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PART 5
Salvation is permanent because eternal salvation is a gift, not a reward.
Our salvation does not depend on our performance, unlike all the other religions of the world. Every single other religion in the world is based on good works of some sort, and thus on the performance of the individual. We see this in Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and many so-called “Christian” religions, such as Catholicism, Church of Christ, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, etc. The Bible is clear. Salvation is a gift. Let me again state the obvious; a gift is not a gift if it has to be earned.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Thus, we can see, if we are not saved by performance (and the Bible could not be clearer), then whether we live faithfully or not has no bearing on whether we will go to Heaven or not. Yes, of course, we ought to be faithful, but that is not the issue in salvation. Salvation is an issue of GOD’S faithfulness, not ours. If you are depending on being faithful to go to Heaven, then you are trusting in your faithfulness for your salvation. If you are struggling to hang on then you do not understand that salvation is a gift. Salvation is not something we achieve, it is something we receive, by faith. The Bible says,
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).
SURELY IF WE ARE SAVED WE STRIVE TO LIVE FAITHFULLY, BUT GOD CREATED US AND KNOWS THAT WE ARE NOT PERFECT AND AT TIMES WE ARE GOING TO FALL SHORT. BUT WE WILL NOT AND CANNOT LOSE OUR SALVATION, AND NO ONE CAN TAKE IT FROM US.
SALVATION IS A GIFT, WE CANNOT EARN IT.
SALVATION IS PREMANENT.
THIS CONCLUDES OUR MINI SERIES ON THE PERMANENCE OF SALVATION, DID YOU FIND THE SERIES TO BE HELPFUL?
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM