SECURITY IN GOD

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The devil sows doubts and fears into our hearts.
      1. He hinders the lost from coming to Christ; e.g., "Do I      
         really know enough?" Will I remain faithful? What will      
         happen when Satan tempts me?"
      2. Satan also causes doubts and fears in Christians; e.g., when
         asked, "Are you in a saved condition now?" they reply, "I
         don't know, I think so, or "I hope so."
   B. No doubt, all of us have had certain degrees of uncertainty at
      various times in our lives.
      1. In this lesson we want to emphasize positive, optimistic,
         victorious security in God.

I. FIRST OF ALL, LET'S LOOK AT SOME FALSE THEORIES OF SECURITY WHICH
   ARE TAUGHT TODAY.
   A. Those who hold to Calvanism teach a present actual possession  
      of eternal life which can never be forfeited. They use John    
      10:28.
      1. The verses before show that we must believe, hear his voice,
         and follow Him.  John 10:26-27
         a. So long as we believe, hear his voice, and follow Him,
            we have eternal life.  I John 5:13
      2. We have eternal life in the sense that it starts when we
         become children of God and continues on even after death.
         a. We keep this eternal life by continuing to meet the
            conditions the Lord prescribed.
   B. Catholics have the sacrament of "extreme unction."
      1. This is the sacrament given by the priest to people who are 
         in the danger of death.
         a. This supposedly removes the sins of that person and
            prepares him to enter into heaven.
      2. This comes from the traditions and doctrines of men, not
         from the Bible.
   C. The Masonic Lodge, and the female counterpart, the Eastern
      Star, offers hope of an "upper and better lodge."
      1. They perform religious rites and read prayers from their
         books at funerals which indicate that their departed one has
         gone into heaven.
      2. These offer a false security which is not taught in the     
         Bible.
   D. There are a host of false ideas floating around that give a    
      false sense of security.
      1. Old creed books stated, "Faith alone is a most wholesome
         doctrine, very full of comfort."
      2. Such doctrines cause many to think they are secure in God,
         but in reality, they are not at all.
      3. James stated plainly that "faith alone" will not justify.   
         James 2:24
   E. Some preachers in the Lord's church have been caught up in the
      theory of "continual cleansing."
      1. Some are teaching that the sins of "weakness and ignorance"
         are automatically cleansed.
         a. We have asked them to please name one sin which can
            be forgiven without confession.
         b. They have misunderstood 1 John 1:7.  Walking in the
            light involves daily complying with the conditions the
            Lord placed on forgiveness.  1 John 1:9
         c. Actually, all sins are due to a certain degree of        
            weakness and ignorance.
      2. We can be forgiven of all sins, even those of ignorance, but
         we must ask to be cleaned of them.  Psalm 19:12-13

II. HOW CAN THE CHRISTIAN HAVE GENUINE SECURITY?
   A. SECURITY IN PRAYER.
      1. Jesus taught security by His model prayer.  Matt. 6:9-13
         a. The way to be secure is to constantly acknowledge our
            absolute dependence upon God in all concerns in life.
         b. We need to pray concerning the needs of our soul:
            forgiveness, and deliverance from the evil one.
      2. Let us pray for God's help in every thought, word, and deed
         that all sin might be defeated and excluded from our lives.
      3. As we draw near to God in prayer, our hearts are shielded
         from anxiety.  Phil. 4:6-7; Job 34:29
         a. We are guarded by God as we ask His help each day,
            praising Him and giving Him thanks, confessing sin and
            asking for forgiveness as needed.
         b. We do not live in expectation of defeat, but are secure  
            in the nearness of God through prayer.

   B. SECURITY BY MEANS OF THE WORD.
      1. It is only by the truth (the holy Scriptures) that we can   
         know that we are secure.  1 John 5:13
      2. 1 John 3:9 - "does not sin."  The Greek here is "present
         active endictive" which means "does not keep on sinning."
         a. This is accomplished by His seed or word abiding in us
            (by it making its home in us).
         b. By the power of His word within us, we do not keep on
            sinning.
      3. The Word of God instructs and strengthens us day by day.
         a. It teaches us to be patient.  Heb. 6:10-12; 10:26
         b. Though our bodies weaken and decay over time, our
            minds can be renewed day by day.  2 Cor. 4:16
         c. The word continues to effectually work in those of us
            who believe.  1 Thess. 2:13
      4. We must have a love of the truth in order to be saved.  2
         Thess. 2:10
         a. Instead of loving the truth, many people have turned to
            different gospels.  Gal. 1:6-9
            (1) As we stated in the first part of our lesson, there
                are many false theories of security today.
            (2) There is no security in the traditions and doctrines
                of men, and we must continue to guard against
                them.

   C. SECURITY IN OUR DILIGENCE.
      1. Peter showed that assurance of salvation is found in        
         diligence on our part.  2 Pet. 1:5-11
         a. We will never stumble if we are diligent in doing those
            things.
         b. Illustration of man who saved a little girl.
         c. The doors of opportunity are open.
         d. Some say that our emphasis on "diligence" or "strict
            obedience" makes us nervous wrecks, full of fear,
            legalistic, and insecure.
            (1) Peter here taught strict obedience.
            (2) Paul taught strict obedience or diligence.  1 Cor.
                9:25; Rom. 2:7
      2. John showed that we must guard ourselves from sin.  1 John
         5:18-19 - "does not sin" - again, "present active endictive"
         - "does not go on sinning."
         a. Thus, the one who keeps or guards himself, the wicked
            one does not touch.
         b. The gospel armor made in heaven empowers us in our
            spiritual battles, but we must put it on.
      3. We must rise up and fight against sin, first in ourselves   
         and wherever we see it.
         a. We have not resigned to commit sin, but have
            determined to fight it with confidence, optimism, and
            victorious expectation.
         b. One person, who was trying to excuse his sin, said, "I
            want you to know that I am humble enough to admit
            that I sin every day."
            (1) This is a false sense of humility.
            (2) A king would not tolerate a citizen who said, "To
                show my humble loyalty to you, O great king, I
                want you to know that I continue to break your
                commandments every day."

   D. SECURITY IN GOD'S PROMISES.
      1. Through the promises of God, we become partakers of the
         divine nature.  2 Pet. 1:4
      2. When one obeys the gospel, God has promised to wash away
         all his sins.  Acts 22:16
         a. We know that God will not say, "I changed my mind, I
            think I'll not forgive your sins after all.
      3. When we as Christians confess our sins, God is faithful and
         just to forgive our sins.  1 John 1:9
         a. This is a wonderful blessing we have from God that is
            available to us at any time.
      4. God has promised to aid us in our temptations, trials, and
         struggles.  1 Cor. 10:13
         a. We have a great high priest who aids us.  Heb. 2:18;
            4:15-16
         b. God is able to perfect, establish, and strengthen us.  1
            Pet. 5:10-11; Jude 24; Heb. 13:20-21
         c. God is fully capable and able to take us to the eternal
            glory.  1 Thess. 3:11-13; 5:23; Phil. 1:6
         d. The mighty hand of God will not fail.  Let us hold to it.

Concl.
   A. Christians have security (assurance of salvation) through the
      following:
      1. Security in prayer.
      2. Security by means of the word of God.
      3. Security in our diligence.
      4. Security through God's promises.
   B. God invites the lost sinner to obey the gospel and share in the
      assurance of salvation.
      1. We enter the right relationship with God by an obedient
         faith.

Chart:
How Can The Christian Have Genuine Security?

I.   Security in Prayer.

II.  Security by Means of the Word.

III. Security in our Diligence.

IV.  Security in God's Promises.