Lesson 2

Jude

Maintaining the Faith Entrusted to Us

 

10 Proofs of Eternal Security!   Once Saved, Always Saved

1. Position in Christ:   Rom. 8:38, 39, Jude 1

 

a.  All members of the human race stand in one of two positions:  "in Adam" or "in Christ."  1 Cor. 15:22

 

b.  Must recognize that it is possible that a person may never change positions. From being in Adam to being in Christ.

 

 

c.  It is possible to change positions one time:

 

2. Logical result of salvation:  Rom. 5:9,10;  8:32

 

 

 

3. Anthropomorphism teaches Eternal Security: John 10:28-30; 

    We're held by God's hand, Omnipotence will never let go.

 

 

4. Experiential approach: 2 Tim 2:11-13

 

Rabbit trail

Note:  2 Tim 2:11-13  Parallel passage dealing with  this  promise of security in Him!

(series of "If" conditional clauses followed by conclusions)

 

  1.  2:11 = Security of our Salvation  (context clearly is talking to believers)

"if  (1cc)  we died with Him"  (aor) notes our positional identification with Him, occurs at the moment of salvation. (Rom 6:5)

 

Conclusion: "we shall also live with Him" (predictive future,  suzaw  suza,w) speaks of being in His presence, living with Him.

 

This verse is an uncompromising statement of the absolute assurance that every believer possesses of living with Christ in the future.

 

 

Any interpretation of vs:12-13 that denies or lessens in any way the certainty of the assurance of all believers future life in the presence of Christ is wrong, not biblically based.

 

 

 

2.  Life is Scrutinized for Possible Reward  2:12

 

 

- Paul is in the context seeking to motivate Timothy and by application, every believer of the C/A to be consistently faithful to the Lord in his life.  Makes  a difference now as well as in eternity.

 

Z. Hodges  notes related to this context "neatly balances" Christian certitudes with Christian responsibilities."

 

 

1st conditional statement  "if we endure,"  pres = dominating factor in one's life;  u`pome,nw  this verb is used to describe patient endurance while dealing with the circumstances of life, the pressures of the day.

 

- If we are endure, we are promised here in the conclusion, that  this endurance will lead to special reward over and above the promise of vs:11, living with Christ, made to all!

 

 

2nd conditional statement   "if we deny Him, He will deny us."

 

 

- If we deny Him; like if we endure; 1cc pres = dominating characteristic is one of denial of truth, dvpt in the life of believer; clearly life would not be characterized by endurance.

 

 

This unrewarded believer "will still live with Christ!"  As 2:11 stated emphatically.

- So it’s a denial of reward not of salvation, living with Christ!

 

 

3.  2:13 Still Secure in Spite of Scrutiny.

This verse affirms that the absolute security of all believers is based on the faithfulness of God.

 

 

The "if" clause:  "If we are faithless"  describes the condition of those who in context are regenerate people, the unfaithful soldier; faithlessness is not in saving faith but in living out the word, walking worthy, patiently enduring in the tough situations of life!  (application of truth)

 

The conditional clause: "He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself."

The unfaithful believer is assured here that despite his failures, God keeps on remaining faithful. (gnomic pres. always  true) Why?? How??  For He cannot deny Himself.

 

Where is the believer from the point of Salvation? In Christ!

What does the believer possess?  Imputed righteousness of Christ!  Eternal life!

He cannot deny you the believer without denying Himself!

 

 

 

So what do we find here? Between the 2 pillars of certainty, vs:11 if we have died with Him we shall live with Him and vs:13  "He remains faithful for He  cannot deny Himself" lay 2 alternatives both being possibilities for our life.

 

 

Not only is this passage a tremendous promise of security in Him but also a promise that should motivate us to walk worthy of our calling, glorifying Him in our daily life!

 

 

5. Family approach:  John 1:12;  Gal 3:26

 

1)  By faith in Christ Jesus, we are born into the family of God, and once we are born into the family of God, there is nothing we can do to get "unborn" out of the family of God.

 

 

 

2)  In a similar manner, once you are born into the family of God, you are a member of God’s family forever.  Perhaps a disobedient member, but no-less a member of the family of God.

 

 

 

6. Body example: 1 Cor. 12:13,21

 

The point is this:

1)  For the body to be one (whole), it must have all it's members:  fingers, toes, eyes, ears, etc.

2)   Every believer is a member of the Body of Christ.

3)   Once a member is added to the Body of Christ, God never amputates (cuts-off) any of the members; otherwise, the Body would not be one (whole).

4)   You may be a blind eye, a deaf ear, a sore toe, or a withered hand, but you are still a member of the Body of Christ.

5)   The Body of Christ will be presented to God the Father as a whole Body, a complete Body, at the coming of Christ (the rapture).