He cannot deny HIMSELF but He will deny us if we deny Him – “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: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself (not us).” 2 Timothy 2:11-13
Common objection: “But wait, Jesus told us that we could never be plucked out of the Father’s hand!!!”
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 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
The LORD promises to mankind include, contain conditions. In the passage above, Jesus gives this promise to His “sheep” who are defined by the fact that they “hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (v27) Those who receive Christ in repenting initially are required by the LORD to continue with Him (“abide”/remain John 15) – hearing His voice and following Him – according to HIS prescription, not the lies of false teachers.
Those in Him who do not continue – “abide” – in Christ, will be cast into the fires of eternal hell.
“If a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned (hell fire).” John 15:6
The same wolves who teach John 10:28-29 out of its context will never be heard mentioning what Jesus says in this same Gospel of John. Sadly, today millions refuse to read God’s Word honestly, daily, and diligently for themselves and are therefore misled by the “many false teachers” Jesus and His apostles so often warned us about (Matthew 7:15; 24; 11, 24; Colossians 2:8; 1 John 4:1, etc.).
The snake who taught you that you are “eternally secure” no matter what, conveniently neglected to give you the condition in the context.
Many today claim to be saved and yet are not saved from habitual sin (1 John 3:8). Read Romans 6:1-2. WHAT’S true saving grace look like in the life of the recipient? (Titus 2:11-14) ….BEWARE of the many grace-perverting wolves who teach un-conditional eternal security/OSAS-once saved always saved. These of Satan’s agents. Run! (Jude 3-4)
Make Romans 6 your spiritual meat this week.
This promise of security is predicated on hearing His voice and following Him. This is continual tense.
The promises of God are conditional. There are divine conditions and if not met, will cause the rebel to lose out.
Our whole relationship with the LORD is predicated on His perfect righteousness and our faith in Him who alone accomplished, purchased our righteousness at the cross. We contact – initially and ongoing – His righteousness by faith (Rom. 3:23-26; 4:4-5). It’s impossible to please God without faith in Him instead of self yet Jesus says after believing and being saved, that recipient of His saving grace can “fall away.” (Luke 8:12-13) People CAN stop believing and “fall away.” (Hebrews 3:6, 12-14, etc.)
Doing these things you mentioned IS abiding in Christ – trusting Him not flesh or self…. Gal 3:3
Abiding is engaging in this trust, this faith, oneness relationship. John 15, 17. This relationship Jesus died to grant requires the participation of the recipient.
This idea that God could never disown, sever from Himself and His kingdom, those who rebel, is a farce. Biblical history is full of such example, beginning with Lucifer being severed – ejected – from eternal glory (Luke 10:18). Adam and Eve were severed from His holy presence when they sinned (Genesis 3).
Here’s a mere taste:
- Genesis – Man was created perfect and yet when he chose to sin, God ousted him from the pristine Garden of creation.
- Numbers 16:30-35 – Thousands of God’s own covenant people were sent straight to hell for rebelling.
- 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 – the 5 sins that kept many of God’s own people out of the promised land.
- Revelation 21:8, 27 – list of classes of sinners cut off from the kingdom and vanquished into the lake of fire.
The book of Jude details a list of created beings who rebelled against our Maker and were cut off as a result.
Who ever convinced you that God can’t and won’t sever those who rebel from His own kingdom?
God is not obligated to keep any person he’s saved who then rebels and will not return to Him (repent).
“Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. 13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.” Ezekiel 33:12-13
Un-conditional eternal security, also known by the heretical cliches “Once saved always saved” and “eternal security,” is responsible for damning the souls of millions – who once walked with God. Then they rebelled and were “cut off” for “departing from the living God.” (Romans 11:20-22; Hebrews 3:12-14, etc.).
Why would terms like “fall away,” “cut off,” and “departing from the living God” be found in Scripture if such were not possible? Only a vile, diabolical liar would say such is not possible (Luke 8:13; Romans 11:20-22; Hebrews 3:12-14).
Beware of the OSAS snakes!
Those who cling to “once saved always saved” heresy are more interested in their own self feeling secure than what the LORD said in the full counsel of His Word. They refuse to truly walk with Christ the way He requires – death to self, taking up the cross daily (Luke 9:23-24, etc.). Self must be crucified or self will crucify Christ right out of our lives! (Romans 6, etc.).
The “sealed” deception: Those who believe the Bible definition of “sealed” means that they are secure no matter what for Heaven, are deceived. They have bought the lie of this false definition of sealed found in Ephesians AND Matthew 27:66. The wolf who taught them this OSAS definition of sealed conveniently refused to tell them about Matthew 27:66. Jesus’s tomb was sealed (SAME Greek word as Ephesians!) and we both know that seal was broken. If not, Christ didn’t rise from the dead and we are lost souls (1 Corinthians 15:17). We open sealed envelopes every day. Jesus’ promise in John 10:28-29 has a condition – v27 – hearing His voice and following Him – present tense. Jesus invented the term “fall away” but you say it can’t happen (Luke 8:13). You are teaching the calvinist heresy of “perseverance of the saints.” Total lie. Man never loses his free will. If you honestly read Scripture you cannot believe OSAS.
Only a false teacher who is denying Christ by denying what He stated misuses and ignores volumes of Scripture to “prove” his OSAS fairy tale – which produces lukewarm “Christians.” And all it takes to be rejected from Christ – spued from His holy mouth – is to not be on fire but rather “lukewarm.” (Revelation 3:15-16). JESUS says “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Luke 13:24 …. OSAS is the heretical doctrine for moral cowards who refuse to take up the cross daily and truly die to self, allowing Christ alone to reign in their personal lives (Galatians 2:20). Hell awaits if you don’t repent. Read Mark 9:43-49 in the KJB.
No man on earth is secure in sin with He who is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8) The only one these deceived souls are kidding and deceiving is themselves. The wages of sin is still death (Romans 6:23). If you live in sin, hell is where you’ll end up in.
“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.” Ezekiel 18:30
If you are truly of God you will be corrected by these Scriptures and cease listening to the pansy you called pastor. That same wolf refuses to focus your attention on Bible verses such as this one:
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
WHEN did the Almighty cease to be holy? When did He change? Those who believe that they are secure for Heaven while living in sin are delusional. Hell awaits.
False teachers are more interested in promulgating their doctrines of mere men than honestly teaching the whole and raw truth of God’s Word. They purposely evade Bible passages that contradict their false doctrines. Like the hell bound false leaders Jesus addressed, they set aside the very Word of God for their own false teachings (Mark 7:6-9). You will never know their teaching is false if you don’t personally, daily, and diligently, with honest heart, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
OSAS/eternal security is the golden calf pet doctrine of the grace-perverting wolves in this late hour (Jude 3-4). Make no mistake, these vile children of Satan lie for clout and cash.
Wolves Have Produced a Security Idol and Obsession
Recently, one man wrote this to me:
“In 1 Cor 9:27 – “Castaway” /Disqualified in this context is about being displeasing in ministry or losing ministry opportunity/credibility and not losing salvation. Paul believed in eternal security (Romans 8:29-30).”
REPLY: Paul told us in 1 Corinthians 9:27 that he could be cast away from the LORD in the end if he didn’t keep his flesh under the control of the Holy Spirit by living a crucified life which is an essential condition given us throughout Scripture. Not when you put it together with all of Scripture. ‘Castaway’ in 1 Corinthians 9:27 could only mean one thing – that one who is not in Christ at death will be ‘cast away’ or separated from Him. OSAS is not biblical. It is a lie. It’s the first lie ever told to mankind which caused his fall from grace (Gen 2:17; 3:4). This same lie is still being peddled by false teachers today (Jude 3-4; 2 Pet 2:20-21; Rom 11:20-22; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; Revelation 3:11, etc.). Also, you mentioned Romans 8:29-30 which speaks of being “conformed to the image of his Son” which is to be crucified with Christ – to keep under the body. This is the daily cross Jesus says is essential to following Him (Luke 9:23-24, etc.).
Are you living after the flesh or crucifying it by taking up the daily cross? Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; 5:16-24; Colossians 3:3, etc.
The Certainty of God’s Promise
Some read passages like the one below, seeking to excuse themselves from all personal responsibility. These are not honest in heart but rather choosing sin and darkness over Christ and His light (John 3:19-21, etc.). God’s covenant promise to us is ratified by Himself. The blood covenant is between the Father and Jesus. By this we are justified but not without condition. God swore by Himself, not faulty man. This is what makes His covenant sure, yet that in no way negates man’s personal responsibility to keep His stated conditions by faith.
“For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Hebrews 6:13-20
If you are presently anchored in, abiding in Christ, you are sure for eternal glory. If you are not rooted and grounded in an intimate, fruit-bearing relationship with Jesus – on HIS terms – you are as sure for hell as if you were already there. Read John 15:1-6.
PRAYER: Holy Father, please forgive my man sins – my rebellion, self-righteousness, self-will, disobedience, and unbelief. Wash me in Thy precious blood dear LORD Jesus. Please sanctify my life to glorify and bear fruit for Your eternal glory. Bless me to abide in Thee and to never be self-deceived by the deceitfulness of sin. Please fill and use me dear LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Abiding
Man Shall not Live by Bread Alone [podcast]
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2
Spiritual growth occurs when we ingest the words of God, embrace, incorporate, and walk them out.
“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12
“The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”Psalms 33:11
The graphic message below is from a dear sister in Christ named Cassandra, on SubStack:

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, thank You for finding and forgiving me and saving me into Your eternal family. Help me realize the utter importance of feeding on Your Word daily. I love You dear LORD Jesus. Help me to love You more LORD. Help me to feed, to nourish the members of Your body with Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Abiding
The Prayer Life of Jesus [podcast]
Prayer is communion, communing with God. Those who earnestly seek God in prayer, who earnestly seek to know Him and to fulfill His will for their temporary lives in this world…. will glorify Him here and to be with Him eternally.
What do we learn from the prayer life of our LORD Jesus?
“Luke 5:16 PRAYERS OF JESUS. Luke stresses more than the other gospels the place of prayer in the life and work of Jesus. When the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at the Jordan, He was ‘praying’ (3:21), at times He withdrew from the multitudes ‘and prayed (5:16); ‘and He continued all night in prayer before choosing the twelve disciples (6:12). He was ‘alone praying’ before He asked His disciples an important question (9:18); at His transfiguration He climbed the mountain ‘to pray’ (9:28); the actual transfiguration occurred while ‘he prayed’ (9:29); and He ‘was praying’ just before He taught the disciple’s the Lord’s Prayer (11:1). In Gethsemane He ‘prayed more earnestly’ (22:44); on the cross He prayed for others (23:34); and His last words uttered before His death were a prayer (23:46). Luke also mentions that He prayed after His resurrection (24:30).
In examining the life of Jesus in the other Gospels, we note that He prayed before extending the invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labour …’ (Mat. 11:25-28); He prayed at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:41-42), for Peter (Luke 22:32), and during the institution of the Lord’s Supper (John 17).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23
“14:23 PRAY ALONE. While on earth, Jesus often sought time to be alone with God (cf. Mark 1:35; 6:46; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18; 22:41-42; Heb. 5:7). Time alone with God is essential to the spiritual well-being of every believer. We must continually remember that the lack of desire for solitary prayer to our heavenly Father is an unmistakable sign that the spiritual life within us is in a process of decline. If this is happening, we must turn from all that offends the Lord and renew our commitment to persevere in seeking God and His saving grace.” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” Luke 18:1
“18:1 MEN OUGHT ALWAYS TO PRAY. Jesus was frequently concerned that His followers pray continually in order to accomplish God’s will for their lives. From this parable of the widow who persevered we learn several things; (1) We must persevere in prayer with regard to all matters until Jesus returns (vv 7-8; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17). (2) In this life we have an adversary (v. 3), Satan (1 Pet. 5:8). Prayer can protect us from the evil one (Mat. 6:13). (3) In our prayers we should cry out against sin and for justice (v 7). (4) Persistent prayer is counted as faith (v. 8). (5) In the final days before the return of Christ, there will be increased diabolical opposition to the prayers of the faithful (1 Tim. 4:1). Because of Satan and the pleasures of the world many will cease having a persistent prayer life (8:14; Mat. 13:22; Mark 4:19).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
SUMMATION you might ask?
Following Jesus by living a life of prayer with the Father and Himself – living your life in complete submission to and dependency upon the LORD …. daily declaring with John the Baptist that “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Be persistent. Be relentless – in praying, communing with your God!
Read aloud, begin to memorize and live out:
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
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Articles
IS DOUBTING YOUR SALVATION ALWAYS A BAD THING? [podcast]
Making Sure We are Truly Saved While We Still Can
Obviously, the assurance of salvation should concern each and every one of us.
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
Notice “if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” Note that those who honestly assess and amend their ways in the LORD will not be judged with the wicked. Those who don’t, will be. They will fall away and not endure to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21, etc.).
Are you judging yourself, testing and discerning your life against Holy Scripture?
“Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” Proverbs 28:5
Counterfeits refuse to judge their actual fruit, their lives. They want the assurance of eternal glory with no responsibility of actual repentance and an abiding, obedient relationship with the Savior they claim. They want the crown without the cross. They do not wish to be bothered with truly engaging in an abiding relationship with Jesus on His stated terms but rather seek to use Him to get them out of hell. Jesus tells all who’ve been saved that abiding, remaining in Him to the end of their lives is essential to eternity with Him (John 15:6, etc.).
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Is believing the biblical truth that a saved person can backslide, fall away, and forfeit their place with God (lose salvation) a bad thing? No. It’s only a bad thing in the minds of those who want to live on their own depraved, self-serving terms while deluding themselves into thinking they are going to God’s holy Heaven.
WHY are we so afraid of doubting if we are truly saved – born again AND presently abiding in Christ? (John 15:1-6). It will be too late when we die which could be today. Think about this. NOW is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2) and so today is the day to honestly examine ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:31-32; 2 Corinthians 13:5). Please read the LORD’s book of Ezekiel. You will discover many divine treasures in this magnificent volume. Share this message if you wish to help others.
“A disciplined conscience is a man’s best friend. It may not be his most amiable, but it is his most faithful monitor.” Austin Phelps
“LORD Jesus, please grant me the Holy Fear of God!” should be the daily prayer of every true saint.
“Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalms 86:11
I told someone recently that I love listening to a preacher or reading Scripture that can make me doubt my salvation because it further quickens my spirit in the fear of God to scamper to the feet of Jesus afresh.
Assurance of salvation and how it possesses the authentic disciple and not the counterfeit.
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” 1 John 3:19-21
As we see in the passage above, assurance of salvation fills the hearts of all born again believers are who working out their own salvation with fear and trembling.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
There are conditions the LORD requires to procure and walk in His blessings.
Assurance of salvation is biblical. Eternal security is not. The idea that one is eternally secure no matter what they do after being saved, is a lie from hell. Jesus told us that among those He saves, any who don’t abide, continue with Him, will be cast into the fire (John 15:6).
The lack of a clear conscience, the lack of assurance in one’s heart, is due to the lack of present abiding, obedience. All who are Christ’s and presently abiding, are filled with the assurance of His salvation. Read John 15.
Wolves among us, when addressing assurance, nearly never speak of the personal responsibility God gives to all He saves – to obey Him (John 14:15, 21-23, etc.). When one lacks assurance, it’s only because they have chosen to lack obeying the Savior (2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Jude 3-4).
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22
WHAT ABOUT WHEN SOMEONE ELSE DOUBTS THAT YOU ARE TRULY SAVED?
When a true believer in Jesus Christ questions someone’s salvation, it is in no way to be rude, but rather out of godly concern. Jesus told us to “know” (discern) people “by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16, 20). Good “fruit” (produce) can only come forth from the born again, abiding disciple of Jesus. Good fruit comes forth from a real relationship with Christ (John 15). One must know Him and that begins at the moment of true repentance and faith (Acts 20:21).
If the overall fruit of someone’s life is not that which the Bible teaches is consistent with truly knowing Jesus and having been regenerated, then there should be concern.
There are some among us who violently object to doubting someone’s salvation, Yet, based on the biblical mandate to “know” (discern) others “by their fruits,” this will happen at times (Matthew 7:16, 20). When a professing Christian’s salvation is doubted based upon lack of good fruit to prove it, some become irate with a “How dare you doubt my/that person’s salvation! Just who are you to do such a thing!?” But wait a minute – didn’t Jesus instruct us to “know” others based on their “fruits”? (Matthew 7:16, 20). And if there are no counterfeits who pose as Christ’s people, why did Jesus say that there are chaff among the wheat? (Matthew 13). Yes He did and so why are we surprised if some of those around us are found to be lost even though they think they are saved? And yes the chaff are going to be separated by the angels in the end but for now Jesus told us to discern (to distinguish between) or to “know” them “by their fruits” and that’s done by fruit inspection.
One man said that he believed that over 90% of church goers in America have never been genuinely born again as we “must be” in order to be brought into God’s kingdom (John 3:3, 7).
Repentance is where and when regeneration happens. In the modern church world, such a foundational biblical doctrine is rarely mentioned much less preached or correctly taught to define what it is and bring conviction to the hearers. In the vast majority of churches today, salvation is never or seldom presented. So how can the sinner respond in repentance and be saved? Is it any wonder so few are saved? People are rarely if ever called to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ today as they were publicly called to do by the apostles of Jesus (Acts 2:38; 3:19).
There are some people who hang around with the Christian body that I just never got a peace about. There doesn’t seem to be the presence of the divine Person of the Holy Spirit and therefore the fruit He alone can produce is absent (Galatians 5:22-23). One must be born again and given a new nature by the LORD or we are not His. When this conversion takes place, there will be good fruit (Matthew 3:7-10).
Should we float people all the way into hell instead of helping make sure they have truly repented and been born again? Is that love or hatred?
If someone questions our salvation, how should we react? How about this way: “Well, thank you for being concerned about my eternal soul. I am open and willing to investigate (biblically) the possibility that I may not have truly repented (laid down my life) and placed my faith in Jesus Christ. Or, since He saved me in the past, perhaps I have backslidden and no longer know Him due to allowing sin in my life.”
HONEST CONCERN VERSUS CRUEL CONDEMNATION
There are going to be children of the enemy that will come in and attempt to confuse and to derail you by doubting that you are saved. They do this to bring “confusion and every evil work” instead of “godly edifying” (James 3:16; 1 Timothy 1:4).
David, the man after God’s own heart, was often persecuted by the wicked, his place with God being the central attack of the enemy.
“My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? … As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?” Psalms 42:3, 10
Those who are His have the “witness” of His Spirit in them:
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16
Why are you bothered when someone else doubts your salvation? Do you have the bearing witness of the Holy Spirit as a witness in your heart? (Romans 8:16). If you are assured by God (not self or mere man) of your salvation, why would you be concerned if someone else doubted it? Can you say with Paul “nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”? (2 Timothy 1:12). Did God not say that we who have and are believing the record He gave of His Son have HIS “witness” within us?
“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:9-13
David told us that our “sentence” comes from the LORD Himself not man:
“Let my sentence (verdict) come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.” Psalms 17:2
The Hebrew word that is translated “sentence” here means: act of deciding a case, decision, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable), sentence of formal decree.
By reason of creation, God Himself is the only One who can determine judicially that one is righteous or unrighteous, just or unjust, justified or not justified. The Almighty is the only One qualified to sentence any individual to Heaven or hell. Either He approves of us or He disapproves of us (Ezekiel 18:4).
“STRONG CONFIDENCE”
“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27
The key to having “strong confidence” and escaping “the snares of death,” is fearing God.
God’s Word tells us that “The fear of the Lord is clean” (Psalms 19:9). The heart that truly fears God is made “clean” from any doubt and has full and “strong confidence” or assurance and strength of conviction.
The key is being with Jesus – being in Christ. Jesus told us that those who are “with” Him are His and all others are “against” Him (Matthew 12:30). The whole of Holy Scripture is the very testimony of God and we can plainly observe that being presently and truly “in Christ” is the determining factor.
The Father spoke from Heaven audibly, declaring of Christ, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). ALL who are presently in Christ, are well pleasing to God – justified, sentenced and declared righteous. Justification, to be declared righteous by God, is always “by faith” (Romans 3:21-5:17; Hebrews 11:4-7).
Ultimately, your “sentence” or sentencing comes forth from God alone who is the only Judge of your eternal soul. In light of this, Paul writes:
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34
According to the whole counsel of God’s Word, believers in Jesus Christ – those who genuinely turn to God in repentance, placing their faith in Jesus Christ – have been shown mercy by God. This gift of eternal life was made possible through the finished and perfect work of the One sinless, perfect Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who bled on the cross, was buried, and rose again from the dead. He is “the Son of God with power.”
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” Romans 1:4
Being rooted and grounded in God’s love is so very important to being “sound in the faith,” having a “sound heart” and a “sound mind” (Proverbs 14:30; 2 Timothy 1:7; Titus 1:13). This all comes from learning and believing “sound doctrine” (Titus 1:9; 2:1).
GOING DEEP
Heeding the apostle Paul’s exhortation to all those whom the LORD has saved, is essential to an ever-deepening, abiding, assured place with the LORD.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7
Only going on to perfection (spiritual maturity) by learning and obeying the truth of God can make one free from doubting that He is God’s child (Hebrews 5:11-6:3).
“As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:30-32, 36
As the born again disciple of Christ continues to walk in the light of truth with Jesus, He is kept in Christ and assured of salvation.
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7
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