Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: No Condemnation in Christ (07/16/26)
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TITLE: No Means No | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
07/21/26 -
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The Titus 3: 5 regenerating of what had been the dead spirit, and the Eph. 4:30 sealing (marking for identification = baptism) that automatically takes place at the moment one is born-again (John 3: 5, 7), is the irreversible function and Work of God the Holy Spirit.
The born-again believer, then and there, passes from death to life (John 5: 24), and has become the recipient of the irrevocable (Rom. 11: 29) gift of eternal life.
The key words here are irreversible and irrevocable, and are the basis for the “Therefore…”, of Romans 8: 1 NASB2020.
The Church that God designed was commissioned to preserve and to promote the unadulterated (additives-free) Gospel Message for salvation, and to teach accurate Bible Doctrine for post salvation discipleship (Matt. 28: 19, 20).
Never-the-less, and to its own hurt, the false belief that faith alone is not enough to secure or to retain salvation has persistently plagued the Christian Community.
Such teachings have been the work of false teachers from the very beginning of the Church Age, threatening to crack the very foundation (1Cor. 3: 11) of the faith.
Paul refers to this as being the work of demons (Gal. 3: 1/1Tim. 4:1).
As of the Church Age, the salvation process begins when a soul in need of salvation is presented with the unadulterated Gospel Message, encapsulated in John 3: 16, 18. IF the recipient chooses to believe (John 3: 16), then the process is immediately completed, as God the Holy Spirit regenerates (Titus 3: 5) what had been one’s dead spirit and seals (baptizes = marks for identification) one’s soul (Eph. 4: 30).
With the process THEN being completed, the individual receives the unearned, undeserved, irrevocable, GIFT of eternal life.
Adding ANY further requirement(s) to the process amounts to a blasphemous insult to the Person and an attack on the efficacy of the atoning Work of the Lord Jesus Christ, as if faith in what He accomplished, is not enough!
The salvation process may or may not be accompanied with overt emotion.
The more stoic believers among us do not usually express their emotions openly.
At the same time, coming to the realization that one’s past, present, and future sin (as far as salvation is concerned) has been addressed, and that one is Heaven bound (Rom. 8: 1), is certainly cause for celebration.
It seems that during the Church Age, the Christian Community will be forever divided over this issue of eternal security, with only advancing disciples experiencing the type of confidence and freedom spoken of in John 8: 32.
The good news is that born-again believers who fear that their salvation can or might have even been lost, will never-the-less find themselves in Heaven because of the irreversible work and irrevocable gift of God.
“If you continue (to grow) in (the understanding and application of) My word, THEN you are truly my disciples; and you WILL know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8: 32 NASB2020 parentheses mine).”
Heb. 2: 15 speaks of living a lifetime in fear. Sad to say, but many “Christians” not only fear losing what can’t be lost (salvation), they fear what embracing true discipleship might cost them.
Both fear and faith can spread rapidly. The more you have of one, the less you will have of the other.
Unshakable faith is a wonderful asset and testimony, but while the integrity of our salvation is NEVER in jeopardy, there ARE many OTHER negative consequences to be experienced here on Earth (Heb. 12: 6) and in Heaven (1Cor. 3: 15) for the wrong choices we make.
Discipleship is not just a matter of choosing right from wrong, but choosing what is best over what is “good enough.”
Maximum divine discipline for born-again believers here on Earth, results in physical death (Acts 5).
Maximum consequence in Heaven for born-again believers is the forfeiture of all the rewards and privileges that he or she would have otherwise received, if he or she had embraced post salvation discipleship.
Being willing to take a stand with the Matt. 7: 14 minority, when it comes to preserving and promoting the unadulterated (without additives) Gospel Message for salvation, and accurate Bible Doctrine for post salvation discipleship, is the mark of a true disciple (John 8: 31).
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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The writing gives a consistent focus on the finality of God's grace and the absolute security of the believer.
It weaves together numerous Bible verses (such as Romans 8:1, Titus 3:5, and John 3:16) to build its theological argument.
It makes a distinct boundary marker between the free gift of eternal life and the separate concept of earthly/heavenly consequences or rewards for discipleship.
I think the tone of your piece was a bit harsh instead of trying to persuade your reader to decide, but the message of eternal security was very clearly written.
The writing gives a consistent focus on the finality of God's grace and the absolute security of the believer.
It weaves together numerous Bible verses (such as Romans 8:1, Titus 3:5, and John 3:16) to build its theological argument.
It makes a distinct boundary marker between the free gift of eternal life and the separate concept of earthly/heavenly consequences or rewards for discipleship.
I think the tone of your piece was a bit harsh instead of trying to persuade your reader to decide, but the message of eternal security was very clearly written.
The writing gives a consistent focus on the finality of God's grace and the absolute security of the believer.
It weaves together numerous Bible verses (such as Romans 8:1, Titus 3:5, and John 3:16) to build its theological argument.
It makes a distinct boundary marker between the free gift of eternal life and the separate concept of earthly/heavenly consequences or rewards for discipleship.
I think the tone of your piece was a bit harsh instead of trying to persuade your reader to decide, but the message of eternal security was very clearly written.
The writing gives a consistent focus on the finality of God's grace and the absolute security of the believer.
It weaves together numerous Bible verses (such as Romans 8:1, Titus 3:5, and John 3:16) to build its theological argument.
It makes a distinct boundary marker between the free gift of eternal life and the separate concept of earthly/heavenly consequences or rewards for discipleship.
I think the tone of your piece was a bit harsh instead of trying to persuade your reader to decide, but the message of eternal security was very clearly written.
The writing gives a consistent focus on the finality of God's grace and the absolute security of the believer.
It weaves together numerous Bible verses (such as Romans 8:1, Titus 3:5, and John 3:16) to build its theological argument.
It makes a distinct boundary marker between the free gift of eternal life and the separate concept of earthly/heavenly consequences or rewards for discipleship.
I think the tone of your piece was a bit harsh instead of trying to persuade your reader to decide, but the message of eternal security was very clearly written.