Lesson # 9
The Gospel of Grace Means Security for the Believer
In lesson # 8 we should have learned:
- That Peter and the 12 were commissioned to go to the Jews.
- That Paul was commissioned to go to the Gentiles.
- The Jews will spend eternity on earth and in the New Jerusalem, with Christ as the King.
- The Gentiles will be far above all heaven as part of Christ's body.
If we fail to rightly divide the word of truth we will find Scripture that seems to contradict itself. It does not! Let us examine a few of them.
Before we do that let me quote the definition of the word, sealed: To establish or determine irrevocably (incapable of being retracted or revoked.)
Now let's look at the definition of the word earnest: Money paid in advance as part payment to bind a contract or bargain, a token of something to come; promise or assurance.
Subject: Sealed:
Ephesians 1: 12-14: "That we should be the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory."
If you understand the meaning of sealed and earnest, the passage above implies: that if one trusted the word of truth and truly believed in what Christ did, he would be sealed, (an assurance of a binding agreement) with the Holy Spirit, which is an irrevocable contract between Jesus Christ and the believer.
In contrast to that verse let us look at other verses that differ from the above verse.
Hebrews 6: 4-6: "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame."
Here are groups of people that can loose their salvation. I know they were once saved, look at the words: enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, made partakers, and tasted the good word of God. But if they fall away (in this scenario, take the mark of the beast) they will loose their chance to enter eternity with God.
The Church the Body of Christ is the group that was guaranteed they would be sealed. They will not be around during the time that the passage in Hebrews speaks of. Why? Look at the time chart. They will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Hebrews is written to a group of people who will be living during the Tribulation. The Church the Body of Christ has been spared from going through what the Bible calls the time of wrath – tribulation. "And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He has raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." 1 Thessalonians 1: 10
I know the wrath to come is the end time because the book of Revelation says so. Look at it. "For the great day of His wrath is come; and none shall be able to stand?" Revelation 6: 17
Some people believe that if you have hatred or have had animosity toward another person you cannot be forgiven unless you forgive your brother first. They quote Matthew 6: 14-15: "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses." That is, in fact, true for the time period in which it was said. But if you rightly divide the word of Truth, you realize it is not the message that Paul presented to the Gentiles. It is not the message for today.
Look at what Paul says: "Much more being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Romans 5: 9
"Who shall also confirm you until the end that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 1: 8
"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed with that Holy Spirit of promised." Ephesians 4: 30
Paul preached a different gospel than did Peter and the twelve. It is clear that the gospel that Paul preached included being secure in Christ regardless of circumstances. It is also clear that the gospel Peter preached included a temporal forgiveness of sin until those sins would be blotted out. (Acts 2: 38; 3: 19)
Review Questions:
- What does being secure mean to you?
- Does the Bible suggest that at one time a believer had no security? Is that true for today?
Visit Obed's Web Site, At www.soundwordsministry.com
e-mail Obed Kirkpatrick