Phil Rowlands

Hello, my friends!

Have you ever felt like you're on a spiritual roller coaster, constantly struggling to maintain your faith and wondering if you're truly secure in God's love? Well, let me tell you, you're not alone! I was like this for 22 years as a Christian under religious instruction and legalistic teaching. But today, I want to share some incredible news that will set your heart at ease and fill you with joy. It's a truth so profound, yet so simple, that it might just revolutionise your entire perspective on your relationship with God.

Imagine for a moment that you're on a grand adventure, hiking through a vast wilderness. The terrain is rough, the path sometimes unclear, and you might occasionally lose your footing. But here's the beautiful thing – you're not on this journey alone. You have the most faithful, loving, and powerful Guide by your side, and He's made an unbreakable promise to see you through to the end.

This, my friends, is the essence of our eternal security in Christ. It's not about our performance or our ability to hold on tight – it's all about God's unwavering commitment to us. As the writer of Hebrews tells us, “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). Isn't that amazing? Christ's one-time sacrifice on the cross has secured our eternal redemption!

But let's dig a little deeper, shall we? Our security isn't just based on a single act – it's grounded in the very nature of God Himself. Think about it: we have the entire Trinity working on our behalf! The Father, who chose us before the foundation of the world; the Son, who died for us and now intercedes for us; and the Holy Spirit, who seals us for the day of redemption.

Let's start with our Heavenly Father. His love for us isn't fickle or conditional – it's steadfast and unchanging. As the prophet Isaiah beautifully puts it, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15). Our Father's love goes beyond even the strongest human bonds we can imagine!

And what about Jesus, our Saviour and Friend? He's not just holding onto us – He's made us a part of Himself! Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” Can you wrap your mind around that? We're so closely united with Christ that to lose us would be like Him losing a part of His own body. Talk about security!

But wait, there's more! The Holy Spirit Himself has put His seal on us. Paul explains in Ephesians 1:13-14, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” It's like God has put His divine stamp of approval on us, guaranteeing our place in His family.

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. “But Phil, what about when I mess up? What about when I sin or doubt?” Here's the beautiful thing – our security isn't based on our performance, but on Christ's finished work. Romans 8:1 declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” No condemnation – can you believe it? Not now, not ever!

Think of it this way: if God saved us when we were His enemies, how much more will He keep us now that we're His children? As Paul reasons in Romans 5:8-10, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

You know, this reminds me of a story I once heard about a little boy who was flying a kite on a windy day. The kite soared so high that it disappeared into the clouds. A passerby asked, “How do you know the kite is still there?” The boy replied confidently, “I can feel it tugging on the string!” In the same way, even when we can't see or feel God's presence, we can be sure He's still holding onto us because we're tethered to Him by an unbreakable bond of love and grace in our new creation being. Remember, we are adopted and grafted in... born again!

This security we have in Christ isn't just a comforting thought – it's a life-changing reality that should transform how we live each day. When we truly grasp that our salvation is secure, it frees us from fear and allows us to live boldly for God. We no longer need to constantly question our standing with God or worry about losing our salvation. Instead, we can focus on growing in our relationship with Him and serving others out of gratitude for what He's done.

Think about it – how would your life be different if you really believed, deep in your heart, that nothing could separate you from God's love? Would you be more willing to step out in faith? More eager to share the gospel with others? More at peace in the face of life's challenges?

Our eternal security in Christ doesn't mean we won't face difficulties or struggles in this life. We still live in a fallen world, and we're still growing and being sanctified. But it does mean that we can face those challenges with confidence, knowing that our ultimate destiny is secure. As Paul triumphantly declares in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

So, my friends, what does all this mean for us? It means we can rest. We can breathe easy. We can stop trying to earn God's love or maintain our salvation through our own efforts. Instead, we can live from a place of security, confident in our Father's love and Christ's finished work.

Does this mean we can live however we want? Of course not! But our motivation for holy living comes from gratitude and love, not fear of losing our salvation. We're free to serve God joyfully, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love.

So today, I encourage you to take a moment and really let this truth sink in. You are eternally secure in Christ. Not because of your own goodness or strength, but because of God's faithfulness and Christ's perfect sacrifice. Let this reality fuel your worship, your service, and your love for others.

Remember, brothers and sisters, you're on an incredible journey with the most faithful Guide. There may be ups and downs, twists and turns, but your destination is secure. So walk in freedom, live in joy, and rest in the unshakeable love of your Heavenly Father. And remember that spiritual roller coaster I mentioned at the start. Well, over time as you settle in His truth of being eternally secure, you'll find a greater sense of peace and rest in Him. The spiritual ups and downs will level out within the unforced rhythms of His grace. And remember, even still as we live in this chaotic world that presses in on us at times, be of good cheer, do not fear. Life is a crazy journey sometimes and a really challenging but often interesting and exciting ride, so stay rested in Him for you are strapped in tight by the grace of God, and the ride ends in glory!

Phil