DAY 14: ETERNAL SALVATION II

THE RHEMA WORD FOR TODAY
(A DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH PREACHER SAM)

TOPIC: ETERNAL SALVATION II
DATE: 14 SEPTEMBER, 2019
BIBLE READING: 1 JOHN 5:13-21
MEDITATION/MEMORY VERSE: 1 JOHN 5:16 (KJV)
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is sin unto death: I do not say that he shall for it.

Yesterday, we looked at the concept of eternal salvation, which means basically, forever saved. And if we are forever saved, then why the controversy that our salvation can be lost?
First, we need to understand that eternal salvation only assures us genuine believers that our sins are forgiven forever, and there’s no more condemnation. Even as believers, when we sin; because all wrongdoing is sin, eternal salvation has given us that confidence to approach the throne of grace to obtain mercy. Eternal salvation is not a licence to sin, but an assurance of our salvation. Even when a believer should do wrong (sin) before he dies, eternal salvation means that he will not go to hell just for one offence.
Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust, he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
According to the scripture, if our evil father knows how to give good gifts, how much more for a loving God (Matt. 7:11; Luke 11:13). If our evil father knows how to overlook the offences of his child, how much more for a loving God?
“…God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8), and “… love covers over a multitude of sin” (1 Pet. 4:8). But like John would write, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin…” (1 Jn. 2:1).
Eternal salvation means saved from your past sins (penalty of sin), saved from your present sins (power of sin), and saved from the future sins (presence of sin). That is, your past is forgiven. When we sin, we have that confidence to approach God for mercy. And when we die, we are saved from the temptation that creates sins. It is never a licence to sin. God forbid!
But the Bible says that there is a sin, which is unto death (that is, spiritual death— eternal separation from God). What is that sin? Is it sexual immorality, as many have taken it as the sin unto death? Or is it suicide?
None of these is the sin unto death. The sin unto death is the sin against the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls it the unpardonable sin.
Matthew 12:31
Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
Sinning against the Holy Spirit means ‘apostasia’ in the Greek, which can be translated as ‘apostasy’; meaning ‘the renunciation of one’s (Christian) faith.’ That is, denying the finished work of Christ.
And apostasy is a matter of the heart not words, because it is the voice of the heart that God listens to, even your salvation is also the matter of the heart. That’s why the Bible says, ‘the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?’ (Jer. 17:9).
And the Bible is clear about this, apostasy is a by-product of consistent sinning, without genuine repentance from a believer.
James 1:14, 15
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
So, examine yourselves daily whether you are in the faith, and depart from iniquity.

ACTION POINT: I SHALL MAKE THIS MY HABIT TO ALWAYS EXAMINE MYSELF IF I’M IN THE FAITH.
PRAYER POINT: I PRAY THEE O LORD, THAT YOU PLEASE HELP ME TO MAKE MY WAYS RIGHT WITH YOU ALWAYS.
PERSONAL READING: LUKE 12:8-10