“Help,Lord,for the godly man ceases to be,for the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.” (Psalm 12:1-2)
Honesty is not something I would say I "struggle" with. In fact, as Christians, it probably wouldn't even make the "top 5 list" of sin we are battling. Dishonesty, lying, or any evasion from the truth, seems to find itself on the list of those 'respectable' sins. But what we often fail to realize is that God sees dishonesty, lying, or whatever you want to name it, as far worse than we often do. Yes sin is sin, but lying makes it in his list of 7 abominations. That is a pretty weighty thought. "There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers." (Proverbs 6:16-19). That word abomination in this context means loathsome, detestable, hateful or vile. Those don't sound 'respectable' to me. And if lying is viewed as so vile in the eyes of the Lord, we must fight to recognize it in our lives, and fight against it, for the glory of His name.
What Christians have failed to realize is that lying is not merely that, telling a lie. It encompasses so much more. Lying involves everything from omission of the truth to exaggeration and everything in between. There have been countless arguments over the years as to if telling a lie is every acceptable, maybe in the context of a surprise birthday party, or for the protection of family if there is danger present. But I would encourage you to move away from the "what-if" scenarios, and move to the command of Scripture. Instead of asking where the line is, look at the black and white meaning found in Scripture, and rather strive for obedience and the pursuit of holiness. The bottom line is that lying is a sin, and if God calls it that, we must too. There never is an "acceptable" time to lie, to exaggerate, or to avoid the truth.
I can think of many times when I have embellished a story, left out an important detail, or simply sat by and listened to untruths without correction. In all of these scenarios, I have sinned. I have committed what God calls an abomination. And although I am forgiven, by the grace of God, it does not negate the fact that in most of those cases I failed to even recognize what I was doing as sin. The truth always wins in the end. There is no getting around that. Your lies will find you out, light will shine in the darkness, and the consequences of creating your own fantasy will be much more costly than speaking the truth immediately. Not only are you disobeying God when you lie (in any form or fashion) you are bringing discipline and chastening from His holy hand upon yourself.
There are countless passages in Scripture that speak to Truth-telling. Here are just a few:
Exodus 20:16
Exodus 23:1-7
1 Peter 2:12
Matthew 15:17-19
John 8:44
Psalm 58:3
Proverbs 19:5
Psalm 63:11
Ephesians 4:25
I Corinthians 13:1
Ephesians 4:29
Proverbs 3:3
James 3:5-6
I Peter 4:11
James 3:17-18; 4:8
You will be face with the temptation to lie, exaggerate, evade the truth, etc., almost every day. Whether that involves an actual explicit lie to make yourself look better, to cut corners at work, to be quiet when truth is misaligned, to withhold the truth because of fear of man, and the list goes on...We must strive to see this 'respectable' sin as anything but, as God does, vile and repulsive. And fight it head on!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Treasure Prayer
Prayer is an often neglected spiritual discipline. It somehow finds itself on the back-burner until we lay our heads on our pillows at night and find ourselves forgetting in the morning at what part of our prayer we fell asleep. Although we may "talk" to God throughout the day, throwing out quick requests or pleas, the precious privilege of purposeful, private prayer seems to be taken for granted.
I recently had the opportunity to read a work from Andrew Murray about the power of prayer that left me encouraged and exhorted to a prayer revival in my own life. In his work, he explained the privilege we have to come before the Almighty knowing He hears and answers. His encouragement came from biblical texts such as James, that remind us that prayer truly is powerful. I suppose it is for this very reason that it is often neglected. It could be the very reason that we push it aside, find such great temptation to be done in those quiet moments with distractions looming in our mind, and fail to come before the Father as often as we should. The enemy, prowling around like a lion, finds great pleasure in working to make sure that Christian prayer is weak, short, and simple. Even he knows its true power. “We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth.”
In prayer, a loving Father listens. Murray puts it this way, "The great thing in prayer is to feel that we are putting our supplications into the bosom of omnipotent love.” And the more we pray, the more our prayers become His prayers. “God cannot hear the prayers on our lips often because the desires of our heart after the world cry out to Him much more strongly and loudly than the our desires for Him.” Our desires will be His desires. And remember He answers! “Ask and you shall receive; everyone that asks receives. This is the fixed eternal law of the kingdom: If you ask and receive not, it must be because there is something amiss or wanting in the prayer. Hold on; let the Word and Spirit teach you to prat aright, but do not let go the confidence he seeks to waken: Everyone who asks receives....Let every learner in the school of Christ therefore take the Master's word in all simplicity....Let us beware of weakening the word with our human wisdom.”
Christian, treasure the privilege of prayer, you can never be on your knees too often.
I recently had the opportunity to read a work from Andrew Murray about the power of prayer that left me encouraged and exhorted to a prayer revival in my own life. In his work, he explained the privilege we have to come before the Almighty knowing He hears and answers. His encouragement came from biblical texts such as James, that remind us that prayer truly is powerful. I suppose it is for this very reason that it is often neglected. It could be the very reason that we push it aside, find such great temptation to be done in those quiet moments with distractions looming in our mind, and fail to come before the Father as often as we should. The enemy, prowling around like a lion, finds great pleasure in working to make sure that Christian prayer is weak, short, and simple. Even he knows its true power. “We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth.”
In prayer, a loving Father listens. Murray puts it this way, "The great thing in prayer is to feel that we are putting our supplications into the bosom of omnipotent love.” And the more we pray, the more our prayers become His prayers. “God cannot hear the prayers on our lips often because the desires of our heart after the world cry out to Him much more strongly and loudly than the our desires for Him.” Our desires will be His desires. And remember He answers! “Ask and you shall receive; everyone that asks receives. This is the fixed eternal law of the kingdom: If you ask and receive not, it must be because there is something amiss or wanting in the prayer. Hold on; let the Word and Spirit teach you to prat aright, but do not let go the confidence he seeks to waken: Everyone who asks receives....Let every learner in the school of Christ therefore take the Master's word in all simplicity....Let us beware of weakening the word with our human wisdom.”
Christian, treasure the privilege of prayer, you can never be on your knees too often.
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Change Your Perspective
My days during the week are consistently similar. Although the evenings at time take shape differently, the majority of my day is a pattern of the same. I've thought a lot about this recently, and the temptation there is for me, or anyone for that matter, to find themselves trapped in a routine, forgetting to be mindful of God's constant working in even the mundane. We usually look forward to the weekends, often because these are the days we get to fill with what we want to do, or maybe just because we get that extra hour of sleep, or a chance to catch up on all the housework. Our weekdays can often become a vicious cycle of the norm. We fix our eyes on the end of the week, hoping each day would only go by quicker. But wait...what if we're missing something. What if the mundane is actually just as precious, purposeful and enjoyable. What if the problem is our perspective?
The fact of the matter is life is a vapor, we aren't guaranteed tomorrow; and in a world as chaotic and ever-changing as ours, this ought to burden our hearts. James writes in chapter 4, verse 14: "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." But do we really believe this? Because if we did, it would radically change our perspective. In light of eternity, how should we live? Below are just a few encouragements that I believe will help you change your perspective about the mundane, everyday days, and help you refocus on reality.
You're Alive for a Reason!
It is a measure of grace that you woke up this morning, and another that you are breathing this very second. In God's infinite wisdom and design, He purposed that you would be alive today doing whatever it is that He has entrusted to you (going to school, working, keeping a house, raising kids, etc.). His work with you isn't finished. He is still at work in your life conforming you into the image of Christ. And He still has things He wants to accomplish through you. Stop and give Him thanks for your very life, for the ability you have been given to go to school, to work, to raise a family, or whatever the case may be. And remember it's not by chance you're alive today, there's a reason...glorify Him in ALL you do!
You're Alive Forever!
As a child of God you have been given a hope that is imperishable and unfading. You, like me, might anticipate what it will be like to meet Jesus face to face, and that very thought often drives you to living for Him. In those moments in life where you are downcast, burdened, or feel as though things might be mundane, stop and remember the TRUE LIFE you have eternally. Use each and every opportunity here on earth, whether it be teaching your children about the Father's love, or conducting a business meeting, as a chance to glorify God. See each circumstance as purposed by your Father in heaven for your good and His glory. Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven. Use your life, both the mundane days, and the 'amazing' days to honor Him, knowing that both pale in comparison to one day with your Maker.
You're Alive Today!
As James said, our life is a vapor, and we aren't guaranteed tomorrow. One of Jonathan Edward's resolutions reads, "Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life." This is a pretty challenging and powerful way of thinking that will no doubt transform your living today. If you change your perspective from tomorrow to today, everything changes. You must refocus your mind on what is reality, and that is today. You have only been given today, nothing else, and because of that you must decide to make the best use of the time you have been entrusted with. Use each opportunity for the glory of God. Redeem each moment. In those mundane moments, find joy in knowing Christ has purposed them just for you. Look for teachable moments with your children. Look for opportunities to share the gospel with your co-workers. Look for God-honoring ways to study, do homework, or prepare a project. You're alive today, rejoice in the day the Lord has given you, and redeem it for His glory. After all, it may be your last.
The reality is you aren't given the promise of another day on this earth. In light of that Truth, you must change your perspective on each day. You must remind yourself that each day is purposeful, precious, and providential. You must seek to find opportunities to redeem the time, redeem the situation, and bring glory to God. Look for opportunities to be taught by His grace, and be thankful for the work He is doing in and through you. There is no such thing as a purposeless day in the eyes of our Maker, but do we really live that way? We must change our perspective!
The fact of the matter is life is a vapor, we aren't guaranteed tomorrow; and in a world as chaotic and ever-changing as ours, this ought to burden our hearts. James writes in chapter 4, verse 14: "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." But do we really believe this? Because if we did, it would radically change our perspective. In light of eternity, how should we live? Below are just a few encouragements that I believe will help you change your perspective about the mundane, everyday days, and help you refocus on reality.
You're Alive for a Reason!
It is a measure of grace that you woke up this morning, and another that you are breathing this very second. In God's infinite wisdom and design, He purposed that you would be alive today doing whatever it is that He has entrusted to you (going to school, working, keeping a house, raising kids, etc.). His work with you isn't finished. He is still at work in your life conforming you into the image of Christ. And He still has things He wants to accomplish through you. Stop and give Him thanks for your very life, for the ability you have been given to go to school, to work, to raise a family, or whatever the case may be. And remember it's not by chance you're alive today, there's a reason...glorify Him in ALL you do!
You're Alive Forever!
As a child of God you have been given a hope that is imperishable and unfading. You, like me, might anticipate what it will be like to meet Jesus face to face, and that very thought often drives you to living for Him. In those moments in life where you are downcast, burdened, or feel as though things might be mundane, stop and remember the TRUE LIFE you have eternally. Use each and every opportunity here on earth, whether it be teaching your children about the Father's love, or conducting a business meeting, as a chance to glorify God. See each circumstance as purposed by your Father in heaven for your good and His glory. Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven. Use your life, both the mundane days, and the 'amazing' days to honor Him, knowing that both pale in comparison to one day with your Maker.
You're Alive Today!
As James said, our life is a vapor, and we aren't guaranteed tomorrow. One of Jonathan Edward's resolutions reads, "Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life." This is a pretty challenging and powerful way of thinking that will no doubt transform your living today. If you change your perspective from tomorrow to today, everything changes. You must refocus your mind on what is reality, and that is today. You have only been given today, nothing else, and because of that you must decide to make the best use of the time you have been entrusted with. Use each opportunity for the glory of God. Redeem each moment. In those mundane moments, find joy in knowing Christ has purposed them just for you. Look for teachable moments with your children. Look for opportunities to share the gospel with your co-workers. Look for God-honoring ways to study, do homework, or prepare a project. You're alive today, rejoice in the day the Lord has given you, and redeem it for His glory. After all, it may be your last.
The reality is you aren't given the promise of another day on this earth. In light of that Truth, you must change your perspective on each day. You must remind yourself that each day is purposeful, precious, and providential. You must seek to find opportunities to redeem the time, redeem the situation, and bring glory to God. Look for opportunities to be taught by His grace, and be thankful for the work He is doing in and through you. There is no such thing as a purposeless day in the eyes of our Maker, but do we really live that way? We must change our perspective!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Why Do I Work Unto Him?
There is a debate going on in modern evangelical Christianity with regards to the Gospel. I'm not talking about whether or not you are saved by grace alone through faith in Christ alone, but rather what place the Gospel should take in the Christian's life. It is something that has brought about heated discussions, confusion to some, and has become a topic of study now in my own spiritual pursuit, and for that, I am beyond grateful, because what has transpired in my own life has been such a blessing.
I have been a Christian for about 20 years. By the grace of God alone I was brought to repentance and faith as a child. It was by the Spirit's work of regeneration that my eyes were opened to the reality of my own sinfulness and the precious gift of grace. Although at such a young age I didn't fully comprehend every facet of what it meant to follow Jesus, I knew I was a sinner and I knew only He could save me from that. I am so thankful for the regenerating work of salvation in my heart at that moment in time and for the love the Father had for me, outside of who I was, to reach down and save a wretch like me.
From that moment, I have grown in grace through the work of sanctification. I have been through trials and testings and by the grace of God have come through them more deeply in love with my Savior and more like Him. All of it, a work of His grace.
Recently, I have become more and more aware of what it means to be sanctified and how I believe the Bible teaches that occurs. Although entirely held responsible for what I do in the Christian life, is it my doing? Sanctification that is. Being a performer, I will admit that at times I have tried to merit the favor of God in my pursuit of holiness (never to gain salvation, but that I might be more well loved or liked by the Father). But, the more I study the Word of God, the more I see the danger in that thinking, and the error. Jerry Bridges puts it well, "As I see it, the Christian community is largely a performance-based culture today. And the more deeply committed we are to following Jesus, the more deeply ingrained the performance mindset is. We think we earn God's blessing or forfeit it by how well we live the Christian life. Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace." But do I behave that way as if I really believe it?
If I have NOTHING to do with my salvation, does that mean I have NOTHING to do with my sanctification. Well, yes and no. We are commanded in Scripture to work:
"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Cor 7:1)
"So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling..." (Philippians 2:12)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22)
"Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul." (1 Peter 2:11)
BUT...why are we working? Or how are we working? Again, Jerry Bridges puts it well, "So sanctification involves hard work and dependence on Christ; what I call dependent effort. And it will always mean we are dissatisfied with our performance. For a growing Christian, desire will always outstrip performance or, at least, perceived performance. What is it then that will keep us going in the face of this tension between desire and performance? The answer is the gospel. It is the assurance in the gospel that we have indeed died to the guilt of sin and that there is no condemnation for us in will motivate us and keep us going even in the face of this tension. We must always keep focused on the gospel because it is in the nature of sanctification that as we grow, we see more and more of our sinfulness. Instead of driving us to discouragement, though, this should drive us to the gospel. It is the gospel believed every day that is the only enduring motivation to pursue progressive sanctification even in those times when we don't seem to see progress. That is why I use the expression "gospel- driven sanctification" and that is why we need to "preach the gospel to ourselves every day."
You see, it is the GOSPEL that teaches us to live Godly lives. When we stop each and every day and remember the Gospel here are some things we recognize...
- The REALITY of God's LOVE for us WHICH in turn motivates a response of love towards Him
1 John 4:19 "We love, because He first loved us"
- The POWER the Gospel gives to us to obey Him
Titus 2:11-12"For the grace of God has (P)appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age."
- The PRIVILEGE it is to come to Him in prayer knowing because of Christ He hears us
Romans 8:34 "Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us."
- The VALUE of the Word of Truth which is LIVING and ACTIVE and changing our hearts
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
- The PRECIOUSNESS of the message of the Gospel that alone can bring others to Himself
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes."
- The NEED for HIS grace each and every moment of every day
2 Corinthians 12:9 "And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast [a]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."
- THE SECURITY we have in the FINISHED work
John 10:28 "and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand."
IT IS ALL ABOUT THE GOSPEL. You are saved through the power of the Gospel, you are sanctified through the power of the Gospel, and you will be glorified through the power of the Gospel. The Gospel isn't just for the unbeliever, it is for everyone. We as Christians need to hear it just as much as the unbeliever next to us. We need to be motivated by it, humbled by it, amazed by it, nourished by it, encouraged by it, convicted by it, shaped by it, changed by it, in awe of it, continually. You see, saving grace, true saving grace, empowers a person for the rest of their life. It's life altering, because it is life giving. You can never hear the Gospel enough, you will never exhaust the study of it, and you will never be out of the need of His grace. Work, by all means, unto Him and for Him, but please, I urge you to examine WHY you are working, and make sure it is simply in response to Him and what He did on that cross, because you love Him more than life itself, after all, He gave His life for you.
I have been a Christian for about 20 years. By the grace of God alone I was brought to repentance and faith as a child. It was by the Spirit's work of regeneration that my eyes were opened to the reality of my own sinfulness and the precious gift of grace. Although at such a young age I didn't fully comprehend every facet of what it meant to follow Jesus, I knew I was a sinner and I knew only He could save me from that. I am so thankful for the regenerating work of salvation in my heart at that moment in time and for the love the Father had for me, outside of who I was, to reach down and save a wretch like me.
From that moment, I have grown in grace through the work of sanctification. I have been through trials and testings and by the grace of God have come through them more deeply in love with my Savior and more like Him. All of it, a work of His grace.
Recently, I have become more and more aware of what it means to be sanctified and how I believe the Bible teaches that occurs. Although entirely held responsible for what I do in the Christian life, is it my doing? Sanctification that is. Being a performer, I will admit that at times I have tried to merit the favor of God in my pursuit of holiness (never to gain salvation, but that I might be more well loved or liked by the Father). But, the more I study the Word of God, the more I see the danger in that thinking, and the error. Jerry Bridges puts it well, "As I see it, the Christian community is largely a performance-based culture today. And the more deeply committed we are to following Jesus, the more deeply ingrained the performance mindset is. We think we earn God's blessing or forfeit it by how well we live the Christian life. Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace." But do I behave that way as if I really believe it?
If I have NOTHING to do with my salvation, does that mean I have NOTHING to do with my sanctification. Well, yes and no. We are commanded in Scripture to work:
"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Cor 7:1)
"So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling..." (Philippians 2:12)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22)
"Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul." (1 Peter 2:11)
BUT...why are we working? Or how are we working? Again, Jerry Bridges puts it well, "So sanctification involves hard work and dependence on Christ; what I call dependent effort. And it will always mean we are dissatisfied with our performance. For a growing Christian, desire will always outstrip performance or, at least, perceived performance. What is it then that will keep us going in the face of this tension between desire and performance? The answer is the gospel. It is the assurance in the gospel that we have indeed died to the guilt of sin and that there is no condemnation for us in will motivate us and keep us going even in the face of this tension. We must always keep focused on the gospel because it is in the nature of sanctification that as we grow, we see more and more of our sinfulness. Instead of driving us to discouragement, though, this should drive us to the gospel. It is the gospel believed every day that is the only enduring motivation to pursue progressive sanctification even in those times when we don't seem to see progress. That is why I use the expression "gospel- driven sanctification" and that is why we need to "preach the gospel to ourselves every day."
You see, it is the GOSPEL that teaches us to live Godly lives. When we stop each and every day and remember the Gospel here are some things we recognize...
- The REALITY of God's LOVE for us WHICH in turn motivates a response of love towards Him
1 John 4:19 "We love, because He first loved us"
- The POWER the Gospel gives to us to obey Him
Titus 2:11-12"For the grace of God has (P)appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age."
- The PRIVILEGE it is to come to Him in prayer knowing because of Christ He hears us
Romans 8:34 "Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us."
- The VALUE of the Word of Truth which is LIVING and ACTIVE and changing our hearts
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
- The PRECIOUSNESS of the message of the Gospel that alone can bring others to Himself
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes."
- The NEED for HIS grace each and every moment of every day
2 Corinthians 12:9 "And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast [a]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."
- THE SECURITY we have in the FINISHED work
John 10:28 "and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand."
IT IS ALL ABOUT THE GOSPEL. You are saved through the power of the Gospel, you are sanctified through the power of the Gospel, and you will be glorified through the power of the Gospel. The Gospel isn't just for the unbeliever, it is for everyone. We as Christians need to hear it just as much as the unbeliever next to us. We need to be motivated by it, humbled by it, amazed by it, nourished by it, encouraged by it, convicted by it, shaped by it, changed by it, in awe of it, continually. You see, saving grace, true saving grace, empowers a person for the rest of their life. It's life altering, because it is life giving. You can never hear the Gospel enough, you will never exhaust the study of it, and you will never be out of the need of His grace. Work, by all means, unto Him and for Him, but please, I urge you to examine WHY you are working, and make sure it is simply in response to Him and what He did on that cross, because you love Him more than life itself, after all, He gave His life for you.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Saint's Guarantee
The precious doctrine of eternal security is vital in the believer's walk. Jude encourages the believer with these precious words:
"To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you...Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (v 1-2, 24-25)
As with anything in life, the guarantee seems to be of much importance. When we purchase a new car, TV, or home, we want to know what the guarantee is; without it, it's just not worth the investment. And although I hate to compare salvation to the purchase of a new car, there is some insight we can gain from the picture painted- when we are called to Christ, He commands us to deny ourselves, to give up our lives, and to live solely for Him, without a guarantee, it would be hopeless. You see, if we are somehow responsible for keeping ourselves in the love of Christ, if we could somehow loose our salvation, it would be a scary walk of faith. Almost as if we were walking on egg shells. You see if we could lose our salvation, we simply would. Our total depravity would demand that. But if you are truly of Him, if you are truly saved through the work of Christ, if you have come to Christ through repentance and faith, you can't loose your salvation because you didn't do it! You love Him because He FIRST loved you!
But what about those who were at one time walking in the faith and now have gone astray? John answers that question in 1 John 2:19- "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us."
Listen to what John MacArthur has to say on the issue, "And I'll tell you this. If the Lord can't hold on to me, what hope is there? If salvation isn't God's work, then I'm not going to get there. Do you understand that? If it's not His work and He doesn't hold me, and He doesn't keep me, and He doesn't preserve me, I won't make it. If God doesn't save me, I can't save myself. If He doesn't sanctify me, I can't sanctify myself. And if He doesn't glorify me, I can't glorify myself. If He doesn't keep me, I can't keep myself. I'm not good enough to save myself and I'm certainly not good enough to keep myself. I will never be worthy of salvation. I wasn't in the past, I'm not now."
Although you are being sanctified, and renewed daily, and are sinning less and less, you are never sin-less this side of heaven, and therefore you are never the one meriting God's favor in the work of salvation...EVER! His sacrifice is continually paying the price. We continue to violate God's Law. We continue to be, to one degree or another, idolatrous. We continue to be wicked. And believe me, the list is sufficient to condemn us all. How could we ever keep our own salvation? The thought is absolutely ridiculous.
Because the work is solely of God, and because HE is the one keeping us in the faith, there is no way to lose that precious salvation, rather, you are kept forever. Remember Romans 8, Nothing can separate us from the love of God. No one can ever condemn us. No one can ever lay any charge to God's elect. Nothing can ever happen that doesn't turn out to our good because whomever the Lord chose, He called, justified, glorified. "Rest, dear Christian, and join the celebration of verse 25. "To the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time...that's past...now...that's present...and forever...that's the future...amen, so let it be." All credit goes to the only God. There's only one. The only God who is our Savior. The only God who is our Savior through Jesus Christ. The only God who is our Savior through Jesus Christ who is our Lord. To Him be all glory, majesty, dominion and authority. None left for anyone else including us. We are there because He kept us. He preserved us and He presented us." (John MacArthur)
What's the point if there is no guarantee? The value of salvation is in the guarantee, you are kept forever, BY HIM! Let me close and encourage you with a word from Spurgeon: "And when I heard it said that the Lord would keep His people right to the end, when I heard it said that Christ said, 'My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me and I give them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand.' When I heard that said, I must confess...says Spurgeon...that the doctrine of the final preservation of the saints was the bait that my soul could not resist. It was sort of life insurance, an insurance of my character, an insurance of my soul, an insurance of my eternal destiny. I knew I couldn't keep myself but if Christ promised to keep me, then I would be safe forever and I longed and I prayed to find Christ because I knew that if I found Him, He would not give me a temporary salvation as some preach. But eternal life which could never be lost, the living and incorruptible seed which lives and abides forever for no one and nothing could ever separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
"To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you...Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (v 1-2, 24-25)
As with anything in life, the guarantee seems to be of much importance. When we purchase a new car, TV, or home, we want to know what the guarantee is; without it, it's just not worth the investment. And although I hate to compare salvation to the purchase of a new car, there is some insight we can gain from the picture painted- when we are called to Christ, He commands us to deny ourselves, to give up our lives, and to live solely for Him, without a guarantee, it would be hopeless. You see, if we are somehow responsible for keeping ourselves in the love of Christ, if we could somehow loose our salvation, it would be a scary walk of faith. Almost as if we were walking on egg shells. You see if we could lose our salvation, we simply would. Our total depravity would demand that. But if you are truly of Him, if you are truly saved through the work of Christ, if you have come to Christ through repentance and faith, you can't loose your salvation because you didn't do it! You love Him because He FIRST loved you!
But what about those who were at one time walking in the faith and now have gone astray? John answers that question in 1 John 2:19- "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us."
Listen to what John MacArthur has to say on the issue, "And I'll tell you this. If the Lord can't hold on to me, what hope is there? If salvation isn't God's work, then I'm not going to get there. Do you understand that? If it's not His work and He doesn't hold me, and He doesn't keep me, and He doesn't preserve me, I won't make it. If God doesn't save me, I can't save myself. If He doesn't sanctify me, I can't sanctify myself. And if He doesn't glorify me, I can't glorify myself. If He doesn't keep me, I can't keep myself. I'm not good enough to save myself and I'm certainly not good enough to keep myself. I will never be worthy of salvation. I wasn't in the past, I'm not now."
Although you are being sanctified, and renewed daily, and are sinning less and less, you are never sin-less this side of heaven, and therefore you are never the one meriting God's favor in the work of salvation...EVER! His sacrifice is continually paying the price. We continue to violate God's Law. We continue to be, to one degree or another, idolatrous. We continue to be wicked. And believe me, the list is sufficient to condemn us all. How could we ever keep our own salvation? The thought is absolutely ridiculous.
Because the work is solely of God, and because HE is the one keeping us in the faith, there is no way to lose that precious salvation, rather, you are kept forever. Remember Romans 8, Nothing can separate us from the love of God. No one can ever condemn us. No one can ever lay any charge to God's elect. Nothing can ever happen that doesn't turn out to our good because whomever the Lord chose, He called, justified, glorified. "Rest, dear Christian, and join the celebration of verse 25. "To the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time...that's past...now...that's present...and forever...that's the future...amen, so let it be." All credit goes to the only God. There's only one. The only God who is our Savior. The only God who is our Savior through Jesus Christ. The only God who is our Savior through Jesus Christ who is our Lord. To Him be all glory, majesty, dominion and authority. None left for anyone else including us. We are there because He kept us. He preserved us and He presented us." (John MacArthur)
What's the point if there is no guarantee? The value of salvation is in the guarantee, you are kept forever, BY HIM! Let me close and encourage you with a word from Spurgeon: "And when I heard it said that the Lord would keep His people right to the end, when I heard it said that Christ said, 'My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me and I give them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand.' When I heard that said, I must confess...says Spurgeon...that the doctrine of the final preservation of the saints was the bait that my soul could not resist. It was sort of life insurance, an insurance of my character, an insurance of my soul, an insurance of my eternal destiny. I knew I couldn't keep myself but if Christ promised to keep me, then I would be safe forever and I longed and I prayed to find Christ because I knew that if I found Him, He would not give me a temporary salvation as some preach. But eternal life which could never be lost, the living and incorruptible seed which lives and abides forever for no one and nothing could ever separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
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