Eternal Security of the Believer

The problem with religion today is that they fail to see The Mystery. God had a secret that Satan knew nothing about. It's called "the church, the body of Christ." God's purpose in the church is to show something to somebody. Paul says:

(Eph 3:8 KJV) Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

(Eph 3:9 KJV) And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

(Eph 3:10 KJV) To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

(Eph 3:11 KJV) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

The church, the body of Christ, is God's eternal purpose, chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. But all through the Hebrew scriptures and all through the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ and Peter’s ministry in the book of Acts, God kept it hid. It was a mystery until it was revealed to Paul.

The doctrine committed to Paul for the church today includes the eternal security of the believer. Paul’s doctrine glories in the cross of Christ. Paul’s doctrine reveals the total completeness of the work of Christ on the cross. The righteousness of God, which you must have, if you ever plan to see God, to be with the Lord Jesus Christ in glory for all eternity, is only revealed in Paul’s gospel, the gospel of Christ. Paul’s gospel is the power of God. So only in the doctrine in Romans through Philemon do you find in the gospel, the power of God and the righteousness of God revealed.

Paul’s gospel is about a mystical, literal union with Christ. It’s about being a member of Christ, of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. As a member of the body of Christ, a believer CANNOT lose his salvation. You CANNOT be defeated by the devil. You CANNOT be defeated by the world and you CANNOT be defeated even by yourself! The good news is, when we are saved, we are sealed, and even if there were to come a time when we begin to doubt our own salvation, yet God remains faithful. The Lord Jesus Christ remains faithful, he cannot deny himself. By the word of God I want to show you that this is true.

There is a concerted effort on the part of powers and principalities, spiritual wickedness in high places...by Satan's ministers, disguised as ministers of righteousness, by false religion, by false teaching and by fear tactics to try to convince a believer that he can lose his salvation.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Satan has ministers in pulpits around the world. They look just like everybody else. But they are preaching another Jesus and another gospel:

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

The bible says that men profess to know God but in works they deny him. Did you know that to claim to do good works in order to find favor or to keep favor with God actually denies God?

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Men in religion do that. The attack always comes by casting doubt on sound doctrine, by false teaching and by relying on the wisdom of men instead of the word of God. Paul wrote to Timothy:

(1 Tim 1:3 KJV) As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

(1 Tim 1:4 KJV) Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

(1 Tim 1:5 KJV) Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

There is false doctrine in the form of fables being taught around the world today by men who go outside the doctrine given to the church, the body of Christ, found in the books of Romans through Philemon, books written by the teacher, the preacher, the minister and the apostle to the church, the body of Christ, the apostle Paul. Paul says that he is the apostle of the Gentiles.

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

In I Timothy 2:7 Paul says he is a preacher, an apostle, a teacher of the Gentiles.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

And in 2 Timothy he says again that he is a preacher, an apostle, a teacher of the Gentiles. He tells Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Notice that Paul refers to a believer’s salvation as past tense. In other words, a person who trusts the finished cross work of Jesus Christ is already saved, past tense, and it is a done deal, not to be undone. Your actions, nor your attitude, can undo what Christ did. He died for our sins.

2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

The reason you cannot undo your salvation is because you didn’t do anything to gain it in the first place. You didn’t earn it, and you can’t lose it. Paul says that believers are sealed unto the day of redemption. The seal of the Holy Spirit CANNOT be broken!

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

People who teach that you can lose your salvation invariably teach that you can also gain your salvation by some form of good works and invariably they go outside body of Christ church doctrine....outside Romans through Philemon to prove it.

Galations 6:16 says:

(Gal 6:16 KJV) And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

The problem with many, if not most, in religion today, is that they simply will not believe that when God says Israel He means Israel and when he says the church He means the church. Israel is not the church and the church is not Israel. Those in the Church, the body of Christ, follow Paul's rule and "teach no other doctrine" while the Israel of God, the church at Jerusalem follows Peter's rule.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John is to Israel. The books of Hebrews through Revelation are to Israel. But Romans through Philemon is written to God's heavenly people, the church the body of Christ. All of the bible is FOR US but not all of the bible is UNTO US. "Approve things that are excellent," Paul says in Phillipians:

Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

Philippians 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

I Corinthians is clear that ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED. A believer cannot lose his salvation because of the finished work of the cross. It is possible to lose a reward for your work for the Lord, but you will never lose your salvation. Look at the outcome here, of the Judgment Seat of Christ:

(1 Cor 3:11 KJV) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

In other words, the foundation is the truth of the gospel of Christ. That Christ died for our sins, 1 Corinthians 15, verse three, and that he was raised again for our justification, Romans 4:25.

(1 Cor 3:12 KJV) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

(1 Cor 3:13 KJV) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

(1 Cor 3:14 KJV) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

(1 Cor 3:15 KJV) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

So by this we are to understand that we are complete in Christ. Our works will be tried at the judgment seat of Christ, but we, ourselves are already saved:

Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Many in religion don’t believe their bibles. Many follow the traditions of men. People who believe their bible instead of men, instead of the leaders of the denominational religious system are prone to be put down, belittled and ridiculed by religious men. Paul warns Timothy that those who would live Godly in Christ Jesus WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Now look at Paul’s advice to Timothy in the next verse:

2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

The things which thou hast learned. Who did Timothy learn from? From Paul. In all likelihood Timothy never heard Peter or read anything that Peter wrote. And it was Paul who received the revelation of the mystery and it was Paul who taught it to Timothy:

Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Now religion doesn’t like that idea, and they go to almost any length to make Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, an also ran, secondary to Peter. They exalt Peter and belittle Paul, in spite of the fact that Peter only preached to one Gentile in the bible and Peter never, not once, claimed to be a teacher of the Gentiles. Paul says those who WILL live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. And guess where the persecution mainly comes from: From men professing Godliness. From men having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof. And what is the power of God unto salvation?

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

So people who trust in Christ alone, can expect persecution from religion. But the good news is, if we suffer for him, if we are instant in season or out, if we teach no other doctrine, if we endure sound doctrine, if we endure hardness like a good soldier then we will reign with Him. Your reigning with Christ depends on your SUFFERING FOR HIM in holding to the truth of the gospel.

(2 Tim 2:10 KJV) Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

(2 Tim 2:11 KJV) It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

(2 Tim 2:12 KJV) If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

(2 Tim 2:13 KJV) If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Paul is saying that if we believe the gospel, that Christ died for our sins, all of our sins, then God has put the death of Christ to our account, he counts it as OUR DEATH. But Christ is not still dead. He was raised from the dead. Paul says in Romans that he was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for out justification. He is alive and we shall ALSO LIVE WITH HIM. Period. Done deal. It will happen.

Now if we fail to stand for the truth of the gospel, If we fail to study to show ourselves approved unto God, if we start letting ourselves get tossed about by the wind of doctrine and the deceit of evil men....if after having done all...we fail to STAND....stand for giving the glory to God....instead of some man, or to our own performance....HE WILL DENY US THE PRIVELEGE OF REIGNING WITH HIM.

If you are saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ alone, even if you begin to doubt, even if you are confused, even if you get to the point that you get so messed up you don’t know what you believe, HE ABIDETH FAITHFUL. He CANNOT deny himself. We are his body. He cannot deny his body that he died to save. Paul says:

(2 Tim 2:19 KJV) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Paul laid the foundation and it is sure and sealed! Iniquity in every case you want to look up in the bible....is always false religion!

If you don't know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, or if you are not totally sure of your salvation and your eternal security in Christ, it is our prayer that you might read something in the next few minutes that will convict you, that is, convince you that you need a Saviour. That you need to trust in the finished work of Christ alone for salvation.

If you are already saved, then it is our hope that you might read something that will build you up in your faith and help to establish you in the truth of the gospel. What you need to understand is that your salvation is based totally and completely upon the finished word of Christ at Calvary for you.

Your salvation is not based, in any way, on what you can do, or could do, or are going to do, for the Lord in order to find favor with God. Nor is your eternal security based, in any way, on what you "do for the Lord" after you are saved. For your salvation, God does not "require" a sacrifice from you. But, miracle of all miracles, instead of God asking you to bring Him a sacrifice...God, instead, brought you a sacrifice....the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for your sins. The bible says that God was in Christ:

2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

So, the point is, that your sins are already paid for.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

God is not going to "reckon" or "impute" your sins to you, because nearly 2,000 years ago, He "reckoned" them to Christ, and the bible says, "God made Him to be sin for us. So, what's the problem then? You need Jesus Christ as your Saviour. One day, you are going to have to answer to God for what you believe. What you believe....about Christ. Are you trusting Christ? Is Jesus Christ your Saviour? Do you have a Saviour? Romans 10:9 says:

Romans 10: 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Then, if you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, you believe that He died for all of them. That is, when Jesus Christ died, in A.D. 33, your sins were in the future. In other words, Christ died in A.D. 33, and you were not even born until this past century. So your life, and all of your sins, were all in the future when Christ died. He died then....and you are living now.

If Christ died for your sins, then he died for all of them. To believe that Christ died for your sins...up to the day that you believed in Him, the day you were saved, and then believe that from then on you must live without sins....or else repent and confess daily in order to stay saved.....is not the salvation that is given through the Apostle Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles.

To believe the truth of 1 John 1:9:

1 John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Is to NOT BELIEVE the completeness of your salvation in Collosians 2:13, that God has forgiven us all trespasses:

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

or Ephesians 4:32 that God has forgiven us:

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

or Romans 5:11 that you have already received the atonement:

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

You see, 1 John 1:9 speaks about the same future salvation for Israel that Peter preached in the book of Acts. It is a future day of atonement for the nation Israel. Their sins will be blotted out at the second coming of Christ, according to Peter and John. But Paul says, in our case, we look back to the cross, trust in Christ, and have now received, already, what the nation Israel will received when “all Israel shall be saved, as it is written” at the second coming.

The problem with religion today, for the most part, is that they fail to see that in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and in Peter’s preaching in the book of Acts, salvation for Israel was yet future. Peter did not have the revelation of the mystery that was later revealed to Paul. Peter, James and John, look forward to atonement, a national day of atonement for Israel, at the second coming of Christ. But that’s not the case for us. We already HAVE the atonement. To NOT believe that your salvation is finished and complete in the finished work of Christ is to refuse to "rightly divide the word of truth" as in 2 Timothy. Paul says:

2 Timothy 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

Many people get subverted by fair sounding words of religious men who know nothing at all of the truth of this verse:

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Now by comparing spiritual things with spiritual, as in 1 Corinthians 2:13, comparing scripture with scripture, we know that the word of truth is a reference to the gospel. Paul refers to the word of truth in Ephesians 1:13 as “the gospel of your salvation,” and he says that once those Ephesians heard it and believed it they were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, our inheritance in Christ, unto the day of redemption. The day of redemption is a reference to the catching out of the body of Christ. We call it the Rapture.

To not trust completely in the cross of Christ alone for salvation is to fail to see the difference between prophecy and mystery. The difference between the things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets (to Israel) since the world began, as in Peter’s ministry in the book of Acts, and the gospel which was revealed to the Apostle Paul who preached, "according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was (not spoken by anybody before, but was) kept secret since the world began," as in Romans 16:25. The things God spoke, through Israel’s prophets since the world began, are obviously NOT the things which God kept secret since the world began, until he revealed them to Paul. You see, the message that Paul delivered to you was that Christ died for ALL YOUR SINS:

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And Paul says, in Romans 4:25 that when Christ was raised, he was raised for our justification.

Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Look at what Paul told Timothy:

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

According to Paul’s gospel, Christ was raised for our justification, the living proof that God has forgiven us ALL trespasses. That’s just what the bible says in Collosians:

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

So to believe in Jesus Christ as your Saviour is to believe that all your sins are PAID FOR....and that God will never call you into judgment for your sins ever again. Why? He called Jesus Christ into judgment for your sins. He placed your sins upon Christ. The bible says "God made Him (Jesus Christ) to be sin for us." Therefore God found Jesus Christ guilty of your sins.

God condemned Jesus Christ for your sins. Poured out His wrath upon Him. Satisfied his wrath against you by pouring it out on Christ. So what do you do? You receive Christ as your Saviour. You believe on Him, not just in Him, you believe on Him as your Saviour. You accept Him as your Saviour. You believe the record that God gave through Paul, that Christ was judged for you, that Christ PAID FOR your sins. The wages of sin is death...and Christ died, according to 1 Corinthians 15, verse 3, FOR OUR SINS. The payoff for sin is death. That is to say, the wages of sin is death

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now a gift is not a gift if you are required to work for it. Many of us say that we give “Christmas gifts,” when many times they are “Christmas requirements.” God doesn’t require a gift from you. God doesn’t require anything from you. Instead he GAVE eternal life….in Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Now if God has already judged Christ for your sins...and He received YOUR WAGES then God is not going to judge your sins in you. That would be receiving double wages. Christ paid the wages, by dying...you need Him as your Saviour. Confess Him as your Lord and Saviour, believing that your sins are paid for. Trust the Lord for your salvation...not yourself, not religion, not your water baptism, not your church membership, not the fact that you quit some bad habits and started some good ones, or that you promised God this, that or the other. Simply trust in the record that God gave of His Son. Trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

If you believe, like I believe, that the King James Bible is the Word of God in English for English-speaking people, then you must believe that God called Paul to be the apostle of the Gentiles. The bible says so in many places. Look at what the Lord said about the man he sent:

John 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Make no mistake about it, the Lord Jesus Christ SENT Paul to the Gentiles. Listen to Paul’s account of his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus:

Acts 26:15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Acts 26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

Anyone who corrupts the gospel given to Paul is preaching "another gospel" as in Galations:

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

You see, the gospel of the Kingdom was preached in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The same gospel was preached by Peter in Acts chapter two, and it had to be identified as “another gospel” when the Lord, from Heaven, revealed the gospel of your salvation to Paul.

Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Anyone who corrupts Paul’s gospel is to be accounted accursed. Anyone who adds religious works to it, will be called for a fool and thrown out of the fight:

2 Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

Men will be rejected by God for not receiving the love of the truth

2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

In every debate which opposes the eternal security of the believer, those who claim that salvation can be lost also preach that it can be gained by works of righteousness, by good works...and they always go outside the body of truth committed to Paul for the church today....outside Romans through Philemon.

Paul said in Romans 2:16 that God would judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel:

Romans 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Romans 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

What was the “work of the law?” Well, Paul says it was a schoolmaster, to bring those who were under the law in the past….to Christ. So, the Gentile, who was never under the law, of Moses, still has a conscience. He still has the knowledge of good and evil. Even though you never had the law, you still have a conscience, and it convicts you or convinces you, of good or evil.

Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Well, what is Paul’s gospel? It’s not the gospel of the Kingdom preached in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The cross of Christ is simply not in view in the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Look at what Peter said when Lord told him he was going to be crucified, buried and raised from the dead:

Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Now you need to understand that the time of Matthew 16 is just a short time before the cross. In other words, Peter and the twelve had been going about for over three years, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers and casting out devils…but DID NOT KNOW about the cross of Christ. Religion doesn’t believe this. They don’t know this and they refuse to believe it. People have been taught to “follow the Lord” as in his earthly ministry. In the red letters of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. And the fact is, NOBODY, Peter, James and John…..NOBODY knew about the cross, and the cross, as we know, is CENTRAL to your salvation. In Luke 18, the Lord takes the twelve and tells them he is going to be crucified, buried and raised from the dead. Look what the bible says:

Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

So what is Paul’s gospel? He said in Romans 16:25 that his gospel was the revelation of the mystery:

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

The mystery, in other words, THE WHY of the cross of Christ. My gospel. Paul’s gospel. The fact that Christ DIED for our sins and that he was RAISED for our justification.

Paul told Timothy in I Timothy 1:3 to "charge some that they teach no other doctrine."

1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

He said, in 2 Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Paul committed his salvation to the Lord. He said he was persuaded that HE, the Lord, was able to keep it. What about you?

2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

In 2 Timothy he said to "commit these things to faithful men."

2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

The gospel of the grace of God is just that. It's about grace....not religion. It's about salvation without religious works of any kind: repentance, water baptism, keeping the law, the Lord's Supper, or any other kind of human effort, through faith in what Jesus Christ did for us instead of what we are doing for Him. The salvation message that Paul preached is this:

Titus 3: 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Paul is saying that Christ died for our sins, being made to be sin for us, and he was buried, and three days and three nights later by the power of God He was regenerated and renewed and rose from the dead, and he rose for our justification. Paul says salvation is by grace:

Romans 11: 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

In other words, in time past, faith PLUS works of faith were required by God for salvation. Paul says not now. It is NO MORE of works. Think about this: If a man did work for somebody then the person he worked for would be in debt to him for the work he had done. That’s not the case with your salvation today:

Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Romans 4: 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Religious men claim to be keeping the law in order to find or to keep salvation. What does God’s word say about that?

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

God gave his law to show men what righteousness really is. It is God’s standard of perfection. It is a sad mistake for a man to boast that his righteousness is in the law.

Galatians 2: 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

So consistently over and over the message is one of grace alone:

Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Any attempt to preach any form of works of righteousness for salvation in this age, in the dispensation of the grace of God, is to pervert the gospel of Christ and those who do are to be accounted accursed. Compare these verses in Galatians:

Galatians 1: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 3: 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Galatians 5: 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

It is impossible to be saved by grace through faith in what Christ did for you, while at the same time "working for your salvation."

Romans 11: 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Now in Peter’s gospel of the Kingdom, gospel of the circumcision, and before Paul was saved and before the revelation of the mystery was given to Paul, Peter told Cornelious, the Roman Centurion in Acts Chapter Ten, that those who "feared God and worked righteousness" were accepted of Him.

Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

But Paul said something entirely different to Titus:

Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Titus 3: 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Anyone who says that those two verses say the same thing....has a reading problem. You cannot work righteousness and not work righteousness at the same time. Paul said, in 2 Timothy 2:15 to "rightly divide the word of truth," and he said in Phillipians 1:10 to "approve things that are excellent." Paul has the salvation message for you, today, not Peter. Peter preached the gospel of the Kingdom. Peter did not know the WHY of the cross of Christ. It had not been revealed in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John or in Acts chapter two on the Day of Pentecost. The why of the cross was revealed to Paul

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

In this age, people are saved by identification with Christ. To identify means "to prove to be the same, or to treat as one." 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us that God made Christ to be sin for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

In other words, He was treated as one with us and our sin on the cross. As a natural, physical human being, in Adam, we are identified with the sin of Adam

Romans 5: 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

In other words, by one act of one man, the act of disobedience, we are all sinners. We are born in sin. We have a sin nature. We didn’t have any choice in the matter. By Adam’s sin, we all have the nature of Adam, we are all sinners.

But "In Christ" we are identified with the death of Christ. People die because of Adam's sin. Believers live because of Christ's death for sin. The word "for" in Romans 5:6, 7 and 8, means "in behalf of," or we might say "instead of." Christ died instead of the ungodly, and Christ died instead of us.

Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

On the Cross our sin was laid on Christ and he was judged as a sinner in our behalf. God identified him with us and our sin. Now, those who believe the gospel are identified in Christ, in death, on the cross. God identified us as dying with Christ, being buried with Christ and raised with Christ. That's what the word baptism means, identification. As in:

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

That's a spiritual baptism that takes place the instant you trust Christ as your Saviour. It is the seal of God's Holy Spirit which identifies you with everything Christ has done for you and puts it to your account.

Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

This is a believers IDENTITY in Christ. God has identified Christ with you and your sins. It’s up to you to identify yourself with Christ as YOUR Saviour. Once you do that seal of the Holy Spirit of promise takes place and you belong to the Lord. There can be no charge made against us who believe the gospel, according to Romans, because all of our sins were charged to Christ and he died for them.

Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Not only that, the law, which is against us and contrary to us, was also taken out of the way, and nailed to the cross:

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

So a saved individual is "dead to sin" according to Romans

Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Dead to sin is a POSITIONAL truth. In other words it is not an experience issue. God RECKONS it so. He counts it so, to you, when you trust the Lord. People who try to experience salvation get goose bumps, but do they really get saved? When the experience goes away what do they have left? In other words, deliverance is not salvation. Neither is salvation deliverance. Just because you overcome a bad habit or a sickness, it is not a sign of salvation. As a matter of fact, there are NO SIGNS of salvation. It is a FAITH ALONE issue. You are either trusting Christ alone for salvation or you are not. The bible says that in Christ we have been made free from sin:

Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Service for God is something you can ONLY do after you trust the Lord. If you are not trusting the finished cross work of the Lord Jesus Christ and that alone for salvation, then there is nothing you can do for the Lord anyway. The bible says that the plowing of the wicked is sin. You are not even a “workman” as in 2 Timothy until you first trust the Lord. When you trust the Lord you are saved, sealed and eternally secure because of the faith OF CHRIST. His faith, his faithfulness, is what got the job done. Not yours.

The Law is also taken out of the way by the cross of Christ. So in Christ you are a new creature, and Paul tells us that we also should walk in newness of life. God has finished all the work required for your salvation and that's the end of it. Walk in it. Live in it. Trust in it. Trust what God has done....not what you can do for the Lord.

In Christ is the most fantastic reality in the universe. That phrase appears more than 160 times in your bible. In Christ you are righteous BY HIS FAITH. Romans 3:22

Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

You are justified BY HIS FAITH. Galations 2:16.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

And you have life BY HIS FAITH. Galations 2:20

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

In Ephesians 1:13, those who trust the Lord for salvation are sealed by the Holy Spirit. The seal of God cannot be broken. "The Lord knoweth them that are his..."

Ephesians 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Paul said that he was fully persuaded:

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Paul had committed the keeping of his soul to the Lord Jesus Christ. At the end of Paul’s life, look at what he said:

2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

I believe that what Paul could have had in mind here is the appearing of Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus to give Paul the message of grace. Those who believe Paul’s message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone, are the true believers. They are the ones who are members of HIS BODY, of his flesh and of his bones. Christ died to save his body, and he will not lose a single member of it.

So the body of Christ began with a sudden, unscheduled, unprophesied appearance of the Lord, on the road to Damascus in Acts chapter nine. The Lord saved his worst enemy and our pattern:

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

The body of Christ began suddenly and unexpectedly by the appearance of the Lord. Our bodily redemption will happen the same way. There will be another sudden appearance of the Lord in the air:

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The Lord knoweth them that are his. They are sealed with that holy Spirit of promise unto the day of redemption. That day that Paul talks about there, is the catching out of the church, which is his body. So he says:

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

We live in the dispensation of the grace of God. God is dispensing grace in this age of grace in which we live. Salvation by grace is not salvation by works and includes no works of any kind but a simple trusting in what Jesus Christ worked out for you. God didn’t leave anything to chance and he made sure there was nothing that could cause a believer to lose his salvation.

Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The billboards and bumper stickers tell you to obey Acts 2:38. God says obey Acts 16:31!

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

So the bible says “trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding, but acknowledge the Lord in all thy ways and he will direct thy path.”