Trusting in Jesus
The gospel message is quite clear: Christ died for our sins! It is by believing this message that we are saved- if we hold fast the word preached thus proving ourselves to not have believed spuriously.
~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand,
2 by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;
In other words, one of the main tests of a Christian is he continues to be a Christian. Or said another way: true believers persevere in the faith. Not because our faith is so strong, but rather because His grip upon us is unbreakable.
The perseverance of the saints is a much misunderstood doctrine. The Scripture does not teach that just because someone makes a profession of faith they will never fall away.
The Scriptures are replete with passages that teach many will profess faith and yet their faith will not withstand the test of time. Of the four soils in Jesus’ parable- only one brought forth fruit. The stony and weedy places brought forth initial signs of life but due to various reasons they eventually proved lifeless.
This does not mean we have to work hard to keep our salvation. Rather it simply means that no matter what this life or Satan may throw at a true believer, even though they may waiver- yet at the end of the day they like Peter will say: “To whom else shall we go, you alone have the words of eternal life?”
So, when you look at your life- are you still trusting in Jesus and Him alone? Then praise God that He guards His beloved.
Because of grace,
Tim
