we can come to a state of mind that we do not believe in God anymore. But, the second says that he will remain faithful if that happens. I am not sure exactly what the third part of the verse says, but it is one of two things. First, God cannot deny what he said, because God cannot lie! (Hebrews 6:18) He promised to keep us eternally secure and he will remain faithful in that promise even if we "believe not." Another possible way of looking at "he cannot deny himself" is that we are one in him. If he was not faithful in his promise, he would be denying himself of eternal security, that is, he would be casting part of himself in eternal damnation in the lake of fire.

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5)

We are kept through the "power of God" that we will see when we are caught up to meet him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). You have absolutely nothing to do with keeping yourself, period! God does that all by himself and doesn't need some pitiful human trying to do it for him, and I do say that with charity. Please remember, "every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah." (Psalm 39:5)

Jesus shall do what, till when? His precious blood was shed almost 2000 years ago to, "confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." That is all the way till he comes for us whether sleeping in him or alive (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27). Any one sin would disqualify anyone from heaven - all would go to hell if it were possible to lose our salvation.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

It is a faithful saying, "If you can work for it, why did he have to die?" It does not matter if you have never done any work that will endure the trying fire (in speaking of salvation), you still are saved! You can lose rewards, but not your salvation. Works have absolutely nothing to do with it no matter what you may think or believe! "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved". Once again, I remind you to not add to or take away from what the Bible says, because we are apt to forget easily (2 Peter 1:11-15). Besides, if you were having to do works for your salvation you would be under a curse.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Galatians 3:10)

Have you sinned today? (James 2:10) If it were possible to lose your salvation in the "of the dispensation of the grace of God" (Ephesians 3:2; Acts 20:24), you lost your salvation for a single sin and according to Hebrews 6:4-6 you could not get it back! You sure would have yourself in a jam if you could work for it, or if you could lose it! Be not fooled, for we all sin daily (Romans 3:23; 7:16-20); 1 Timothy 1:15). (I know who the Book of Hebrews is written to and what it says; it's a whole other in depth study to get into it, so we won't venture that way, but the word Hebrews should give you a hint.)

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)

How can you say that doesn't really mean perfected for ever? Shame on you! Remember, being perfect is sinless. This is what God is looking at for our salvation, even the righteousness of Christ in us and our new born again sinless spirit (1 John 3:9; Romans 7:16-20). One might have the nerve to say, "Well, if you sin you are not sanctified anymore." If you would believe what the Bible says you wouldn't say that, because of what the following verse says. It is in the past, but still now in the present tense (not "being," as in "progressive salvation" which is working for it, like the new Bible versions would have you believe) and many others:

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:...Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:18-19; 1:23)

Are you born again? Sorry, brother or sister, you cannot corrupt what Christ redeemed with his "precious blood...without blemish and without spot for" it is incorruptible! Some of us have to really work hard to try to make God a liar by perverting his word to say we are not eternally "sealed unto the day of redemption." (Hebrews 6:18; Romans 3:4; Jeremiah 23:36; Ephesians 4:30)

Absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God. Some would argue, "But, the verses don't say if you believe not." Let's look at them again:

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Nothing that is dead, nothing that is alive can sperate us from God. Is God alive; are you alive; is Satan? An angel can possibly cause you to believe not, but he can't separate you. Governing authorities can possibly cause you to believe not, but they cannot separate you. Powers of any type - yourself, atheist, Lucifer, etc. can possibly cause you to believe not, but they cannot separate you. Nor things that are right now, nor things in the future, nor anything that is an infinite distance from us, and if that doesn't cover it (which it does) no other creature (that's yourself included) can separate you from the Lord Jesus Christ. They might be able to get you to believe not, but they cannot separate you! We could not just come to a state of unbelief, something would have to cause it. Personally, I don't think that a born again person can come to a true state of unbelief (unless it is the work of God or he allows it for his divine purpose), that is, completely, but that is beside the point and a whole other study.

If you really think about it, the Lord Jesus Christ would have to mutilate himself to cast you off into hell if you could lose our salvation. We are his body, a living organism (1 Corinthians 12:13,27; Ephesians 5:30; Colossians 2:11; 1 Peter 2:4-7). The Lord would actually be cutting himself up, casting himself into hell if we could lose our salvation! If he did do that or if our salvation depended on us the Lord would only be a Head with no body. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Romans 3:10) and in another place, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23) There isn't anybody that will make it with anything they have or do or don't do - it is the blood of Christ Jesus, God's grace and our faith. (Romans 3:23, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 16:30-31) And what we have at our best is filthy as rags and vanity according to God - believe it or not! Whole nations are a drop in the bucket. (Isaiah 40:15, Isaiah 64:6; Psalm 39:5)

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away....God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:4-5)

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17)

Looks a little confusing, huh? Not really. I believe there are two places that the Christian that does not believe that he is eternally secure misses the mark. The first is that he does not understand the redeeming work of the cross, the blood of Christ. Secondly, and in close relation, or a result of the cross, is that we have two positions in Christ. One is our "state," that is how we are here on earth in this tabernacle. The other is our "standing," that is, where we stand eternally with Christ Jesus. Our "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" , even "all our righteousnesses." (Isaiah. 64:6) (Martin Luther had understanding of that one. He believed that our "good works" done without Christ Jesus were tainted, spotted with sin and therefore unexpectable to God.) On the other hand, we are seated in heavenly places with Christ, even his body. We are perfect in Christ already and forevermore, "that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." See that? "...as he is, so are we in this world." See the difference? The Bible says:

Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. (Psalm 39:5)

There are two of us, a born again perfect spirit that cannot become defiled ("...as he is, so are we in this world.") and the dead man, the flesh ("verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.") It is the war Paul wrote about within himself in Romans 7 and what John wrote about not being able to sin according to 1 John 3:9 and 5:18. The bottom line is this: since we are the same as Christ, presently, then in order for us to lose our salvation, our Lord and God, even Lord Jesus Christ, would have to be able to lose his too! You should know that I, of course, speak as a fool.

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. (1 John 5:18)

Looks like the new birth (John 3:1-7) to me with the spiritual circumcision (Romans 2:29; Colossians 2:11) creates a situation where it is impossible for the new spirit to sin - "born of God!" I believe God confirms this through Paul, "Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me." (Romans 7:17) So, the sin is in the flesh and the flesh dies. I am not saying that we do not have to confess our sins (1 John 1:9) or that they do not effect rewards. I am saying for salvation purposes we sin not. I am not saying do not work, because if you do not you will:

...be found naked. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (2 Corinthians 5:3; Revelation 3:17, 16:15)

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)

I cannot think of a better way of ending this section except to agree with what God wrote through John, "that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son," even the Lord Jesus Christ, my God! Do you know that you are eternally secure if you are saved?

You may argue that Matthew 24:13 does say that somebody can lose it. I agree! If you look at the context of Matthew 24 you will see that Jesus is talking about those who go through the "great tribulation." (Matthew 24:21) Even so, in Revelation 7:14, "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Jesus is asked three specific questions in Matthew 24:3 about the end:

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Matthew 24:3)

He answers all three in Matthew 24. They have to do mostly with the start of the tribulation, the tribulation itself, and the end of the tribulation! Study it and you'll see it. So, those that endure till the end of the great tribulation are the ones that keep their salvation by works and faith! It is notable to mention that the body of Christ has already been taken to heaven before the rapture, when "we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:17) I believe that the body of Christ will be complete at that time.

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ....Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 12:17; 14:12)

I went through all that to let you know there are answers for those verses that say someone can lose it. If they do not keep the commandments and the faith in the Lord they lose will their salvation. It is not any born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. I know I repeat myself often, but it is so maybe you will hear it.

Some go to parts of the New Testament before the death of Christ grabbing verses specifically for the children of Israel still under the law. The "gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24) did not come into effect until after Acts 7 when Israel (as a nation by which they are judged under the law) rejected God by stoning Stephan to death (Acts 7:59). Christ had to first die on the cross before the "gospel of Christ" could even come into effect.

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (Hebrews 9:16-17)

Here another is an area lot of people go to saying that say you can lose it. Look at John 15:1-6 about Jesus and the vine:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:1-6)

I'll be short on this. For starters, 1 Corinthians 6:11 says, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God," (Compare with John 15:3. Also, compare John 15:4-6 with 1 Corinthians 3:15.) In short, if we do not abide in Jesus we will not produce fruit acceptable to God. Furthermore:

At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you....For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (John 14:20; Romans 8:38-39)

Yes, I know I still repeat myself often, because some are hard of hearing because of a hardened heart or they cling on to "the traditions of men" as taught in a Bible school, their "own" personal beliefs, their pastor's, etc. He abides in you and you in him brother and sister and, no man can pluck you away. You don't have to worry about getting plucked out of God's hand, or being sent to hell for eternity. You may be pushed aside and not used by God perhaps (John 15:2 "taketh away"), but not cast into hell fire.

Here is another one to look at. In Revelation 2-3 the word, "overcometh," is there eight times. The verses have to do with salvation and inheritances. Two of the them pertaining to salvation are:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death...He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 2:11; 3:5)

The scripture definitely says that someone can lose their salvation. Again, it is not you or any born again believer in Christ Jesus our Lord! First John 4:4; 5:4-5 says that you have already overcome:

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world....For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 4:4; 5:4-5)

First of all, the verses in Revelation are great tribulation doctrine - it is prophecy - it is yet to come! So, we will be seeing all this stuff happen with the Lord God Almighty himself in heaven!

Jesus' blood is good enough to save us today (some 2000 years later) without any works or being good enough. It is good enough to save "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord" (Acts 2:21) in this dispensation of grace: past, present, future. It only stands to reason (Isaiah 1:18) that it is good enough to keep us saved through "the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18) and that it will "confirm you unto the end" like God promised. ((1 Corinthians 1:8)

Some will still want to say they can loose their salvation and argue the point. Their argument is with God and how they misinterpret his words for:

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29)

Some will want to take you to Matthew 24:13 where it says "endure unto the end" saying that we can loose our salvation if we do not "endure unto the end". The end of what might we ask? Indeed that is a good question! If you remember, we are in the "dispensation of the grace of God." For starters, the verse they quote is in direct conflict, it does indeed contradict, all the scripture that states we cannot loose our salvation *in this dispensation*. That puts us in quite a predicament now, doesn't it? There are at least two ways to know that the verse does not apply to us. First, Jesus is preaching the "gospel of the Kingdom" to the disciples. Secondly, Jesus calls the period of time he is speaking about the "great tribulation". We, the born again in Christ, will be caught away (Raptured if you will) *before* the "great tribulation". Lastly, no where in the scripture does it say that "the gospel of the grace of God" *will be* preached through out the whole. The "gospel of the kingdom" is not the same as the gospel of the grace of God in which Paul referred to as "my gospel". (Romans 2:16, 16:25; 2 Timothy 2:8) In short, the only place to put Matthew 24:13 is with the other verses in Revelation quoted above.

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved....And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come....For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:13-14, 21)

It is used as an argument that if we know we are "once saved, always saved" that we live just go out and live like the devil. That is not true, not with me anyway and also contrary to many born again saints that know they cannot lose their salvation. When I came to believe that once I was saved I will always be saved - I was in tears of joy. Oh, what a burden that was lifted off my shoulders on that day! Oh, what a joy unspeakable that God put in my heart that day. Oh, how great is our eternal salvation?

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:...Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:1-2; 1 Peter 1:8)

It was just the opposite of what some saved people say and think happens, that one will quit doing right. I then wanted to serve the Lord even more than ever before. It just wasn't me either, for I have heard many similar testimonies from others as well. Glory to God in the highest forever and always. May our Great God, the Lord Jesus Christ, be with you all as we sojourn together as we await for that blessed hope, even his soon appearing!

Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

Amen, Amen, Amen, and Amen!

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.
Keep thy heart with all diligence;
for out of it are the issues of life.
Be not wise in thine own eyes:
fear the Lord,
and depart from evil.
Thus saith the LORD;

Cursed be the man that trusteth in man,
and maketh flesh his arm,
and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD,
and whose hope the LORD is.
(Proverbs 3:5-6, 4:23; Jeremiah 17:5,7)

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