Eternal security
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
For several weeks attention has been given to various ways the Bible expresses the truth of the eternal security of believers in Christ. The analogies are all anchored in the omnipotence of God Himself. Hence we have thought about eternal salvation in terms of a divine birth, a divine gift, a divine grip, a divine seal, a divine guard, a divine union and a divine anchor.
This week attention focuses on divine decrees and divine intercession. A dictionary definition of a decree would call it an official order issued by a legal authority. We naturally and appropriately think of kings and rulers issuing decrees, such as the one issued by Caesar Augustus prior to the birth of Jesus.
‘God’s authoritative decree’
This decree is remembered due to our familiarity with the Christmas story. According to Luke 2:1, the Roman emperor decreed people should be taxed. That decree served to place Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem at the time she brought forth her firstborn son.
Of higher authority than a human ruler is the divine authority possessed by our Creator God. We get a glimpse of God’s authoritative decree in the poetic and prophetic words of Psalm 2:7: “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, you are My Son, today I have begotten You.”
Later Hebrews 1:5 and 5:5 join to make it clear this divine decree was given ultimately concerning Mary’s child born in Bethlehem. It was a decree not made with reference to any angel (Heb. 1:5), but made of God’s Son who would become our great High Priest (Heb. 5:5).
‘No condemnation’
In relation to the eternal security of believers consider these divine decrees or declarations:
“I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish” (John 10:28).
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).
Coupled with the divine decrees is the matter of the divine intercession. If a person of unlimited authority intervenes on behalf of others they enjoy unlimited support and assurance. On the cross Jesus intervened on behalf of sinners.
Because of that intervention sinners can become children of God. The resurrected Christ lives forever to make intercession for God’s children. As the divinely appointed High Priest, Jesus is “able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).
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