Security Verses Assurance

1st John 1:4, “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”

I heard a wonderful MP3 sermon today by Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold titled, “Security Verses Assurance,” in which he makes the following helpful statement:

“Assurance of your salvation is how you see it, and your perception can be based upon what somebody told you to look at it. Like for example: Some say if you're really saved, it will manifest itself in your life. Well, if everybody looked at their life as the evidence of their salvation, [the] majority of people (I would say most people) would have to come to the conclusion, that they're not saved. If I had to look at my life, as the evidence to prove that I'm saved, I'd come up to the conclusion, I'm not. Because, how many sins would I tolerate? How many sins can I commit? How many questions and doubts? What about my thought life? Every person has enough in their life, that could be used as evidence, that they're not really saved. But you see, that's because you would lose assurance of your salvation; but, if you forget about looking at yourself, because your salvation doesn't depend on you, and it depends upon what Christ said, well [if] what Christ said is still true, and it doesn't lie, then you have eternal security based upon what God said. So God knows those whom He has saved, given eternal life, and are born into His family, and so you are safe and secure. But you may get to the place, where you no longer are full of assurance. When you study the book of 1st John, it talks about (as a child of God) having full joy—'that your joy may be full.' And your joy cannot be full if your assurance is missing.” —Pastor Ralph “Yankee” Arnold, from the MP3 sermon, “Security Verses Assurance.”

Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold further makes this tremendous helpful statement:

The doctrine of eternal security is not a separate doctrine from eternal life. If you have eternal life, you are safe and secure in the arms of the everlasting Father. Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” Our salvation in Jesus Christ is as secure and guaranteed as God's existence Himself. The only kind of life that God offers is “eternal” (or “everlasting”) life! John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” Oh my friend, if you are saved, you have everlasting life!!! Nothing can jeopardize our security in Christ! Whether I go to Heaven has nothing to do with whether I'm good or bad, but whether God is good or bad. We have a good God, Who has made a way of escape through the sacrifice of His dear only begotten Son on the cross for our sins. What an awesome God and Savior!!! —Pastor Ralph “Yankee” Arnold, from the MP3 sermon, “Security Verses Assurance.”

Pastor Hank Lindstrom (1940-2008) made these helpful statements:

“Nothing in my future can ever affect the salvation that I have... Once you trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are eternally secure!” —Pastor Hank Lindstrom (1940-2008), a quote from the classic MP3 sermon titled, “How Permanent Is Your Salvation?” 

“The Christian life doesn't save you! You're saved by Jesus Christ' death on the cross, and that alone, and it's important to understand the difference. And, it's true that we should not live a life that's opposed to the will of God after we're saved (We'll talk about what God will do, if we do live that kind of way). But, salvation is based upon purely what Jesus Christ has done. And if you've trusted Jesus Christ here, you're saved forever! Nothing in your life, nothing in your death, angels, principalities, nothing—nothing in your future—could ever undo that relationship that has been made when you trusted Jesus Christ as Savior. And there are many people who are confused over this whole thing.” —Pastor Hank Lindstrom (1940-2008), a quote from the classic MP3 sermon titled, “How Permanent Is Your Salvation?” 

“There are many people who name the name of Jesus Christ, who are not saved, because they're trusting in living the Christian life, or in their works, or in some efforts that they're doing, in order to obtain their salvation.” —Pastor Hank Lindstrom (1940-2008), a quote from the classic MP3 sermon titled, “How Permanent Is Your Salvation?”

You'd be surprised how many people faithfully attend church much of their life, but have never been born-again. Most people join a church because someone befriended and invited them, and then they gradually became a part of the church family, but if you were to ask them why they're going to Heaven, you'd find out quickly that they have never been saved at all. That's why I frequently pass out the awesome book by Michael P. Bowen called, “I NEVER KNEW YOU: THE HORROR OF THE COMING GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT AND HOW YOU CAN AVOID IT!” Here is the complete free online .PDF version.

How could somebody attend a local New Testament church for decades and still go to Hell? IT HAPPENS!!! It happens even in independent fundamental Baptist churches. The reason why is because living the Christian life is NOT the way to be saved. You get saved by placing your trust in the Good News of Jesus Christ, Who DIED on the cross for our sins, was BURIED, and bodily RESURRECTED three days later.

Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born-again. Nearly everyone who professes the name of Christ is guilty of this sin, relying upon the religious life they are living to get them into Heaven on day. Luke 13:23-24, “Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”