Eternal Security

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In my view, Edward Fudge begins a study of eternal security balancing the teachings of Scripture.  For everyone's consideration and I hope for everyone's rest in the security that is found when one is in Christ Jesus.

gracEmail (ETERNAL SECURITY - 1)
Edward Fudge
Jul 31, 2005


A missioner in Africa asks for biblical insight regarding the security of the believer, sometimes referred to as \"once saved, always saved.\" Another missioner in China inquires about the passages which warn Christians against falling away from Christ. How do we put all this together?


* * *


When it comes to the security of the believer, the New Testament speaks in stereo, to both our ears at once. One ear hears assurances of pardon, of God's keeping us, of the impossibility of anyone separating us from God's love. The other ear hears warnings against apostasy, exhortations to continue in the faith, admonitions to examine ourselves whether our faith is genuine. We must take both messages seriously and we cannot afford to explain either of them away. The key lies in observing the actual and theoretical audiences to whom each message is addressed.

Every word of biblical assurance is intended for believers. The New Testament promises no security to those who are only \"make-believers.\" James warns against so-called \"faith\" which is all talk and no substance (James 2:14-26). The author of Hebrews exhorts us to hold firmly our faith (Heb. 2:1-3; 3:12; 6:4-6; 10:23, 26-27). Peter urges us to make our calling and election \"sure\" -- to ourselves, of course, for God is already as sure about it as he can possibly be (2 Pet. 1:10-11). These warnings and exhortations are intended for the professing Christian who is lazy or indifferent, self-sufficient, or barren of spiritual fruit and good works. There is not one single warning in the Bible addressed to the person who truly trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation, who genuinely grieves over personal sin and repents of it, who yields to the Spirit and is being transformed, however slowly, into the likeness of Christ.

The teaching of eternal security is sometimes presented in an unbiblical fashion. Not when it affirms that the believer is \"protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time,\" for that affirmation is apostolic and authoritative indeed (1 Pet. 1:5). The teaching becomes unbiblical when it says that no one who makes an outward profession of faith can ever finally be lost, no matter how ungodly or unbelieving he or she might appear to become. That is a corrupted doctrine which ignores or forgets many biblical truths. Not all belong to God who profess to be his people. Even miracles and great works do not guarantee a personal relationship with Jesus (Matt. 7:20-23).

God predestined that those he foreknew should also become conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). The way we know we are among God's elect is not only our profession of faith but also the fact that the gospel grips us and changes our lives (1 Thes. 1:4,5, 9-10). Our confidence rests, always and only, in the historical accomplishments of Jesus our representative, and in God's appraisal of what Jesus our representative has done (Rom. 4:25 - 5:1). It never rests in any event, occasion or performance within our own experience -- whether our baptism, our good works, or our praying the \"sinner's prayer.\" Our confidence is always in Jesus Christ, from first to last. And he will never let us down.
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© 2005 by Edward Fudge. Unlimited permission to copy without altering text or profiteering is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice. For encouragement and spiritual food any time, visit our multimedia website at www.EdwardFudge.com .

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[johntwayne]

Overall I think Edward hit the nail on the head with this one.  Wow!  That is two in a row that \"I agree with Edward on.\"  I must be slipping!  LOL!

Of course, what I really agree with is God's revealtion on the matter, and I think Edward has done a good job (with the exception noted above) in expressing the Bible's teaching on this subject.

[tidbit]

ISTM that if Steve and Jack are in agreement on an issue such as 'eternal security', there must be some misunderstanding.

[Skip]

ISTM that if Steve and Jack are in agreement on an issue such as 'eternal security', there must be some misunderstanding.

This issue must be outstanding ![/color]

[segell]

What's not to agree on?  :p

[tidbit]

We can't have too much agreement.

[DCR]

This issue must be outstanding !

I gotta figure out what that means.  \"Outstanding\" refers to someone or something.  I just don't know what.  Anybody care to fill me in?

[tidbit]

This issue must be outstanding !

I gotta figure out what that means.  \"Outstanding\" refers to someone or something.  I just don't know what.  Anybody care to fill me in?[/color]

See this.

[James Rondon]

In my view, Edward Fudge begins a study of eternal security balancing the teachings of Scripture.  For everyone's consideration and I hope for everyone's rest in the security that is found when one is in Christ Jesus.

gracEmail (ETERNAL SECURITY - 1)
Edward Fudge
Jul 31, 2005


A missioner in Africa asks for biblical insight regarding the security of the believer, sometimes referred to as \"once saved, always saved.\" Another missioner in China inquires about the passages which warn Christians against falling away from Christ. How do we put all this together?


* * *


When it comes to the security of the believer, the New Testament speaks in stereo, to both our ears at once. One ear hears assurances of pardon, of God's keeping us, of the impossibility of anyone separating us from God's love. The other ear hears warnings against apostasy, exhortations to continue in the faith, admonitions to examine ourselves whether our faith is genuine. We must take both messages seriously and we cannot afford to explain either of them away. The key lies in observing the actual and theoretical audiences to whom each message is addressed.

Every word of biblical assurance is intended for believers. The New Testament promises no security to those who are only \"make-believers.\" James warns against so-called \"faith\" which is all talk and no substance (James 2:14-26). The author of Hebrews exhorts us to hold firmly our faith (Heb. 2:1-3; 3:12; 6:4-6; 10:23, 26-27). Peter urges us to make our calling and election \"sure\" -- to ourselves, of course, for God is already as sure about it as he can possibly be (2 Pet. 1:10-11). These warnings and exhortations are intended for the professing Christian who is lazy or indifferent, self-sufficient, or barren of spiritual fruit and good works. There is not one single warning in the Bible addressed to the person who truly trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation, who genuinely grieves over personal sin and repents of it, who yields to the Spirit and is being transformed, however slowly, into the likeness of Christ.

The teaching of eternal security is sometimes presented in an unbiblical fashion. Not when it affirms that the believer is \"protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time,\" for that affirmation is apostolic and authoritative indeed (1 Pet. 1:5). The teaching becomes unbiblical when it says that no one who makes an outward profession of faith can ever finally be lost, no matter how ungodly or unbelieving he or she might appear to become. That is a corrupted doctrine which ignores or forgets many biblical truths. Not all belong to God who profess to be his people. Even miracles and great works do not guarantee a personal relationship with Jesus (Matt. 7:20-23).

God predestined that those he foreknew should also become conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). The way we know we are among God's elect is not only our profession of faith but also the fact that the gospel grips us and changes our lives (1 Thes. 1:4,5, 9-10). Our confidence rests, always and only, in the historical accomplishments of Jesus our representative, and in God's appraisal of what Jesus our representative has done (Rom. 4:25 - 5:1). It never rests in any event, occasion or performance within our own experience -- whether our baptism, our good works, or our praying the \"sinner's prayer.\" Our confidence is always in Jesus Christ, from first to last. And he will never let us down.
____

© 2005 by Edward Fudge. Unlimited permission to copy without altering text or profiteering is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice. For encouragement and spiritual food any time, visit our multimedia website at www.EdwardFudge.com .

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:amen: