Does Scripture teaches unconditional eternal security regardless of continual faith and obedience?
Eph_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,
Col_1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
If we have been translated (past tense) into the heavenly kingdom where Christ is already seated, one might assume that being “in Christ”precludes us being thrown out of Christ.
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Yes, we are eternally secure and this is a question I wrestled with some time ago. I went looking for answers and was shocked by how many Christians, including my Pastor, didn’t know. How can a Pastor not know? I did find the answer and was led to a Bible teacher who confirmed our security through Scripture. I can send it if you wish. It’s your call.
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I suppose, logically, the answer must necessarily lie in one’s understanding of how a person’s salvation was brought about in the first place.
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If salvation is a work of man, and men are fallible, error prone, and subject to change, then one must conclude salvation is an unsettled work, and therefore subject to human impermanence. The continuation of this kind of salvation rests solely on the persons resolve to maintain it.
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If one’s salvation is a Holy work of God, as God is perfect, unchangeable, and not subject to error then it follows every work of God would be permanent, including His work of salvation in a person’s life. The continuation of salvation rests solely in the faithfulness of Holy God.
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If one feels salvation is a partnership, an agreement in which both parties agree to maintain their part of the bargain, then one must conclude salvation is tenuous, and remains intact only for as long as both parties remain faithful to their pledge. If one party is faithful and one is not, the agreement will fail.
Personally, I am convinced of #2; that the initiation of salvation is a Holy work of God, and so the maintenance of salvation is also a Holy work of God. Therefore, salvation’s eternal assurance is based in the Holy faithfulness of God. That leaves me with the conclusion that the only way a religious person can turn away from their commitment is because God did not initiate salvation in the first place, and so The Faithful God was not maintaining it.
I am also aware that sometimes these observable cycles in a person’s life, periods that have an appearance of religion, but eventually succumb to doubt, backsliding, and denial may actually be prologue to God eventually demonstrating His great love in that persons life in due course. Their periodic acceptance of The Truth of the gospel may be laying a foundation for God’s sealing them with His Holy Spirit for eternity.
To see someone who appeared to follow Jesus for a time, but through crisis or bad influence turns their back on Him at some point, should never be considered a reason for an abiding Christian to write them off, reject them, or give up on them. Our steady testimony of patience, hope, and enduring abiding in The LIFE may still be instrumental for God to use to eventually instill Godly faith, and cause their eyes to turn toward Him permanently.
KP
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It is the holy Spirit which is promised to teach us all things.
You know how Paul always went back to the Crucifixion as a starting point? That’s because the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets that took place through the Resurrection is actually the root and beginning of wisdom, logic, and reason.
Whatever “teaching” someone gives you, if it’s from the holy Spirit, it will bring alignment to your understanding, it will deepen the proper meanings and correct the errant ones, and it will edify you, build you up, and strengthen your faith.
Those signs along with a traceable and reproducible path of rationality founded solidly in the highest (or best, most holy, ideal optimum, inarguably sensible) definitions of every word of Scripture being applied to the teaching are clear indicators of valid input from someone strong in the faith.
See Romans 6, but not just once; look at it through the interpretations of a variety of translations until you gather a sense of the theme behind the original words used. That’s how I started, but these days I prefer going to the Greek.
Obedience is cumulative. Start where you can and strive for more.
Obedience is not optional, it is the very indicator of the presence of faith in action, the demonstration of belief.
If you are struggling to obey, memorize every Scripture you can find to combat whatever sins weigh on your conscience, one at a time.
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@Bestill - Why not share it here? I’m sure the others are also interested to know the answer.
Union & Fellowship – Grace thru faith
This is an audio