The Christian and Eternal Security in Christ- LLM

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A young man waited around recently in a meeting to talk with me. The first question I put to him was, "Are you saved?" He replied, "I hope so." I said, "Do you hope that Christ died for your sins?" He said, "I know He did." Then I asked, "Do you hope that you believe on Him?" He said, "I am sure that I do." I then read to him these words from the Word of God: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth Him that sent me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed out of death into life." John 5:24.

"Do you truly believe?" I asked the young man. "I most certainly do", was his reply. Then said I, "Are you saved?" He said, "I can only say...I hope so." I said "Forget what YOU say, but what does the Word say? Read it for yourself." "Heareth "believeth" hath everlasting life." "Does it say that if you hear and believe you have the right to hope that some day you might be saved?" "No," he said, "hath everlasting life." Then, I said, "why do you not believe it and have the assurance?" He said, "I wish I could."

Dear friends of the Lion and Lamb Ministry, dear Christians the world over, do not dishonor the LORD Jesus Christ, by doubting his Holy Word.

Satan causes many unsaved religious people to feel that they are perfectly safe and that all is well with their souls; while on the other hand he brings doubt and fear into the minds and hearts of many true believers who are really saved, but who are untaught in the Word of God. Many such believers when asked the direct question, Are you a Christian? or Are you saved? reply "I believe so" "I think I am, or, I hope to be saved when I die."

Many Christians are being taught by ignorant teachers to do all kinds of things to keep from losing their salvation. Others depend very largely for their assurance upon their feelings of their faithfulness in service. The Bible speaks of believers as those: "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, Wherein ye greatly rejoice." 1 Peter 1:5.

The sinner is saved by the power of God through The Faith; and receiving the salvation, he becomes a Christian. The Christian is kept by the same power; by the same God; through the same Faith. Let us refer to three verses in the Epistle to the Romans and emphasize the expression "much more" "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. MUCH MORE then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, MUCH MORE, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" Romans 5:8-20.

Certainly if God loved us when we were the children of wrath, when we were His enemies, out in the world in sin, serving the devil, He will not love us any less, now that we have become His children. Looking moment by moment to our Father for grace and strength and guidance, we should walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called. We should seek to please Him in thought, word and deed; that is, we should act like God's children. But we are His children by Faith in Christ Jesus. By grace are ye saved. "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform (further perfect) it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6.

A Christian should be confident that the same sufficient grace of the same almighty Savior, that saved his soul, will keep him until the day of redemption."Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall at appear, we shall be like Him: for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2.

Let us always remember that it is the Gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. When you believed the gospel of salvation, "Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession." Ephesians 1:13-14. And furthermore God clearly states that this sealing is "unto the day of redemption," Ephesians 4:30. "For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5.

Can you not rest, as the Apostle Paul did, in the gracious promises of the faithful God? Paul said, "in hope of eternal life which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." Titus 1:2. Therefore he had always sweet and blessed assurance.

Paul was willing to rest his soul in the One who died for him, and who had taken His seat in heaven, where He ever liveth to make intercession for His saints, and who is, therefore, "able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God, by Him." Hebrews 7:25.

It was this same Christ who declared to His disciples in the John 10, that He was the Good Shepherd who would give His life for the sheep. In this chapter He said: "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 10:28-29. Eternal life is eternal life. It is not life for a few months, for a few years. It is life that is forever. And remember Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." John 6:47. When He entered heaven once for all, He obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:12.

Eternal life never depends upon our faithfulness in service; it is the gift of God to believers. Romans 6:23

Our desire always should be to be faithful in service for Him who has done so much for us, and who said, "If any man serve me, him will my Father honor.” But at the same time we should say at all times, “And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God, by faith." Philippians 3:9. We are not righteous in God's sight, because of our righteous acts, but because of the acts of Christ, the Righteous. We should live righteously because we are on the way to heaven. But we are not on the way because we live righteously, but because we are righteous by The Faith in the One who was made sin on the cross of Calvary that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21. We are not discounting the value of good works, but want to impress upon your mind and heart that the believer is justified without works. Christians should always maintain good works.

In Exodus 12 is recorded the story of the Passover. The children of Israel were instructed to slay the lamb and sprinkle its blood above their doors and thus escape the wrath of God when He came that night in judgment upon all the firstborn males of Egypt. God said, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you."

"Under the blood" was the only place of safety that dark night. No one was safe because he felt all right, or felt safe.

How many thousands of poor deluded sinners there are today on the road to perdition, to suffer forever the sorrows of the second death, who FEEL all right. They are apparently not the least disturbed about their spiritual welfare or their eternal destiny. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

The story has been told of two Hebrew boys, the firstborn sons, who were delivered that night in Egypt. Their fathers had been very careful to see that the blood was placed where God had told them. Therefore, the two boys were perfectly safe and in no danger of judgment. But, according to the story, there were two entirely different scenes in the two homes. The boy in one home went peacefully to sleep, having absolute confidence in God's promise and the assurance that he would rise to see another day. In the other home, the boy spent a sleepless and restless night and continually had to be reassured by his father as to the faithfulness of God and his own security under the blood. When the morning came he was just as much alive as the other firstborn, but he was worn in mind and body, and he was ashamed because of his lack of trust and confidence in the almighty Deliverer. Both boys were equally safe, but they were by no means equally certain and assured. So it is with Christians today. Are you not safe, sheltered under the precious blood of Christ? 

It is dishonoring to God for any true believer to doubt his salvation!

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father." Romans 8:15. "The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God." Romans 8:16. And joint-heirs with Christ. Is it not blessed to be saved for time and eternity? Let us remember that "Jesus having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." John 13:1.

Do you doubt that God will hear and answer the prayer which Christ made for His own: "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou has given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory?" John 17:24. We believe our Savior. And because we believe Him, we are going to say with Paul: "I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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." Romans 8:38-39.

If you have really surrendered to the Son of God and are trusting in His finished work, if you have thrown yourself on the Grace and merry of God for your salvation, in other words, if you have committed your way unto the LORD and you are also trusting in Him, remember that he will bring it to pass. Do not say, "I think I am saved," "I hope I am saved," "I believe I am saved:" But say, "I know I am saved." God says so. "These 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 5:13.

If you know that you believe, then you know that you are saved. Why? Because God's Word says so. And, "He, that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself." 1 John 5:10.

Now, bow and thank God for your assurance!

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Can a Christian be Saved by Grace and THEN Fall from Grace? - LLM

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Will a Child of God fall from Grace if he or she continues in sin? Is there in the Word of God the answer to this question?

The Greek word “Charis”, in the New Testament Scriptures, is translated “Grace” 128 times. Another form of the same Greek word, “Charisma,” is translated “Gift” 18 times. The word “Charis” is translated in the New Testament Scriptures, 

“Favour” six times. This same word is translated in 2 Cor. 1:15 , “Benefit”; in 1 Corinthians 16:3 , “Liberality”; in 1 Peter 2:20 , “Acceptable”; in Acts 25:9 and Acts 24:27 , “Pleasure”. In Ephesians 1:6 the believer accepted (is “Graced”) in the Beloved; the Greek verb is “Charitu”.

The word “Grace” is not found in Matthew and Mark; only once in Luke; and only three times in The Gospel of John, all three occurrences in the first chapter. The word “Grace” is found 79 times in Paul’s Epistles. Inasmuch as the word “Grace” is used 22 times in the Epistle to the Romans and the other form of the Greek word “Charisma” is used several times in that same Epistle, we surely are justified in calling The Book of Romans “the Grace Epistle”. Moreover, we can truly say, that Paul was Christ’s “Grace” messenger, although it was Peter who called God, “the God of all Grace”. 1 Peter 5:10 .

In that wonderful chapter of Romans 5 , where we have the comparison and contrast between the first man, who brought sin and death, and the Second Man, who brought righteousness and life, the climax is reached in that blessed Divine truth: “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (superabound).”Romans 5:20 .

Thus we learn that God’s grace is altogether sufficient for man’s sin, man’s sins, and for the sins of the whole world, by and through the death of the Second Man. And by careful study of Romans 5 and Romans 6 , Almighty God would have us learn that His super-abounding Grace, through The LORD Jesus Christ, can save the believer not only from the wages of sin, but also from the dominion of sin.

Many have been the controversies between different groups of Christians as to “falling from Grace”. Whether this particular expression has been used, or “the perseverance of the saints,” or “once saved, always saved,” or “the eternal security of the believer,” or “the apostatizing of the saint,” or “losing Salvation,” the arguments generally have been on this one question, “Can one continue in Grace and also continue in sin?” In the Epistle to the Romans, ten times The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul said, “God forbid.” The literal translation is better, “let it not be.”

“Let it not be” that the believer shall continue in sin that Grace may abound. Romans 6:1-2 . “Let it not be” that a believer shall sin because he is not under the law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:15 .

But here we do not have the answer to the question, “Will a believer fall from Grace if he continue in sin?” Is there in the Word of God the answer to this question? And, whom would you consider the more miserable: the Child of God who insists that once in Grace always in Grace and yet continues in sin, or the Child of God, who, because he has continued in sin, has lost all hope, has given up in despair, and insists that he has fallen from Grace and lost his Salvation. Let’s admit that both are miserable and perhaps should be. But what saith the Scriptures?

“FOR THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGETH SALVATION HATH APPEARED TO ALL MEN, TEACHING US THAT, DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS, WE SHOULD LIVE SOBERLY, RIGHTEOUSLY AND GODLY IN THIS PRESENT WORLD; LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD, OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST; WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY, AND PURIFY UNTO HIMSELF A PECULIAR (acquired) PEOPLE, ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS.” Titus 2:11-14 .

Here we learn The LORD Jesus Christ’s purpose in giving Himself for us. “That He might redeem us from all iniquity.” “Purify unto Himself a peculiar people.” “Zealous of good works.” And we learn that the Grace of God that brought us this Salvation through Christ, would teach us how to live.

The sinner saved by Grace is to live a righteous life, a life of good works. For such a life, God’s Grace is sufficient. Hear what the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul says about it “And God is able to make all Grace abound toward us; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” 2 Cor. 9:8 .

And for the believer’s infirmity and temptation, God again speaks in the same Epistle: “My Grace is sufficient for thee.” 2 Cor. 12:9 . Coupled with God’s Grace is God’s faithfulness, and again we have the promise: “God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 .

In a message through the Apostle John, the sinner saved by Grace has his word from the Holy Spirit: “These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1 .

In the light of these Scriptures, and many others, we say emphatically to Romans 6:1 …“shall we continue in sin, that Grace may abound?” No! And we say emphatically to Romans 6:15 …“shall we sin, because we are not under the law; but under Grace?” No!

Now, we certainly do not want to limit the possibilities of the Grace of God IN the life and FOR the life of any believer. And while we know that the Word of God clearly teaches that God’s Grace is sufficient for every trial, every temptation and every God given task, and is sufficient to keep the believer from sinning, yet we also know that no believer always does what is right, and always refrains from doing what is wrong.

So, question arises…Are we positive in our assurance that the Grace of God delivers from condemnation every Child of God who fails to do right and is guilty of doing wrong? YES!

Wrongdoing is sin. Failing to do right is sin. The wrong-doings and failures of some believers are far more numerous than those of other believers, and perhaps the sins of some believers are worse than those of others. But we have to agree that all Children of God do continue in sin to some extent; and perhaps we further agree that there is a difference in being overtaken in sin and willfully committing a sin; and we know that if we sin willfully after we have “received the knowledge of the truth, that there remaineth no more SACRIFICE for sins.” Hebrews 9:26 .

Thank the LORD Jesus Christ, there does remain Forgiveness!

For not one of us believes that God’s Grace is not sufficient for His full pardon, cleansing and forgiveness for believers who sin, Whether, the sin be willful or otherwise. According to the Word of God, every Child of God needs that cleansing and forgiveness, whether willfully sinning or not. Now some would argue that at the moment of Salvation all of your sins, past AND future, were forgiven, and you were cleansed by the Blood of Christ, and His Righteousness was put to your account. Once, and for all. And to that I say AMEN! And yet we cannot ignore the plethora of Scripture such as 1 John 1:9“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And this, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John wrote to “My little children” 1 John 2:1 . That’s Children of God, not unbelievers. So, we can see this is NOT for forgiveness unto Salvation.

Now comes this question…Where do we have in God’s message of Grace the statement, that if a Child of God sins, he will fall from Grace? THEN, if the believer who sins does fall from Grace, and by thus falling, loses his Salvation, which, in the beginning was BY Grace, this begs the further question…How many sins, and just what kind of sins, must the believer commit in order to lose his Salvation, or fall from Grace? And that leads to…There must be a line over which the believer must step in order to lose his Salvation. See where this leads…to NO GOOD, that’s where! This propaganda propagated by Priests, Pastors, and Preachers (not all, so save your emails), is nothing less than Priestcraft! A methodology to keep you needing the Priest and NOT thinking you need the LORD Jesus Christ!

So then we must ask…Who is sufficient, besides God, to fix that line; and where in His message of Grace has He fixed that line? The stupid judgment that some Child of God who is guilty of wrongdoing has fallen from Grace so far that he has fallen away from Salvation, does not make it true. NOW, what saith the Scriptures…

“Whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from Grace.” Galatians 5:4 .

The Child of God who knows that he is saved by Grace, knows positively that he is not Justified by The Law of Moses; and therefore he is not fallen from Grace; therefore we must apply some Scripture other than this verse. For here we have, rather, the teaching that some of those who would condemn their erring brothers and would teach them how to keep from falling from Grace, by doing this or refraining from doing that, might themselves be guilty of falling from Grace by the preventive they are offering to others!

Look, Salvation is not for sale. Every Child of God should know this fact. Salvation can neither be purchased nor earned. No man deserves Salvation or is worthy of saving. In God’s message of Grace no truth is more clearly taught than the fact that Salvation is never because of man’s good works or religious endeavors. The Child of God is saved to DO good works, UNTO good works, to be zealous of good works, to maintain good works. But…NEVER by, or on account of, or because of, good works, or any works. “IF BY GRACE, THEN IT IS NO MORE OF WORKS.” Romans 11:6 .

"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Romans 4:4-5 . And then, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 .

Salvation is the gift of God. But, what must the sinner do to obtain that gift? The answer is, “through faith” And even the faith is God’s gift. It is by Grace. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing (itself), comes by the Word of God." Romans 10:17 . And thus we call out for salvation, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved" Romans 10:13 , and as the Apostle Paul told the Philippian Jailer "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" Acts 16:31 .

There is a big difference with Almighty God between working sinners and working Saints. And it is not for us to criticize or change God’s saving message of Grace because someone, who claims to be saved by Grace, is not denying ungodly lusts and living soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. The believer’s inconsistent behavior does not change the truth concerning God’s Grace Message of Salvation. It is the man who tries to supplement the Grace of God with works as the means of Salvation, who frustrates the Grace of God. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul, “I do not frustrate the Grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21 .

A sinner is saved wholly, solely, altogether without any “if” or “and” or “but”, by the Grace of God, by Faith in the redemptive work of Christ. This is true whether or not the believer does right or wrong. You may condemn your fellowman now and say that his life proves that he does not believe, because he does not live the Christian life. You may be right; you may be wrong. However, “Who can lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” “Who is he that condemneth?”

“There is therefore NOW no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 . Now, remember, every sinner saved by the Grace of God,should appropriate, by the gift of Faith, the super abounding Grace for a consistent life of godliness, and, as James has written, he should show his faith by his works; but it is unscriptural and untrue to say that any man can be saved by Grace + works.

Works can never be the factor in Salvation, but invariably the fruit; and, there should be, in every Child of God’s life, the fruit. But, alas, the fruit does not save him. The Grace that saved him will enable him to BEAR fruit; but he is saved by Grace without fruit.

There is perhaps no clearer message of Grace in all the Word of God than Romans 3:24-25 , "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood..."

Then, who is the happy man mentioned in this bit of Good News: “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:8 . If that happy man is the man who never does wrong, then that is no happy man! He feels jipped! But, the man who is Justified without a cause...Justified...declared righteous? How? Without a cause! That is pure Grace. And pure Grace is the sinner’s only hope.

It is not man’s work; it is Christ’s work; the death, burial and resurrection of that Perfect Man who was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our Justification. From first to last, “Salvation is of the Lord.” Jonah 2:9 .

The Child of God who would try to pay for Righteousness or Salvation through the works of the Law or religion, after he has been saved by the Grace of God, is little better than the religious person who would NOT receive Salvation as the free gift of God, but prefers to work for it.

However Christians, genuine or counterfeit, may use or abuse God’s Grace, no matter if some may give up in despair because they feel they have fallen from Grace by continuing in sin, or if others claim that they cannot fall away from God’s Grace, if once saved, even if they do continue in sin, let us not be guilty of preaching another gospel, a message of Grace and religion mixed.

Neither let us endeavor to mete out the judgment to those who are unwilling to be taught how to live by the Grace of God. Rather let us always teach and preach to ourselves, as well as to others, that Salvation first, last, and all the time, is by Grace and Grace alone, and every man who is in that matchless Grace, and trusting in the Work and depending upon the Worthiness of The LORD Jesus Christ, is SAVED, and should day by day manifest his life in Christ, by a spiritual walk, and testimony.

Much more at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6paX1kdp1A

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

The Security of Salvation for the Child of God - Pastor David

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A young man waited around recently in a meeting to talk with me. The first question I put to him was, “Are you saved?” He replied, “I hope so.” I said, “Do you hope that Christ died for your sins?” He said, “I know He did.” Then I asked, “Do you hope that you believe on Him?” He said, “I am sure that I do.” I then read to him these words from the Word of God: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth Him that sent me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed out of death into life.” John 5:24.

“Do you truly believe?” I asked the young man. “I most certainly do”, was his reply. Then said I, “Are you saved?” He said, “I can only say ‘I hope so.”’ I said “Forget what YOU say, but what does the Word say? Read it for yourself.” “Heareth…believeth…hath everlasting life.” “Does it say that if you hear and believe you have the right to hope that some day you might be saved?” “No,” he said, “hath everlasting life.” Then, I said, “why do you not believe it and have the assurance?” He said, “I wish I could.”

Dear friends of the Lion and Lamb Ministry, dear Christians the world over, do not dishonor the LORD Jesus Christ, by doubting his Holy Word.

Satan causes many unsaved religious people to feel that they are perfectly safe and that all is well with their souls; while on the other hand he brings doubt and fear into the minds and hearts of many true believers who are really saved, but who are untaught in the Word of God. Many such believers when asked the direct question, Are you a Christian? or Are you saved? reply…I believe so…I think I am, or, I hope to be saved when I die.

Many Christians are being taught by ignorant teachers to do all kinds of things to keep from losing their salvation. Others depend very largely for their assurance upon their feelings of their faithfulness in service. The Bible speaks of believers as those: “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, Wherein ye greatly rejoice.” 1 Peter 1:5.

The sinner is saved by the power of God through The Faith; and receiving the salvation, he becomes a Christian. The Christian is kept by the same power; by the same God; through the same Faith. Let us refer to three verses in the Epistle to the Romans and emphasize the expression “much more”…“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. MUCH MORE then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, MUCH MORE, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” Romans 5:8-20.

Certainly if God loved us when we were the children of wrath, when we were His enemies, out in the world in sin, serving the devil, He will not love us any less, now that we have become His children. Looking moment by moment to our Father for grace and strength and guidance, we should walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called. We should seek to please Him in thought, word and deed; that is, we should act like God’s children. But we are His children by Faith in Christ Jesus. By grace are ye saved. “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform (further perfect) it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.

A Christian should be confident that the same sufficient grace of the same almighty Savior, that saved his soul, will keep him until the day of redemption.“Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall at appear, we shall be like Him: for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.

Let us always remember that it is the Gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. When you believed the gospel of salvation, “Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.”Ephesians 1:13-14. And furthermore God clearly states that this sealing is “unto the day of redemption,” Ephesians 4:30. “For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5.

Can you not rest, as the Apostle Paul did, in the gracious promises of the faithful God? Paul said, “in hope of eternal life which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” Titus 1:2. Therefore he had always sweet and blessed assurance.

Paul was willing to rest his soul in the One who died for him, and who had taken His seat in heaven, where He ever liveth to make intercession for His saints, and who is, therefore, “able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God, by Him.” Hebrews 7:25.

It was this same Christ who declared to His disciples in the John 10, that He was the Good Shepherd who would give His life for the sheep. In this chapter He said: “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 10:28-29. Eternal life is eternal life. It is not life for a few months, for a few years. It is life that is forever. And remember Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”John 6:47. When He entered heaven once for all, He obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:12.

Eternal life never depends upon our faithfulness in service; it is the gift of God to believers. Romans 6:23

Our desire always should be to be faithful in service for Him who has done so much for us, and who said, “If any man serve me, him will my Father honor.” But at the same time we should say at all times, “And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God, by faith.” Philippians 3:9. We are not righteous in God’s sight, because of our righteous acts, but because of the acts of Christ, the Righteous. We should live righteously because we are on the way to heaven. But we are not on the way because we live righteously, but because we are righteous by The Faith in the One who was made sin on the cross of Calvary that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21. We are not discounting the value of good works, but want to impress upon your mind and heart that the believer is justified without works. Christians should always maintain good works.

In Exodus 12 is recorded the story of the Passover. The children of Israel were instructed to slay the lamb and sprinkle its blood above their doors and thus escape the wrath of God when He came that night in judgment upon all the firstborn males of Egypt. God said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

“Under the blood” was the only place of safety that dark night. No one was safe because he felt all right, or felt safe.

How many thousands of poor deluded sinners there are today on the road to perdition, to suffer forever the sorrows of the second death, who FEEL all right. They are apparently not the least disturbed about their spiritual welfare or their eternal destiny. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

The story has been told of two Hebrew boys, the firstborn sons, who were delivered that night in Egypt. Their fathers had been very careful to see that the blood was placed where God had told them. Therefore, the two boys were perfectly safe and in no danger of judgment. But, according to the story, there were two entirely different scenes in the two homes. The boy in one home went peacefully to sleep, having absolute confidence in God’s promise and the assurance that he would rise to see another day. In the other home, the boy spent a sleepless and restless night and continually had to be reassured by his father as to the faithfulness of God and his own security under the blood. When the morning came he was just as much alive as the other firstborn, but he was worn in mind and body, and he was ashamed because of his lack of trust and confidence in the almighty Deliverer. Both boys were equally safe, but they were by no means equally certain and assured. So it is with Christians today. Are you not safe, sheltered under the precious blood of Christ?

It is dishonoring to God for any true believer to doubt his salvation!

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father.” Romans 8:15. “The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16. And joint‑heirs with Christ. Is it not blessed to be saved for time and eternity? Let us remember that “Jesus having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.” John 13:1.

Do you doubt that God will hear and answer the prayer which Christ made for His own: “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou has given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory?” John 17:24. We believe our Savior. And because we believe Him, we are going to say with Paul: “I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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.” Romans 8:38-39.

If you have really surrendered to the Son of God and are trusting in His finished work, if you have thrown yourself on the Grace and merry of God for your salvation, in other words, if you have committed your way unto the LORD and you are also trusting in Him, remember that he will bring it to pass. Do not say, “I think I am saved,” “I hope I am saved,” “I believe I am saved:” But say, “I know I am saved.” God says so. “These 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 5:13.

If you know that you believe, then you know that you are saved. Why? Because God’s Word says so. And, “He, that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself.” 1 John 5:10.

Now, bow and thank God for your assurance!

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

SAVED BY GRACE AND FALLING FROM GRACE - Pastor David

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“Will a Child of God fall from Grace if he or she continues in sin?” Is there in the Word of God the answer to this question?

The Greek word “Charis”, in the New Testament Scriptures, is translated “Grace” 128 times. Another form of the same Greek word, “Charisma,” is translated “Gift” 18 times. The word “Charis” is translated in the New Testament Scriptures, 

“Favour” six times. This same word is translated in 2 Cor. 1:15 , “Benefit”; in 1 Corinthians 16:3 , “Liberality”; in 1 Peter 2:20 , “Acceptable”; in Acts 25:9 and Acts 24:27 , “Pleasure”. In Ephesians 1:6 the believer accepted (is “Graced”) in the Beloved; the Greek verb is “Charitu”.

The word “Grace” is not found in Matthew and Mark; only once in Luke; and only three times in The Gospel of John, all three occurrences in the first chapter. The word “Grace” is found 79 times in Paul’s Epistles. Inasmuch as the word “Grace” is used 22 times in the Epistle to the Romans and the other form of the Greek word “Charisma” is used several times in that same Epistle, we surely are justified in calling The Book of Romans “the Grace Epistle”. Moreover, we can truly say, that Paul was Christ’s “Grace” messenger, although it was Peter who called God, “the God of all Grace”. 1 Peter 5:10 .

In that wonderful chapter of Romans 5 , where we have the comparison and contrast between the first man, who brought sin and death, and the Second Man, who brought righteousness and life, the climax is reached in that blessed Divine truth: “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (superabound).”Romans 5:20 .

Thus we learn that God’s grace is altogether sufficient for man’s sin, man’s sins, and for the sins of the whole world, by and through the death of the Second Man. And by careful study of Romans 5 and Romans 6 , Almighty God would have us learn that His super-abounding Grace, through The LORD Jesus Christ, can save the believer not only from the wages of sin, but also from the dominion of sin.

Many have been the controversies between different groups of Christians as to “falling from Grace”. Whether this particular expression has been used, or “the perseverance of the saints,” or “once saved, always saved,” or “the eternal security of the believer,” or “the apostatizing of the saint,” or “losing Salvation,” the arguments generally have been on this one question, “Can one continue in Grace and also continue in sin?” In the Epistle to the Romans, ten times The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul said, “God forbid.” The literal translation is better, “let it not be.”

“Let it not be” that the believer shall continue in sin that Grace may abound. Romans 6:1-2 . “Let it not be” that a believer shall sin because he is not under the law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:15 .

But here we do not have the answer to the question, “Will a believer fall from Grace if he continue in sin?” Is there in the Word of God the answer to this question? And, whom would you consider the more miserable: the Child of God who insists that once in Grace always in Grace and yet continues in sin, or the Child of God, who, because he has continued in sin, has lost all hope, has given up in despair, and insists that he has fallen from Grace and lost his Salvation. Let’s admit that both are miserable and perhaps should be. But what saith the Scriptures?

“FOR THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGETH SALVATION HATH APPEARED TO ALL MEN, TEACHING US THAT, DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS, WE SHOULD LIVE SOBERLY, RIGHTEOUSLY AND GODLY IN THIS PRESENT WORLD; LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD, OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST; WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY, AND PURIFY UNTO HIMSELF A PECULIAR (acquired) PEOPLE, ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS.” Titus 2:11-14 .

Here we learn The LORD Jesus Christ’s purpose in giving Himself for us. “That He might redeem us from all iniquity.” “Purify unto Himself a peculiar people.” “Zealous of good works.” And we learn that the Grace of God that brought us this Salvation through Christ, would teach us how to live.

The sinner saved by Grace is to live a righteous life, a life of good works. For such a life, God’s Grace is sufficient. Hear what the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul says about it “And God is able to make all Grace abound toward us; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” 2 Cor. 9:8 .

And for the believer’s infirmity and temptation, God again speaks in the same Epistle: “My Grace is sufficient for thee.” 2 Cor. 12:9 . Coupled with God’s Grace is God’s faithfulness, and again we have the promise: “God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 .

In a message through the Apostle John, the sinner saved by Grace has his word from the Holy Spirit: “These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1 .

In the light of these Scriptures, and many others, we say emphatically to Romans 6:1 …“shall we continue in sin, that Grace may abound?” No! And we say emphatically to Romans 6:15 …“shall we sin, because we are not under the law; but under Grace?” No!

Now, we certainly do not want to limit the possibilities of the Grace of God IN the life and FOR the life of any believer. And while we know that the Word of God clearly teaches that God’s Grace is sufficient for every trial, every temptation and every God given task, and is sufficient to keep the believer from sinning, yet we also know that no believer always does what is right, and always refrains from doing what is wrong.

So, question arises…Are we positive in our assurance that the Grace of God delivers from condemnation every Child of God who fails to do right and is guilty of doing wrong? YES!

Wrongdoing is sin. Failing to do right is sin. The wrong-doings and failures of some believers are far more numerous than those of other believers, and perhaps the sins of some believers are worse than those of others. But we have to agree that all Children of God do continue in sin to some extent; and perhaps we further agree that there is a difference in being overtaken in sin and willfully committing a sin; and we know that if we sin willfully after we have “received the knowledge of the truth, that there remaineth no more SACRIFICE for sins.” Hebrews 9:26 .

Thank the LORD Jesus Christ, there does remain Forgiveness!

For not one of us believes that God’s Grace is not sufficient for His full pardon, cleansing and forgiveness for believers who sin, Whether, the sin be willful or otherwise. According to the Word of God, every Child of God needs that cleansing and forgiveness, whether willfully sinning or not. Now some would argue that at the moment of Salvation all of your sins, past AND future, were forgiven, and you were cleansed by the Blood of Christ, and His Righteousness was put to your account. Once, and for all. And to that I say AMEN! And yet we cannot ignore the plethora of Scripture such as 1 John 1:9“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And this, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John wrote to “My little children” 1 John 2:1 . That’s Children of God, not unbelievers. So, we can see this is NOT for forgiveness unto Salvation.

Now comes this question…Where do we have in God’s message of Grace the statement, that if a Child of God sins, he will fall from Grace? THEN, if the believer who sins does fall from Grace, and by thus falling, loses his Salvation, which, in the beginning was BY Grace, this begs the further question…How many sins, and just what kind of sins, must the believer commit in order to lose his Salvation, or fall from Grace? And that leads to…There must be a line over which the believer must step in order to lose his Salvation. See where this leads…to NO GOOD, that’s where! This propaganda propagated by Priests, Pastors, and Preachers (not all, so save your emails), is nothing less than Priestcraft! A methodology to keep you needing the Priest and NOT thinking you need the LORD Jesus Christ!

So then we must ask…Who is sufficient, besides God, to fix that line; and where in His message of Grace has He fixed that line? The stupid judgment that some Child of God who is guilty of wrongdoing has fallen from Grace so far that he has fallen away from Salvation, does not make it true. NOW, what saith the Scriptures…

“Whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from Grace.” Galatians 5:4 .

The Child of God who knows that he is saved by Grace, knows positively that he is not Justified by The Law of Moses; and therefore he is not fallen from Grace; therefore we must apply some Scripture other than this verse. For here we have, rather, the teaching that some of those who would condemn their erring brothers and would teach them how to keep from falling from Grace, by doing this or refraining from doing that, might themselves be guilty of falling from Grace by the preventive they are offering to others!

Look, Salvation is not for sale. Every Child of God should know this fact. Salvation can neither be purchased nor earned. No man deserves Salvation or is worthy of saving. In God’s message of Grace no truth is more clearly taught than the fact that Salvation is never because of man’s good works or religious endeavors. The Child of God is saved to DO good works, UNTO good works, to be zealous of good works, to maintain good works. But…NEVER by, or on account of, or because of, good works, or any works. “IF BY GRACE, THEN IT IS NO MORE OF WORKS.” Romans 11:6 .

"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Romans 4:4-5 . And then, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 .

Salvation is the gift of God. But, what must the sinner do to obtain that gift? The answer is, “through faith” And even the faith is God’s gift. It is by Grace. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing (itself), comes by the Word of God." Romans 10:17 . And thus we call out for salvation, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved" Romans 10:13 , and as the Apostle Paul told the Philippian Jailer "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" Acts 16:31 .

There is a big difference with Almighty God between working sinners and working Saints. And it is not for us to criticize or change God’s saving message of Grace because someone, who claims to be saved by Grace, is not denying ungodly lusts and living soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. The believer’s inconsistent behavior does not change the truth concerning God’s Grace Message of Salvation. It is the man who tries to supplement the Grace of God with works as the means of Salvation, who frustrates the Grace of God. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul, “I do not frustrate the Grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21 .

A sinner is saved wholly, solely, altogether without any “if” or “and” or “but”, by the Grace of God, by Faith in the redemptive work of Christ. This is true whether or not the believer does right or wrong. You may condemn your fellowman now and say that his life proves that he does not believe, because he does not live the Christian life. You may be right; you may be wrong. However, “Who can lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” “Who is he that condemneth?”

“There is therefore NOW no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 . Now, remember, every sinner saved by the Grace of God,should appropriate, by the gift of Faith, the super abounding Grace for a consistent life of godliness, and, as James has written, he should show his faith by his works; but it is unscriptural and untrue to say that any man can be saved by Grace + works.

Works can never be the factor in Salvation, but invariably the fruit; and, there should be, in every Child of God’s life, the fruit. But, alas, the fruit does not save him. The Grace that saved him will enable him to BEAR fruit; but he is saved by Grace without fruit.

There is perhaps no clearer message of Grace in all the Word of God than Romans 3:24-25 , "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood..."

Then, who is the happy man mentioned in this bit of Good News: “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:8 . If that happy man is the man who never does wrong, then that is no happy man! He feels jipped! But, the man who is Justified without a cause...Justified...declared righteous? How? Without a cause! That is pure Grace. And pure Grace is the sinner’s only hope.

It is not man’s work; it is Christ’s work; the death, burial and resurrection of that Perfect Man who was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our Justification. From first to last, “Salvation is of the Lord.” Jonah 2:9 .

The Child of God who would try to pay for Righteousness or Salvation through the works of the Law or religion, after he has been saved by the Grace of God, is little better than the religious person who would NOT receive Salvation as the free gift of God, but prefers to work for it.

However Christians, genuine or counterfeit, may use or abuse God’s Grace, no matter if some may give up in despair because they feel they have fallen from Grace by continuing in sin, or if others claim that they cannot fall away from God’s Grace, if once saved, even if they do continue in sin, let us not be guilty of preaching another gospel, a message of Grace and religion mixed.

Neither let us endeavor to mete out the judgment to those who are unwilling to be taught how to live by the Grace of God. Rather let us always teach and preach to ourselves, as well as to others, that Salvation first, last, and all the time, is by Grace and Grace alone, and every man who is in that matchless Grace, and trusting in the Work and depending upon the Worthiness of The LORD Jesus Christ, is SAVED, and should day by day manifest his life in Christ, by a spiritual walk, and testimony.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 . BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20 )