Although we rarely talk about or think about death, most of us are pretty sure that we will live somewhere forever when we die. I say that because that's what most statistics say we believe. The vast majority of the Western world believes in a heaven and most of the Eastern world believes in some sort of re-incarnation where we come back as something else or someone else. The common denominator in the Western world and the Eastern world is this...both the Western world and Easter world believe pretty much the same thing. How you live on this side of life, determines what you get on that side of life.
Nicodemus had amazing credentials. He was talented, a good communicator, generous, religious he knew the bible, he had a ferocious prayer life and millions of good deeds. Beyond that he also had humility and a respect for Jesus. If anyone on the earth had an argument for getting into heaven, it was this guy. All of that said, Jesus totally overlooks all of Nicodemus's credentials and tells him that it's not enough, be must be "Born Again."
Being "Born Again" is not something that you can do yourself. It's not a list of deeds that we can accumulate and hand in to receive "New Birth"; rather it is a work of God. Saying we're born again does not make us born again again, just as much as saying someone is a millionaire makes them a millionaire.
So, how does someone become "Born Again"? Jesus answers this for us in John 3:13-15. In these verses, Jesus compares his death on the cross to an event that happened in the Old Testament. In Numbers 21, God punished Israel for their complaining by sending venomous serpents to attack them. Then, to build their faith, God told Moses to make a golden serpent and lift it up. As people would look at that serpent, they would be miraculously healed. In the same way, we have a poison called sin. Christ tells us that as we look at the cross and believe that the penalty for sin was paid for by Christ on the cross; that "believing" is how one experiences a New Birth. Its not what we do, it's seeing and believing what has been done for us that gives us eternal life. Its not paying for all of our bad deeds that gets us eternal life, its seeing and believing in the one who had the riches to pay for our bad deeds. Jesus Christ our Lord.
Showing posts with label salvation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label salvation. Show all posts
Can a Christian lose his/her salvation? (Reflections from Community Group.)
I thought I would send this out to address the question that was raised last night in my Community Group, about "Losing Salvation. I pray that his will bring more biblical clarity because if we don't grasp this right, the gospel can really be distorted. It may be a little long, but I hope it answers any questions.
Can a Christian lose his/her salvation?
A “Christian” is not a person who has said a prayer, or walked down an aisle, raises their hand or been raised in a Christian family. While each of these things can be a part of the Christian experience, they are not what “makes” a Christian. A Christian is a person who has, by faith, received and fully trusted in Jesus Christ as the only Savior (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9).
So, with this definition in mind, can a Christian lose salvation? Lets see what the bible actually says about salvation?
A Christian is a new creation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This verse speaks of a person becoming an entirely new creature as a result of being “in Christ.” For a Christian to lose salvation, the new creation would have to be canceled and reversed.
A Christian is redeemed. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19). The word “redeemed” refers to a purchase being made, a price being paid. For a Christian to lose salvation, God Himself would have to revoke His purchase that He paid for with the precious blood of Christ.
A Christian is justified. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). To “justify” means to “declare righteous.” All those who receive Jesus as Savior are “declared righteous” by God. For a Christian to lose salvation, God would have to go back on His Word and “un-declare” what He had previously declared.
A Christian is promised eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Eternal life is a promise of eternity (forever) in heaven with God. God promises, “Believe and you will have eternal life.” For a Christian to lose salvation, eternal life would have to be taken away. If a Christian is promised to live forever, how then can God break this promise by taking away eternal life?
A Christian is guaranteed glorification. “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:30). As we learned in Romans 5:1, justification is declared at the moment of faith. According to Romans 8:30, glorification is guaranteed for all those whom God justifies. Glorification refers to a Christian receiving a perfect resurrection body in heaven. If a Christian can lose salvation, then Romans 8:30 is in error, because God could not guarantee glorification for all those whom He predestines, calls, and justifies.
Lastly, salvation is given as a gift, not deserved or earned; but granted by grace. So, if we can lose salvation that means that we can do something in order to earn it. At this point we should know that salvation cannot be earned based on effort (Romans 3), therefore it cannot be lost based on a lack of effort. Christ's effort in gaining the victory by paying our penalty is sufficient and we must put our hope in that. Over and over again the bible tells us to "hold firm" or "stand firm" until the end. This simply is encouraging us to keep a close eye on our heart to make sure we have not deceived ourselves by thinking we receive salvation through some external efforts. True believers in Christ "WILL" stand firm until the end.
This personally plays out in our ministry at Netcast when I am baptizing people. Some people have seen me having conversations with people in the dunk-tank before we baptize them. Here's whats happening in that moment. At that time, I rejoice with them but also warn them. Although I totally believe that everyone we have baptized at Netcast is a true believer in Christ; only God knows their heart. I warn them while in the water, "Only time can truly tell if this act is a resemblance of an inward conversion, or if you are just getting wet in front of a crowd." If the conversion is real, God will complete it (Philippians 1:6). If its not, the seed that was planted in you will be snatched away (Matthew 13).
The most frequent objections to the belief that a Christian cannot lose salvation are 1) What about those who are Christians and continually live an immoral lifestyle? 2) What about those who are Christians but later reject the faith and deny Christ? The problem with these two objections is the phrase “who are Christians.” The Bible declares that a true Christian will not live a continually immoral lifestyle (1 John 3:6). The Bible declares that anyone who departs the faith is demonstrating that he never truly was a Christian (1 John 2:19). Therefore, neither objection is valid. Christians do not continually live immoral lifestyles (un-repentant sin that does not convict the conscience), nor do they reject the faith and deny Christ. Such actions are proof that they were never redeemed.
In the end, No, a Christian cannot lose salvation. Nothing can separate a Christian from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). Nothing can remove a Christian from God’s hand (John 10:28-29). God is both willing and able to guarantee and maintain the salvation He has given us. Jude 24-25, “To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”
Some of this was taken from GotQuestions.org which is a great site to help us gain greater insight on issues and questions we run into.
Can a Christian lose his/her salvation?
A “Christian” is not a person who has said a prayer, or walked down an aisle, raises their hand or been raised in a Christian family. While each of these things can be a part of the Christian experience, they are not what “makes” a Christian. A Christian is a person who has, by faith, received and fully trusted in Jesus Christ as the only Savior (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9).
So, with this definition in mind, can a Christian lose salvation? Lets see what the bible actually says about salvation?
A Christian is a new creation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This verse speaks of a person becoming an entirely new creature as a result of being “in Christ.” For a Christian to lose salvation, the new creation would have to be canceled and reversed.
A Christian is redeemed. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19). The word “redeemed” refers to a purchase being made, a price being paid. For a Christian to lose salvation, God Himself would have to revoke His purchase that He paid for with the precious blood of Christ.
A Christian is justified. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). To “justify” means to “declare righteous.” All those who receive Jesus as Savior are “declared righteous” by God. For a Christian to lose salvation, God would have to go back on His Word and “un-declare” what He had previously declared.
A Christian is promised eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Eternal life is a promise of eternity (forever) in heaven with God. God promises, “Believe and you will have eternal life.” For a Christian to lose salvation, eternal life would have to be taken away. If a Christian is promised to live forever, how then can God break this promise by taking away eternal life?
A Christian is guaranteed glorification. “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:30). As we learned in Romans 5:1, justification is declared at the moment of faith. According to Romans 8:30, glorification is guaranteed for all those whom God justifies. Glorification refers to a Christian receiving a perfect resurrection body in heaven. If a Christian can lose salvation, then Romans 8:30 is in error, because God could not guarantee glorification for all those whom He predestines, calls, and justifies.
Lastly, salvation is given as a gift, not deserved or earned; but granted by grace. So, if we can lose salvation that means that we can do something in order to earn it. At this point we should know that salvation cannot be earned based on effort (Romans 3), therefore it cannot be lost based on a lack of effort. Christ's effort in gaining the victory by paying our penalty is sufficient and we must put our hope in that. Over and over again the bible tells us to "hold firm" or "stand firm" until the end. This simply is encouraging us to keep a close eye on our heart to make sure we have not deceived ourselves by thinking we receive salvation through some external efforts. True believers in Christ "WILL" stand firm until the end.
This personally plays out in our ministry at Netcast when I am baptizing people. Some people have seen me having conversations with people in the dunk-tank before we baptize them. Here's whats happening in that moment. At that time, I rejoice with them but also warn them. Although I totally believe that everyone we have baptized at Netcast is a true believer in Christ; only God knows their heart. I warn them while in the water, "Only time can truly tell if this act is a resemblance of an inward conversion, or if you are just getting wet in front of a crowd." If the conversion is real, God will complete it (Philippians 1:6). If its not, the seed that was planted in you will be snatched away (Matthew 13).
The most frequent objections to the belief that a Christian cannot lose salvation are 1) What about those who are Christians and continually live an immoral lifestyle? 2) What about those who are Christians but later reject the faith and deny Christ? The problem with these two objections is the phrase “who are Christians.” The Bible declares that a true Christian will not live a continually immoral lifestyle (1 John 3:6). The Bible declares that anyone who departs the faith is demonstrating that he never truly was a Christian (1 John 2:19). Therefore, neither objection is valid. Christians do not continually live immoral lifestyles (un-repentant sin that does not convict the conscience), nor do they reject the faith and deny Christ. Such actions are proof that they were never redeemed.
In the end, No, a Christian cannot lose salvation. Nothing can separate a Christian from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). Nothing can remove a Christian from God’s hand (John 10:28-29). God is both willing and able to guarantee and maintain the salvation He has given us. Jude 24-25, “To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”
Some of this was taken from GotQuestions.org which is a great site to help us gain greater insight on issues and questions we run into.
Faith and Faithfulness
I have been having some awesome and healthy conversations with many different people about the idea of losing ones salvation and works righteousness or Faith vs Faithfulness. While planting Netcast, it is important that we are very clear on where we stand on these issues as a church.
Here's where I get confused on the losing of ones salvation because of their level of faithfulness in the end. If I can lose my salvation based upon the level of my faithfulness, than I can also gain it based upon the level of my faithfulness, and I can also keep my salvation based upon my level of faithfulness. This theology is fully man centered. It is fully based upon my faithfulness to God and not God's faithfulness to us. It is God who has accomplished and paid for our salvation through Christ on the cross and there is no amount of faithfulness that I can strum up to gain it, obtain it or lose it. It is a free gift, given by grace alone through faith (not faithfulness). The faithfulness that we have to Christ comes as a response of gratitude because of what He has accomplished. This faithfulness is not required to keep our salvation but rather offered as a demonstration of our worship.
I am not naive enough to think that there is not much mystery on this topic. Much of the human heart and salvation is a mystery because it is not visible to the human eye but only visible to God alone. Jesus alone knows what is in man's heart; John 2:23-25 So, we do not know who truly is a believer and who is just an unbelieving servant who knows the masters will (Luke 12:41-48). I think there is enough warning in scripture that points to perseverance, hatred of ones own sin and the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit as the key to discerning the spiritual condition of the human heart.
Here's where I get confused on the losing of ones salvation because of their level of faithfulness in the end. If I can lose my salvation based upon the level of my faithfulness, than I can also gain it based upon the level of my faithfulness, and I can also keep my salvation based upon my level of faithfulness. This theology is fully man centered. It is fully based upon my faithfulness to God and not God's faithfulness to us. It is God who has accomplished and paid for our salvation through Christ on the cross and there is no amount of faithfulness that I can strum up to gain it, obtain it or lose it. It is a free gift, given by grace alone through faith (not faithfulness). The faithfulness that we have to Christ comes as a response of gratitude because of what He has accomplished. This faithfulness is not required to keep our salvation but rather offered as a demonstration of our worship.
I am not naive enough to think that there is not much mystery on this topic. Much of the human heart and salvation is a mystery because it is not visible to the human eye but only visible to God alone. Jesus alone knows what is in man's heart; John 2:23-25 So, we do not know who truly is a believer and who is just an unbelieving servant who knows the masters will (Luke 12:41-48). I think there is enough warning in scripture that points to perseverance, hatred of ones own sin and the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit as the key to discerning the spiritual condition of the human heart.
RANDOM: I led 2 kids to the Lord last night!
I am going to do my best to make a very long story, short.
Last night I was at our youth service called OFY (OH-FEE) for our weekly Sunday night event. Service began at 6:30 sharp and we typically have about 20 minutes of worship with someone preaching. Anyway, for some random reason I was feeling totally dis-engaged during the service. I couldn't concentrate, I was being totally critical in my heart about everything, I had a bad attitude, and finally I decided to just go outside by myself. We just got these skate ramps and I though; Why Not? RANDOM!
Now, let me clarify how random that is. 1. I SUCK on a skate board. Always have always will. 2. I never leave service, it is literally my job on Sunday nights to be in the service. 3. Why go outside and not somewhere else in a 5000sq ft building with flat screens, video games, pool tables, and food? RANDOM!
Anyway, I go outside and there are 2 kids on the skate ramps; one with a bike the other with a board. I go over to scream at them that they are supposed to be inside in the service (I should take my own advise) only to find out that they are not OFY kids. They went on to tell me that they were walking by and saw the ramps and wanted to check them out. Its about 7:30 at night on Sunday and its pitch black outside. What the H are they doing walking by? RANDOM!
We get the talking, I never told them that OFY was a church, or mention Jesus but somehow the conversation headed in a direction that I can only explain was GOD. They began telling me how they constantly get kicked out of their house, doing drugs, hanging with the wrong crowd, having sex, getting arrested, etc. I talked a little about my story, kept God out of it, and told them they needed to start hanging with a different crowd. Then I asked them if they were Christians, they both gave me an Un-convincing "YES". I asked them what that meant to them and one said that he has been to church and the other said he was in a church band. So I said, "Your a christian because u were in a band and you were in a building?" They laughed and said "No" that they probably weren't Christian.
Needless to say, about 10 minutes of them asking me questions and God's hand at work, I began to see a miracle. The started to open themselves to Christ and I wasn't doing anything to convince them of anything. One kid asked me "How do you get saved?" I told him it isn't a prayer, it isn't doing anything, but instead it is a sincere heart that acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and asking him into your life. He literally, grabbed my hand stood up and said "lets do it." What the F? (Yeah I just said that b/c that is really how I felt, and I don't feel bad.) I am like so lost at this point? Is this really happening? Then the other kid stands up and says, "Yeah I need this too." HELLO, IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?
Last night I was at our youth service called OFY (OH-FEE) for our weekly Sunday night event. Service began at 6:30 sharp and we typically have about 20 minutes of worship with someone preaching. Anyway, for some random reason I was feeling totally dis-engaged during the service. I couldn't concentrate, I was being totally critical in my heart about everything, I had a bad attitude, and finally I decided to just go outside by myself. We just got these skate ramps and I though; Why Not? RANDOM!
Now, let me clarify how random that is. 1. I SUCK on a skate board. Always have always will. 2. I never leave service, it is literally my job on Sunday nights to be in the service. 3. Why go outside and not somewhere else in a 5000sq ft building with flat screens, video games, pool tables, and food? RANDOM!
Anyway, I go outside and there are 2 kids on the skate ramps; one with a bike the other with a board. I go over to scream at them that they are supposed to be inside in the service (I should take my own advise) only to find out that they are not OFY kids. They went on to tell me that they were walking by and saw the ramps and wanted to check them out. Its about 7:30 at night on Sunday and its pitch black outside. What the H are they doing walking by? RANDOM!
We get the talking, I never told them that OFY was a church, or mention Jesus but somehow the conversation headed in a direction that I can only explain was GOD. They began telling me how they constantly get kicked out of their house, doing drugs, hanging with the wrong crowd, having sex, getting arrested, etc. I talked a little about my story, kept God out of it, and told them they needed to start hanging with a different crowd. Then I asked them if they were Christians, they both gave me an Un-convincing "YES". I asked them what that meant to them and one said that he has been to church and the other said he was in a church band. So I said, "Your a christian because u were in a band and you were in a building?" They laughed and said "No" that they probably weren't Christian.
Needless to say, about 10 minutes of them asking me questions and God's hand at work, I began to see a miracle. The started to open themselves to Christ and I wasn't doing anything to convince them of anything. One kid asked me "How do you get saved?" I told him it isn't a prayer, it isn't doing anything, but instead it is a sincere heart that acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and asking him into your life. He literally, grabbed my hand stood up and said "lets do it." What the F? (Yeah I just said that b/c that is really how I felt, and I don't feel bad.) I am like so lost at this point? Is this really happening? Then the other kid stands up and says, "Yeah I need this too." HELLO, IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?
I then told them the importance of the bible and that they need to get around people who can push them in their new relationship with Christ, got their contact info and bounced. As I left, one of the kids stuck his hand out and said, "Thank you" shook my hand and said, "you have no idea how fresh I feel, I feel like a new person." (all of these verses started coming to mind: new creation, I make all things new, born again, you are mine.) I thought, this is my theology at work. That young man just experienced the same regeneration that I felt in 2000 when Ricky Grant led me to the Lord. Maybe in 8 years from now, he'll be planning on planting a church or having a conversation with some kid in a parking lot leading them to Jesus. Is this real? Phillipians 1:6 says; "being confident of this, that HE (Jesus) who BEGAN (This is the beginning for them) a Good Work (Regeneration, Born Again, forgiveness of sin) is FAITHFUL (It is God who will grow them in their faith, not anyone else) to carry it through until the day of Chirst Jesus.
Let me just say this. THAT ISH NEVER FREAKIN HAPPENS TO ME. I have lead people to Chirst through relationships, through sermons, but never in a 20 minute conversation has God used me so powerfully. It was the most beautiful experience that I have had happen in a very long time.
Never forget that God is at work. You may feel disconnected, disengaged, uninterested, whatever. It doesn't matter how you feel, God is still at work. Don't ever forget that. Don't ever forget that "OUR GOD IS MIGHTY TO SAVE"
Let me just say this. THAT ISH NEVER FREAKIN HAPPENS TO ME. I have lead people to Chirst through relationships, through sermons, but never in a 20 minute conversation has God used me so powerfully. It was the most beautiful experience that I have had happen in a very long time.
Never forget that God is at work. You may feel disconnected, disengaged, uninterested, whatever. It doesn't matter how you feel, God is still at work. Don't ever forget that. Don't ever forget that "OUR GOD IS MIGHTY TO SAVE"
Starr Night at Chili's
Last Monday Beth and I went out to dinner to Chili's with our close friends. We're chillin, taking our time ordering and I strike up a conversation with our waitress. Her name is Starr w/ 2 R's; just to clarify. Anyway, she is this sweet little black (African Americans for you conservatives) college student who goes to NCA&T. I'm asking here we're she's from, how she likes school etc, then I invited her to visit our church. I told her how relevant it is and how all the people are young and she'd love it.
About 10 minutes later she comes back to our table and says the following: "I just feel drawn to you and feel like I can ask you this. My boyfriend and I have been together for 7 years (Long time, she's only about 21) we live together, we moved out here together. Anyway, he doesn't tell me that he loves me and when I see other couples it makes me want to look elsewhere, is that Bad?" Wow, is this really happening, is my first response in my head.
I quickly got in Pastor role. I told her that obviously that she was being intimate with this by and that it was not Gods will for that to be the case and she does need to be looking somewhere but not another boy. I explained to her that the reason that she was so upset that she wasnt hearing "I love u" from him was that she had put all of herself into making him her source of fulfillment. In this case sexual immorality was the case but not the main sin, that was just fruit of the real sin that was taking place. The real sin was idolatry, she created the boy to be her god. I told her about Jesus and how he always fulfills, always loves, always cares and will always be there.
That was on Monday, on Sunday she showed up at church. She found Beth and I after service to tell us that God totally jacked her up. That night God told here that she was to break up with him. She goes home and breaks up with him that night......CRAZY. Then at church she gets a bible and tells us that she is going to read that book even if it kills her. Now we're going to see here again on Sunday and maybe before then.
Check out her e-mail to us today:
HEY!!! Im sooo glad you wrote me. I accidently deleted Beth's # out of my phone so I went to Daystar's website to try to find u. I wrote Frank an email. BUT... everything is actually great with me. I still live with Leon because I dont have the money to move as soon as I wanted to but the good news is I FOUND AN APARTMENT!!! My roommate and I are supposed to move in at the end of the month so thats great. But, the lady at the apartments said that eveything looks good but we have to get the final approval from the manager on monday.. SO PRAY THAT I GET IT!!!
I haven't started reading my bible yet. I mean I know I could start at the beginning but I was wondering if there is some place else that u could reccommend me starting. I would love to hang out with you guys some time this week end but I have to work in the evening so if yall are doing anything before 5 let me know!!!!
It is so cool to see God at work in the lives of people. I cannot wait to build a church of people looking to be missionaries in their world and we will be able to see this going on all over our city.
About 10 minutes later she comes back to our table and says the following: "I just feel drawn to you and feel like I can ask you this. My boyfriend and I have been together for 7 years (Long time, she's only about 21) we live together, we moved out here together. Anyway, he doesn't tell me that he loves me and when I see other couples it makes me want to look elsewhere, is that Bad?" Wow, is this really happening, is my first response in my head.
I quickly got in Pastor role. I told her that obviously that she was being intimate with this by and that it was not Gods will for that to be the case and she does need to be looking somewhere but not another boy. I explained to her that the reason that she was so upset that she wasnt hearing "I love u" from him was that she had put all of herself into making him her source of fulfillment. In this case sexual immorality was the case but not the main sin, that was just fruit of the real sin that was taking place. The real sin was idolatry, she created the boy to be her god. I told her about Jesus and how he always fulfills, always loves, always cares and will always be there.
That was on Monday, on Sunday she showed up at church. She found Beth and I after service to tell us that God totally jacked her up. That night God told here that she was to break up with him. She goes home and breaks up with him that night......CRAZY. Then at church she gets a bible and tells us that she is going to read that book even if it kills her. Now we're going to see here again on Sunday and maybe before then.
Check out her e-mail to us today:
HEY!!! Im sooo glad you wrote me. I accidently deleted Beth's # out of my phone so I went to Daystar's website to try to find u. I wrote Frank an email. BUT... everything is actually great with me. I still live with Leon because I dont have the money to move as soon as I wanted to but the good news is I FOUND AN APARTMENT!!! My roommate and I are supposed to move in at the end of the month so thats great. But, the lady at the apartments said that eveything looks good but we have to get the final approval from the manager on monday.. SO PRAY THAT I GET IT!!!
I haven't started reading my bible yet. I mean I know I could start at the beginning but I was wondering if there is some place else that u could reccommend me starting. I would love to hang out with you guys some time this week end but I have to work in the evening so if yall are doing anything before 5 let me know!!!!
It is so cool to see God at work in the lives of people. I cannot wait to build a church of people looking to be missionaries in their world and we will be able to see this going on all over our city.
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