Category: Theology

Can a Christian Lose Their Salvation? A List of Verses that Support Eternal Security (or Perseverance of the Saints)

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn TheologyLeave a comment

This week I had the opportunity to meet with a couple who wanted to talk about our church’s stance on eternal security (also called perseverance of the saints). Many people misunderstand what is meant by perseverance of the saints and are rightfully concerned that its proponents hold to a trivial form of “once saved always saved.” Their main concern is that we believe that as long as someone repeats a prayer or makes a profession of faith, their name is sealed in heaven and cannot be removed regardless of how they live post-profession. Thus, they are concerned that we might make salvation a trivial matter: say this, you are saved, and you can never lose it, regardless of how you live.

This is not, however, the historic view on the perseverance of the believer, nor is it the one we hold to. So what do we believe? We believe that when someone genuinely repents and places their faith in Christ, they are saved. They become a son or daughter of God and are given the Holy Spirit. That Spirit ensures their future endurance and is thus the guarantee of their salvation. They will not lose their salvation, because God Himself will complete the work that he started. And this work will be evident in their life!

Here is a categorized list of the verses that help us arrive at this position:

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30 Names and Attributes of God

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn Discipleship, Theology2 Comments

Though God is infinitely above our finite ability to understand or comprehend, he has revealed himself to us in his Word. There are numerous attributes of God’s character expressed in the Bible. These attributes help us know what God is like so that we can have fellowship with him, worship him, and serve him rightly. We should study them, share them, sing about them, take comfort in them, and pray them.

The below compilation of God’s attributes is from the campus ministry I was a part of in college, The Navigators. I believe it is one of the best tools for studying and praying the attributes of God. I am reproducing it here for ease of access for those I recommend it to. My suggestion is to take a different attribute each day, read the accompanying verses, and praise God for that attribute. May God bless you in your pursuit of him!

1. JEHOVAH

The name of the independent, self-complete being—“I AM WHO I AM”—only belongs to Jehovah God. Our proper response to Him is to fall down in fear and awe of the One who possesses all authority. Exodus 3:13-15

2. JEHOVAH-M’KADDESH

This name means “the God who sanctifies.” A God separate from all that is evil requires that the people who follow Him be cleansed from all evil Leviticus 20:7-8

3. INFINITE

God is beyond measurement—we cannot define Him by size or amount. He has no beginning, no end, and no limits. Romans 11:33

4. OMNIPOTENT

God is all-powerful. He spoke all things into being, and all things—every cell, every breath, every thought—are sustained by Him. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Jeremiah 32:17-18; Jeremiah 32:26-27

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What Does It Mean to “Fear the Lord?”

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn Devotionals, TheologyLeave a comment

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy one is understanding.”  –Proverbs 9:10

In the ninth chapter of Proverbs, Solomon compares wisdom with foolishness. In his description of wisdom, he writes that the “beginning” of wisdom is the “fear of the Lord”. In other words, fearing the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Today I want to ask the question: what does it mean to fear Him?

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Does God Desire To Show Some of His Attributes More Than Others? -Dr. David Holt

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn TheologyLeave a comment

God “much prefers” to express His compassion and grace than His judgment and discipline.  I can relate to this as a father.  I “much prefer” to be gracious and giving to my children rather than discipline them for disobedience.  I will do the latter if their behavior warrants it, but I “much prefer” the former.

And so it is with God and us. He “much prefers” that we remain in intimacy and obedience with Him, so that He can bless, help, show compassion, empower and reward us. But if our behavior warrants His judgment and discipline, He will have to express that. Continue reading “Does God Desire To Show Some of His Attributes More Than Others? -Dr. David Holt” →

The Never-Changing God

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn TheologyLeave a comment

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

Our God NEVER changes. One may think, “great, how is that of use to me?” It is of great importance to us! Think of the ways that Jesus responded to the crowds in the first chapters of Mark: there were three different instances when Jesus was almost crushed by crowds of people. He even had to tell his disciples to prepare a boat that He could get in if the crowds started to crush Him (yes, that many people were running to Him!) When He went home to sleep that night, the scriptures say that the entire town was at His house! Yet, He skipped his meal, stayed and ministered to and loved on the people so much that his own family remarked that he was “out of his mind.” So, if He never changes, He still has this disposition, and He still reacts this way to those who run to Him.

Here is solid comfort. Our human nature cannot be relied on, but we can rely on God! However unstable I may be, however fickle my friends may prove, God does not change. If He changed as we do; if He willed one thing today and another tomorrow, if He were controlled by His mood, who could reveal their secrets to Him? However, we can bring Him praise and worship, because He is ever the same! His purpose is fixed, His will is stable, His Word is sure. Here then is a Rock on which we may fix our feet, while the mighty oceans of life try to sweep us away. (My translation of A.W Pinks Attributes, pp 692 Kindle)

Think about it. His character is permanent. He could never change for the better, for that would imply that there was something about Him that needed improving before, and thus, He wouldn’t be a perfect God. He has always been, and forever will be, the same, perfect, God. The permanence of His character guarantees the fulfillment of His promises:

“For the mountains may depart
    and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
    and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”               Isaiah 54:10

His promises are true. His hatred of sin endures forever. His love for His children never changes. His satisfaction with the sacrifice His Son paid for our sins will never change…Aren’t you glad that our God never changes?