Many have a perception of Christianity that the Bible gives us a set of rules that we must follow in order to gain favor with God. If we fail to follow those rules we lose favor with God. Some would have a similar view of Islam, weighing their good deeds against their bad deeds, in order for Allah to allow them into paradise. Christians who fall into this way of thinking about their own salvation are anxious about failing to confess, repent, and receive forgiveness after each sin. If Christ were to return, or they were to die, between their sin and confession, they wonder if they would they go to heaven or not? When I was younger, I thought this way. Today, I’d like to challenge that way of thinking.
Let’s start with a foundation of how the Bible shows how our Christian life is like a family. Ephesians 5:29-32 shows how a husband and wife is an illustration of Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5:29-32, 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
Romans 8 also affirms that we are children of God, and brothers in Christ.
Romans 8: 12-17, 12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Ephesians 1 reinforces that we are adopted as children of God.
Ephesians 1:4-6, 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
This passage also challenges the idea of loosing one’s salvation by sinning. He chose us, it is not us who chose Him. He chose us to be holy and blameless in his sight, for His glory. Not for our glory, or our boasting that we made the choice.
The Lord’s prayer also affirms our family relationship as adopted sons and daughters of God, in Matthew 6:9, it starts, “Our Father in heaven”. Our father-child relationship is an illustration of our heavenly father’s relation to us.
Our Father gives us his unconditional love, he has given us his free gift of eternal life. He will not take it away when we sin, then give it back when we repent. What kind of earthly father would that be? (See Matthew 7:11)
Let us rest assured tonight that the gift that God has given us will not be taken away, no matter what mistake or backsliding we may do. God loves us and will restore us, but he will not take away his gift of eternal life.
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