Last Sunday was an exciting day in the life of Vista — many among us, for the first time understood eternal security in Jesus. [If you weren’t able to join us, listen to the sermon audio here.]
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. —Romans 3:21-22
Springing from our text and series on Jesus’ mountainside sermon (Mt 5–7), we looked specifically at 5:17–20 where Jesus essentially calls his followers to greater righteousness, while simultaneously reminding them that righteousness (approval from God) can be found only in Him!
That’s quite a tension, and we’ll continue to unpack that tension this Sunday.
In the meantime, we have settled the matter of eternity for those who believe: Those who have trusted Christ (the only One who has fully met the requirements of the Law, and therefore approved by God) CAN BE, through faith, 100% certain of their place with God forever. Why? Because of our reasonable success in living righteously? Absolutely not — we have plenty of work to do there — but because of Jesus’ righteousness alone.
We are eternally secure in Christ by faith!
Well then, why would we continue to strive to live righteously? And why try if we cannot reach an acceptable righteousness on our own? What could possibly motivate us, if we’ve already gained God’s approval in Jesus? Well…see ya Sunday!
~mike
