Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional and the last week in our Summer Inspiration series. Today, we consider the comforting truth that God will never let us fall away from Him.
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‘To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 1:1-6)
Yesterday, we considered how many struggle with the truth of election and predestination - that it’s God who began the good work of salvation in us; today, we see that many also struggle to believe that a Christian cannot be lost. For some reason, many feel more inclined to believe that their security depends on their remaining faithful, rather than resting in God’s faithfulness as the grounds for their security in salvation. Today we see that God’s almighty hold on us, rather than our puny hold on Him, is the foundation of our security.
Paul tells the Philippians that He is, ‘confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…’ He will ‘carry it on’! Jesus puts the doctrine of ‘The Perseverance of the Saints’ in this way:
‘My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”’ (John 10:27-30)
Jesus’ sheep are recognised by their new heart for Him and their desire to hear and obey His voice. In other words, true Christians are recognised by love for Christ - not perfect holiness - but a new heart for Him and His Word. And, to such people - to Jesus’ sheep - He promises that nothing and no one can snatch them out of His hands - nothing can cause them to become unloved, unsaved and lost!
Response
Why is this doctrine important? Firstly, it honours God that He never breaks His covenants. He has promised to save us in Christ and will keep His covenantal promise!
Secondly, it’s important to believe that a Christian cannot be lost because, even though it may throw up questions, it is the plain teaching of The Bible and, therefore, important to believe.
Finally, it’s important to believe because when we are feeling like failures and feeling lost, our security is in God’s perspective of us rather than how we feel. He has justified us and adopted us in Christ and will never condemn or reject. Let’s all agree with God’s word that, ‘He who began a good work in you will carry it on’!
Community group notes and study
Groups will begin again in the week beginning 16th September. If you do meet with your group, feel free to use any of the devotionals as a basis for your study.
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