By Glen R. Jackman
We are not simply “once saved, always saved” unless we always remain in our reconciled position, one in Christ and remain in Christ, in a continuum without falling away into sin and from the Lord’s grace and protection. This agrees with Hebrews 10: 29: “How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?”
Are we to exercise effort in our Christian life?
The Apostle Peter, indicated that though we are cleansed from sin by the precious blood of Christ, he also revealed that we can indeed fall away from grace if we are not careful and enact a lifestyle of holy discipline in our lives as we focus on remaining obedient to our Lord. “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love”. (2 Peter 1:5-7)
To make “every effort” does not mean legalism, rather it shows that our motive is to stay united to Christ. We are cautioned to lead godly lives: “But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 1:9, 10)
The Holy Spirit facilitates our growth in Gace
In order to be assured of salvation and make our entrance into the everlasting Kingdom sure, we must be born again of the Holy Spirit, which means being indwelt with Jesus Christ Who alone facilitates spiritual growth in grace and Christian character. Peter further explains in context that by maintaining our unity with Christ we can be assured that you are secure in him (having not fallen) and live eternally: “For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. (2 Peter 1: 10-11)
Finally scripture proves emphatically what we all believe, confirming that some may not be forever saved: “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen”. (verses 17-18) Evidently a Christian can slip away from Christ and “fall” back into the world and sin; which means fall from a secure position.
Jesus Himself taught that some people who believe they are saved are rather judged as condemned sinners on the final Day of Judgment: “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7: 22-23) Here we see the effect of works without the “secure position” of remaining in Christ.
The Christian Life calls to mindfulness
Paul warned us to stay focused and remain on the alert because we all will face the Christian warfare of overcoming sin and the devil’s ploys while on this earth: “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people”. (Ephesians 6: 16-18) He tells us that we have the resources to overcome sin because He will guard us from temptation too difficult to bear if we rely on God: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it”. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
We have the tools to overcome sin
Peter strongly advocated the use of the Word of God to overcome sin and the corruption of the world: “To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires”. (2 Peter 1: 1-4) It is clear that we can belong to the group of men and women who overcome sin by the blood of the Lamb.
It is clear that we can belong to the group of men and women who overcome sin by the blood of the Lamb. Victory and Freedom in Christ In unity with the Word, our minds must be empowered by the Spirit and the Word activated in our lives. This is done by abiding in Christ Who allows for us to meet the law’s requirements because the Spirit
Victory and Freedom in Christ In unity with the Word, our minds must be empowered by the Spirit and the Word activated in our lives. This is done by abiding in Christ Who allows for us to meet the law’s requirements because the Spirit behind the Law is only at enmity with the fleshy mind: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death”. (Romans 8: 1-2) The only way to victory is for true Christian who desires and submits His life to be guided daily by the Spirit – men and women “led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (verse 14)
The Lord provides His Grace and Righteousness to cover our shortcomings when we allow him to govern our lives via the Spirit. Moreover “the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires”. ( Romans 8: 4-5) As Christians, we all must use our minds to wilfully and obediently choose to ask God for help when we are tempted. We are promised victory and that potential for victory belongs to the Holy Spirit: “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith”. (1 John 5:4)
The power of responsible choice We are involved as decision makers during our lives. We must choose to allow the Holy Spirit to give us victory over sin so that we may overcome sin and Satan: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city”. (Revelation 22:14) Thus, the cleansing process from sin engages our minds and calls us into obedient reliance upon the Lord’s indwelling Presence. The Word of God gives ample guidance in the New Covenant scriptures that are common to all Christians, referred to as the doctrine of Sanctification. This teaching engages our will as we cooperate in the work of the Holy Spirit within ur heart and as such could be referred to as “Responsible Sanctification”.