“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (I John 5:13).
Among the many things that distinguish Biblical Christianity from cults and other religions is this sure knowledge of eternal life. Any religious system based upon works necessarily leaves the practitioner with a doubt as to whether the works performed are sufficient to merit the desired reward.
In contrast, the Bible says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5). Since it is God that does the working, it leaves no doubt that it is sufficient. Paul was then able to say, “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” (II Timothy 1:12).
Jesus also addressed this important topic: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:27–29). The picture here given is of Christ’s hand firmly holding the believer and both being wrapped up in the grasp of God the Father. Can one imagine a more secure image? Small wonder that, literally translated: “Nothing” can pluck them out.
Once this security is understood, the Christian can echo the Apostle Paul: “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 creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38,39). DW