“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).
Introduction
Most people today are insecure in some way or another. We have been taught by the world, that has no answer to man’s greatest need, to put up a front or put on a brave face. Those without Christ hide behind materialism, religion and self-promotion, but scratch the surface and insecurity is soon found. In reality nothing on earth can offer true security.
What about our faith in Christ? Salvation should be the ultimate when it comes to security, yet many Christians do not possess assurance in their hearts. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). Peter tells us that we are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation” (1 Peter 1:5). The word “kept” literally means ‘guarded’, that is, God guards us at every point throughout life. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Kept by Christ’s Promises
“That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:15-16).
Apart from other things these verses tell us that the believer can never perish [be utterly lost and ruined] if he truly believes in Jesus. If the Lord lost even one true believer He would not be the Saviour, “And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day” (John 6:39). For Satan to hold one believer from eternal life would mean that he has greater power than God, “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. I and my Father are one” (John 10:28-30).
As Christians we are “kept by the power of God” as we exercise faith in Him, therefore we do not have to fear anything on earth or from Hell. Romans 8:35-39 lists seventeen things that cannot separate us from God, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. 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.” Yes, we are “more than conquerors” but only “through Him that loved us.”
Kept by Christ’s Prayers
“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls … Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow … But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Peter 1:9,11,15).
The Lord preserves those who believe so that they will receive the promised inheritance. What Peter is writing about here reminds us of Jesus’ prayer for those who follow Him. “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given me; for they are Thine … And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are ... And now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves … I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil … Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth … Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:9,11,13,15,17,20). It is an amazing thought to meditate upon, that Jesus, just a few hours prior to His crucifixion, prayed concerning our assurance and security. We may not put much faith in the prayers of others, but surely we can encourage our hearts with Jesus’ prayer for us!
Kept by Christ’s Priesthood
“And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: but this man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:23-25).
The Priesthood of Christ is inseparable from the prayers He prayed for us on earth. Even now, as our “Great High Priest” (Hebrews 4:14), He continues to intercede on our behalf. The text for this section teaches us that Jesus is eternal, able to save completely, and is making intercession for us. He sustains and supports us throughout our Christian life, “He is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18), thus enabling us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Kept by Christ’s Presence
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).
These words, quoted from Deuteronomy, reveal that the Lord is with us every step of the way and no matter what we encounter, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD Thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6). This truth ought to dispel every fear and anxiety we have, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6). This is true for all who trust in the Lord, “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me” (Psalms 56:11 and “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Psalm 118:6). Jesus promised that His presence would go with all those who follow His will, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).
Not only this, but we have the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit too, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16). Paul explains that we are “sealed” with the Holy Spirit the moment we believe in Christ, “In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). This means that salvation is a completed agreement, signed and sealed by God. This sealing lasts throughout our earthly life, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30), that is, until we reach Heaven, “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:14). This seal remains unbroken as long as we do not “grieve” the Spirit by not obeying the truth He reveals, “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:15-17).
Conclusion
Nothing in this life lasts for ever. Even the highest security system is vulnerable. We can buy as much insurance and assurance we can afford to protect ourselves and our property, but it all fails at the moment of our death.
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him” (1 John 3:18-19).
Nothing is safe from loss except that which is “kept by the power of God.”
Page created 17 March 2006