Safe And Secured
“The Security of the Believer”
John 10: 27-29

Introduction
I want to discuss a biblical truth that has been, and continues to be, the subject of debate among many: the security of the believer. Many argue that it is possible to fall from grace and lose one’s salvation, even after they had been genuinely saved. Often supporters of that doctrine will use Galatians 5:4 as a proof text. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Looking at this verse in its context, it is clear to see that Paul is not speaking of losing one’s salvation, but of seeking to teach justification through keeping the law. Those who look to justification through the works of the law have fallen away or “departed” from the message of the grace of God that brings salvation through Christ.

I am convinced that the blood of Christ is sufficient to fully atone for the sins of anyone, once and for all, at the moment of salvation. I refuse to believe that the sacrifice of Christ is somehow insufficient to secure my eternal salvation. However, I don’t want to base our study on my opinion or belief, but on Scripture; although my belief is founded in the Word of God.

When one addresses the issue of eternal security, many times the argument will arise concerning those who have made a profession but continue to live in habitual sin. The key to that phrase is those who have “made a profession.” Some are professors, but not genuine possessors! I know that we all sin and come short of the glory of God, even after we are saved. It is impossible to live life above sin, but the Bible never teaches that God would cast aside those who are genuinely born again because they commit sin after conversion.

I want to use the verses we’ve read as our text verses, but in order to properly understand the doctrine of security we will need to look at some other passages as well. Let’s take a few moments to consider the certainties the Bible reveals concerning: The Security of the Believer.

I. The Lord’s Promise (v. 28a)
And I give unto them eternal life; The saved have the promise of eternal life. 1 Jn.2:25- And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. Notice V.28, Jesus said I give, not I will give. We can claim that promise right now, today. The Shepherd has given the sheep eternal life. I am confident of the promises of Jesus! Paul was confident: Tit.1:2 – In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. Our salvation is secure through the Lord’s promise.

II. The Lord’s Provision (v. 28)
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. I am thankful that my eternal destiny doesn’t rest upon my works or ability to secure salvation! It is God who began the work of redemption. It is God who provided the source of my provision in the sacrifice of His Son. We have eternal life and we shall never perish!
I want you to grasp what is meant by the phrase: Never perish. “Never” is translated from four Greek words: Oume – not at all, by no means, never; Eis (prep) – time, place, purpose; Ho – male or female; Aion (n) – perpetual or eternal. A literal rendering would read like this; And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall not at all, by any means, in any case, or any place, at any time, for any purpose, whether male or female, perpetually or eternally perish! i We shall NEVER perish! That sounds absolutely certain to me.

III. The Lord’s Power (v. 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. Have you considered the awesome power of God lately? In the beginning God…He has no beginning and no end; not time or origin. He is the One who stood on nothing and created the universe. He formed man of the dust of the earth and breathed life into him. He tells the sun when to shine, set the mountains in place, controls the flow of the ocean, and holds us in His hand! Surely, a God with all that power can secure those who belong to Him. There is no force on earth or in hell itself that can remove us from His grip. Rom.8:38-39 – For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] 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. 1 Pet.1:3-5 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, [5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

IV. The Lord’s Prayer (Jn.17:24)
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. In this wonderful chapter we find that Jesus prayed for Himself, for the disciples, and then we find Jesus praying for the church, the believers, you and me!
Consider this: Jesus never prayed a prayer that God didn’t answer. He asked God that we might be with Him where He is. Do you believe God answered His prayer? I believe God honored His request and will in no way let one of His fall. We will make it home. We are secure in Jesus. In fact, He is praying for us even now. Heb.7:25 – Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. The word uttermost is significant here as well. It literally means “completely, wholly, entirely; referring to time, always and forever!”

V. The Believer’s Possession (Jn.5:24)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Every born again believer possesses that everlasting life. Jesus didn’t put certain stipulations on it. There are no premiums to pay and no fear of our policy lapsing or running out. We have everlasting life! We shall not be condemned.
Consider this: we possess that eternal life right now, not at death. He that believeth… is passed from death unto life, present tense!

VI. The Believer’s Perfection (Heb.10:14)
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Once again, eternal and present tense. We have been made perfect by the sacrifice of our Lord. Jesus paid our sin debt in full. We stand fully justified, righteous before the Lord.
We aren’t justified by our works, but through His sacrifice. Rom.4:5-8 – But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Now, since good works can’t save, how could we lose our salvation through failure? Our sin is covered and cleansed by His blood. The saved stand perfect before the Father!

VII. The Believer’s Position (Eph.5:30)
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. The saved are a new creation in Him. We are part of the body of Christ; flesh of His flesh, bone of His bones. Is it possible for the Son to lose His relationship with the Father? No! Since we are part of His body, it is not possible for us to lose our relationship with the Father either. It is impossible; it cannot happen! 1 Cor.12:13 – For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. We are secure through our position in Christ.

VIII. The Believer’s Preservation (Eph.4:30)
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. The saved are sealed in the Lord. 2 Cor.1:22- Who hath sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. The Spirit will keep those who are saved. Earnest has the idea of “money given as a pledge or down payment that the full amount will be paid.” That isn’t to say Christ didn’t fully atone for our sin, but that we have hope, through the Spirit, that He will redeem that which He purchased. We have been given a down payment on future glory. One day as we stand before God, Jesus will gather all those He has purchased!

I hope you are settled and rejoicing in eternal security. If you are saved, you have reason to rejoice! Others may choose to deny this wonderful truth, but I have chosen to rest in it. I am thankful that I do not have to wonder each day whether I am saved or not and if I will make it to heaven when I die. I am secure in Christ my Lord! If you aren’t, come and find that peace He gives.

Lesson Prepared By:
Dr. Antione K. Eakins, Sr.  Pastor/Teacher