Eternal Security of Salvation

This message is from Millie, and I wanted to share it:)

From Charles Stanley this morning…he mentioned that he believes in eternal security of salvation and used this verse.  Ephesians 1:13-14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory.

My thoughts:

God, who cannot lie, has sealed us, guaranteeing our salvation.

We can lose our joy and blessing by not obeying, or turning away from God, but we cannot lose our salvation. Otherwise God is lying when He has promised in John 3:16 (and many other verses), that if we believe in Him, we will have eternal life.

If we, who have free will, and will at times be disobedient, can “lose our salvation”, doesn’t that mean that instead of salvation being a “free gift”, we are constantly still trying to earn our salvation by good works?

The question to me, if someone seems to have turned from God, would be if they ever really accepted Jesus as Savior. And that question and answer is up to God, who judges rightly, as He knows all things and us all and knows our hearts. We cannot make that judgement about anyone but ourselves.

I also wanted to share this Joni devotional today. In some ways, it illustrates the above thoughts. And also encourages us to continue praying for loved ones to come to know Jesus in a personal way, as Savior.

Blessings,

Millie

Fan the Flame

by Joni Eareckson Tada

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7

Nothing dampens the fires of enthusiasm more than discouragement. When you’re discouraged, the glow of excitement for the Lord dims, like embers of a dying fire. That’s the time to “fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you.”

For years Mrs. Hanover prayed for her husband’s salvation. Then one day he was killed in an automobile accident. She lost her husband—not only to this earth but for all eternity. Discouraged, she stopped living for the Lord.

Five years later she met Roger Sims, who told her an amazing story. Roger said he had been hitchhiking when Mr. Hanover picked him up. During the course of their ride, Roger witnessed to Mr. Hanover. Well, Mr. Hanover was so convicted that he pulled his car over on the side of the road and prayed. Roger explained that eventually Mr. Hanover dropped him off. Mrs. Hanover was wide-eyed. It was later on that very day that the fateful accident happened.

While Mrs. Hanover felt immense surprise and joy, she also cried tears of regret for having given up in discouragement. From that point on she fanned the dying embers of her faith until her confidence in God was restored.

We Christians often give over to discouragement with hardly a fight. We let doubts gain a toehold, and before you know it they have a foothold, then a handhold. Then we chuck it all.

Each of us faces disheartening circumstances. But no matter what happens, keep trusting, keep obeying. Discouragement is like a dark tunnel. The only thing that will brighten your path is to fan the flames of your faith until it’s a fire. Obedience then will light your way out the other side.

Our Father, give me perseverance in the face of disappointment. Enable me to keep on keeping on.

Notes From Bible Study

Books that Susan shared with us:
A Place of Healing by Joni Eareckson Tada

Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You by John Burke

Satan and the Corruption of Nature: Seven Arguments by Dr. Greg Boyd
https://reknew.org/2019/07/satan-and-the-corruption-of-nature-seven-arguments/

Dr. Tim McClendon shared this article on a hopeful future:
A Happy Death and a Hopeful Future

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world. American Standard Version

  

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  New International Version

1 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them. American Standard Version

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. New International Version