Safe and Secure

How can I know I won’t lose my salvation?

With the start of a new school year, I am always reminded of my school days in Carthage, Tennessee. What I remember most about those days, and especially my days in elementary school, are the feelings I would have right before test time. I do not remember the feelings of fear or panic, although I am sure they would come through my mind. No the feelings I remember the most were the feelings of safety and security. As the teacher would hand out the test, I would remember how much my mother loved me and I would know that no matter the outcome of the test, her love for me would never change. She would still be my mother. That, to a child, is true safety and security.

The same is true today as I think of God, my Heavenly Father. The peace, joy, and contentment I feel as a Christian rest solely in the safety and security I have as a child of God. The Bible says, “But as many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12) Because of my faith and trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I have a personal relationship with God as my Heavenly Father. I know that whatever may happen today my Father loves me. He will never leave me. I am His child forever.

Just as with my earthly parents I know there are times that I disappoint and disobey my Heavenly Father, but even in those times I am still His child. My relationship is secure. It is not based on my good works or how well I please God in my own strength. My relationship with God is based solely on my faith and trust in Jesus Christ and His death for me on the cross. There is nothing I can do on my own to be right with God. Nothing I can do to erase the sins I have committed. That is why Jesus, God’s one and only Son, came to this earth and shed His blood on the cross. He died so that my sins can be forgiven, as I trust Him. My past sins, my present sins, and even my future sins have been forgiven through my faith in Jesus. I am eternally His child and I know He loves me.

That assurance in Christ does not give me permission to sin or disobey the Father. No, instead I seek to serve Him, to love Him, and to obey Him. I love Him because of His great love for me. And when I do not obey, God is faithful to correct me and to discipline me as a loving Father. Even in the times of discipline I know He loves me.

The safety and security I have is in the strength of the love my Heavenly Father has for me. It is not based on how tightly I can hold to God, for even in my best efforts that will fail. No, the confidence I have is that He tenderly holds me in His hand. In the Gospel of John Jesus says of those who follow Him by faith, “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.” (John 10:28-29)

As much as my earthly mother loved me, she could not provide safety and security forever. Several years ago she died and I can no longer feel her touch or hear her words of love and comfort. The security she provided lasted only as long as her life and now she is gone.

That will never be the case with my Heavenly Father. He has promised me eternal life in His presence. I know that even death cannot separate me from Him. I do not have to hope for eternal life. I do not have to wish for eternal life. I do not even have to work for eternal life. I already have received eternal life through my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible promises, “that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son (Jesus Christ). He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:11-13) Eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ is true safety and security.

You can have that same security today by trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He has provided the way to the Father through His death and resurrection. Salvation from the penalty of your sins and security for all eternity is available to you if you will by faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Then you too will experience true safety and eternal security.

For more information on trusting Jesus as your personnal Savior and Lord click on: http://www.thegoodnews.org/CD/heres_hope/heres_hope.html