You Asked For It: Once Saved Always Saved?

Can You Lose Your Salvation? Understanding God's Love and Grace

For centuries, Christians have debated whether it's possible to lose your salvation. This challenging question stems from some seemingly scary verses in the Bible and touches on our deepest fears about our relationship with God.

What Does Salvation Really Mean?

Salvation is fundamentally about what God does, not what we do. Like someone trapped in a burning building who needs rescue, we cannot save ourselves from our spiritual condition. Jesus Christ came to rescue us from the consequences of our sin.

Two Important States of Salvation

According to Hebrews 10:14, believers exist in two simultaneous states:

1. Made perfect forever through Christ's sacrifice

2. Being made holy through an ongoing process

This creates an interesting tension - we are both completely saved and being transformed at the same time.

Is Faith Enough for Salvation?

While intellectual belief in God is important, James 2:19 reminds us that even demons believe in God. True saving faith requires more than just mental acknowledgment - it requires action and relationship.

What God Really Wants: Love and Relationship

The heart of salvation isn't about rules or religious duties - it's about love. Deuteronomy 6:5 reveals God's unchanging desire: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

Can Sin Cause Us to Lose Salvation?

Rather than asking if we can lose salvation like a possession, we should consider:

1. Can we fall out of love with God?

2. Can sin harden our hearts against God?

3. Are we holding firmly to our original conviction about needing a Savior?

Life Application

This week, focus on these key questions:

1. Are you treating salvation as a relationship with God or just a ticket to heaven?

2. What is your "original conviction" about needing Jesus as your Savior?

3. How can you demonstrate your love for God in practical ways?

Challenge: Each day this week, encourage another believer in their faith walk. Remember that today is always "today" - don't wait to start encouraging others.

Remember: Salvation is more about God's faithful love than our perfect performance. Keep your eyes on Jesus and hold firmly to your conviction that He alone is your Savior.

You Asked For It: Good Intention or Holy Intentions?

Understanding God's Justice and Love: Making Sense of Violence in the Bible

When reading the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, many struggle with passages where God commands the destruction of entire peoples. This challenging topic requires us to approach it with humility and an open mind to understand God's perspective.

The Difficult Command

In 1 Samuel 15:3 and Deuteronomy 20:16-17, God commands the complete destruction of certain peoples, including men, women, children, and animals. This seems to contradict our understanding of a loving God who gives life rather than takes it.

Why Would a Loving God Command Such Actions?

God's motivation was not religious persecution, but rather protection of His people from corrupting influences. These nations practiced horrific customs, including child sacrifice to false gods like Molech, where infants were placed on heated metal altars to die as acts of worship.

Understanding God's Holy Intentions vs. Our Good Intentions

While we may have good intentions in questioning these commands, God operates with holy intentions - seeing the full picture of how sin spreads and destroys. Like a surgeon removing diseased tissue to save a life, God sometimes must take severe action to prevent greater suffering and death.

The Consequences of Disobedience

When the Israelites failed to fully carry out God's commands, they were influenced by these nations' practices, leading to:

1. Adoption of child sacrifice

2. Worship of false gods

3. Widespread suffering and death

4. Eventually their own exile and judgment

God's Consistent Character

The same God who commanded judgment also:

1. Offered grace to anyone who would turn to Him (like Rahab)

2. Provided laws protecting foreigners who chose to follow Him

3. Ultimately sent Jesus as an innocent sacrifice to save humanity

Life Application

Consider these questions this week:

1. Where do I need to trust God's wisdom even when I don't fully understand His ways?

2. Am I humble enough to acknowledge that God's perspective is greater than mine?

3. How can I better appreciate both God's justice and mercy in my daily life?

Challenge: This week, practice surrendering your judgment in situations where you don't understand God's ways. Instead of questioning His methods, pray for understanding and trust in His perfect wisdom and love.

1st Thessalonians 4:1-8: Sactification

Understanding Sanctification: A Journey Towards Holiness

In today's sermon, we delved into the profound concept of sanctification, a process that God uses to make us holy. This journey is not just about avoiding sin but embracing a life that pleases God. Through the lens of biblical teachings, we explored how sanctification works and its significance in our Christian walk. Let's break down the key points and insights from the sermon.

What is Sanctification?

The Process of Becoming Holy

Sanctification is a big churchy word that essentially means the process of God making us holy. Holiness, in this context, means being set apart for God's purposes. This process is not instantaneous but a gradual transformation that the Holy Spirit works within us.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in sanctification. It is the Spirit's job to scrub the sin out of our lives, much like how mold needs to be eradicated from a house to prevent it from spreading. This cleansing process is ongoing and requires our cooperation and willingness to let the Spirit work in us.

The Importance of Pleasing God

Who Are You Trying to Please?

In our daily decisions, it's essential to ask ourselves, "Who am I trying to please?" Pleasing ourselves or others can lead to emptiness and burnout. However, pleasing God aligns us with His will and brings true fulfillment. God, as a good Father, knows what's best for us and desires to guide us towards a life that reflects His holiness.

Living to Please God

Paul's letter to the Thessalonians emphasizes the importance of living to please God. He encourages believers to continue growing in their faith and to strive for holiness more and more. This pursuit of pleasing God is not about earning His love but responding to His grace and love for us.

Avoiding Sin and Embracing Holiness

The Dangers of Sin

Sin, like mold, can start small but grow and spread if not addressed. It can lead to significant moral failures and distance us from God. The sermon highlighted the importance of recognizing and eradicating sin from our lives to prevent it from taking over.

Practical Steps to Avoid Sin

Paul's teachings often include lists of sins to avoid, such as sexual immorality, anger, malice, and greed. By identifying these areas in our lives, we can invite the Holy Spirit to help us overcome them. Regularly engaging with God's Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers are practical ways to stay vigilant against sin.

Consecration: Set Apart for God's Work

Understanding Consecration

Consecration is another aspect of sanctification. It means being set apart for a special purpose. Just as priests in the Old Testament were consecrated for their service, believers are consecrated for God's work. This involves a commitment to live according to God's standards and to be used for His glory.

Living as a Kingdom of Priests

Revelation 1:5-6 describes believers as a kingdom of priests, set apart to serve God. This calling requires us to live holy lives, free from the entanglements of sin. By embracing our consecration, we can effectively share the good news of Jesus and fulfill our mission as His representatives on earth.

Life Application

Embrace the Process of Sanctification

Sanctification is an ongoing journey that requires our active participation. Here are some practical steps to apply this week's sermon to your life:

1. **Identify Areas of Sin**: Reflect on areas in your life where sin may be lurking. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal these to you and help you overcome them.

2. **Engage with God's Word**: Make a habit of reading the Bible and meditating on its teachings. This will help you understand God's will and align your life with His standards.

3. **Pray Regularly**: Develop a consistent prayer life, seeking God's guidance and strength to live a holy life.

4. **Fellowship with Believers**: Surround yourself with other believers who can encourage and hold you accountable in your walk with Christ.

Questions for Reflection

1. What areas of sin do I need to address in my life?

2. How can I make pleasing God a priority in my daily decisions?

3. In what ways can I embrace my consecration and live out my calling as a kingdom of priests?

By taking these steps and reflecting on these questions, you can actively participate in the process of sanctification and experience the freedom and joy that comes from living a holy life.

Conclusion

Sanctification is a beautiful journey of becoming more like Christ. It involves the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, our commitment to pleasing God, and our willingness to be set apart for His purposes. As we embrace this process, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us and effectively share His love with the world. Let's commit to this journey and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into vessels of His grace and holiness.