Lesson 25: God's Love is Eternal, part 5

The third reason why some people say God's love is not eternal is because they have forgotten the corruption of man.

Romans 3:9-18 "What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes."

According to our verses, how many people are righteous or understand the things of God, or seek Him or are good like God? Not one! Unless we understand the corruption of man, we will never understand the salvation He offers us, let alone realize how secure it really is.

For instance, the first thing we learn about the corruption of man is that salvation is offered as a gift - Romans 3:23;6:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The Bible is clear. There is no way in the world we could ever earn our salvation. Because of the corruption of man, we have earned death! We deserve to die and go to hell. Therefore, considering our condition, salvation is offered as a gift. It must be! Then the question is this: if salvation is offered as a gift regardless of our behavior, then how could there be a behavior to cause us to lose it? Stop and think about it. If there was, it would no longer be a gift, would it? Absolutely not! Therefore, since salvation is offered as a gift from God, it must also be secure in God.

The second thing we learn from the corruption of man is that salvation is obtained by faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Once again, there is no way in the world we could earn our salvation. We are saved by the grace of God through faith in God. Why? Because of the same reason: the corruption of man. We have nothing to boast about in our behavior before God. Therefore, considering our condition, salvation is obtained by faith. It must be! So the question, again, is this: if salvation is obtained by faith regardless of our behavior, then how could there be a behavior to cause us to lose it? If there was, it would no longer be by faith. If you could work yourself out of your salvation, then how is that any different than working for your salvation? Therefore, since salvation is obtained by faith in God, it must also be secure in God.

The point is this. Based on the corruption of man, there is no reason to assume a person can be a child of God and somehow end up being a child of the devil again. The Bible is clear! God's love for His children endures forever, and if a person does not think so, then maybe it is a sign they have forgotten the corruption of man.

Thought Question: What is the result if we are more comfortable “working for our Salvation” than accepting God’s free gift of salvation?