Eternally Secure

In the last two messages we've considered how the gift of eternal
life is given to "everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him"
(John 6:40). But we also saw that belief is much more than a mere
acknowledgement of existence; "Even the demons believe that - and
shudder" (James 2:19). Eternal life is a gift given only to those
who so intensely believe that Jesus is the only way to receive
forgiveness that they stand before a living God and enter into an
eternal covenant.

Covenants were first introduced by God to Noah after the flood; "I
establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off
by the waters of a flood" (Genesis 9:11). Over the years, God made
covenants with Abraham (Genesis 15), the nation of Israel through
Moses (Exodus 19), and with David (2 Samuel 7). In each case, God
initiated the covenant and clearly established the guidelines.

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God spoke about the new covenant He
would make through Jesus; "I will put my law in their minds and write
it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people"
(Jeremiah 31:33). This new covenant was designed to be permanent and
under God's complete protection: "I will make an everlasting covenant
with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire
them to fear Me, so that they will never turn away from Me" (Jeremiah
32:40). Through the prophet Ezekiel, God gave further indication of
how this would be accomplished:

Ezekiel 36:26-27
"I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you; I will
remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and
be careful to keep My laws."

When we truly believe in Jesus, we enter into a covenant and God
transforms our heart by His Spirit; "a deposit guaranteeing our
inheritance" (Ephesians 1:14). At that moment we are "sealed for the
day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). And when we enter into His
saving covenant, we are purchased with the blood of Jesus: "You are
not your own; you were bought at a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

We are still called to continue in the faith, but God has promised we
WILL continue; "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will
be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians
1:8). He is the giver and sustainer of eternal life; "I give them
eternal life, and they shall never perish" (John 10:28).

There is debate whether this covenant can ever be broken, whether it
is eternal. But perhaps this only distracts from the greater
truth. We are called to love God and continue to love Him with all
our heart. This calling is clear! Let's remain within His arms of
love, and trust that as we do, we are eternally secure.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

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Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
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Lorena, TX 76655
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