Count On It

Reid Fowler
Jul 10, 2017 · 3 min read

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

Jesus, recorded in, John 6:37 esvbible.org

Sure thing!

You can count on this.

Count on what? We live with constant change.

Governments keep changing.

Promises from politicians frequently change.

Then there’s climate change.

And prices are always changing.

Long established morals seem to easily change.

In some places, unchangeable doctrine keeps changing.

Really, is there anything we can trust?

Honestly, is there anything that doesn’t change?

Yes!

The truth, reality, assurance, and trustworthiness of salvation.

We who are, and declare ourselves to be, the followers of Jesus, live within the same cultures and communities as everyone else.

But we have this hope in four certainties in our salvation.

This is the salvation that, according to God’s Word, comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.

1. Our salvation is purchased.

We are unable to buy, steal, inherit or merit our salvation. It is all the full and gracious work of the Lord, obtained for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

“For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Our salvation cost Jesus untold suffering, which He willingly accepted as the price for our forgiveness and redemption.

2. Our salvation is a full pardon.

We become annoyed, or worse, whenever we see or hear of criminals being granted full pardons for their crimes. We think it’s not fair. Not right.

Yet, no criminal has ever committed any transgression that is any greater than our sin before Almighty God.”

“Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.” (Micah 7:18)

God forgives all sin. He does not keep our worst sins locked away somewhere, to bring them out later to throw them in our faces. They are all forgiven and forgotten.

3. Our salvation is perfect.

Nothing has been left out, nothing omitted, nothing remaining to forgive.

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

Our salvation is not partial, or temporary, or in limbo, or open to negotiation.

Jesus declared it on the cross.

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

(John 19:30)

4. Our salvation is permanent.

Based on wrong theology, many followers of Jesus believe that their salvation is tenuous, uncertain, unstable, something they could lose at any moment.

False.

We are saved to the uttermost for eternity.

Jesus said:

“‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’” (John 10:27–30)

Our salvation is not something that we acquire and then lose.

Our salvation is not something the Lord gives, then takes away.

Our salvation is sure and certain.

It’s a sure thing.

Count on it.

Soli Deo gloria!

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