Todays lesson was great and our teacher always has a personal story to tell. I really appreciate what he said today. I did some more research and I asked a few questions here and there.
Here is what a few people came up with in response to my question.
Lurk:
The short answer is that there is no support in the Scriptures for such a view. Possibly the best way to deal with this is to ask where and what verses the notion came from. A correct explanation of a Scripture passage clarifies such a problem.
The fruit of the Spirit is the result of a believer living under the filling of the Holy Spirit and growing to maturity through the intake of the Word of God--spiritual growth. Lack of spiritual growth and/or lack of manifesting the fruit of the Spirit does not in any way imply loss of salvation. The Bible teaches once saved, always saved. The believer out of fellowship is barren, does not produce fruit, and is under divine discipline, especially if the status is prolonged; but he does not lose his salvation.
Menwhile, here are some points to consider regarding eternal security:
Eternal Security Approaches
1.Positional Approach: Romans 8:1; Ephesians 1:3-6; Jude 1. Every believer is in union with Christ—Romans 8:38, 39.
2.Logical Approach: Romans 5:9, 10, 15, 17, 20 with 8:32. God did the “most” for us when we were His enemies and will do “much more” for us as His sons. Romans 8:38, 39.
3.The Hand Approach: John 10:28; Psalm 37:23-24. The believer is held by God’s hand, and He will never let go.
4.Experiential Approach: 2 Timothy 2:12-13. Though a believer may say he no longer believes, God remains faithful, because He is immutable. The Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit indwells the believer and He cannot deny Himself.a)2 Tim. 2:12 speaks of rewards. “Deny us” (believers) rewards. When a believer denies Christ, he is out of fellowship and therefore not producing.b)2 Tim. 2:13, “believe not”—stops believing. A believer denouncing Jesus Christ, yet He keeps on abiding faithful—He cannot deny the unconditional quality of our salvation.
5.Family Approach: Galatians 3:26; John 1:12. We are born into God’s family, we cannot be unborn.
6.Inheritance Approach: 1 Peter 1:4,5, based on Omnipotence. Heirs of God.
7.Body Approach: 1 Corinthians 12:13, 21. Christ, the head of the body can never say to any member of the body (a believer) that He does not need him.
8.The Sovereignty of God Approach: 2 Peter 3:9; Jude 24.
9.Greek Tense Approach:
b)Aorist tense: (once and for all) Acts 16:31.c)Perfect tense: (saved in the past with the result that you keep on being saved forever). Ephesians 2:8,9; Colossians 2:6; Romans 8:1.
10.Sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit Approach: Guarantee for protection and safe delivery at destination (heaven). 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 2 Timothy 2:19.
11.Title Deed Approach: Jude 24, 25; 1 Peter 1:5—God will keep any promise made.
12.God’s Essence Approach: God never goes back on His character. Romans 8:35, (love); 8:38, 39; 14:4.
13.Marriage Approach: Revelation 19:1-10 (Eternal Relationship).
14.God’s Faithfulness Approach: 2 Timothy 2:11-13; 1 Corinthians 3:4, 5; Revelation 19:11.
15.Jesus Christ’s Work on the Cross Approach: Hebrews 10:14. Denying eternal security is to deny the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ and reduces the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to the level of offering bulls and goats. The sacrifice of Christ abides: John 5:24; Hebrews 10:14.
16.Fact of New Creation Approach: Colossians 2:10 “… ye are complete in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:6.
17.Assignment Approach: Assigned eternal life, Acts 13:48 (Greek).
18.How a Believer is Described Approach: Colossians 3:12; elect, holy, beloved.
19.The Verse Approach: Passage upon passage, verse upon verse screams eternal security. Proverbs 24:12, 14; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Psalm 37:24, 28; Colossians 2:6; John 5:14-16, 36; Romans 14:4; Colossians 2:13; John 5:24.
20.The Father Undertakes fore the Believer Approach:
b)The Unconditional Covenants: Abrahamic, Palestinian, Davidic & New.c)Infinite power of the Father to set free, save, keep: John 10:29; Romans 4:21, 8:31, 38, 39; 14:4; Ephesians 1:19-21; 3:20; Phil. 3:21; 2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 7:25; Jude 24.d)Infinite love of God: Romans 5:7-10; Ephesians 1:4.e)Influence on the Father of the prayer of the Son of God—John 17:19-20.
21.The Holy Spirit undertakes for the Believer Approach: a)Regeneration: Entrance into that which cannot be removed. John 3:4-6; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:9.b)Indwelling: Holy Spirit is given, Romans 8:15; 1 Corinthans 2:12; 6:19; 1 John 2:27.c)Baptism: Spirit, not water, by which the believer is joined to Christ as to stay eternally in new creation. 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27.d)Sealing. Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30.
22.God the Father Cares Approach: John 3:16
23.God the Son Cares Approach: John 10, 11, 15, 17.
24.God the Holy Spirit Cares Approach: John 14:17, 18, 26; John 16:7-14.
25.Unbeliever’s Care Approach: Luke 16:26-31. Even the man in hell had a care for his unbelieving brothers.
26.Angel’s Care Approach. Luke 15:7, 10.
Also here are a few links for you, from Lynn.
http://deanbible.org/Media/Doctrines/A-G/Eternal%20Security.pdf
Lots more great info, including books and recordings at no charge, can be found at:
http://www.graceatlanta.orghttp://www.berachah.org/http://www.deanbible.org
