## Can God Really Keep Me Saved?

## II Timothy 1:12

In this verse, the Apostle Paul makes a bold statement concerning his salvation. He tells us that he is confident that his salvation is eternal in nature. But, is it really? Is salvation something we can be sure of, or is it something we must simply hope will work out for us in the end? Can a Christian truly have absolute assurance that he or she is saved? And, can the Christian be sure that he or she will never be lost again? Is there anything you or I could do that would cause Jesus to take away our salvation? Is it possible for us to decide that we didn't want to be a Christian anymore and lose it that way? What I am asking is can God really keep me saved? Most would say "No!" The majority, of those who claim to be Christians, holds to the view that says man can, by the exercise of his own free will turn from God to sin at any time and be lost. This is the view held by the nearly every church in town. They believe and teach that it is possible for a person to be lost after they have come to Jesus Christ for salvation. They teach that man's free will allows him the right to choose between salvation and sin at his own choice. [2]

We believe and teach that once God has granted salvation; it can never be taken away. We hold that once a person has been saved by grace, they are forever saved and nothing will ever be able to change that fact! We believe that man is saved by the exercise of his free will, and that at the moment of salvation, the believer is instantly and eternally changed and adopted in to the family of God. We believe that the believer is declared righteous through justification and that eternal life is a present possession. We hold that it is impossible for one who has been born again to ever be lost, or to ever go to hell. Now, who is right? Can salvation be lost as the majority of the church world teaches? Or, is salvation an eternal gift that can never be taken back? To come to the proper conclusion, we must understand what the Bible teaches about salvation. I believe that Paul clears up the issue in this verse. If we will be honest with the Word and with ourselves, we will discover this morning Paul answers the question, "Can God Really Keep Me Saved?" with a resounding YES!

I. Paul's Conversion

A. Involved A Person - Paul says he knows in "Whom" he had believed.

1. When Paul was saved on the way to Damascus, his conversion was the direct result of meeting a person, Acts 9:4-6.

2. Paul was a highly educated man, and he lived the life of a separated Jew.

3. But, his salvation could never be earned with such things.

4. It took a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ to bring about Paul's salvation.

5. This is the way conversion happens for every person who ever gets saved.

6. No one ever earns their salvation by good works, Eph. 2:8-9.

7. Salvation is the result of a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 John 5:12) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

8. No amount of goodness or education will ever produce salvation.

9. It is always and only the result of meeting Jesus Christ in a personal way.

B. Involved A Plan - Notice that Paul says that his conversion was the result of "belief."

1. Salvation cannot be worked up or prayed down.

2. It can only be accomplished through simple faith.

3. Notice what the Bible says about the means and manner of salvation.

(John 3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

4. Salvation can only be ours through faith in Jesus Christ. 5. What is faith?

a. The word faith is defined as "complete confidence, trust or reliance."

b. Faith, in regard to God, means having total trust in Jesus Christ for the salvation of one's soul.

c. It means trusting Jesus, Him alone, and Him completely for salvation.

d. Faith is absolutely essential for salvation.

e. Faith also implies letting go of one's self-effort.

f. Being saved means that we are to trust Jesus Christ and Him alone for the salvation of our souls.

g. It is always based on absolute belief.

C. Involved Permanence.

1. Notice the use of the words "I have believed."

2. In the original language this means that it is an action that has been completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated ever.

3. Paul is saying that when he placed his faith in Jesus Christ, it was a one time for all time action.

4. He says that what was accomplished then was also finished then.

5. Paul knows that his salvation is a permanent thing.

6. It never needs to be redone and will last forever.

7. Once we are born into the family of God…we are permanent members of His family.

II. Paul's Confidence

A. Based In The Person Of God - Paul says this, "I know in Whom I have believed."

1. The word "know" means to "know by personal experience."

2. Paul is telling us that he has the confidence he does in the Lord because he knows the Lord.

3. He has experienced God's power first hand and he knows what God can do.

4. People who have assurance of salvation have a strong personal faith in God.

5. They believe in a God who is all-powerful.

6. One who does what He has promised and One who is able to bring about salvation.

7. Who is God to you?

a. Is He an all-powerful God Who does what He says He will do?

b. Or is your God weak, imperfect and unable to keep His promises?

c. The Bible makes this clear.

(Titus 1:2) In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

B. Based In The Power Of God - Next Paul reminds us that God is "able".

1. This word simply means that God has the power to do a thing.

2. Paul tells us that his salvation, and our as well, is based in the power of God.

3. Peter tells us that we are "kept by the power of God", 1 Pet. 1:5.

4. In simple terms, our salvation is only as strong as God's power to keep us saved.

5. And we serve a God Who is infinitely powerful. (Isa. 26:4; Luke 1:37)

C. Based In The Promises Of God - Paul tells us that he is "persuaded" about God's ability to preserve the soul.

1. Paul's confidence is based upon the precious promises of God.

2. Paul is telling us that he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that God can save the soul and that He can keep the born again one saved.

3. Do we have that same confidence?

4. Are we settled in the knowledge that Jesus Christ saves sinners?

III. Paul's Commitment

A. He Committed His Past - Paul was trusting Jesus to forgive him, cleanse him from sin, and save his soul.

B. He Committed His Present - Paul had given his life, after salvation, to doing what the Lord wanted him to do.

1. Paul's total surrender was based in the knowledge that the Lord had saved him with a perfect salvation that would last for all eternity.

2. Such a gift demands such surrender!

3. We should serve and love Him because of all that He has done on our behalf!

C. He Committed His Future - As this verse closes, Paul speaks of "that day."

1. He is writing about the day when he must leave this world and face the Lord in judgment.

2. Paul knew that when "that day" came he would be found in Jesus, regardless of what happened down here in this life,

3. Our salvation doesn't depend on us or what we can do.

4. But it is all about what Jesus has done for us on Calvary.

Can God really keep me saved? Yes, He can and He does! But the more important question this morning is have we trusted in His finished work on Calvary as the only means of salvation? Have we committed our past, present, and future to Him? Will you come today?

(2 Tim 1:12) For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.