SALVATION AND ETERNAL SECURITY

       “Can I be saved from my sins? And if I do get saved, what happens if I sin again? Will I lose my salvation?” Have you ever had these questions, or similiar ones on your mind? Did you know that it is possible for any person to know how to be saved, and then to have the assurance of that salvation and eternal security (eternal salvation)? That’s right! You can know right now how to be saved for all eternity. Want to know? Good! Here’s how.

       The Bible says that we are all sinners by birth and in deed, and that we need to be saved.(Ro. 5:12) We stand in need of salvation. But there’s just one problem - we cannot do anything to save ourselves. No one else can save us since they, like us, are sinners standing in need of salvation. ( Ro 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: )

       They’re in the same predicament as you and I! But salvation is possible and available because God provided a means whereby a sinner can be saved. How is this possible? Jesus Christ who is not only the Son of God, but is also God the very God, (Jn. 20:28)who has paid our sin debt when He shed His blood and died on the Cross of Calvary. (Jn. 19:1-30)

       You see, Jesus Christ left heaven’s glory and took to Himself a human body in order that He might be able to die on Calvary for sinful man. He remained God, but became the God-man. Even though Jesus Christ had taken on a human body, He was not a sinner, and He never committed any sins. He was in every sense a sinless person, and as such He was qualified to pay our sin debt. ( 1Pe 2:21-24 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. )

       Therefore, when He was crucified on the cross, our sin debt was laid to His account, even though He was not a sinner. When Jesus Christ shed His innocent blood and died, He in every sense paid in full the sin debt that we owed. (1 Jn. 2:2) He bodily rose from the grave three days later and, today, He is in Heaven ( Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. ) interceding on our behalf.( Ro 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. AND Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. )

       When an individual (YOU and I) comes to that place in his life where he recognizes the fact that he is a sinner on his way to a Christless eternity in a devil’s hell, and he repents of his sins and asks for God’s forgiveness, and for Jesus Christ to come into his heart and save him, then he is forgiven and saved. He is at that moment born-again - a spiritual rebirth. And, this salvation from God is eternal - it never ends - for any reason. Consider these verses from God’s Word.

Ro 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. .... Ro 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. .... Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. AND ... 1Jo 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 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. .

       These verses, as well as all other verses on salvation, when taken in their Biblical and theological concept and context, do not teach that a person can lose salvation or that a person must do, or avoid doing anything to remain saved. When God saves a person it is for eternity. Period!

       But what if you sin again, does it mean that you lose your salvation? The answer is NO! The above verses prove that salvation is eternal, but you do not have a license to live anyway you want. (Ro. 6:1,2) As Christians, we have the responsibility to live in such a manner as to bring honor and glory to our Saviour. ( Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ) When we sin we disrupt the fellowship that we enjoy with our heavenly Father, but we retain our salvation. The moment we realize that we have sinned we need to confess it to God, and He will forgive it and our fellowship will be restored (1 John 1:9; 1 Jn. 2:1 in speaking to Christians).

       If you have never been saved, that is, received Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, then you need to do it today - right now - before it becomes eternally too late. ( 2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Then seek out a good independent, fundamental, Bible believing and Bible preaching, Baptist church (my humble opinion). Attend it regularly that you might be spiritually fed from God’s Word to help you grow spiritually strong. If you have received Jesus Christ as Saviour, are you living for Him? Does your life show it?

       Your decision to receive Christ also means that you are now going to Heaven one day. That's a lot to be thankful for! You need to take some practical steps to grow strong spiritually: read the Bible, pray, and go to church. If you have just prayed this prayer and would like some help finding Biblical Based Studies or help in finding a solid Bible Preaching church in your community, or just want to share or talk to someone ,PLEASE e-mail Women at the Well .

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!

       The links below are very helpful in finding out what's next in your new life and will give you a brief summary of the basics of Faith through Grace in Jesus Christ.