What does it mean to remain in Christ?

All Questions, Salvation

What does it mean to remain in Christ?

Category

Salvation,   All Questions

Last Updated

Feb 8, 2025

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This is a common phrase that many Christians would be familiar with, but what does it mean to remain in Christ?

Remaining in Christ means:

(1) Believing that He is God’s Son.

1 John 4:15. (NKJV)

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

(2) Receiving Him as Savior and Lord.

John 1:12 (NKJV)

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

(3) Doing what God says.

1 John 3:24 (NKJV)

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

(4) Continuing to believe the Good News.

1 John 2:24 (NKJV)

Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

(5) Relating in love to the community of believers, Christ’s body;

John 15:9-10 (NKJV)

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

The concept of remaining in Christ is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus, particularly in John 15:4–7. Here, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate the importance of a continual, life-giving connection with Him. Abiding in Christ is akin to receiving and trusting all that God offers us in Christ, including His words, love, and joy​​.

In conclusion, remaining in Christ reflects a response to the overwhelming grace of God, true believers will remain constant in thanksgiving, praise, prayer, communion, and conscious fellowship with the Lord.

There will be an increasing endeavor in the believer to yield to God’s abiding Holy Spirit, obey His commands, and walk in His will.

Our relationship with Christ becomes evident through unwavering faith in His works and our identity in Him, and is further affirmed by the fruits of our faith – our actions and character as followers of Christ.

Remaining in Christ means a life of faith, obedience, and love, rooted in a continual relationship with Him.

Why is eternal security important?

All Questions, Salvation

Why is eternal security important?

Category

Salvation,   All Questions

Last Updated

Feb 7, 2025

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Why is Eternal security important?

It is essential that believers have assurance of their salvation since everything in the Christian lives depends on it. The foundation of our fellowship with God is based on the assurance that He has truly redeemed us from the clutches of hell and would not forsake us.

Furthermore, since individuals cannot receive salvation after death, God would want believers to know that they are saved.

What are the benefits of eternal security?

In addition to eternal security being an essential component of the Christian faith, it is also vital for a believer’s daily walk in faith. The following are some of the benefits of eternal security;

Stability in life: Believers who have an assurance of their salvation will remain stable during difficult times, they will live with the confidence that God does not change, and therefore, His grace is sufficient in all circumstances and situations.

An effective prayer life: Believers who have an assurance of their salvation will also have a practical prayer life, knowing that they can commune with God and approach Him with their requests.

Authority over Satan: Believers can be confident that they are “Hidden with Christ” (Col. 3:3). Therefore, trust the power of the Holy Spirit to help them resist Satan and stand firm when condemned by him.

As we can see, having an assurance of a secure relationship with God enables believers to endure the struggles of living in a fallen world.

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IS ALSO FOUND IN THIS ASSURANCE THAT HE HAS TRULY REDEEMED US AND SAVED US FROM THE CLUTCHES OF HELL.

Do Believers have the ability to abandon their salvation?

All Questions, Salvation

Do believers have the ability to abandon their salvation?

Category

Salvation,   All Questions

Last Updated

Feb 7, 2025

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This question requires an examination between the interplay of God’s sovereignty and humanity’s free will. Although God is sovereign, humans have the responsibility of making their own moral decisions.

Human responsibility

From the standpoint of human responsibility, God calls all people to repent (Acts 17:30; Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Mark 6:12) and promises that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom. 10:13; John 3:15–16). Yet the Bible also records that salvation does not depend solely on human will.

According to Romans 9:16, salvation depends not on man’s will, desire, or work, but rather on God’s mercy. As further stated in John 1:13, the redeemed are those born not of the will of man, but of God.

Furthermore, God grants two essential components of salvation, namely repentance (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25) and faith (Eph. 2:8–9; Phil. 1:29; Acts 16:14).

Apart from God’s working in man’s heart, the scriptures also indicate that no one would be able to approach Him, since “there is no one who seeks after God” (Rom. 3:11; cf.8:7–8; 1 Cor.2:14; 2, Cor.4:4; Eph.2:1–3).

God’s sovereignty in salvation.

Salvation is completely under God’s control. Therefore, any errant theological system that makes salvation dependent on man’s will (alone) dethrones God.

Jesus said no one could come to Him unless the Father first draws them (John 6:44, John 6:65).

Ephesians 2:1 (NKJV)

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

God’s saving work is the only thing that can bring spiritual life to unbelievers.

Oftentimes, we mistake our salvation for drowning in the ocean, and God sending a life jacket to save us. However this analogy is incorrect because God first needed to revive us as we were dead at the bottom of the ocean.

Unbelief can’t prevent God’s saving work on those He has chosen from eternity past, even if they are spiritually dead.

Furthermore, Christians find security in Christ, not in their own efforts. Instead, they persevere through God’s power.

1 Peter 1:5 (NKJV)

who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

A believer has a responsibility to trust and believe in God, and God has a responsibility to keep the believer.

As believers, we should continuously take advantage of the means of grace provided for us through the cross and the sacred scriptures and humbly submit ourselves to God’s power.

As God works within believers, they can work out their salvation (Phil. 2:12-13).

Salvation is secured by God's sovereign grace, and true believers persevere through His power.

Once saved always saved?

All Questions, Salvation

Once saved, always saved? Eternal Security

Category

Salvation,   All Questions

Last Updated

Feb 5, 2025

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For centuries, theologians have debated the issue of eternal security/assurance. According to some, you cannot lose your salvation, while others maintain that it is easy to lose it.

Here are some Scriptures discussing this topic to assist us in determining what the Bible says

  • The Bible teaches us that God has elected and predestined those who would come to faith in Christ and be with Him in heaven. (Mark 13:20, Acts 13:48, Rom. 8:28-30, Eph 1:4, Col. 3:12, 1 Thess. 1:4, 2 Thess. 2:13, 2 Tim. 1:9 and 2 Tim. 2:10)
  • The Bible clearly states that your salvation is forever secure in Him once you believe in Christ. (1 John 2:25, John 10:27-28, John 3:36, John 5:24, 1 John 5:13, 1 John 3:14-15, John 3:16)
  • The Bible says that all who are genuinely saved have within them the power of the Holy Spirit and are kept by the power of God. (John 5:24; 6:37–40; 10:27–29; Rom. 5:9; 8:29–39; 1 Cor. 1:4–9; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 7:25; 1 Peter 1:4–5; Jude 24)

Considering these basic truths and promises, it seems impossible that a person could lose their salvation and be condemned to hell.

The following questions (answered in the following pages) can help us better understand the topic of once saved always saved:

  • Why is eternal security important?
  • What are the benefits of eternal security?
  • Do believers have the ability to abandon their salvation?

These questions give an overarching view of the importance of having an assurance of salvation and also describe God’s promise and power in saving and preserving us.

Why is Eternal security important?

It is essential that believers have assurance of their salvation since everything in the Christian lives depends on it. The foundation of our fellowship with God is based on the assurance that He has truly redeemed us from the clutches of hell and would not forsake us.

Furthermore, since individuals cannot receive salvation after death, God would want believers to know that they are saved.

What are the benefits of eternal security?

In addition to eternal security being an essential component of the Christian faith, it is also vital for a believer’s daily walk in faith. The following are some of the benefits of eternal security;

Stability in life: Believers who have an assurance of their salvation will remain stable during difficult times, they will live with the confidence that God does not change, and therefore, His grace is sufficient in all circumstances and situations.

An effective prayer life: Believers who have an assurance of their salvation will also have a practical prayer life, knowing that they can commune with God and approach Him with their requests.

Authority over Satan: Believers can be confident that they are “Hidden with Christ” (Col. 3:3). Therefore, trust the power of the Holy Spirit to help them resist Satan and stand firm when condemned by him.

As we can see, having an assurance of a secure relationship with God enables believers to endure the struggles of living in a fallen world.

Do believers have the ability to abandon their salvation?

This question requires an examination between the interplay of God’s sovereignty and humanity’s free will. Although God is sovereign, humans have the responsibility of making their own moral decisions.

Human responsibility

From the standpoint of human responsibility, God calls all people to repent (Acts 17:30; Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Mark 6:12) and promises that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom. 10:13; John 3:15–16). Yet the Bible also records that salvation does not depend solely on human will.

According to Romans 9:16, salvation depends not on man’s will, desire, or work, but rather on God’s mercy. As further stated in John 1:13, the redeemed are those born not of the will of man, but of God.

Furthermore, God grants two essential components of salvation, namely repentance (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25) and faith (Eph. 2:8–9; Phil. 1:29; Acts 16:14).

Apart from God’s working in man’s heart, the scriptures also indicate that no one would be able to approach Him, since “there is no one who seeks after God” (Rom. 3:11; cf.8:7–8; 1 Cor.2:14; 2, Cor.4:4; Eph.2:1–3).

God’s sovereignty in salvation.

Salvation is completely under God’s control. Therefore, any errant theological system that makes salvation dependent on man’s will (alone) dethrones God.

Jesus said no one could come to Him unless the Father first draws them (John 6:44, John 6:65).

Ephesians 2:1 (NKJV)

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

God’s saving work is the only thing that can bring spiritual life to unbelievers.

Oftentimes, we mistake our salvation for drowning in the ocean, and God sending a life jacket to save us. However this analogy is incorrect because God first needed to revive us as we were dead at the bottom of the ocean.

Unbelief can’t prevent God’s saving work on those He has chosen from eternity past, even if they are spiritually dead.

Furthermore, Christians find security in Christ, not in their own efforts. Instead, they persevere through God’s power.

1 Peter 1:5 (NKJV)

who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

A believer has a responsibility to trust and believe in God, and God has a responsibility to keep the believer.

As believers, we should continuously take advantage of the means of grace provided for us through the cross and the sacred scriptures and humbly submit ourselves to God’s power.

As God works within believers, they can work out their salvation (Phil. 2:12-13).

Salvation is secured by God's power, not human effort—those truly saved will persevere in faith.

Can we lose our salvation if we commit another sin?

All Questions, Salvation

Can we lose our salvation if we commit another sin?

Category

Salvation,   All Questions

Last Updated

Feb 5, 2025

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A common trick used by the devil to stunt a Christian’s growth is to make the believer believe that God will take away their salvation if they commit another sin.

There is no truth to this, nor is it based on Scripture.

When Jesus died on the cross, He became the final and complete sacrifice for all our sins—without exception. Jesus did not die for just some of our sins but for all of them, the past, present, and future!

1 John 5:18 (NKJV)

We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

The verse above does not say that Christians never commit sin; rather, they do not continue in sin, refusing to repent. Whenever a believer sins, their conscience will always draw them back to repentance..

Believers’ consciences are guided by the Holy Spirit to empower them in their daily living so that they can act more like Christ and surrender to His will.

It is common to believe that once we are saved there is no struggle with sin, but the reality is that we still live in a fallen world, and our bodies are weak.

1 John 1:8 (NKJV)

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Scripture clearly teaches that, even though we are redeemed, we will at some point fall into sin. If it really were up to us to generate enough strength to persevere and guarantee our future salvation, we would have no hope of achieving it.

Additionally, this question is often accompanied by two other questions;

(1) What about Christians who continuously sin and live immoral lives?

(2) What about Christians who later reject the faith and deny Christ?

The best way to answer these questions is to ask, “Who are Christians?” According to the Bible, a true Christian will not choose to live an immoral lifestyle. No matter how many times they fail, they will always get up and repent.

1 John 3:6 (NKJV)

Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

Concerning the second question, the Bible clearly states that anyone who leaves the faith proves they weren’t Christian to begin with. The following verse clearly expresses this;

1 John 2:19 (NKJV)

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

In conclusion, true Spirit-filled Christians do not choose an immoral lifestyle, nor do they reject the faith and deny Christ as their Savior. Rather, such actions indicate that they were never redeemed in the first place.

The Bible is clear that God is both gracious and just, and it also promises that if you put your faith in Jesus Christ, He is faithful to see you through and complete the good work He began in you.

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

The assurance of our salvation should rest in the fact that Jesus promises to intercede for us daily as our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) and in the confidence that God will keep His promises to preserve us through His Spirit.

JESUS DID NOT DIE FOR JUST SOME OF OUR SINS BUT FOR ALL OF IT, THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE!

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