Is Salvation Forever?

“Is Salvation Forever”?

Ralph Arnold, Pastor

Introduction:        While they appear to be on the opposite extremes of the theological spectrum, the consistent Calvinist (who believes in the perseverance of the saints - if you got it, you’ll live it; but if you don’t live it, it’s because you never had it) and the absolute Armenian (who believes you can lose your salvation) arrive at the same conclusion in the end - NO CERTAIN ASSURANCE OF GOING TO HEAVEN UNTIL YOU DIE!

Eternal Security means that one who has been genuinely saved by God’s grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone shall never be in danger of God’s condemnation or loss of his salvation, but are kept saved and secure by God’s grace and power.

1.     Eternal Security does not mean that all who profess to trust Christ actually possess Eternal Life.          (Matthew 7:21-23)

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

a.      Titus 3:5

b.     Rom. 4:4-5, 11:6

c.      Eph. 2:8,9

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.                             (Rom. 6:1,2)

4.     Eternal Security does not mean that a Christian can live as he pleases and get away without chastisement.     (Heb. 12:6)

The absolute assurance of eternal salvation is based on the unfailing and sure PROMISES of GOD 

In order to show the contrast between Grace and Work, Paul in Romans states;

               “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not , but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Rom.4:4-5

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, Rom 4:16

It is important to underscore three key words in this verse - 
“faith, grace, and sure”.

“If you believe…You will receive”

You will notice from the following simple salvation verses the relationship between the various forms of believing and having Eternal Life.

     IF YOU DO THIS                                                       YOU WILL GET THIS 

John 3:16 “whosoever believeth"------------------------------------- "have everlasting life"

John 3:36 “He that believeth" ------- ----------------------------  hath everlasting life"

John 4:10 “drink" ---------------------------------------------------------------- "living water"

John 4:14 “whosoever drinketh"----------------------------------------------- "well of water"

John 5:24 “believeth on him" ----------------------------------------"hath everlasting life"

John 5:40 “come to me" --------------------------------------------- "that ye might have life"

John 6:35 “cometh to me "----------------------------------------------- "shall never hunger"

John 6:35 “he that believeth"---------------------------------------------- "shall never thirst"

John 6:37 “him that cometh to me"------------------------------------- "in no wise cast out"

John 6:39 “… he hath given me"------------------------------------ "I should lose nothing"

John 6:40 “believeth on him"------------------------------------------ "have everlasting life"

John 6:47 “He that believeth"----------------------------------------- "hath everlasting life"

John 6:50 “man may eat"---------------------------------------------------------- "and not die"

John 6:51 “… eat of this bread-------------------------------------------- "shall live forever"

John 11:26 "....believeth in me"--------------------------------------------- "shall never die"

John 10:28 "I give unto them--------------------------------------------------- “Eternal Life"

How do you know when you really believe on Christ?

When you can say, “I have Eternal Life”

If you can’t you, “I have Eternal Life”

It’s because, you don’t believe what Christ said or did.

(1Jn 5:10-13)  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13  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.

(1Jn 5:20)  And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

LET THE DEAD BURY THE DEAD

LET THE DEAD BURY THE DEAD

Pastor Ralph “Yankee” Arnold

(Luk 9:1-6)  Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

SERVICE IS A CHOICE

(Luk 9:23-27)  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

SOME HAD A BAD CASE OF ME FIRSTITUS

 (Luk 9:57)  And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

(Luk 9:58)  And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

(Luk 9:59)  And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

(Luk 9:60)  Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

(Luk 9:61)  And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

(Luk 9:62)  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. A decision to serve the Lord is seen by God as an irrevocable decision, but any man who refuses to prepare is not fit to serve.

A GOOD SOLDIER TRAINS MORE SOLDIERS

(2Ti 2:1-4)  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

(2Ti 2:15)  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

(2Ti 2:21)  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet (FIT) for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

SERVICE TO THE LORD FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL

IS AN IRRIVOCABLE TRUST

(1Th 2:4)  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

(1Co 9:16)  For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

(1Co 9:19)  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

ASK          (Mat 7:7)  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

SEEK         (Mat 7:8)  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth;

KNOCK         and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

(Rom 12:1)  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

(Rom 12:2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing

 of your mind, that ye may prove what is that

GOOD                   good, and 

ACCEPTABLE     acceptable, and 

PERFECT             perfect, will of God.

¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, THAT YOU MIGHT WIN SOULS by the mercies of God, THAT YOU MIGHT WIN SOULS that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, THAT YOU MIGHT WIN SOULS holy, THAT YOU MIGHT WIN SOULS acceptable unto God, THAT YOU MIGHT WIN SOULS which is your reasonable service. THAT YOU MIGHT WIN SOULS

2 And be not conformed to this world: THAT YOU MIGHT WIN SOULS but be ye transformed THAT YOU MIGHT WIN SOULS by the renewing of your mind, THAT YOU MIGHT WIN SOULS that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God THAT YOU MIGHT WIN SOULS.

THE MAN IN THE GAP

(Eph 5:14)  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

(Eph 5:15)  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

(Eph 5:16)  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

(Eph 5:17)  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 

As we meditate upon the Lord’s sacrifice for our sins which provided us our free salvation, do you consider the sacrifice he ask is too great to serve him?   

(2Co 5:14)  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

(2Co 5:15)  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.