Saved and Secure!

Ephesians 2:1-7, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

I wrote in the margin of my Bible beside this passage:

• God found me... - Dead (vs.1) - Disobedient (vs.2) - Depraved (vs.3a) - Doomed (vs.3b)

• But praise God he... - Loved me (vs.4) - Quickened me - gave me eternal life (vs.5) - Exalted me (vs.6) - Secures me (vs.7)
  

It is just as thrilling to know that my salvation is eternally secure as it is to be saved in the first place.

1. Notice the Purpose that God secures us. Ephesians 2:7, "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." "That..." means: "in order that; to the intent; with the objective of." a. God saves us and secures our salvation for His glory! If we could save ourselves or keep ourselves saved, God would get no glory. If we could lose our salvation, we would lose our salvation, and God would get not glory. Too often, when considering our salvation, we start by focusing on ourselves and what we receive from it—what God has done for us. Nonetheless, it's crucial to realize that God ultimately saves and secures us for His glory. b. God saves us and secures our salvation for a testimony of His love, mercy, and grace. "...shew..." means: "to demonstrate; put forth; display." For all eternity, God will hold up believers as a trophy of His grace. Ephesians 3:10, "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God," Our salvation and security is a testimony to the spirit world of God's great wisdom. 1 Timothy 1:16, "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." Our salvation and security is a testimony to following generation of God's great mercy. There is far more to our salvation and security than simply what we get out of it.
   

2. Notice the Power of God that Secures us! We are confident that our salvation is secure to all ages to come because: a. Saved people are "born" into the family of God.

   (John 1:12-13; 3:3-5) It is impossible to be "unborn" out of the family of God. b. Saved people have "eternal life." (John 3:16) God does not give the believer "temporary life" or "probationary life," but eternal life! Eternal life is life that lasts eternally! c. Lost people never have been saved. Matthew 7:22-23) Jesus said, "I never knew you." They didn't have salvation and lose it, they never had it to begin with. d. It is not God's will that a saved person lose their salvation. (John 6:37-40) Our salvation and security is dependent upon Jesus. For a believer to lose their salvation would me that Jesus failed the Heavenly Father. e. Saved people are "...in Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:21) Believers are just as secure in Christ as Noah was safe in the Ark. f. Saved people are kept by the Holy Ghost. (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30) g. Saved people are kept by the power of God. (1 Peter 1:3-5) h. Jesus promised that saved people would never go to Hell ("perish")! (John 10:28)
   

3. Notice the Product of God Saving and Securing Us. Some want to suggest that the doctrine of eternal security promotes sinful living; that it is some sort of "license to sin." Nothing could be farther from the truth. God NEVER gives anyone a "license to sin!" Study Hebrews 12 very carefully. Sin in the life of a believer is dealt with and disciplined very firmly and thoroughly. God absolutely disciplines His children, but he never disowns His children. a. A secure salvation produces a desire to live a pure life. (1 John 3:3) The privilege's of having a secure salvation places upon me a great responsibility to live a pure life. b. A secure salvation produces confidence and peace in the heart and soul. (2 Timothy 1:12) A secure salvation enables me to sing in prison and give God thanks in all situations. c. A secure salvation produces the privilege of influencing the physical and spiritual world. When we humble ourselves and give God the glory for our secure salvation, He then works in and through us to bring others to Christ.