( Part Two )
"Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free "- John 8:32
Security of
the Believer
( Part Two )
"Ye
shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free "- John
8:32
This is a continuation of the last lesson
concerning the Security of the Believer, in which God's part was
discussed. This lesson is about the believer's part in
maintaining that security. This may come as a surprise to some
folks who have been led to believe that once you are saved, you
are always saved, no matter how you conduct your life. But
salvation has always been a two part thing, God's part and man's
part.
When a person is saved by the grace of God, (through
obedience to the gospel) then it's up to that
person to maintain that salvation. And that salvation is
maintained by "walking
in the light" as
1 John 1:7 says. But notice, it says
"IF" we
"walk in the light".
What if we don't walk in the light? Can we expect the same
blessings as those who do walk in the light, i.e. the forgiveness
of sins and fellowship with God? It is amazing that people still
fall for Satan's lies concerning this, in light of what the Bible
teaches. Satan put the same lie in Eve's ear, didn't he? Although
she enjoyed fellowship with God, it mattered greatly how she
lived. So it is with Christians today. We are to "walk worthy of the
Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and
increasing in the knowledge of God"
Col.1:10.
To think that God will save one no
matter how he lives is evident of a misunderstanding concerning
the character of God. God cannot and will not tolerate sin. And
even though we all sin, "the
blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin",......."if we
walk in the light", (I John 1:7),
and live like God wants us to live.
Salvation, yes it has two parts;
"GRACE" which is God's part, and "OBEDIENCE"
which is man's part. But to those who think man is in
no danger of being lost once he's saved, listen to Heb.12:14 "Follow
peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see
the Lord".
Security of the believer, yes, the Bible
teaches this great truth, but it's conditional. A Christian must
live as God directs in his word. In the next lesson we'll take a
final look at this subject, looking at some scriptures that are
used to try and uphold the teaching of once saved,
always saved, and various other scriptures such as
Rev. 3:5 concerning the book of life.
For "Plain Truth",
Butch Ellis