Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Summary: Paul addresses a question that often haunts the believer’s mind.
I was in a Bible class the other day, and one of the people there asked if people can lose their salvation.
The discussion leader paused for a moment and then turned to the whiteboard behind him. Among all the notes scribbled on the board was a simple diagram. A single line represented the life of a person who believes in Jesus. It looked something like this:
The key point in anyone’s lifetime is Jesus. Everything changes when we encounter the risen Lord. Which brings us back to the question asked in the Bible study: “Can people lose their salvation?”
Without a word, the man at the whiteboard drew a small box with a checkmark inside. His diagram looked like this:
Then, turning back to the person who asked the question, he asked, “If someone says they believe in Jesus, and checks the box marked ‘Salvation,’ does that mean they are saved, even if nothing changes in their life?
There was a stunned silence for a moment, and then the person who had asked the question said, “No, of course not.”
The implication seemed to be that we can’t lose what we don’t have. As James points out, faith is more than words (James 2:17).
This is where Paul’s statement becomes very interesting.
“Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.”
For people who want assurance of salvation, there is no better source than God’s promises (1 John 5:13) and a full commitment to living for Jesus.
When Paul says, “Those who have served well…” he is not only referring to overseers and deacons. Every believer is called to do the same (John 14:15).
People who serve the Lord well gain standing with believers and unbelievers alike. Unbelievers recognize integrity and hard work when they see it. Believers recognize the fruit of the Spirit when they see God’s faithful believers in action (Galatians 5:22-23).
There is, perhaps, no greater treasure for a believer than “great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” The path to assurance is clear, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).
Application: Build your faith on the rock (Matthew 7:24).
Food for Thought: What does it gain us if we argue about who is saved and who isn’t? Who really knows?
Very good meditation today; very thought-provoking.
What does it gain us if we argue about who is saved and who isn’t? Who really knows?
I believe my relationship and standing with God, through Jesus Christ, is guided by the Holy Spirit, and is personal. God is not impartial; He offers everyone the gift of salvation through Jesus, and a relationship with Him, but the relationship between us is unique. So, no one can judge another person’s relationship with God, the span of their life, all their seasons, their repentance, their sanctification by the Holy Spirit. These are between a person and the Holy Spirit, who knows them, meditates for them, and leads them to spiritual truth. We have been given the truth of His Word, and we hold fast to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to build up His Body, and have unity through Him in love. To argue matters that we do not have the capacity to understand as God understands becomes a distraction from the redemption and work that Christ has given us.
1 Corinthians 2:10-14
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
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I went on a personal journey of redemption with the Holy Spirit, in the past year, over some teaching of my youth regarding assurance of salvation. I remember many sermons on the subject that, I believe, were intended to give me (and others) assurance, but really just left me a lot of unanswered “but what if’s.” I offer these two verses that the Holy Spirit used to help redeem and resolve the questions inside me:
1 Thessalonians 1:5a “because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.”
My calling to Christ was in the power of the Holy Spirit. The same conviction that brought me to Christ is the same conviction that shows me the straight path. The presence of the Holy Spirit in my life is assurance of my salvation.
John 15:4
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
My faith in Christ encapsulates my complete dependence on Him. Knowing this leads me to continually seek Him, to continually abide in Him.
Thank you, Chris!
I appreciate you sharing your personal journey and the verses that have helped you with this question.
What does it gain us if we argue about who is saved and who isn’t? Who really knows?
We do not argue with ourselves or with others over another’s claim to salvation. God knows with certainty, and in His timing, He will reveal all truth.
The fact is……Romans 3:23, For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
1 John 1:8-9, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
A new believer may come with struggles, habits and addictions which were part of their old self, however freedom from these will come from God who will remove all addictions to sin instantly, and each individual must in their own time let go of what once held power over them.
1 Corinthians 4:5, Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
Matthew 7:16-20, You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Thank you Ron!
Well said!