The first time that God is quoted in the Scriptures, He is quoted as saying: "Let there be light," and the recorder of this unique request continues: "And there was light." Though indefinable, light dispels darkness. Though a mystery, hid from the foundation of the world, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, dispels the darkness of a human soul. The Son of God has always been a Divider, and the ancient scribe records that God created two great lights to "divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good." The soul that "to Jesus for refuge has fled" has been divided from the soul that continues by nature in darkness. Yet beneath the in-explainable crush of impending darkness about us today, stout hearts have failed in spite of the Light of the World because of fear of what must shortly come to pass. Days are full of dread.
Faith has yielded to fear, and courage to cowardice. Profession without possession has brought multitudes down into the befogged valley of doubt and uncertainty. Like John Bunyan's Pilgrim, many who term themselves Christian wallow about in the Slough of Despond, or, as if without hope, in Doubting Castle. A life of defeat is not uncommon among believers who have been robbed of the joy and blessing they once knew.
Life is full of transitions. In the physical, there is the change from childhood to youth to old age. The mental parallels it. But life's greatest transition is the New Birth. It is that transition from death itself into life in Christ. It is the transition when doubt and uncertainty are crystallized into confidence and certainty. It is as F. W. Boreham has said: "A notable transition from the realm of 'I think' into the realm of 'I know.'" The certainty of the life in Christ is the strongest bulwark for the believer's soul. This it is that stablishes a man's soul and sets him on his way to a place and an environment that fadeth not away.
The Apostle Paul never forgot the hour of his transition. Before, he lived at enmity with the Captain of his salvation. After, he lived a life of victory and fearlessness as he scaled the heights of a calm and undisturbed confidence in the declarative statements of God. The preaching and practices of Paul were now in the realm of "I know." His messages were accented with a strong belief in the eternal truths that were revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. Doubt, fear, instability of purpose were all conquered by the knowledge of Him whom Paul believed.
In 2 Timothy 1:12 the Apostle Paul testified: "... For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." The matter of Paul's salvation was not a conjecture. It was a certainty! The assurance that gripped his soul was the result of the Apostle's personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul does not say, "I know what I have believed," but rather, "I know whom I have believed." Here is an important and eternal difference! The former statement might imply that Paul had placed his confidence in any one of a number of things. But we know that this was not the case. He had deposited his soul with Jesus Christ, and he was strongly persuaded that his Lord was able to keep the deposit safe.
To what was Paul's certainty of salvation attributed? First, it was assurance based upon an experience. Experience is knowledge gained by a practical and personal acquaintance with any matter. When any man bows to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, he can testify that his salvation is experiential. When Jacob spent one night with the Lord at Peniel, he experienced a transition that removed all doubt as to whose he was. When Isaiah met God in a vision, he was ready to go anywhere at the Lord's command. When John faced the Son of God, he fell at His feet as dead. Saul of Tarsus needed only to come face to face with Jesus Christ on the Damascus highway to be forever certain of the eternal destiny of his soul. Have you met the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you possess such knowledge of the destiny of your soul? If you have had an experience with the Son of God, you have a basis for the certainty of your salvation. Rise up from your Slough of Despond! Scale the sunlit peak of certainty, and say with the mighty Apostle: "I know whom I have believed."
"You ask me how I know that Jesus saves me,
How I know that all my sins are white as snow,
You ask me how I know that He forgave me,
Now listen! I will tell you how I know.
"I was there when it happened, and I ought to know,
His Spirit burning in me set my heart aglow,
So I praise the Lord today, He has washed my sins away,
I was there when it happened, and I ought to know."
Then, too, Paul could base the certainty of his salvation upon the fact that the Holy Spirit bore witness with his human spirit that he was a child of the Lord. He declares: "The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God" (Rom. 8:16, A.S.V.). This is enduring. Though a philosopher bases his conclusions upon theory, these soon fail when his theory is replaced by a new idea of philosophy. But the Christian has been born again by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, and into his heart the Spirit has entered to abide. No modern idea of philosophy, no persuasion of dogma, no volume of high-sounding adjectives can rob the believer of the witness of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The moment one is born again the Holy Spirit bears witness to the eternal relationship between the newborn child of God and his heavenly Father. How blessedly real and sweet was the recognition of his parents by the writer's own little son when he was only nine months old. Not one of us needs to be sure of everything, but everyone should make sure that he has the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins. God intends a believer to know that the eternal destiny of his soul is dependent upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and so has placed a witness within. "Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit" (1 John 4:13).
Finally, the basis for the certainty of our salvation is the Word of God. If you are not certain that you are saved, but are anxious to be so, then you are guilty of neglecting the reading of the Bible, or your uncertainty is the offspring of unbelief. The Israelites in Egypt on the night of the Passover had no cause for doubt and uncertainty. If the blood were sprinkled on the doorposts they were unquestionably safe. God had said: "When I see the blood I will pass over you." The blood sprinkled on the outside satisfied God, and His Word on the inside satisfied His children. The shed blood of Christ is our safety, and the spoken Word of God is our surety.
John the Baptist preached the Word of the Lord "to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins" (Luke 1:77). "These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:13).
"I need no other argument
I want no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me."
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28).
The Apostle shows that the whole of God's dealings is directed toward the ultimate good of those who love Him. Whether or not we see and believe it, we may be sure that the purposes of God are going forward steadily to their intended climax. Here, then, is a daring defiance of every enemy of the soul.
There are many things that we do not know. "Ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (Matt. 24:42). "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power" (Acts 1:7). "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought" (Rom. 8:26). These passages show us that our vision and understanding are limited in regard to some things. Only God has all knowledge, and though now we see through a glass darkly, knowing not what a day may bring forth, we may know with absolute certainty that "all things work together for good"—yes, "all things," and be sure that they "work together," too. This is the common knowledge of the saints of God. To believe otherwise is to doubt the ability and the omnipotence of your heavenly Father.
God can mean all things for good because He is always present in every circumstance through which we must pass. If I can believe that He will never leave me nor forsake me, then I find little difficulty in believing that He will work all things together for my good. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar's golden image under threat of being cast into the fiery furnace. Believing Jehovah would be present to deliver them, they declared: "Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up" (Dan. 3:18). Whereupon they were bound and cast into the midst of the fiery furnace. The king, desiring to watch his victims suffer, looked into the flame, and was astonished to find four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire unhurt. His surprise was greatly increased when he discovered that the form of the fourth Person was like the Son of God. The Lord Himself was present.
When faced with the fire, the three Hebrew young men could scarcely see how God could mean it all for good. But as they came forth from the midst of the fire they beheld the wicked and ungodly tyrant on his face before the Lord, crying: "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego." This was present, temporal good made visible to the godly sufferers. How their hearts must have thrilled to behold earth's mighty monarch bowing to the lordship and mastery of the King of kings! God has never promised that affliction shall be eliminated from the experiences of His children. Contrariwise, He allows us to undergo severe trials while He makes sure that they have no power to destroy us. Tribulation may be present, but He makes possible the victory. "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God" because our Lord is always at hand under all circumstances. David testifies:
"If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me" (Psa. 139:8-10).
The certainty of satisfaction can be our possession upon the basis not only of the presence of God, but also of the past experiences of men who have found it to be so. God's dealing with Old Testament saints teaches us, as their experience had taught them, that "all things work together for good." Few of us are unfamiliar with the suffering of Joseph and the subsequent sorrow of his father Jacob. Though loved by his father, his brethren hated him. Their animosity and jealousy drove them to conspire against him to slay him, but seeing no profit in such a procedure they sold him into slavery. Joseph was carried into Egypt a pauper and a bankrupt, but not for long. Soon, in the providence of God, he was raised to the honored position of second to none save the king. Though once reduced to the lowly estate of a prison dungeon, he was later exalted to position and riches, becoming the instrument of preserving his brethren and his aged father.
It is obvious that all human purposes were intended for evil against him; but never once was Joseph left alone, for God was with him. These were the dying words of the last of the patriarchs: "And Joseph said unto them... ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good" (Gen. 50:19, 20).
Do all things work together for good? Some Christians have been heard to say that they are waiting for a "break" or "trusting to luck." Beloved Christian, face the baffling circumstances of this crucial hour no matter how trying they may be, for "we know" that God means them for our good. If God's Word is forever settled in Heaven—and it is—then we dare seize upon this glorious certainty with a faith that voices no hesitation. There should be no lingering doubt with such divine information. Therefore, fortify yourself against all opposing forces and their surprise attacks. The Lord is at hand. He means it all for good.
"God meant it unto good"—O blest assurance,
Falling like sunshine all across life's way,
Touching with Heaven's gold earth's darkest storm clouds,
Bringing fresh peace and comfort day by day.
"Thy Lord, who sees the end from the beginning,
Hath purposes for thee of love untold.
Then place thy hand in His and follow fearless,
Till thou the riches of His grace behold.
"There, when thou standest in the home of Glory,
And all life's path lies open to thy gaze,
Thine eyes shall SEE the Hand which now thou trustest
And magnify His love through endless days."
Among the many things that are destroying the peace of not a few Christians is the fear of eternal punishment. When a Christian is dominated by this fear, not only does he deprive himself of a tranquil life, but he limits the grace of God in salvation. To those who suffer under this dilemma the Apostle Paul writes: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:38, 39). Paul does not use the word "know," but he applies a term which is much stronger. He says: "I am persuaded." He meant that he had been drawn to determination. There is a difference between knowing a truth and being persuaded of that truth in your heart. Elsewhere Paul said: "I know, and am persuaded..." (Rom. 14:14). He possessed both a head knowledge and a heart conviction. (Many Christians know that certain habits, practices, and pleasures are sinful, yet they have not been sufficiently persuaded in the heart to have surrendered them to the Lord.) Having committed his soul into Christ's care, the Apostle now was persuaded that no power, however great, could tear him away from the Saviour in whom he had trusted. He was being kept by the power of God.
This is the unpopular subject of "The Eternal Security of the Believer." We are told that the expression should never be used because of the resentment against it, but the writer feels that it is almost impossible to face the anti-eternal security tremor apart from using the term "eternal security."
Those who oppose this doctrine tell us that there is no Biblical basis for the expression "eternal security." Though it does not appear in these words, yet "eternal" is used frequently in connection with the purposes of God on behalf of all who accept the Lord Jesus as personal Saviour. The believer is said to have "eternal life" (1 John 5:13). It is stated that he possesses "eternal salvation" (Heb. 5:9). His redemption is called "eternal redemption" (Heb. 9:12). If the soul of the Christian is eternally secure—and it is—then we conclude that it is in order to speak of "The Eternal Security of the Believer."
The doubting and disillusioned Christian says that if he does not hold on until the end, he will not be saved at last. When we turn back to the eighth chapter of Romans, we discover that God is for us no matter who or whatever else is against us (verse 31). Our worst enemies may oppose us, but God is still for us. Circumstances may cause us to doubt, but God is still for us. Paul arrives at the peak of Christian position when he states that there is no power seen or unseen; past, present, or future, that can separate us from the love of God. This is because God's love is in Christ, and the true believer is hid with Christ in God. Since God's love is forever fixed in His Son, we too are eternally fixed in Him.
In Romans 8:35, Paul asks the question: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" God Himself answers the question by His Word—
Shall tribulation? "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience" (Rom. 5:3).
Distress? "Therefore I take pleasure... in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:10). "They cried unto the Lord in their troubles, and He delivered them out of their distresses" (Psalm 107:6).
Persecution? "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake..." (Matt. 5:10). "Persecuted, but not forsaken" (2 Cor. 4:9).
Famine? "In the days of famine they shall be satisfied" (Psalm 37:19). "My God shall supply all your need" (Phil. 4:19).
Nakedness? "We shall not be found naked" (2 Cor. 5:3). "He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness" (Isa. 61:10).
Sword? "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear" (Psalm 27:3).
From these passages it is obviously clear that the Christian is not only saved, but gloriously safe. We must accept salvation, but God will keep us saved. We are forever safe because our Lord has promised to keep us. Jesus said: "My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand" (John 10:29).
Dr. Dale of Birmingham was asked by a Roman Catholic priest, whom he greatly respected, when he was going to begin to look after his soul and cease from public works. The doctor replied: "I have deposited my soul with Christ to look after, and He can do it much better than I can."
The doctrine of the believer's security cannot be looked at apart from Jesus Christ. As in the case of every other doctrine, He is the center and the circumference. The doctrine stands or falls according to its relation to the Lord Jesus Christ. My being kept safe is not dependent upon my perseverance, but upon His. The writer to the Hebrews has said: "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25). Here we see not only that Christ saves us, but that He saves us to the uttermost—"He is able." Satan would steal away our salvation, but "He is able." Our enemies would spoil us for Heaven, but "He is able."
It is given to every Christian to mount the glorious heights of the certainty of the security of his soul. We are bound too closely to Jesus Christ to fear the most vicious foes of Christian life and liberty. Therefore, take full possession by faith now, for nothing can break the tie that binds the heart of God to the hearts of His children. Say with Paul: "I am persuaded."
The Word of God is a Lamp unto our feet and a Light unto our path. To believe it, is to be delivered from the power of darkness and to have the Light of life. It guarantees the believer's salvation, his satisfaction, and his security. Let us lay hold upon this triad of truth, and walk in the light as He is in the light; for He is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all. This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.