6 Minute Read
Today’s Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 8:1–9:27
John 6:22-42
Psalm 106:32-48
Proverbs 14:34-35
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
John 6:39 (NLT): “And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Sometimes, it’s called “security of the believer.” Sometimes, “once saved, always saved.”
Essentially, it is the belief rooted in Scripture that assures us that those who come to Jesus for salvation are guaranteed an eternal home in Heaven. They can never lose that standing, and it can never be taken from them.
The verse I have chosen for today is a powerful statement that undergirds this belief. We are told that it is “the will of God.” Further, we are told that Jesus was clear on His responsibility: “that (he) should not lose even one of all those (God) has given (Him), but that (Jesus) should raise them up at the last day.”
So, God’s will and Jesus’ responsibility is that all who are genuinely saved will end up in Heaven. It is not God’s will that a single person will “lose” their salvation.
This belief is often misunderstood. Some take it to mean that someone can get saved and then live like the world. It is falsely believed that someone can claim to be a Jesus follower but then live for themselves. Those false converts believe that they are on their way to Heaven and that nothing can take it from them … when they don’t realize that they were never truly saved. They cannot lose something that they never had.
The Bible teaches that when someone is genuinely saved, God begins a work in them that He will complete (Philippians 1:6). He is about the business of enabling them to change their behavior, to make them more like Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). God is joining them in working in their hearts and actions to demonstrate that they have been genuinely saved (Philippians 2:12-13).
Someone who is genuinely saved will undergo a life change. It will affect their inner attitudes, motives, and thoughts. It will affect their outer words and actions. Sure, they will sin periodically, but they will, as a general rule, be becoming more like Jesus. It is only to the genuinely saved that the “security of the believer” applies.
Unfortunately, those who were never truly saved (but thought they were) will rely upon the hope that they are headed to Heaven. It is to them that the terrifying words will be uttered by our Lord:
Matthew 7:23 (NLT): “But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”
So, be sure that you are genuinely saved. Make certain that you are trusting in Jesus to make you right in God’s eyes. If this is true of you and there is validation in your life to show that you have been truly born again, then rest in the fact that God’s will and Jesus’ responsibility guarantee that you will one day close your eyes in death and open them in your eternal reward.
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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