the security of the believer's salvation--part 5.

The security of the believer’s salvation—part 5.

Paul continues to lay forth the dazzling pearls in the discourse chain arguing in favor for the believer’s eternal security. Quite simply, the security of the believer’s salvation means that a person, dead in sin and totally helpless and lost, who believes in Jesus Christ and confesses Him as LORD is justified (Rom 5:1) and is totally safe and secure for that final day when the individual is glorified (=made perfect) in heaven beholding Jesus Christ face to face (1 John 3:2-3). To review briefly, we have observed Paul’s argument in Romans 5 proving without a shadow of a doubt that the believer in Jesus Christ who has been justified will most definitely be glorified and can never lose that salvation. In a word, a true Christian will not—indeed, he can not—lose his salvation!

To the matter at hand, the fifth proof that the believer cannot lose his salvation is because of the clear statement Paul makes in Romans 5:9:

Romans 5:9 ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

In this verse, Paul speaks in no uncertain terms and affirms that those who have been justified (action that proves the right and gracious standing of the Christian before an infinitely Holy God) will be saved from the wrath of God.

The wrath of God is a prominent theme in the Scriptures—both OT and NT. Contrary to what many preach in pulpits today or what many may read on the NYT best-sellers at Borders, the wrath of God is being kindled and infuriated to be poured out without restraint and without a drop of mercy upon those impenitent on the final day of judgment. God’s wrath is disclosed clearly and undeniably in such Scriptures as:

Psalm 5:5 ⁵ The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity.

Psalm 9:7-8 ⁷ But the LORD abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment, ⁸ And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.

Psalm 11:5-6 ⁵ The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates. ⁶ Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.

Psalm 60:1-2 O God, You have rejected us. You have broken us; You have been angry; O, restore us. ² You have made the land quake, You have split it open; Heal its breaches, for it totters.

Isaiah 63:3-6 ³ "I have trodden the wine trough alone, And from the peoples there was no man with Me. I also trod them in My anger And trampled them in My wrath; And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments, And I stained all My raiment. ⁴ "For the day of vengeance was in My heart, And My year of redemption has come. ⁵ "I looked, and there was no one to help, And I was astonished and there was no one to uphold; So My own arm brought salvation to Me, And My wrath upheld Me. ⁶ "I trod down the peoples in My anger And made them drunk in My wrath, And I poured out their lifeblood on the earth."

Revelation 14:10-11 ¹⁰ he [the Non-Christian] also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. ¹¹ "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

These are just a few of the many Scriptures affirming the wrath of God that will be revealed against sinners who have no Advocate—that is, no one to plead their case before an infinitely Holy and Righteous God. All are found to be guilty and worthy of the eternal, conscious, unmerciful, hateful, angry wrath of God.

But note, Paul affirms in Romans 5 that for those who have been justified, they are saved from the wrath of God. This refers not only to (1) the eternal wrath in hell and eternally in the Lake of Fire being judged by God Himself (Rev 20:11-15); but also (2) it refers to the future coming wrath of God where He will pour out His anger upon a humanity that has rejected His Son in the future time. This seven-year period is known as the Tribulation (cf. Matt 24; Rev 4-19). And for those who are justified, there is the promise from God Himself that he will be spared from ALL divine wrath! Why? Because Jesus bore it in full on the cross at Calvary. This is what the phrase “it is finished” means! The debt has been paid. The wrath of God has been satisfied in place of the sinner who believes because Jesus bore it in their place!

If we were at one time reconciled to God while being enemies, how much more shall we, who are NOT enemies any longer but are children and sons of the Living God, be saved from His angry wrath!

Therefore, take note that in Romans 5:9, again, it says that we are saved from the wrath of God through Him referring to Jesus Christ! The only remedy for man’s plight is the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ! And once a person believes and is saved—and declared right with God (=justification)—this person is saved, secure, and surely to receive eternal life with His Savior, Jesus Christ, for all of eternity!