Please help us share God's truths and hope in Christ.

We received this email, and because of its nature, we responded directly to the writer at the time.  Because this is such an important subject, we are sharing our answer here.

How can we know our salvation is secure?

Some denominations hold a theological belief that salvation is not permanent.  They use several verses to support their belief. However, they are taken out of context and misunderstood.  We could spend a lot of time discussing the misunderstanding of those verses, but instead, we will focus here on the truth of eternal security  how we can be assured that our salvation is secure.

Believing that salvation can be lost denies not only the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement and the truth of His promises but also His faithfulness in keeping us and even His ability to keep us.  If it were true, it would be very scary to think about “falling from grace.”  It’s understandable why this person is concerned, but the very fact that this person has a concern, strives to read the Bible, and tries to live according to God’s will, indicates the presence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  This person’s conviction (“relationship with God has been downhill lately”) is another indication of the Holy Spirit’s presence and work in convicting him. 

This person acknowledges that their life is not in accord with God’s will, and now it is important that the person responds to the Holy Spirit’s conviction and teachings and makes changes.  We are never to seek or find pleasure in the things our Lord and Saviour died for.  When tempted to sin, we should remember that Jesus suffered for us so our sins could be forgiven.  Understanding and remembering that should help us to make God-honoring decisions. Knowing and trusting that we have the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, we should remind ourselves NOT to engage in the things Christ suffered and died for.

Assurance of Salvation

 Remember that our salvation is a work done in us by God.  We have not earned it…nor can we un-earn it.  If we think of it as a gift, the only way a gift can be returned is if the gift-giver desires to take it or is willing to accept it back.  Jesus will not do either.  He promised to keep us eternally.

Many verses proclaim this and assure us of our eternal security.  (emphasis, italics, and bracketed information added)

1 John 5:10-13 “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself [the Holy Spirit]: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son [we are IN Him – we are the body of Christ united with Him].  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God [WHY?]; THAT YE MAY KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Eternal life is not conditional.

 It is not temporal.  It is permanent.  Eternal life starts at the moment Jesus saves us and continues into eternity.  It would not be eternal life if we could lose our salvation, and the Bible supports this so that we may KNOW that we have ETERNAL life.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things presentnor things to come[that means anything you have done or might do!] 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.”

2 Timothy 2:10-13 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  [11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: [12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 

This begs the question, what is denied to us?   It can’t be our salvation, for verse 10 speaks of “eternal glory,” and verse 11 says, “we shall also live with Him.”  The context of vs. 12 is about our rewards; this verse:   12 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. assures us of His faithfulness.  We are His body, one with Him, and He cannot deny Himself. 

Jesus Keeps Us Secure in Him

John 10:28   And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

This is another precious promise from Jesus that He will keep us.  If salvation is not permanent, it denies His ability to keep us.  No one can “pluck” us out of His hand…and that includes us.  We can’t “pluck” ourselves out of His hand.  His grasp is tighter and stronger than anything we can do. 

This is reflected in the Mercy Me song, Hold Fast. When we are in dark seasons of the soul, whether it be from trials and tribulation or our own human frailty of falling into sin, we should remember:

Hold fast. Help is on the way
Hold fast,. He’s come to save the day
What I’ve learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp, So hold fast 

Heaven has been opened to us.

The door to Heaven is Jesus (John 10:9), and Jesus told John that once that door has been opened, no one can shut it.
Rev 3:7-8  “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:   “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

There is certainly much more support in the Bible that tells us we are eternally secure, but perhaps the most important thing to remember is that Jesus PROMISED ETERNAL life.  Jesus is faithful and true, so when He promised eternal life….He meant forever!  Also, remember, He guaranteed our salvation would be secure by giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit, by Whom we are SEALED!

Ephesians 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling,and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.  Jude 1:24-25

<*}}}><

*******

Jesus is the Reason this Ministry Exists

At  Reasons for Hope* Jesus, we are committed to equipping, encouraging, and empowering Christians to know Jesus better, love Him more, and share their faith. We also reach the lost through our Salvation Page. 

With your support, we can continue to provide valuable resources and engaging content.  Please join us in our mission by donating today. Your generous contribution helps us expand our outreach of sharing biblical truths and hope in Jesus.  Thank you for your kindness and for being an integral part of our mission.

 donate
Reasons for Hope*Jesus is a 501c3 Ministry
Use a Credit Card or PayPal for safe, secure giving.

*******
*******

***A Hidden Message in Psalm 23?***  

Hidden in the six verses of Psalm 23 are 11 names for Jesus.  When you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll send you The Names of God in Psalm 23 PDF that reveals all 11 names and Scripture verses of comfort and hope (link will be sent in your confirmation email).

A Room with a View of Eternity—The Last Will & Testament of Jesus Christ   Take a seat at the Master's table. Learn about the riches He gives to all who are His. This book will bless and encourage you, give you hope, and help you live in the joy of your salvation and the riches of Christ that are yours.

The Top Ten Got Questions? in 2023 

  1. The Meaning of NUMBERS in the Bible?
  2. Was Jesus CRUCIFIED on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
  3. How was Jesus Like a Worm? What’s the CRIMSON (OR SCARLET) WORM in Psalm 22?
  4. How are the Shepherd’s ROD and STAFF Different?
  5. How long did JOB SUFFER?
  6. What is the Significance of the Wise Men's THREE GIFTS? And were they kings?
  7. Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 DAYS AFTER JESUS’ BIRTH? Or Was It Much Later?
  8. Jesus’ Last Days TIMELINE: the Cross and the Resurrection
  9. The Meaning of COLORS in the Bible?
  10. Did Jesus Fight Satan to Take Back the KEYS of Death and Hell?

There is much to be learned from those who have gone before us in the faith.  Check out our Cloud of Witnesses category that features the words of departed saints who are now with the Lord in glory.  Their words equip and encourage us even to this day.  Take a few minutes to hear...

  1. ONLY ONE LIFE, Twill Soon Be Past – by C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)
  2. “The Love of God is Greater Far” by Frederick M. Lehman (1917)
  3. Prayers from Billy Graham
  4. Who Was Robert Robinson? What’s the Story Behind “Come Thou Fount”
  5. “Immanuel” — A Poem by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
  6. Who Am I? A Poem by Deitrich Bonhoeffer (1905-1945)
  7. Understanding the Everlasting Arms of God, by J.R. Miller (1840–1912)
  8. 24 Reasons Why I Love America, by John Wayne (1907-1979)
  9. Give Me Perpetual Broken-heartedness (from The Valley of Vision)
  10. Abide with Me, by James Smith, 1859

This remains one of our most popular pages viewed.

Reasons for Hope* Jesus video banner

TOP TEN Videos from Reasons for Hope* Jesus
  1. Memorial Day BAGPIPES TRIBUTE: Amazing Grace 
  2. RISE AND SHINE and Give God the Glory, Glory!
  3. WERE YOU THERE When They Crucified My Lord?
  4. PAUL HARVEY: THE BIRDCAGE
  5. PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: A SOLDIER'S PLEDGE
  6. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing -- CHARLIE BROWN Christmas
  7. JOHN WAYNE ~ WHY I LOVE AMERICA
  8. Jimmy Stewart - Nativity Scene Prayer: Mr. Krueger's Christmas
  9. THE LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE - A Christmas Story to Share 
  10. Not by Might, Not by Power, But BY MY SPIRIT says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6)

*****************

Please help us share God's truths and hope in Christ.

SubscribeNow!

The goal of Reasons for Hope* Jesus is to help you establish your heart and anchor your soul in Jesus, and renew your mind in His Word.

 

Get equipped with knowledge!

Be encouraged in hope!

Live empowered with love! 

You have Successfully Subscribed!