The following article on eternal security is taken from an online publication, Foundations: Building the Faith. It’s used by Village Ministries International in their disciple making minisrty around the world. They seek to evangelize the lost and to equip the saints by training local pastors to teach others.
Foundations can be downloaded for free at https://villageministries.org. It is very good resource that can be used to help new believers grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Concerning eternal security, they base their understanding on four different approaches:
1. The Logical Approach
Now, let us consider three examples of a Logical Approach to Eternal Security. First, since salvation is by grace through faith and not works, then salvation cannot be lost through works such as sin (Ephesians 2:8-9). Second, since the “new birth” makes us “sons of God,” then our failures cannot change whom our Father is (John 1:12-13; 2 Timothy 2:13). Third, since God did the most for us while we were His enemies by saving us, He would not do less for us now that we are saved by casting us off (Romans 5:9-10).
2. The Positional Approach
The Positional Approach to Eternal Security is based on the fact that the Believer is said to be “in” Jesus Christ and that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). In Christ, the love of the Father for the Believer is equal to the Father’s love for His Son, especially since we are now also His sons (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:38-39; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:5-8). In fact, we already share Christ’s resurrection, which is not subject to death (Ephesians 2:6). Another important consideration is that the “Head” cannot remove members of His body and have a complete body (1 Corinthians 12:13). We will always be a part of Him.
3. The Protective Approach
The Protective Approach to Eternal Security is based on Christ’s present session at the right hand of the Father where He is our defense attorney who battles Satan (1 John 2:1-2; Revelation 12:10). He was the Mediator (“man-in-the-middle”) between God and man who gained for man a better covenant (Galatians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). Now He intercedes for His elect so as to secure and protect them (Romans 8:31-39). Anyone who tries to “snatch His sheep from His hand” is attacking the Omnipotence of the Father and Son (John 10:27-29). (Author’s note: that seems secure to me!)
4. The Spiritual Approach
The Spiritual Approach to Eternal Security is based on our relationship to the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes unsaved mankind, born in the flesh of “corruptible seed,” and at the point of faith in Jesus Christ causes them to be born of “incorruptible seed.” Thus, we cannot again die (1 Corinthians 15:42, 52; 1 Peter 1:22-25; John 11:25-26). There are also several gifts given to us at the instant of salvation that are presented as complete and irrevocable, which come from the Holy Spirit (Romans 11:29). The Holy Spirit indwells the Believer at the point of salvation and is the down payment on the Believer’s resurrection body (Romans 8:9; 1 John 2:27; 2 Corinthians 1:22). The Holy Spirit also baptizes those who believe into union with Christ (Romans 8:9; 1 John 2:27) and seals the Believer with respect to the day of redemption (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13, 14; 4:30). **
**Copyright © 2001 Village Ministries International, Inc. Reprinted with permission. Foundations is a publication of Village Ministries International, Inc. http://www.villageministries.org
Anyone can have100% assurance of going to heaven, when trusting in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. That is the gospel. But many lack complete assurance because they subtly begin to focus on their thoughts and behavior rather than on the Savior. We don’t look to ourselves for assurance. We look to Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). Assurance can only come from taking God at His word.
I invite you to follow with me as we continue to explore God’s amazing grace and assurance of heaven to everyone that believes the gospel.
Assurance of Heaven 