One of the greatest assurances as a Christian is eternal life. When a person genuinely trusts Jesus Christ as his Savior, who died on the cross for his sins and believes that Jesus rose again, he receives eternal life. Jesus said this about eternal life, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3) In other words, because I have become a child of God, I have a relationship with the God of the Universe! That relationship is eternal, because I didn’t do anything for it and I can’t do something that will cause me to lose it. It’s eternal. I like to use acrostics, so here’s one for you – FISHLEGS. It’s how I try to remember eight different approaches to understanding eternal life/security.
What will I have as a Christian? FISHLEGS
· Family Approach John 1:12; Hebrews 2:11-13
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12)
11For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” 13 And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” (Heb 2:11-13)
· Inheritance Approach 1 Peter 1:4
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, (1Pet. 1:3-4)
· Sealing Approach Ephesians 1:13
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (Eph 1:13)
· Hands Approach John 10:28-30
28And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone 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 My Father’s hand. 30 “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)
· Logical Approach Romans 8:38-39
38For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 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. (Rom 8:38-39)
· Election Approach Ephesians 1:4
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, (Eph 1:4)
· Grammar Approach Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (Eph 2:8)
· Sovereign Approach Romans 8:28-30
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Rom 8:28-30)
The question now, however, is how does this affect how I live? It does not mean I can live anyway I want to – the way my flesh wants to. It means I can live any way God wants me to live. In other words, Jesus Christ is my focus, desire and fulfillment. It means that I am living according to the fullness of the Scriptures. It means I’m seeking to love God and live out His will in every aspect of my life. It means that I’m diligently trying to reach others to help them know Jesus Christ, so I can help them understand wonderful truths like Eternal Security. How then should I live? Holy, pursuing truth, living out grace and walking humbly before the Lord!
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