When discussing such matters, it is vital to allow the Bible to interpret itself. Men have done much damage by interpreting Scripture with preconceived ideas, denominational biases, and from carnal thought patterns. Paul encourages us to forsake such worldly wisdom, and listen to the Holy Ghost, comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Cor 2). The Holy Ghost is the author of Scripture after all, so shouldn't we listen to how He interprets His book? I believe so.
One of the things that He makes clear in Scripture is the fact that salvation is a gift. Paul says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8). And again Paul says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 6:23).
Now, concerning these gifts, there are certain characteristics that are attributed to them. One such quality is that of immutability, that is, they DO NOT change! Scripture readily and repeatedly accredits this truth: "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Rom 11:29). James writes, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (1:17).
Why are his gifts immutable, we may ask? Because the Great Giver Himself is immutable. His gifts possess an extension of His great character: "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed" (Mal 3:6), and again, "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes" (Hos 13:14). Can't we see from these verses that if God did change His character and revoked His great gift, there would be no hope for us! His goodness and mercy will never fail, THEREFORE the sons of Jacob ARE NOT consumed!
Well what about personal faith, you may be wondering? Of course sincere faith is required for salvation to occur. But we must understand that even our faith in Christ has been given to us by the Father! Paul says, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake" (Phil 1:29). Faith comes, and is given, by hearing God's words (Rom 10:17), it isn't carnally conjured up in the heart. Jesus said that no man can come to Him unless he has been wooed by the Father (Jn 6:44). In other words, we are not ABLE to come to Jesus of our own accord! Rather, the Father (in His sovereignty and omniscience) looks upon our hearts, and knows whether there will be a genuine response or not. He then draws us to His blessed Son, opens "the door of faith" (Acts 14:27), and gifts and clothes us with His salvation! The entire process is an "operation of God" upon the human spirit (Col 2:12). "Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth..." (Jas 1:18). He doesn't predestine some to glory and some to wrath, rather, He is able to interpret the motives of man's heart without treading upon and invading man's free will. Such believers can never be lost again because the gift operating in their hearts WILL, one day, come to fruition! How can we know? Because they were not born of mere men. Rather, it was an operation of God - and He cannot fail.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (Jn 1:12-13).
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day" (Jn 6:37-39).
We did not choose to get saved, I can assure you. Even the most fervent of Christians possess fiery love ONLY because God has chosen to reveal Himself. Any love that we may possess for the Lord Jesus came to us simply because He first loved us. We only chase after Him, because He first chased us. We could not do ANYTHING to get saved, so how can we do ANYTHING to lose it?
To Be Continued ...
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