The Gospel Light
Eternally Secure
by Pastor Stanley Farrar II
We hear a lot these days of being eternally secure, from pastors, evangelists, and people in general. People use this belief to live like the devil and yet claim to be a Christian. Taking the position of sin I may, sin I must, if I don't I will surely bust! All the time claiming that God understands. Yes, He understands, but does He condone?
In this article we are going to look at what it takes to be eternally secure. When you start discussing eternal security there is one scripture that inevitably comes up. (John 10:28) "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." So being this is the first scripture that most people want to look at it will be one of the last things that we will discuss.
So let's look at the steps to insure that you can be eternally secure. First you must believe. (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (Acts 16:30-31) "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." The believing here is not just a head knowledge, but a heart knowledge. For we must believe in Jesus with every fiber of our being and want to please him. (James 2:19) "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." The devils believe for they know good and well that Jesus is real but that doesn't make them His servants. So head knowledge is not good enough.
In order to be eternally secure a person must repent. (Acts 3:19) "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." To repent is to be disgusted in the way you have been going and to have a desire to change direction at all cost. If a person has no desire to stop sinning then they haven't repented. So to be eternally secure we must repent. (Matthew 3:2) "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
To be eternally secure we must confess. (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." To be forgiven for our sins we need to take responsibility for our sin and truly want to be forgiven and have them removed from our lives. To be secure you have to belong to God in the first place. This is not the case as long as we have sin in our lives. (1 John 3:8) "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." When we are in sin we are spiritually dead. When God saves our souls and removes the sin from our lives He makes us spiritually alive. (1 Timothy 5:6) "But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth."
One thing we must understand is that we cannot be eternally secure and sin. (Hebrews 10:26-27) "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." When we sin that sin is not covered by your past repentance for you have spiritually died once more. (Ezekiel 18:20-24) "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die." (Ezekiel 18:27-28) "Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die."
Jesus didn't come into the world so that we could continue in our sins. No, He came to deliver us from our sins. (Matthew 1:21) "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Most preachers today will try to justify you for living sinful lives but the Bible doesn't do this. (Romans 6:1-16) "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" When we were sinners we couldn't help from sinning but as saints we have been made anew. Romans chapter seven shows the miserable condition we are in when bound by sin but this wasn't God's desire for us for He wants to make us new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 ) "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
If we couldn't live above sin then Jesus would have been cruel. (John 8:10-12) "When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." God would be commanding her to do something that she couldn't do. In the Bible we are given the distinct command to be holy (1 Peter 1:15-16) "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." It is impossible to be sinning and to be holy at the same time. (Hebrews 12:13-14) "And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Without holiness it is impossible to see God, yet to be holy one must be without sin. Those that are trying to get to heaven and still sin are trying to serve the devil and God at the same time, but no man can serve two masters.
One problem people have is their definition of sin. Many believe that every thought and deed are a sin. But this would make temptation a sin and that would have made Jesus a sinner to. (Hebrews 4:14-15) "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." So what is a sin? A sin is a willful transgression of the laws of God. (1 John 3:4) "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." (James 4:17) "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." It is a willful decision to do or not to do something. So when do thoughts become sin? When the thought is harbored and contemplated, instead of being rebuked and pushed away.
What about lesser sins some would ask. The point is there are no lesser sins, all sin is the same, there are no degrees of sin, for all disobedience is still disobedience. (James 2:10) "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." There is no lesser sins and no lesser punishment for the sins. (Revelation 21:8) "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
So what about the scripture (John 10:28) "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand"? No one can remove you from God's hand but there is no place that says that you cannot remove yourself. God never forces Himself on anyone, He leaves it for us to choose Him by our own desire and choice. (1 John 2:15) "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Some people love the world and sin more than God and thus choose to turn their back on God. I have had people ask me why would someone who has known God turn and walk away. Well there can be a lot of reasons people turn, a lot of it comes from where our heart is. If we love anything more than God it becomes our god, and we cannot serve God and love anything more.
God wants us to be eternally secure but that takes effort on our part. He came to remove our sin and to set us free. He never had any intention for us to continue in sin. (1 John 3:5-6) "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him." (1 John 2:1-2) "My little children, 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: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." If you have turned and gone back or have never had a relationship with Christ the answer is the same: Repent and give your sins to Him.
The Terrible Sadness of the Sadducees'
by Dr. Stanley R. Farrar
Jesus made the statement that the sect of the Sadducees had no hope for they believed not in the resurrection. Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life, through Him all men could live. But, still there were those who did not believe in the general
resurrection of the body. Also, Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church gives to us an understanding of what will take place on that last day. The way we can keep in mind those who believed in the resurrection and those who did not is a little saying. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection and the Sadducees did not for they were "sad u see," because they had no place to go.
1 Corinthians 15:32, 35-50 (KJV) "If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."
As Paul was writing to the Corinthians he was trying to let them know that this body that we now possess is a body that is buried in the weakness of the flesh. When he speaks of the corruptible having to put on incorruption he is referring to the fact that in our present form the body is subject to aging, dying and even the decomposing and becoming dust once more. In its natural state the body will not continue in existence, but in that last day this old body will be changed in the twinkling of an eye and given an immortal body as Jesus was seen when He was resurrected from the tomb.
Philippians 3:20-21 (KJV) "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."
This natural body is subject to all of the plagues which are common to man here on earth. Paul says that in this weakness of humanity we are subject to these things, but when the last day comes and Jesus comes for His own to take the Bride of Christ to present her to the Father the resurrection will bring forth His own incorruptible. Therefore, this body will be "sown in corruption and will be raise incorruptible."
Paul also tells us when the resurrection takes place then we will be taken to be with Jesus forever more.
1 Thessalonians 4:13- 18 (KJV) "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
Paul didn't want anyone to be mistaken about the fact that there is going to be a general resurrection and those who have passed on before the last day will not be prevented from coming forth in the general resurrection. He says those who died in this present life in Christ Jesus will come forth in the resurrection at the last day and be taken up to be with Jesus forevermore. Note Paul's statement in verse 16 of the preceding scripture.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:"
It is a very sad concept to believe that there is not going to be a resurrection. To hold the theory that one dies and the only future for that person is to decompose in the grave leaves no hope for the future. The Sadducees held to this theory even back before the advent of Jesus Christ into the world. There are still those today that hold to this same notion, although it goes against everything that the Word of God declares. In most cases those who have come to hold this viewpoint are ones that do not want to believe that there is an eternal destruction for those who live in sin and will not accept Jesus as their own personal savior. Most that hold to the theory of no bodily resurrection also believe that they can live in sin and it won't make any difference because you die and you go to the grave. They believe there is no resurrection to a life beyond the tomb. The entire Word of God gives us the knowledge that God wanted a relationship with those who would choose to serve Him and love Him. Therefore, that is the purpose of the extending of His love to man, to draw them back into a relationship with Him once more. That love was culminated in the birth of Jesus, His death upon the cross, and the resurrection of Jesus.
Again I repeat 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
1 Thessalonians 4:13- 18 (KJV) "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
These last few words of this Scripture exhorts us to comfort one another in this fact of the general resurrection at the end of time.
***
"Willing Slavery"
Tom Wingate
You've sold your life and soul to sin,
And you'll give your heart and mind to him.
Satan is a liar, yet you think he is true
Subtle deception, sleep and slumber for you.
Soul, did God lie? Will He be untrue?
To think that you could find peace, happiness
And love the Devil's way.
Wretched, lost and oh so lost,
What sin will cost, my God, the cost
To deny God and prove Him untrue,
This is what you are trying to do!
Because you are mocking His holy name,
And playing a very fleshy selfish game.
But dear one, know this one simple thing
God's word is all that will remain.
So while you may look at me and say,
"I'll believe God, some day you'll see."
Perhaps you will, perhaps you won't,
The Holy Ghost, He holds that Key.
For the Deceiver has blinded your mind,
What pain and scars Your Friend,
Sin will leave behind.
Even if you can be redeemed,
The marks of Sin all will see.
You are so foolish to really believe that God is a
Lie, and will make an exception for you or me!
Are you smarter than every one else?
Are you really in control?
Look at me, you say, for I'm getting by.
I am sinning and I have peace of mind.
I have it all figured out Satan really loves me.
Look at me, Look at me. Its not so bad you see.
Can you see thru all of his lies?
That you are wretched and poor and blind!
For God is holy, just, true and He does not lie.
For if you do not repent and change your way of life,
Sorrow, pain and untold grief
will be yours here on earth
And Hell too, forever burning with no end.
All will lose who live for sin.
"Oh no, please don't say that to me, For I cannot take the pressure
And I am just playing a little while, you'll see."
My God, my God will you open your eyes.
Ask him to rebuke the enemy, his ways and lies.
Come and submit your way and life
Give it to Jesus, He is the Truth and the Light
He has promised to take care of you.
To give life abundantly for He tells the truth
Once again please consider my prayer today,
Believe in Jesus, HE IS TRUTH, THE WAY.
The Gospel Light
This publication is by the Twelfth Avenue Church of God, 100 12th Ave NE, Arab, AL 35016. Chief Editor Pastor Stanley Farrar II, Editor Michelle Farrar.
The Gospel Light is published to spread the true light of God's word to all men. We are dedicated to the truths of the word of God. Such as salvation, holiness, sanctification, the unity of all believers, etc...It is also online at: http://geocities.datacellar.net/gospel_light.geo.
We are not responsible for returning any articles submitted to The Gospel Light. We reserve the right to hold the articles for future printing, and possible reprinting. All articles submitted should be submitted to the Twelfth Avenue Church of God, 100 12th Ave NE, Arab, AL 35016. We can be e-mailed at twelfthavecog@earthlink.net. I hope that the Gospel Light paper is a blessing to you, and may God bless those who read this paper.