Lesson 521

(Lesson 521)(01-19-13) Ephesians 2:1-10, "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. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

This lesson relates how, through the righteousness of Christ, those of us who are saved inherit that same righteousness and are protected by it throughout eternity.
Paul said, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

That statement makes it abundantly clear that, after we have accepted Christ, what we do in our everyday lives, has NOTHING to do with whether or not we are saved, nor does it make a difference as to whether or not we remain saved. Our salvation is NOT dependent upon whether or not we "sin" after we have been redeemed. When a person places his/her soul into the saving hands of Jesus Christ, nothing they do is sin.Those things we do after we have been saved are "justified" by God, through Jesus Christ. Remember Acts 13:38-39, "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." and , John 3:9, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

The majority of today's isms believe that it is possible to "fall from grace". However, as we see in this lesson, that is impossible according to the word of God. Further proof that once we are saved, we are indeed eternally saved, can be found in Hebrews 6:4-6, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Ephesians 1:12-13, "That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise"

As is said here, if one could break the seal of the Holy Spirit and fall away from salvation, the only means of redeeming that salvation would be to re-crucify Jesus. We know that is not going to happen.
Those who fear the security of their souls should re-examine their faith, do you have faith in your own actions, or is your faith totally in Jesus Christ?

The Ephesians exemplified righteousness, not because it was necessary to their salvation, but because of their love of God.~