The reason Eternal Life is so important is because it reflects what Jesus Christ has done in us and for us. Since He has done the work, we should believe it. When a person believes correctly in Jesus Christ, his nature is supernatural changed, and his eternal destiny is determined forever, as a result of the work of Christ. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE He at that moment is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9 We have Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30) We have been perfected forever. {Heb 10:14) We are Washed, Sanctified, Justified (1 Corinthians 6:11). We are members of a chosen race ( 1 Peter 2:9). We are Ordained into royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). We are members of a Holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). We are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). We are Saints (1 Corinthians 1:2). We Have been Glorified (Romans 8:30). Note: passed tense We have been seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Our Citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). We are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE It is ridiculous to think as a result of mans doing, his eternal supernatural identity, changes like the wind, one day he is, one day he is not, one day he is, and one day he is not, ect. ect. Our new identification came as a result of a supernatural act of God. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE When do we get Eternal Life ? Exhibit # 1 John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. To understand the words, "has" and "does not", is important in the understanding of this verse. (a dictionary may help) Keep in mind, it does not say: may have, might have, hopes to have. It does say: has eternal life and does not come into judgment, The word "eternal" is also important to understand. It means never ending. A never ending relationship with Christ. (life) If it could end, it would never have been eternal "never ending". It starts when we are saved. That is why the word "has" is used. God wants us to know we have eternal life. (A never ending love relationship with Christ). 1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life. Once a person knows where he is going, all that he does from that point on, is done out of appreciation for what has been done for him. It is ridiculous to think a person having the Holy Spirit living in him would use his new position to justify living for the devil. (Romans 6:1-2) BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Exhibit # 2 When we become a Christian we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. (In other words our salvation is assured and we have His promise on that fact.) Ephesians 1:13, In Him, you also after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, We were supernaturally sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of promise was given as a pledge. Ephesians 1:14, Who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. If our inheritance does not come about, the pledge of the Holy Spirit, is not worth the paper it is written on. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Exhibit # 3 John 10:27-30, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28) and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. 29) "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30) "I and the Father are one." The Christian is in the hands of Jesus and the the hands of the Father they are one, How could anything be more secure? If the devil wanted to place doubt in a believer's mind, how could he do it in light of this verse? I think he could try by saying, "That doesn't mean you can't snatch yourself out". But it says: "no one" are you a "someone" ? BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Exhibit # 4 Romans 8:38-39, For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God wants us to know we are secure! When a person knows for sure, where he is going, there should be no question how he fills the time, between where he is and where he is to be for all eternity. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Exhibit # 5 E t e r n a l L i f e i s a G i f t ! Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8, For by grace you have been saved and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Or without repentance, meaning the gift is yours, never to be taken from you.) A free gift is not something you work for to get, and a free gift is not something you have to work for to keep. In other words it's subject to the giver not the receiver. You may say well that doesn't mean I can't give it back. You would be right if it were non-eternal but that's not the case. Eternal life is attached to your very nature. It becomes a part of you, and can not be separated from you by it's very nature of being eternal. Colossians 1:13, For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Exhibit # 6 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption; Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Exhibit # 7 Eph 2:6 6). and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in heavenly places, We are their right now. And we don't go up and down like an elevator with each sin. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Many people appear to be Christians and think they are Christians, but when all is known it is discovered that they really are not! These people appear to be sincere. They carry Bibles and sit under men they believe to be godly. However, these are the people that God in His foreknowledge makes mention of repeatedly in the New Testament as not being saved. 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. Hebrews 10:38-39 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not those who shrink back to destruction, but those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. The Bible speaks very clearly of religious people who think they are Christians when in reality they are not. It is evident that these people attempt to weave themselves in with true believers. The fact that the writers of the New Testament speak to the Churches with this understanding puts the reader in the position of always taking this principle into consideration when interpreting the Scriptures. Note: When this principle is followed most of the common problems that come up on this subject are eliminated. Imagine your self a pastor of a Church of 300 members. Do you think all are saved, ...probably not? Would you know for sure, which ones were saved, and which ones were not, ...probably not? Now, you have to preach a message, to all of them. In your message would you give them all the impression, they are lost? In your message would you give them all the impression, they are saved? What would you do? Think for a minute, that was exactly what God was up against, in putting the Bible together. An old saying, "He killed two birds with one stone." So when we interpret the bible we need to take this principle into consideration. It is seen over and over again! BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Example (A) Matthew 13:1-23 Two groups of believers, one false and one true, is seen. Fruit .... No Fruit Understanding. Does not understand Saved.... Not Saved (They had no fruit because they did not understand correctly, therefore were never truly saved.) BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Example (B) True Believers..... False Believers The True Believers and False Believers are seen clearly in, Hebrews 10:26,39... Hebrews 10:26, For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. Hebrews 10:39, But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to preserving of the soul. The devil has a knowledge of the truth! If after receiving the knowledge of the truth you shrink back by rejecting the truth there no longer remains a sacrifice for your sins since you have just rejected the only means of forgiveness. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Example (C) True Believers..... False Believers The True Believers and False Believers are seen clearly in, Hebrews 6:7,8,9,11... Hebrews 6:7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God. Hebrews 6:8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned. Hebrews 6:9 But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Example (D) True Believers ........ False Believers Can explain some of the "if" verses. Hebrews 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end; (If we will since we will.) If we hold fast, we are saved, if we do not, we were never saved. Example (D) Note: If can also mean "since," If we will, "since" we will. Example: (NIV IF = Since) Colossians 3:1 If then you have been raised up with Christ, 1 Peter 1:17 And if you address as Father... (NIV IF = Since) 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us,... (NIV IF = Since) Romans 6:8 Now if we have died with Christ,... Acts 11:17 "If God therefore gave to them the same gift... John 13:32 If God is glorified in Him... Matthew 6:30 "But if God so arrays the grass of the field,... There are many verses where the word "if" means "since." I have just shown a few, there is good reason to question the usage of the word "if". BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Example (E) True Believers...... False Believers Those under Grace ..... Those under Law FAITH ......... WORKS Free woman-vs.22 ................. Bond woman-vs.22 Promise-vs.23 .................... Flesh-vs.23 Jerusalem above "free"-vs.26...... Mount Sinai "slaves"-vs.24 Isaac-vs.28 ...................... Ishmael-vs.30 Spirit-vs.29 ..................... Flesh-vs.29 Heir-vs.30 ....................... Not Heir-vs.30 Galatians 4:30 Cast out the bondwoman and her son; for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman. This is one of the most devastating parts of the bible, when realized what it is saying. Its describes people that think they are Christians, they carry Bibles and are faithful Church attendees, but follow a system of merit, the law or works, to secure their right standing before God, and are of the bondwomen. (cast out the bondwoman) The followers of bondwoman are not saved. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE Example (E) True Believers........ False Believers The False Believers are seen clearly in, 2 Peter 2... They knew the way of righteousness. But... 2 Peter 2:17 These are springs without water, and mist driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. 2 Peter 2:22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A DOG (not sheep) RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT," and, 'A SOW, (not sheep) after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire". Note: 2 Peter chapter 2 is talking about false prophets and false teachers that new a portion of the truth in their heads but were never saved, therefore they were misrepresenting the truth. There is no where in this chapter that would indicated they had the holy spirit living within them. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE CERTAIN VERSES THAT CAUSE SOME PEOPLE PROBLEMS ARE... #1 John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. THE NEW LAYMAN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY HOWLEY-BRUCE-ELLISON pg. 1325 The absence of fruit in the branch of the vine casts grave doubt upon its real union with the central stem, however otherwise it may appear. Such useless members must be cut off; perhaps Judas is the outstanding example. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE #2 THE RYRIE STUDY BIBLE 1976 MOODY PRESS CHICAGO (NOTES) pg.l92 John 15:6 they are burned. This refers to the works of the believer. The Christian who does not abide in Christ cannot do what pleases God; therefore, his works will be burned at the Judgment seat of Christ, though he himself will be saved. (1 Cor. 3:11-15). NOTE: THERE IS ANOTHER OPTION John 15:5-6 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. I Jn 3:6 6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. The one who abide not in Christ is the one who has not seen him or known Him. Therefore never been saved. The Jews were good examples of those who new Jesus but were not known by Jesus and did not abide in Him nor His teachings. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE #3 H.A. IRONSIDE, LITT.D. The ETERNAL SECURITY of the BELIEVER pg. 34-35 Hebrews 6:4-6 "The apostle is speaking to people who have the Old Testament and have been intellectually convinced that Jesus is the Messiah, but who are exposed to persecution if they confess His Name. Even if not genuine, they know that Jesus is the Messiah, and they must have felt the power and seen the evidence of His authority in the miracles wrought. Yet they can turn their backs upon it all and go back to Judaism, and go into the synagogue again and say, "We do not believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God; we refuse the authority of this Man. He should be crucified." "They crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to open shame." The apostle says, "Do not try to do anything there; you cannot, for they have gone too far. They are apostate." Gleason L. Archer Encyclopedia of BIBLE DIFFICULTIES pg. 419 Hebrews 6:4-6 For that matter, all of the first three qualities were true of Judas as well. He had been enlightened and had tasted of the heavenly gift and the goodness of the Word of God as he had sat for three years under the personal teaching of the Lord Jesus. Insofar as he had participated in gospel preaching and the expulsion of demons, he also had been a sharer in the Holy Spirit. But this falls short of becoming indwelt by the Holy spirit, so that his body was actually taken over to be a holy temple of God. Far from it! Christ could read his heart, and He saw the hypocrisy and treachery within it--as He indicated clearly enough at the last Passover meal. In the high priestly prayer of John 17, Jesus spoke of Judas as the "son of perdition" (v.12). By no stretch of the imagination could Judas Iscariot have been at any time considered truly born again, no matter how convincing a performance he may have put on before his fellow disciples. Yet all four of the qualities described as marking the apostate were true of Judas. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE #4 Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. 1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. He that overcomes, "the Christian", (Revelation 3:5) is a assurance verse. God wants the Christian to know his position with Christ is secure. It's teaching a name will not be erased. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE ........... #5 Bible Questions Explained DR. LOUIS T. TALBOT pg. 116 Romans 11:22 "On them which fell, severity"--- what do these words mean? Again let us note the context. Romans 11:13-24 is addressed to Gentiles, not to individual believers. The matter of personal salvation is not in question here. The whole passage deals with Jewish responsibility not assumed. Israel is called the "olive tree"; Gentiles are the "wild olive tree." Some of the "natural branches" in Israel were broken off through unbelief; and the wild branches, Gentiles, were "grafted in among them." And the fact that the natural branches were broken off is given as a warning to the Gentiles, lest they too be not spared. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE #6 Bible Questions Explained DR. LOUIS T. TALBOT pg. 117 Matthew 24:13 However, the principle set forth here I accept. If a man does not "endure unto the end," he only reveals what he was all the while, a mere professor, not a born-again soul. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE #7 THE NEW LAYMANS BIBLE COMMENTARY HOWLEY-BRUCE-ELLISON pg.1440 1 Corinthians 9:27 disqualified (adokimos): Paul's concern is lest he should lose, not his salvation, but the victor's wreath, the prize for which he has exhorted others to run. Paul wanted the "prize" 1 Cor 9:24 (He was not worried about His salvation). BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE #8 BIBLE QUESTIONS ANSWERED Pettingill pg. 165 Revelation 22:19 "has no suggestion that a child of God would or could do the thing forbidden. If you want to know the truth about the believer's security, go to some Scripture where the doctrine is really taken up and discussed, as, example, John 10:27-30. The saved man is ever saved." BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE #9 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY Chafer vol 3 pg. 297 The entire context, James 2:14-26, will be recognized as the central passage bearing on the general Biblical contention that a true regeneration is demonstrated by its fruits. The Apostle Paul discloses the truth in Romans 5:1 that the requirement on the human side for justification before God is faith; but the Apostle James declares that the requirement on the human side for justification before men is good works. (Romans 3:28 and 4:2) BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE #10 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY Chafer vol 3 pg. 310 Galatians 5:4 Christians may fall from grace, but it is not accomplished by sinning. They will have fallen from grace when they, having been delivered from the law with its merit system, turn back to the merit system again. It is safe to say that no person who has gained even a slight understanding of what it means to be perfected in Christ beyond the need of any human works to complete that perfection, has ever turned back to the law. People who trust Christ as Savior are perfected in Him whether they realize it or not, and it is those who do not realize it who may be influenced by legalists to turn to the merit system from which they have been delivered. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE CERTAIN VERSES THAT CAUSE SOME PEOPLE PEACE OF MIND... BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE #1 Romans 8:29-30 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; 30) and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (glorified, passed tense, has already been done) NOTE: The number of people justified is the same as glorified, which agrees with my view once saved always saved, showing no one could have been justified and then later unjustified. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE #2 Ephesians 1:4-5 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5) He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9) not as a result of works, that no one should boast. Romans 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, other wise grace is no longer grace. BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE In closing I would like to mention that Christ is the Last Adam 1 Corth 15:45. The First Adam after eating the fruit of the tree, changed the course of his life and the world. He could not undo, what he had done. Only God could provide a way in which man could be redeemed. Once that has occurred, through the work of the Last Adam, (JESUS) Man is as helpless to undo what God has done, just as man was with the First Adam. You see man is not the issue, Gods glory, honor and divine work and promises are the issue. When a person responds to JESUS CHRIST by faith, God changes that persons identity for all eternity. Man is given the Holy Spirit which is the Assurance that Gods word, and work will prevail. The reason the Born Again Christian cannot Sin and lose his salvation is because of what, Peter says: ...not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible. 1 Pet 1:23 having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth. And what John says 3:9 ...because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God. We have the incorruptible Christ living in us, and is a part of us, never to be separated from us. That is Eternal Life. 1 John is talking about a positional reality which should be a personal reality. Note: Anyone that believes in "I John 3:9," has to believe in "once saved, always saved." I Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. "Doth not commit sin" "cannot sin" Anything a person could do to lose their salvation, would be sin. But a Christian cannot sin. And a Christian doth not sin. = Once saved always saved.