Morning Moments

"Preacher", he said, "I'll give you $10,000 if you can show me anywhere in the Bible that it says, 'once saved, always saved.'" I said, "You are safe because the Bible doesn't say it."He was shocked. He continued, "the father of the prodigal son said his son was dead, but now his is alive." Yep, that's what he said. I let him talk until he had made his point. Then I answered:

"Once saved, always saved" is an expression Baptists use inappropriately because the Bible nowhere says it, BUT if you will believe what you read and not what you think you believe I will show you something. I continued -

Who is the boy across the table from us?" "My son", he said. "What could he do to not be your son?" "Well, I could disown him," he said. Would that make him NOT your blood son?" "I guess not, but you will not convince me that a person can be saved and do whatever he wants to do."

"Who said that?"

"Well that's what people say that believe in eternal security."

"Wait a minute! So you are telling me that when someone believes in the security of the believer, he is saying that one who is saved can live however he wishes to live?"

"Exactly!"

"Well, this is why we have all these stupid divisions in Christianity and so many denominations, because one has an opinion about this and another an opinion about that. But tell me, do you believe the Scripture?"

"Of course I do."

"Okay then let's read it - 'Whosoever is born of God cannot continue in a lifestyle of sin because God's seed REMAINS in him.' Now let's make sure we understand this. Regardless of what you boy does, he remains you biological son, right?

"Sure but that is different. My son would never ..."
at
"Why not?"

"Because he is MY son and he knows better."

"You have just proven my point. God's seed REMAINS in us as true believers, which means that He who began a good work in me will continue it unto the day of redemption. He is working in me to will and to do of His good pleasure."

"Well, preacher, if what you are saying is true, most church people are lost."

"I can't say that, but I can say that Jesus said, 'Don't pull us the weeds with the wheat." That will be done at harvest. But what I can tell you is that eternal life does not come in installments and it is not a quanity of life but a quality of life that is known and possess only those who are IN Christ because they have Christ IN them. They may sin, but it is NOT their lifestyle. It is not a way of life for them, and the goodness of God leads them to repentance."

STOP LEANING TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING! The Scripture does not contradict itself and it is NOT the possession of your denomination or your personal feeling or interpretation. Besides greater minds that ours and those more godly than we have debated certain issues and divided congregations because OPINIONS became the basisi of fellowship rather than JESUS.

BELEIVE IT! LOVE IT! LIVE IT! END OF STORY!

BLESSINGS!