Eternal Security

What are we looking for in a relationship? We are all like lost sheep, helpless and can’t defend ourselves. So we look for someone who will provide us security. Someone who will provide us food and lodging and protect us when we need be. Someone who will always be there for us no matter what. So many of us look for these things in a human relationship and our partner is in as much need for security as we are.

When we realize this many of us turn to God for our security, however we do this  just like many of us do our human relationships. We receive Christ by a single act of faith and then depart from our belief morally. The only kind of security God offers is eternal security. So if you get saved and you go right back living the way you were then salvation doesn’t last, you have something else. You do not have eternal life assurance.

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.  For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.  And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 1 John 2:15-17 NLT

Eternal security is what shows on the outside of us. It’s what people see; it’s our actions. It is our daily walk in Christ. It is a matter of putting one foot in front of the other; in depending on the Holy Spirit of God. Although our salvation is in a moment of time and is a emotional experience, our separation from the world is a daily walk that is dependant upon Jesus Christ.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18 ESV

Having the knowledge that you are saved and the eternal security of a believer are not the same, however they are related.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me John 10:27-28 NLT

When you have confidence in the knowledge that you are saved, you are not bragging because you are one of His sheep and you hear His voice. You want to do what He ask you to. You will want to be involved in Church activities. You will want to spend your time helping others because this is the way of the Lord. You will want to please God in everything that you do because this is where true joy and happiness come from.

The LORD is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD
forever.Psalm 23 NLT

Eternal Reward

I do not want you to be misinformed.

For he says,

“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2Cor. 6:2 ESV.

All of us who are believers will give an account of ourselves for the works we have committed in our body.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Cor. 5:10 ESV

This judgment will determine the reward of every believer. Our salvation will be intact, however some of us will receive a full reward, some of us will receive a partial reward and some of us will suffer total loss. Their works will be burned up, but their spirits will be saved.

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.  If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.   If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1Cor. 3:11-15. ESV

The fire that Jesus will use is the Word of God. We will not be judged for how much we did or how big the work was, but the spirit in which we did it. Did we provide service, make sacrifices and have unselfish devotion for the glory of God.

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17 ESV

It will be the neglect of opportunities for service that will rob us of our reward.