Sad to say insecurity plagues numerous lives in our world. Many people in the United States are hurling themselves down various dead-end streets in order to find real identity, unconditional love, personal acceptance, significant purpose, and gen-uine security in life – only to come up empty handed and miserable.

Even in Christian circles, there are individuals who profess to have trusted Christ but believe that their salvation is neither eternal, nor secure. If they don't "hang-in-there," they believe God will boot them out of His family. Or if they seriously "slip up," they fear that salvation will "slip out" of their hands. Whether they recognize it or not, instead of believing in "eternal security," they believe in a kind of "temporal insecurity." Is this the message of the Scriptures? Is this the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Is God's gift of salvation to undeserving sinners eternal and secure or not?

At this juncture in our discussion of these issues, it would be well for us to define our terms. What do we mean when the theological phrase "eternal security" is employed?

Now please don't get sidetracked by the term "eternal security" itself. I realize that the phrase "eternal security" is not found in the Bible. But neither is the word "Bible," though I believe in it. Neither is the word "Trinity," though the Bible teaches it. Neither is the word "rapture," though I'm anxiously expecting it. All of these theological terms or phrases help us concisely explain at a moment's notice some particular truth that the Scriptures clearly declare. So let's not get hung up on the term itself.

Now let me call your attention to several ingredients or elements in this definition that are worthy of noting. First of all, eternal security only applies to those "who have been genuinely saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone." This eliminates any counterfeit Christians who think salvation is something they do for God by way of their good works, instead of trusting in what God does for them because of Christ's finished work on the cross. 2 Timothy 1:9 clearly teaches us that it is God ...

Secondly, notice that this definition explains the quality or extent of salvation an undeserving sinner receives when they trust Christ alone as Savior. His salvation is eternal and secure so that they "shall never be in danger of God's condemnation or loss of their salvation, but are kept forever saved and secure ..." Regarding this, the Lord Jesus Christ clearly declared ...

Lastly, I want you to recognize that one's eternal salvation and security is all by God's grace and power. No person can save himself or keep himself saved. These both are spiritual realities that God alone must provide and accomplish for us to His own praise and glory. So our definition ends by saying, "but are kept forever secure by God's grace and power."

Oftentimes in seeking to explain what something is, it is helpful to expound on what it is not. The result is that the contrast helps the learner grasp the clarity of the truth even more. This teaching tech-nique was employed by the apostle Paul in the two verses you just read – Ephesians 2:8-9. The glaring contrast serves to clarify the truth of salvation by grace through faith apart from our works.

Applying this teaching technique as well to the issue of the security of salvation, let me clarify what eternal security does not mean.

1. Eternal security does not mean that all who profess Christ actually possess eternal salvation.

The classic passage of Scripture expressing this truth is found in Matthew 7:21-23. From the lips of the Lord Jesus we read,

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23)

Here were individuals who professed Christ, but did not actually possess eternal salvation. They called Him "Lord, Lord," and indeed, Christ is Lord. They apparently had "prophesied," "cast out devils," and had "done many wonderful works" all in His name. Surprisingly, Christ does not deny the reality of their claim, He just denies the reality of their salvation. While they professed to Him their good works, He professed to them "I never knew you." And may I add, Christ does not reply, "I use to know you, but you lost it." No, to these religious but lost individuals He pointedly de-clares, "I never knew you."

What was at the core of their problem? While they professed Christ as "Lord" (and indeed He is!), they trusted their own works and faithfulness to enter His presence instead of trusting the finished work of Christ and the mercy of God.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us. (Titus 3:5)

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5)

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16)

Like so many people who claim to be "Christians" today, they professed Christ but did not actually possess salvation for they trusted in their goods works to save them. They failed to do the will of God which is to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that we are all born sinners and part of the "4-H" club. We are "helpless," "hopeless," "hellbound," and "horrible" sinners before the eyes of a thrice holy God, apart from the righteousness of Christ. And this provides the dark background for God's wonderful, marvelous, and thrilling plan of sal-vation. Being helpless and hopeless, we can do no-thing to save ourselves from sin's penalty. There-fore, God says, "I will do it all for you." As long as we think we can do any thing to save ourselves, we are helpless. As long as we think there is hope in our own efforts and works to save ourselves, we are hopeless. For Jonah 2:9 tells us, "salvation is of the Lord!"

I emphasize this because you will never get a true picture of God's grace until you see the help-lessness of man because of sin, and his only hope in Christ. Thus, the good news of the Gospel is that God determined to make a perfect salvation pos-sible for unworthy sinners like you and me! In order to accomplish this, He sent His Son to the cross of Calvary to lay on Him all our sins, to punish His Son for our guilt, and then to offer this completed salvation freely as a gift to "whosoever will."

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.

(1 Peter 3:18)

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)

The one condition on man's part in order to receive God's gift of eternal life is to believe on Jesus Christ, trusting Christ and His finished work to save them and not their own religious or moral works. Faith alone in Christ alone is the means of receiving God's gift of grace. This leads us to our next point of clarification.

 

2. Eternal security does not mean that all who trust Christ plus their good works are eternally saved or secure.

As we've already noted, salvation is not a reward for good people or good works, it is a gift for undeserving sinners who trust in Christ alone. The hymn writer of the past was right on target when he wrote, "nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling."

If sinners could save themselves by their good works, then Christ died for nothing. His death and resurrection would be viewed as insufficient to save us.

I do not frustrated the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:21)

And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6)

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. (Isaiah 64:6)

Dear friend, if you add one work to God's plan of grace, it destroys grace. Grace is God's unmerited favor. Grace is God giving to you something you don't deserve and cannot earn by your good works. Grace is all that God is free to do for you by way of blessing because of what Jesus Christ has done for you on the cross. Thus, the right response to God's message of salvation is not faith in Christ plus. The

right response is faith in Christ period.

Do you see the simplicity of God's grace plan of salvation for you? Can you see that it is not a matter of trusting Jesus Christ plus being baptized (though baptism has a place of testimony for believers)? Can you see that it is not a matter of trusting Christ plus going to church (though Bible study can help believers)? Can you see that it is not a matter of asking Jesus into your heart (though He comes in when you believe)? Can you see that it is not a matter of making Christ "Lord of your life" (though He is Lord)? Can you see that it is not a matter of trusting Christ plus good works (though good works are to be the result of salvation)?

John Newton, former slave-trader and converted preacher and songwriter, said it so well when he insightfully wrote,

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

T'was grace, that taught my heart to fear, T'was grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed."

3. Eternal security does not mean that knowing for sure that you are saved forever should be a license to sin, but rather grants you liberty to serve Christ.

Paul, the unequalled apostle of grace, in his great doctrinal dissertation of the Christian faith, says in Romans 6:1-2,

Prior to these verses Paul had previously explained justification by faith (chapters 3 and 4) and eternal security (chapter 5). Anticipating the objection that God's salvation by grace would lead to careless living, he emphatically exclaims "God forbid!" Salvation is always "from" sin, never "to" sin. Christ came to set us free from the guilt of our sins and the bondage of our sin nature. He has provided a new life in Himself so that "we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4) by means of the Holy Spirit who indwells us.

The objection that eternal security leads to careless living is a "straw man" at best, as it would be very difficult to prove that those who reject this teaching actually sin less than those who accept it. In fact, let me affirm personally that being saved by grace through faith alone in Christ alone, coupled with the knowledge of eternal security, has not encouraged sin in my life. Instead, this assurance has produced an attitude of gratitude that has been the central motivation for my living for Jesus Christ.

Let me illustrate. When they were constructing the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, the engineers anticipated a number of lives to be lost in the dangerous construction that would transpire. Though the construction crews proceeded slowly with much care, nevertheless a few workers fell to their death. As time went on, they were able to stretch a safety net below the bridge and above the water which would catch any falling men, thus saving lives. The results of this strategic invention included two important elements: tremendous personal security and greater production in con-struction. Do you see the analogy? Instead of the security of salvation being a license to sin, it grants the believer in Christ tremendous personal security and the motivation to serve Christ all the days of his life.

Dear reader, who or what are you trusting to save you from the wrath and judgment of God? If you were to die and stand before a holy God today, what would you say? Would it be, "Lord, Lord, haven't I done this and that for my sal-vation"? Or would it be the glad refrain,

If you have never trusted the Lord Jesus Christ alone to be your Saviour, today can be your day of salvation. He died for your sins and rose again to provide it all for you. Isn't it time to accept His free gift by faith. It is a matter of eternal significance.

In our next article in this series, we will examine the significance of the doctrine of eternal security and why this biblical truth is non-negotiable for every pastor and believer.