"Eternal Security"

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39 NIV).

It is always a little difficult to attempt to do justice to a complex theological doctrine in such a short space as the Morning Devotionals, however I am compelled to spend a moment in thought about how we are eternally secure!

Watchman Nee tells about a new convert who came in deep distress to see him. "No matter how much I pray, no matter how hard I try, I simply cannot seem to be faithful to my Lord. I think I'm losing my salvation." Nee said, "Do you see this dog here? He is my dog. He is house-trained; he never makes a mess; he is obedient; he is a pure delight to me. Out in the kitchen I have a son, a baby son. He makes a mess, he throws his food around, he fouls his clothes, he is a total mess. But who is going to inherit my kingdom? Not my dog; my son is my heir. You are Jesus Christ's heir because it is for you that He died." We are Christ's heirs, not through our perfection but by means of His grace.

I know it is easy to ask, “So what?” Well, for me it is entirely the central principle around which I build my hope and joy in the present. To know that my future is secure makes my present so much easier to deal with in the face of trial and challenge. When I face these moments that sometimes threaten to shake the very foundation of my hope, I can remember that Paul said NOTHING can separate me from the love of my eternal Father, not in this world or the next!

Our world is different than that. I have heard the story told of a manager and a sales rep standing looking at a map on which colored pins indicate the company representative in each area. "I'm not going to fire you, Wilson," the manager says, "but I'm loosening your pin a bit just to emphasize the insecurity of your situation." Let me tell you that because of the work of Christ on the cross, your “pin” is never loosened! That ought to make you smile inside and out! We are eternally secure!