GRACE FOR TODAY Radio Message #403

WHY DO WE BELIEVE IN ETERNAL SECURITY?

Pastor Don Fortner

Grace Baptist Church of Danville

2734 Old Stanford Road

Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438

Why do we believe in the eternal security of God’s elect? There is much debate among religious people about the security of the believer. But it is not my intention to answer the arguments of those who oppose the teachings of Holy Scripture in this matter. I leave them to take up their arguments with God in the day of judgment. However, I do desire to comfort, encourage, and strengthen the hearts of God’s people. Here are five reasons why we believe in the eternal security and preservation of every true believer.

First, we believe that every true believer is eternally secure in Christ, because THE WORD OF GOD MUST BE FULFILLED. Let the Bible speak for itself. Our Lord Jesus Christ, God the eternal Son, says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29). Now, our Lord plainly says that not one of his sheep shall perish. Language could not be clearer. If ever it could come to pass that one of Christ’s true sheep were to perish in hell, then the Bible is not the inspired Word of God and we are all without hope.

Secondly, we know that all of God’s elect are eternally secure in Christ, because THE PURPOSE OF GOD CANNOT BE FRUSTRATED. There is a people in this world whom God has purposed to save. They were chosen by him in eternal election, predestinated unto glory, and given to Christ as the Surety of the covenant of grace before the world was. It is of those chosen people that Christ speaks when he says, “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day” (John 6:38-39). God’s purpose and covenant cannot be broken. In the last day, Christ will present all of God’s elect, those given to him in eternal election and brought to him by irresistible grace, saying, “Behold I and the children which God hath given me” (Heb. 2:13). All shall be perfectly saved, because the purpose of God cannot be frustrated.

Thirdly, all of God’s elect are eternally secure, because CHRIST HAS EFFECTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED ETERNAL REDEMPTION FOR US. We believe, according to the Scriptures, in an actual, literal substitutionary redemption. Since Christ died for his people, in our room and in our place, they cannot die. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Gal. 3:13). Since he paid our debts, we have no debts to pay. Since he bore the punishment of our sins, we have no punishment to bear. Since he has satisfied the offended justice of God for us, there is nothing left for us to satisfy. Since he washed our sins away in the blood of his cross, our sins shall never be charged to us. If one of those for whom Christ suffered and died at Calvary were to perish in hell, then his purpose in dying would be frustrated, he could never see of the travail of his soul with satisfaction and his blood would be shed in vain.

Fourthly, every true believer is eternally secure, because THE WORK OF GOD CAN NEVER BE DEFEATED. We are confident that “he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). Salvation is the work of God alone. It cannot be defeated or destroyed, neither by men or by demons.

Fifthly, all true believers are eternally secure, because THE INTERCESSORY WORK OF CHRIST MUST PREVAIL. Our Lord Jesus Christ is an Advocate, a High Priest who makes intercession for us. He prays, “Keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me” (John 17:11). And that for which he prays shall be done. We are today, and forever, kept by the power of God.