“You didn’t choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My name. This is My command: Love each other.” (John 15:16-17 NLT)
What I will share with you today will be understood and believed by many of you, but you must understand that my “indoctrination” into the Christian Faith came through a Wesleyan-Arminian branch of Christianity. I learned a lot as a new believer and don’t begrudge the teaching I received; it just focused on the “bent” the people who taught me had been taught themselves, just as those who taught you shared from their “bent.” Am I now a Calvinist?
Nope, I’m a Christian, a Jesus follower, seeking to learn from Him through His Spirit what the Bible teaches, not conform to what Brothers Wesley, Arminius, Calvin, MacArthur, Piper, Keller or any other popular Pastor/Speaker might teach. I’ve learned to weigh what I read and hear in light of what the Lord is showing me the Bible teaches, because if it doesn’t make sense to me in light of Scripture, it doesn’t make sense.
So, back to the subject at hand. One common phrase that’s used that ruffles some feathers is “Once Saved, Always Saved.” That’s always troubled me because of those I’ve seen who make professions of faith, then for various reasons, walk away from the Lord and, to my knowledge, never return. Did the Lord “waste” a choice on them? Were they never saved? Did they just never grow up or mature enough to grasp what a gift they’d been given?
Why does that matter? It’s completely between them and the Lord. Here’s the truth: it’s none of my (our) business! It’s completely between them and God. I don’t have to understand the heart of God completely in every circumstance. Because of my sinful nature it’s hard for me to see “fairness” and “equality” without seeing – “What’s in it for me?” If “they” can make a profession of faith, genuinely connect with God, then walk away and still go to heaven, why do I have to stay faithful, serve, strive, discipline myself to walk in faith, still failing more times than I care to admit?
Here’s the bottom line as I see it. Our salvation is 100% based on the completed work of Jesus, not on my/our performance. The only investment we have is our faith, which is also a gift from God. (see Ephesians 2:8-9 ). The Lord extends to us an invitation to follow Him, we say “yes,” and the rest is up to Him in terms of our security. I can’t earn or deserve salvation, so, what makes me think I can sustain it? It’s ALL by faith in His completed work.
So, can I just stop making any effort to strengthen and grow in my relationship with the Lord and just “coast” into heaven? To even think that would cause me to believe you were never saved in the first place. Why would I say that? Because having walked, fallen, failed, gotten up, walked, fallen, failed, etc. for more than 60 years I wouldn’t think of stopping now, regardless of what anyone else says or does.
My intimacy with the Lord has grown so strong, so sustaining, so life-giving, so enjoyable, so downright fun, to walk away from the Lord would be like walking away from life itself. He IS my life, so, as long as this old body has breath, I will seek to continue to grow closer to my Lord, loving Him more dearly, walking with Him ever more nearly every day.
Am I eternally secure in Jesus? I have no doubt! And here’s the great news for you if you’ve yielded your life and allegiance to Him – so are you! Let’s look at this from another angle tomorrow.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 