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NASB | Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Philippians 1:6 I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]. [Rom 14:10] |
Subject: does bible teach eternal security? |
Bible Note: mgdj7 - Sir or Madam: This is your first post. May it be assumed you are new to the Forum? Then, welcome! There is, as JVH pointed out, a sizeable accumulation of material here on the Forum having to do with this very important yet somewhat disputed doctrine. One of the prerequisities I think in being able to grasp the concept of the eternal security of the believer is in having a real understanding of what grace really is. As a boy in Sunday School I remember its having been defined as "unmerited favor" and even that simple definition was a bit murky to me then. But that's really what the grace of God is. It's God's unconditional love (agape) for humankind. Our love by and large is conditional (eros). We love with a hook, as it were. We give love, but attach a hook to it in order to catch love, to bring love back to us, to be requitted. We say, "I love Mary now, but if she acts up and does things in the future that I don't like, I may stop loving her." Conditional (eros). God says, "I love you now and even if you act up and do things in the future that I don't like, I will love you still." Unconditional (agape). God is a transcendent God. There is nothing to compare him with. His love is agape love, utterly unconditional. Ours is based more on eros, conditonal love, love with a hook. Our minds come to the end of their tether; we simply cannot fully understand the transcendent God and the depth and nature of His love. So we try to re-image God, to make Him anthropomorphic in the mistaken hope that we will be able to understand Him better. So what kind of love would an anthropomorphic (having human attributes) God have? The same as ours. conditional love, love with a hook, love that requires something of the one loved in order to keep it going. Our natural proclivity is to compare the nature of God's love with the nature of ours. That's why we balk at the concept that God can reach out to us with a love so profound and so utterly selfless that He will save us eternally without any works or deeds or conditions whatever. We are saved by grace, by God's grace alone, through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Does it then become easier to see why we wrestle so hard in trying to come to terms with the concept of the eternal security of the believer? By way of reference, in addition to what JVH has suggested, you might want to consult the MacArthur Study Bible if you have a copy or can lay hands on one. In the very back of the volume right before the maps you will find an appendix called "Overview of Theology." Go to the sub-section under Salvation titled Security. There you will find a string of Biblical references on the subject which will provide you with much material for study and reflection. If you are unable to locate this resource, post a note on the Forum and JVH or I can provide you with them. I pray that God will guide you in your search for His eternal truth. Hank. |