Relational Truth In Christ In time Eternal truth Truth in time Perfect Complete Forgiven In Christ, I am eternally In time, I am being… Perfected Completed Forgiven This might be called “Relational Truth” vs. “Fellowship Truth”

The terms used are imperfect, but do reflect the idea. In one sense, both aspects involved are “relational”. And, expressions like “being perfected” are used to simply convey the process of growth in maturity as opposed to our permanent standing.

Relational Truth versus Fellowship Truth Colossians 1:13 “…He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses…” Complete forgiveness for all believers. Relational Truth 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Forgiveness depends upon confession. Fellowship Truth

Relational Truth versus Fellowship Truth Relational truth is complete, yet… Fellowship is characterized by struggle.

Relational Truth versus Fellowship Truth Relational truth is complete, yet… This forms the basis for… …vice-versa. Fellowship is characterized by struggle. …this, but not…

Relational Truth versus Fellowship Truth Relational truth is complete, yet… Many call this Justification- salvation Fellowship is characterized by struggle. Many call this Sanctification- salvation

Relational Truth versus Fellowship Truth Justification- salvation is deliverance from the penalty of sin. Sanctification- salvation is deliverance from the power of sin.

Which salvation? Justification-salvation Is given when I believe Is complete Cannot be lost Sanctification-salvation Is a process for believers Is incomplete until death Can be lost

Heb. 10:1-4 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

Relational Realities – Heb. 10 The sacrifices in the OT could never finally take away sin.

Heb. 10:5-7 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’”

Relational Realities – Heb. 10 Christ came to do what the Law could not.

Heb. 10:8-10 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Relational Realities – Heb. 10 The result of Christ permanently dealing with sin is a permanent result in us.

Relational Realities – Heb. 10 We have been permanently set apart (sanctified). Sanctified… …with on-going results

Relational Realities – Heb. 10 Remember: Those who believe are permanently set apart. (Acts 26:18;1 Cor. 6:9; Jude 1:1)

Heb. 10:11-14 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever (the) sanctified.

Relational Realities – Heb. 10:14 The translation “those who are being sanctified” does not reflect the best understanding of the original language.

Relational Realities – Heb. 10:14 The term here does not emphasize time (“being sanctified”), but almost a title, the way we view someone (“the sanctified”).

Relational Realities – Heb. 10:14 All believers are not only permanently set apart to God, but forever perfect before Him. But, there’s more…

Heb. 10:15-18 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the L ORD : I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Relational Realities Since sins have been completely dealt with, there is no longer need for another sacrifice. The repetition of the OT sacrifices has ended.

Relational Realities The result is complete and final forgiveness of sins. (Col. 2:13) Of course, this is relational truth.

Relational Realities All believers, then, are… Sanctified forever Perfected forever Forgiven forever But, there’s more…

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Relational Realities – Rom. 5:1 We have been permanently made righteous! Justified by faith… …we have peace with God…

Relational Realities Once we believe, we are… Sanctified forever Perfect forever Forgiven forever and Righteous forever

Relational Realities When we believe, permanent things happen!

Relational Truth In Christ In time Eternal truth Truth in time This … …is the basis of this! Not the other way around.

So what? If we can lose our salvation, the Bible didn’t do a very good job telling us that. Beware of “sounds like” theology!

So what? There are very few passages that even seem to say we can lose our salvation. And, when they do, when carefully studied end up not saying that, at all.

So what? Much of the time, this idea comes from reasoning instead of study. “It seems to me that” or “Are you telling me…?”

So what? It is very difficult to determine how eternal life might be lost from the passages that are appealed to; they are very inconsistent.

So what? We should always interpret unclear passages based on the simple and clear.

So what? Biblical truth about eternal life and our relationship with God mirrors family relationships.

So what? If eternal life can be lost, it’s hard to imagine anyone has it.

So what? It is a consistent teaching in the Word that assurance leads to growth in relationships.

Relational Truth In Christ In time Eternal truth Truth in time Perfect Complete Forgiven In Christ, I am eternally In time, I am being… Perfected Completed Forgiven This might be called “Relational Truth” vs. “Fellowship Truth”

Relational Truth versus Fellowship Truth Relational truth is complete, yet… Fellowship is characterized by struggle.