Back again…
While we are still on the subject of Eternal Security let us turn to Romans chapter 8. This is probably the most telling chapter in the Bible when it comes to the subject of having security that your salvation is preserved. Chapter 8 of Romans amplifies John 5:24 and Revelation 21:5. It says in John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Wow, see that! The words “hath everlasting life”. How long is “everlasting”? It is not 5 years, it is not 10, it is not even 100 but in fact it is forever. FOREVER! Now look at Revelation 21:5, “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” He makes all things new, (all things) so alas, if you believe on Christ in faith you are a new creature. You are no longer what you were.
Shall we go deeper with the new creature issue and look at the 7 new things a believer has? Yes.
First, a believer has a new position as you can see in Romans 8:1-8. You have a new position in relation to the Son of God. In your new position you are “in Christ”. Remember the Philippian jailor in Acts 16? He felt the earth quake and then trembled and wanted to know what he must do to be saved. The answer came in verse 31, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” “Believe and live!” When you believe you then become a Christian. A Christian is “someone in Christ.” You are in Christ. You also have a new position when it comes to the law. You are now to please the law but it does nothing to save you. The law cannot claim you, the law cannot condemn you and the law can not control you because you are now free from the law and grace abounds. We are to please the law but we no longer are claimed by it.
Romans chapter 8 begins with condemnation. There is therefore, NOW, no condemnation. Now is when it happens and not later because salvation is immediate. Romans chapter 8 then, like bookends, will end with no separation. The last verse says, “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing can separate you, ever, ever, ever. It is everlasting, and everlasting is forever. The Father cared and he sent His own son. He sent His only son. He sent His only son to die for you and me when we were ungodly.
Second, as you will see in Romans 8: 9-13, you have a new guest. Your new guest is the Holy Spirit of God. You have two in-dwellings because you indwell the Savior and the Holy Spirit indwells you. The believer indwells Christ, we are in Him. We have a new guest in us which is the Holy Spirit. Both of these in-dwellings are promised in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” He that abides in me and I in him. This is a perfect indwelling to make us like Jesus. This is also a permanent indwelling. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever”, John 14:16. Abide with you forever. How long is forever? Isn’t that once and for all? Once saved, always saved. And now for what is probably the best evidence that can be introduced we have Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” You are sealed, “UNTIL THE DAY OF REDEMPTION.” That is always and forever, it is until the end.
Third, you have a new adoption. You as the believer are adopted by the Father. This is the theology of adoption. The word “adoption” literally means “the placing of a son.” This adoption follows your regeneration (from previous post) and provides you with the nature of a child of God. You have been adopted by the Father, “Abba Father”. The Father initiated the adoption by sending His son. He did it! We are heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ. Last, but certainly not least we see the trinity at work in this adoption. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You have intimacy with the Father. Abba Father, Dearest Papa, Beloved Dad, affectionately. You are illuminated by the Holy Spirit as the Spirit leads and assures you. You have the inheritance through the Son. You have an inheritance to the Kingdom of God.
What we have described here is “The Preservation of the Saints”. Praise The LORD! What the Law could not do for us Christ did for us on the cross.
Believe and live,
The Tubthumper
Come back for the next post as we continue with more of the new things we have in Christ and evidence of “Once saved, always saved”. Click here to go to the next post.
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