Righteousness Forever - Part 1

Isaiah 51:8 – “For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.”

 

“My righteousness shall be for ever!” And now we come to another massive subject – one upon which I cannot fully expound in a single post. Therefore, as briefly as possible, I would like to give the reader just a few simple points regarding this great doctrine of righteousness.

 

The Righteousness in our Text is the Lord’s Righteousness

Look closely at our text as the Lord says through the prophet Isaiah, “My righteousness shall be for ever.” My first point regarding righteousness is that the Lord, in our text, is speaking not of the righteousness of man, but of His own righteousness. “My righteousness,” He says.

 

To understand the Lord’s righteousness more clearly, it is helpful to contrast it with man’s righteousness. Allow me to make three points regarding man’s righteousness. In introducing my first point, let me say that there is much difficulty for me in writing the phrase “man’s righteousness” because there is no such a phenomenon. That brings me to my first point – whatever may be called “man’s righteousness” is actually something non-existent. Man has no righteousness whatsoever of his own. Listen to the words of scripture:

 

Psalm 14:1-3 – “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

 

Ecclesiastes 7:20 – “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”

 

Isaiah 53:6 – “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

 

Romans 3:10-12 – “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

 

I John 1:8 – “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

 

“None righteous” – that is the condition of mankind, evaluated by God Himself.

 

Secondly, whatever may be called man’s righteousness is actually filthy rags in the sight of a holy and just God. In spite of the clear teaching of scripture that there is none righteous, there are those religious souls who claim that they themselves are righteous. I have heard some claim to have been completely and sinlessly perfect for many years! When a man boasts of his own righteousness, you can be sure that man does not have God’s salvation. God’s salvation, unlike man’s salvation, leaves no room whatsoever for any man to boast.

 

Romans 3:27 – “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.”

 

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST.”

 

Man has nothing of which to boast. The works of which we boast, though they may be righteous in our own eyes, are but filthy rags in the sight of a holy and just God. To illustrate this point, allow me to use an illustration. Followers of my blog have read this illustration before. By using this illustration, I do not mean to be repetitive. However, with this analogy, the point is driven home.

 

Suppose I was called upon to stand before God at this very moment. Suppose that the Lord commanded me to present to Him first, my good works; then, my evil works. So I stand before God. “Tell me all the good works you have done,” the Lord says. With that order, I begin. I tell the Lord how I pray every day; how I study the Bible on a regular basis; how I accompany my dedication to Him with fasting; how I witness to people that are lost; how I attend church regularly; how I pay tithes and give offerings; how I am current on all my bills; how I am active in pastoral ministry; how I am good to my neighbors; how I keep a good, clean haircut; and on and on and on. Suppose I go on for several hours, explaining all the good deeds I have done. What do you think God would think of all those good works? We have a clear, concise, Bible answer! God would be absolutely sickened from what I would refer to as “good works” – and we have not even begun to discuss the evil works! Our good works sicken God Almighty, who is just and holy.

 

Isaiah 64:6 – “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

 

Our righteousnesses – our best works – are as filthy rags in the sight of God!

 

Thirdly, whatever you may wish to label as “man’s righteousness” is completely insufficient for salvation. Man’s best efforts to save himself are but completely insufficient and unable. Notice what Christ said:

 

Matthew 5:20 – “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

 

Did you notice that? If your righteousness is not greater than the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will split hell wide open.

 

Now, let us discuss the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees. Look at how the scribes and Pharisees are described by our Lord:

 

1. They put burdens on their followers, but do nothing to lift those burdens (Matthew 23:4).
2. They perform their religious works to be seen (Matthew 23:5).
3. They love to occupy the best seats in the synagogues (Matthew 23:6).
4. They love to be addressed by titles (Matthew 23:7).
5. Instead of opening the way to the kingdom of heaven, they shut men out of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 23:13).
6. Instead of ministering to widows, they take advantage of widows (Matthew 23:14).
7. They make pretense out of their long prayers (Matthew 23:14).
8. They pay tithes of the smallest of their possessions, including mint, anise, and cummin, but they omit weightier matters, including judgment, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23:23).
9. They take care not to be defiled by little “gnats,” but they turn around and let big things choke them up (Matthew 23:24)!
10. They are outwardly clothed in long, clean clothing, but inwardly are filthy to the core (Matthew 23:25).
11. They killed the true prophets of God (Matthew 23:35).

 

Clearly, the scribes and Pharisees are strict; but they were not righteous! Here is a great principle that every reader should learn – being strict is not synonymous with being righteous! Do not confuse the two, as so many have done! Just as these Pharisees, there are hosts of others today who are very strict, but very lost! Clean on the outside, but no righteousness within!

 

Listen to me very carefully. As I have quoted, our Lord clearly stated that if our righteousness does not exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, then we will in no case enter the kingdom of heaven. When Christ made this statement, He was not stating, as some erroneously believe, that we must be STRICTER than the Pharisees; He was, on the other hand, stating that we must be MORE RIGHTEOUS than the Pharisees. It is sad that so many preachers have stood behind their pulpits and proclaimed that, since the Pharisees were strict, and were not righteous enough, then we must be more strict than them if we expect to make heaven our home. How ignorant and foolish! The problem with the Pharisees is not that they were not STRICT ENOUGH; it is that they were not RIGHTEOUS ENOUGH. I pity the man who cannot tell the difference. I pity the preacher who confuses being strict with being righteous. Such a preacher is a novice with a minimal understanding of scripture, and he should not teach others until he learns the first principles of the oracles of God. The fact is simple – however we may adhere to laws, whether they are God’s laws or otherwise, and however strictly we adhere to those laws – our own righteousness will be insufficient to please God and will land us in a fiery hell.

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

Perfected Forever

Hebrews 10:14 – “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

 

Our attention will be turned to the great subject of sanctification. There are two tragedies regarding this subject of sanctification. First, this subject is seldom preached, taught, or discussed; and second, in the few instances when this subject is considered, it is usually misunderstood or misrepresented.

 

Please understand that this is a massive subject. There are many scriptures that deal with this issue. There is no way to cover everything about sanctification in one post, or even in a few posts. The purpose of this post is to shine light on a few truths from the text presented, namely Hebrews 10:14.

 

Examination of the Text

The central word in our text is the word “perfected.” Let us use our text to answer a few questions regarding this word “perfected.” First, who or what in our text is perfected? The answer is clearly defined in the last four words of our verse of study – “them that are sanctified.” Second, who is doing the perfecting? The answer is clear and concise – “HE hath perfected.” The “he” that is doing the perfecting is God, as can be seen two verses earlier, in verse 12. Third, for how long are “them that are sanctified” perfected? Again, we have a concise answer – “…he hath perfected FOR EVER them that are sanctified.” Fourth, how are “them that are sanctified” perfected? This answer, like the others, is simple – “…by one offering,” namely, the offering of Christ upon the cross. It is because Christ offered his body upon the cross for a sacrifice that “them that are sanctified” can be perfected for ever. These truths are so clearly stated in our verse of study that it would it would be absurd for any sincere Bible student to attempt to refute any of these conclusions.

 

Who are the Sanctified?

Having seen that the blessing of being “perfected forever” belongs to “them that are sanctified,” it behooves us at this point to determine how a person becomes sanctified, and as a result, perfected forever.

 

Sanctification – Not an Eradication of the Sinful Nature

I understand that this is a sticky subject among many sincere believers. First, let me say that you need not see this subject of sanctification the same way as I see it in order for us to have fellowship, as far as I am concerned. Second, before I expound on the Biblical view of sanctification, let me expound to the reader what sanctification is not. Sanctification IS NOT a second definite work of grace, resulting in the eradication of the old sinful nature, as our Wesleyan friends teach. H.A. Ironside, in his book, Holiness, the False and the True, tells how he formerly was an advocate of the Wesleyan view of sanctification – that sanctification is a second definite work of grace, making holy that which is sinful. By “second definite work of grace,” it is meant that a person is first saved (or, justified); then, as a separate experience and usually at a later time, this person becomes sanctified.

 

Ironside states that, when he was of the Wesleyan persuasion, he defined sanctification this way –

 

“Justification, then, was supposed to be a work of grace by which sinners are made righteous and freed from their sinful habits when they come to Christ. But in the merely justified soul there remains a corrupt principle, an evil tree, or a ‘root of bitterness,’ which continually prompts to sin…The eradication of this sinful root is sanctification. It is therefore the cleansing of the nature from all inbred sin by the blood of Christ (applied through faith when a full consecration is made), and the refining fire of the Holy Spirit, who burns out all dross when all is laid upon the altar of sacrifice. This, and this only, is true sanctification – a distinct second work of grace, subsequent to justification” (Ironside, H.A. Holiness, the False and the True. Loizeaux Brothers, Inc., Bible Truth Depot. New York, NY).

 

While there is something of this definition that sounds pious, there is little of this definition that is correct. Defining sanctification in the Wesleyan school of thought – as a distinct work of grace that eradicates sin in the root – is extremely inconsistent with the Scriptures. Note some of the difficulties that this definition of sanctification creates:

 

1. In Exodus 40:10-11, inanimate objects in the tabernacle were to be sanctified. Would you conclude that the altar and the laver were eradicated of their sinful natures because they had consecrated themselves fully to the work of the Spirit? The very thought of such a thing is absurd.
2. In Exodus 19:23, Mount Zion was sanctified. Did that great mountain go through a change in its sinful root?
3. Individuals, by their own power and choice, have the ability to sanctify themselves. Consider the priests, who in Exodus 19:22, were commanded to “sanctify themselves.” Did these priests change their own natures, eradicating the very nature of sin within them?
4. In Exodus 13:2 and Exodus 19:10, Moses was commanded to sanctify the people of Israel. Clearly, one man can sanctify another. Does this mean that a mere man has the ability to eradicate the sinful nature of another man? It most certainly means this, if the Wesleyan definition of sanctification is correct.
5. Isaiah 66:17 actually speaks of people sanctifying themselves TO COMMIT INIQUITY! Surely no one will teach that these people were committing iniquity as a result of being set free from inbred sin!
6. In John 10:36, Christ Himself claimed to be sanctified of the Father! Was Christ cleansed from inbred sin as a result of sanctification? Any reader who answers yes to this question is in serious error.
7. In John 17:19, Christ sanctified Himself. Did He rid Himself of inbred sin?
8. Even unbelievers are sometimes said to be sanctified! Notice I Corinthians 7:14 – “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.” Are unbelievers cleansed of the root of their inbred sin?
9. Carnal Christians are sanctified. Look out! Buckle up and hold on tight! In I Corinthians 1:2, Paul refers to the Corinthians as being sanctified – “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” In I Corinthians 3:1-3, Paul refers to this same sanctified group as being carnal – “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” To the one who cannot perceive of a carnal individual being a Christian, I will have to agree with Paul the apostle. I think R.T. Kendall sums it up well when he says, “For if we cannot bear the thought that a carnal Christian is nonetheless saved, we border on betraying our own carnality.”
10. In I Peter 3:15, believers are commanded to sanctify God! Are believers being commanded to cleanse God from His sinful nature? It feels nearly blasphemous to ask that question, let alone to answer it!

 

You see, the individual who teaches sanctification as an eradication of the root of inbred sin is teaching a figment of his own imagination – no such definition of sanctification exists in the scripture!

 

Biblical Sanctification

Going back to our text, Hebrews 10:14, we see that it is “them that are sanctified” that are recipients of the blessing of being perfected forever. I would like to briefly bring out just two truths regarding Biblical sanctification. First, sanctification is neither a separate experience from, nor a subsequent experience to, salvation. To put it plainly, you are sanctified when you are saved. To make it plainer yet, if you’re not sanctified, you’re not saved. There is no such thing as being saved in January, but not being sanctified until May. If you were not sanctified until May, you were not saved until May. The Bible clearly states that salvation is THROUGH SANCTIFICATION. This means that one must go through sanctification to get to salvation, making it impossible to be saved, but not be sanctified.

 

II Thessalonians 2:13 – “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation THROUGH SANCTIFICATION of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”

 

I Peter 1:2 – “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, THROUGH SANCTIFICATION of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

 

The Bible is clear; you must go through sanctification in order to get to salvation! I did not say it; the Bible clearly states it! Believe it, fight it, love it, hate it, despise it, endorse it, promote it, scrap it, or do whatever else you wish – but the Bible truth is clear – you were not sanctified some time after salvation – if you’re saved, you’re sanctified!

 

Secondly, since the old Wesleyan definition of sanctification is does not hold up to scriptural application, then what is the true definition of the term, “sanctify”?

 

As for the ten instances of difficulty previously mentioned, each difficulty completely vanishes when we define the term “sanctify” correctly. In its most basic form, the word “sanctify” means simply, “to set apart.” This definition works whether you are talking about men being sanctified, God being sanctified, Christ being sanctified, inanimate objects being sanctified, or unbelievers being sanctified. Because of this clear truth, honest Bible students can only conclude that the definition of sanctification supplied by advocates of the “second definite work” is foreign to the Scriptures, and grossly contradicts them!

 

Let us turn again to our text. Hebrews 10:14 – “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” Having comprehended the truth that a believer is sanctified when he is saved, this business of being “perfected forever” is promised to every saved individual. The current chapter of our discussion, Hebrews 10, bears this out. Look at Hebrews 10:9-10, located just five verses prior to our text:

 

Hebrews 10:9-10 – “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

 

Notice the words – “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” The “offering of the body of Jesus Christ” speaks of the time when Christ offered up Himself on the cross. So it is clear – we are sanctified by what Christ did on the cross. The blood sanctifies us! The same blood that saves us sanctifies us! Just as Romans 5:9 teaches that we are justified by His blood, Hebrews 10:10 teaches that we are sanctified by His blood! When I was saved, I put my faith in Jesus Christ completely, trusting only in His blood for salvation (Romans 3:25). At that moment, Christ’s blood not only saved me; but sanctified me!

 

Allow me to say here that when the blood of Christ sanctifies us, we are perfected forever, according to Hebrews 10:14. However, the blood is not the only sanctifying agent. We who saved are sanctified by the blood, but we are also sanctified by the Spirit, as well as by the Word of God. This means that there is a sense in which, the more that the Word is planted in my heart, the more sanctified I will be. Although the Bible teaches that we are sanctified by the blood that perfects us eternally, it is necessary to grow in this grace. Although sanctification is a definite experience that the believer receives at salvation, working out one’s salvation is a daily walk, and we must become more and more like Jesus the closer to heaven we get. There is much room for growth in our sanctification. This term “perfected forever” does not mean there is no room for growth. It means, rather, that I have been perfected judicially. It means that I have been declared NOT GUILTY – because my sins were laid upon Christ and He paid for them in full! This term “perfected forever” does not mean that from salvation to glorification I will never sin. It means that God sees me as perfect because of Christ.

 

I hear a lot of talk about perfection. I hear preachers preaching from Matthew 5:48, which states, “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” These preachers, however, never bring Hebrews 10:14 into their sermons. They always preach the need for perfection, but they never preach the Biblical truth that the saved HAVE BEEN PERFECTED by Christ’s sacrifice upon the cross – and perfected forever!

 

Closing Thoughts

There is much more to say regarding sanctification. There is no need for the reader to email me to inform me that I have not “covered all the bases.” I understand this more than the reader. It is not possible to exhaust this subject in a single post.

 

Make no mistake about it – the Biblical doctrine of sanctification is a precious doctrine – it is the doctrine that teaches us how to become more and more like Christ. Is this not the ultimate goal of God for us – that we be conformed to the image of Christ? Should this not likewise be our ultimate goal? How grieved the Spirit must be when we fight about this precious doctrine. Perhaps the reader does not agree with everything I have written concerning this subject. It will not hinder my fellowship with you, as long as your view of sanctification makes you more like Christ. That is the goal, and we would be wise to never stray from it!

 

NOTE: To the reader who is interested in the subject of sanctification, I recommend the book from which I quoted in this post, Holiness, the False and the True by H.A. Ironside, published by Loizeaux Brothers. Please be reminded that when I recommend any book, I am not claiming to endorse every sentence in the book! H.A. Ironside, in this book, teaches sanctification in a biblically solid manner. I used a few of his points in this post. He goes into much more detail than I am able to do here. This book can be downloaded as a PDF file free of charge at WholesomeWords.org.

Preserved Forever

Psalms 37:28 – “For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.”

“Preserved” – a Definition

Noah Webster, in his 1828 Dictionary of American English, defines the transitive verb “preserve” this way – “To save from decay; to keep or defend from corruption.” As long as a fruit is preserved, it cannot perish, spoil, decay, or corrupt.

A Look at the Text

The above text, Psalms 37:28, is not the only instance in scripture where the saints are described as being “preserved,” but it is one of the plainest. As stated previously, the word, “preserve” is a transitive verb. It is an “action word,” and because it is transitive, it has an object. Whenever the word “preserve” is used, there are two parties involved. Someone has to be doing the preserving, and someone or something has to be preserved.

Looking at our text, let us begin by asking the question, “Who or what is being preserved?” The text plainly states, “THEY are preserved for ever.” The word “they” is a pronoun. Can we find in the text the antecedent to which the word “they” refers? Sure we can. The word “they” is clearly defined by looking at the two words immediately preceding it – “His saints.” His saints – that is, the people of God – are preserved forever! The saints are the ones being preserved.

Now, who is doing the preserving? The answer is found in the first part of the verse – “THE LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints!” It is the Lord that loves judgment, forsakes not His saints, and preserves those saints forever! It would be a blessing to many Christians if they would realize that it is God who does the preserving of one’s soul. How often the most pious Christians forget that salvation is of the Lord!

Psalms 3:8 – “Salvation belongeth unto the Lord.”

Psalms 37:39 – “But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord.”

Jonah 2:9 – “Salvation is of the Lord.”

Salvation is the work of God! He does the saving; He does the keeping; He does the preserving! Dear reader, if you would realize that the God who is your salvation is also your keeper, then you would be able to rest in the promise of God. Peter calls upon us to commit the keeping of our souls to HIM (I Peter 4:19). Paul reminds us that whatever we commit to Him, He will most certainly keep it (II Timothy 1:12). Whether or not you believe it, it is true that if you have been kept saved, it has been God’s grip on your hand (not your grip on His) that has kept you. He is One that is doing the preserving; we are the ones being preserved.

Psalms 97:10 – “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.”

As we continue to look at our text, Psalms 37:28, let us examine another question. How long will we, the saints of God, be preserved? The words of our text are plain. “They are preserved FOR EVER.” This may seem to contradict II Timothy 4:18:

II Timothy 4:18 – “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me UNTO HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

When Paul speaks here of the “heavenly kingdom” in mind, he no doubt has the millennial kingdom in mind. Paul is speaking of the time when Christ comes the second time to set up His kingdom on this present earth. So, which is it? Are we, the saints of God, preserved until the heavenly kingdom (as stated in II Timothy 4:18), or are we preserved forever (as stated in Psalms 37:28)?

The truth is simple. There is no contradiction. BOTH STATEMENTS ARE TRUE. One statement is no more true than the other. You see, it is a matter of fact that, if the Lord tarries, we will all die. “It is appointed unto men once to die.” It matters not HOW I die, or where I am buried, or the manner of my burial. When Jesus comes for His church, I WILL BE RESURRECTED. My present body will be preserved until that time. At that time, I will receive a new, glorified body; a body like Christ’s. Once I receive my new body, there will be no need to preserve this body any longer. There will be no need to preserve my soul and spirit, as I will be delivered from the presence of sin. So, the body I presently have will be preserved UNTO HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM, just as Paul stated.

When I receive my new body, it will not be capable of sin, death, decay, or corruption! It will be incorruptible.

I Corinthians 15:53 – “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

Because my new body will not be capable of corruption, it is by definition PRESERVED! Whatever is preserved is incapable of decay or corruption. How long will my new body be preserved? David answers the question clearly – “They are preserved FOR EVER!” So, it is clear. My body, soul, and spirit will be preserved until the coming of the Lord (I Thessalonians 5:23-24). Then, my new body will be preserved FOREVER, as it will be incorruptible (I Corinthians 15:53).

Pictures of Preservation

Concerning the saints, our text declares, “They are preserved for ever.” Having made a feeble attempt to define the word “preserved,” I wish I could paint a picture that illustrates this word. In the scriptures, we have several pictures given to us to describe this tremendous doctrine.

GOD’S WORD IS PRESERVED

Note carefully with me a passage in the book of Psalms, regarding the pure words of God:

Psalms 12:6-7 – “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”

Concerning the words of God, the Psalmist sings to the Lord, “Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” Every word of God is preserved. Heaven and earth will pass away, but not one word shall perish that proceeds from the mouth of God! Every word of God is for ever settled in heaven! You may refuse to believe it; you may shred its pages from its binding; you may fight its authenticity; you may hate its teaching; you may abhor its truths. But one thing is certain – you’ll never destroy one word of God’s precious book – those words are preserved by God Himself. You will meet the words of God in the Day of Judgment!

Governments have banned the Bible, burned the Bible, banished the Bible, and barred the Bible – but all to no avail. The words of God are not capable of perishing, decaying, or corrupting – “Every word of God is pure!”

Now, I must the reader a question. Do you believe that the words of God are preserved? Or do you believe that it is possible that perhaps God’s word will not last until the Day of Judgment? Do you believe that God Almighty has kept His word from decay or corruption? Yes or no, dear reader – Are God’s word preserved so that they are unable to perish, as Psalms 12:7 clearly states? Every sincere, born-again believer has no choice but to answer with an affirmative.

To every reader that has answered with a resounding “YES” – you should be informed that the Bible uses the same word – “preserved” – to describe those who have been saved by the grace of God. “They are preserved for ever!”

Furthermore, if you have been born again, then you have been born of an INCORRUPTIBLE SEED, according to I Peter 1:23. What is that incorruptible seed that is sown in the heart of every believer? It is none other than the word of God! Listen, dear reader. If you are saved by God’s grace, then you have been born again by a seed that is preserved; by a seed that is not capable of dying. Read it for yourself:

I Peter 1:23 – “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

What rejoicing there should be in the fact that we who are saved are preserved, just as the words of God are preserved. Those very words of God – those preserved words – are the very words that have been planted in our inner man, resulting in our new birth.

THE JEW

Have you ever read about a man named Goliath? Goliath was a Philistine. Who are Philistines? The Philistines, in the Old Testament, were enemies of Israel, God’s chosen people. Today, however, there is no Philistine nation. It is extinct. Gone. Vanished.

The Jews, on the other hand, suffered far more than the Philistines ever dreamed of suffering. Yet, the Jews cannot be destroyed. I’ve got news for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – Israel will never be wiped off the map. Never. It is an absolute impossibility. How can I be so sure of this? The nation of Israel is preserved by God Almighty Himself:

Isaiah 31:5 – “As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.”

There are three facts in this verse regarding Jerusalem – 1) God will defend it; 2) God will deliver it; and 3) God will preserve it. And there is no argument about the preservation of Israel! Israel has been preserved from the time God spoke to Abraham (about 2,700 years ago) until now! They have been the object of persecution, murder, genocide, imprisonment, and death many times over. But they cannot and will not be destroyed, for they are preserved!

Every Bible-believing reader believes that Jerusalem is preserved by God. The same word used to describe the scriptures and the nation of Israel – “preserved” – is the same word used to describe those of us who have been made holy by the blood of Christ – “They are preserved for ever!”

My soul is as “preserved” as the nation of Israel. I am as preserved as the incorruptible word of God. There is no question as to whether or not the Bible teaches this; the only question is whether or not you believe it.

Assurance Forever

Isaiah 32:17 – “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”

Upon the exposition of the above text, I wish to draw your attention to the concluding phrase – “assurance for ever!” I have often stated that the best gift I have ever received is the glorious gift of God’s salvation; and that the second is the assurance of salvation. Salvation is the state of one’s having been saved, having been rescued from the pit of the fiery hell that awaits every lost, condemned sinner who dies in his sins; assurance of that salvation is the blessing of being sure that one is indeed saved and in good standing with God Almighty.

Understanding that the assurance of our salvation has been provided, it is a sad tragedy that so many sincere Christians do not enjoy it. It is to one’s own misfortune that, if he has an authentic experience of salvation, he does not enjoy the certainty of it.

Recently, I was approached by a well-meaning minister concerning this subject of assurance. He scoffed at the very idea that a person could be genuinely saved and then doubt it. Salvation is such a glorious experience. How could one be saved and not know so positively? This minister, though undoubtedly sincere, has obviously not dealt with too many “babes in Christ.” There are a number of Christians who have partaken of a true salvation experience, and have come to doubt it. Any number of scenarios may cause this. Sometimes, some sin or failure after salvation causes one to doubt whether his initial salvation was real at all. Sometimes, a new convert may be told by some individual that he has not been saved because he has not been baptized; or because he has not joined a certain church; or because he has not spoken in tongues; or because he has not quit this habit or that one; resulting in doubt in the heart of the new convert. Sometimes a person who has been saved may come to doubt his or her salvation because the thrilling excitement that they possessed at the moment of salvation has departed. But the fact remains – there are times when genuine Christians have doubted their salvation. I have written about the reasons some have no assurance in my series, Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine. The reader can find this series by clicking Assurance under the title reading Catagories, or by clicking Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine, located just above my picture near the top right corner of the blog.

“Assurance for ever!” That is what our text says. What a tremendous thought. So tremendous a thought it is, that some are determined to believe that such a thought is too good to be true. Hence, they absolutely REFUSE to rest in any assurance of salvation. It is not that they try to believe it, but are unable; it is that they adamantly reject any idea that they can know positively and without a doubt the certainty of their salvation. To them, it is too good to be true. As a result, they go through life uncertain of their final salvation. They hope that, when they depart out of this life and into the next, they have been faithful enough; that they have been good enough; that they have been holy enough. As a consequence of their own lack of assurance, they have done very little in the business of winning souls to our Lord and Saviour. Such an outcome makes sense – how can I make YOU certain of YOUR salvation when I am not even certain of MY OWN salvation? On the other hand, when a person is absolutely certain of his own salvation, the gospel literally becomes GOOD NEWS; not in definition, but rather in application. I see that the gospel message is truly good news when I understand that it is Christ’s work on the cross that has pleased the Father. The gospel literally becomes “good tidings of great joy” when I understand that I am saved IN SPITE OF me, not BECAUSE OF me! When a person grasps that his salvation is all in Jesus Christ, what assurance this realization brings!

“Assurance for ever!” How many Christians would give anything to enjoy assurance for a day! But “assurance for a day” is not what the Bible offers. Biblical assurance is available to the believer FOREVER!

In our text, which offers assurance forever, Isaiah first declares two other truths.

The Work of Righteousness Shall Be Peace

Isaiah is an Old Testament book that illuminates many New Testament themes. This chapter is such an example. This chapter opens with the announcement of a king who will reign in righteousness. This King is none other Jesus Christ, the One who will reign on this present earth for one thousand years (Revelation 20:4) and on the new earth forever (Revelation 22:3-5).

In our text, Isaiah states that the work of righteousness shall be peace. Having a correct understanding of this verse hinges on the “work of righteousness.” Some interpret the “work of righteousness” to be synonymous with the righteous works that believers do. As a result, their assurance of salvation is highly dependent on their own works of righteousness. As long as they produce works of righteousness, they have peace. But is it true that “the work of righteousness” refers to our own righteous works?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! The “work of righteousness” described by Isaiah IS NOT and CANNOT be any work of righteousness that is performed by either you or me! “Who said so?” you may ask. Isaiah himself said so! Isaiah said that our own works of righteousness are not righteous at all!

Isaiah 64:6 – “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

In our text, the “work of righteousness” that “shall be peace” is not any work that is performed by you or me. The “work of righteousness” that brings peace is performed the King in verse one who shall “reign IN RIGHTEOUSNESS!” Jesus is the King that reigns in righteousness, and it is His work that brings peace!

“The work of righteousness shall be peace,” the word “peace” meaning “reconciliation.” This word “peace” in our text describes our relationship with God. Christ’s work of righteousness – His sinless life, His vicarious death, His burial, His resurrection, His ascension, His sending forth of the Holy Spirit, His high-priestly ministry at the right hand of the Father, and His coming again – is what brings peace WITH GOD to the penitent sinner. Until a person completely trusts the Christ’s finished work of righteousness, there is no “assurance for ever” that is offered him. It is wrong for a person to claim “assurance for ever” who is not fully trusting Christ’s work of righteousness for salvation. It is Christ’s work of righteousness that gives peace with God. Dear reader, if you do not have absolute assurance, complete certainty of your salvation, it could be because you are not saved. I am not in the business of leading people to assurance of salvation who have never received salvation. First, make sure that every ounce of your faith is in the person of Jesus Christ and His work of righteousness alone. Be certain that Christ is the only object of your faith – the only substance you are trusting for your salvation. If you are trusting in baptism, holy living, sacraments, your own faithfulness or sinlessness, or anything other than Christ’s work of righteousness to save you, then you are lost. You have no right to the “assurance for ever” at the end of our text until you have trusted the “work of righteousness” at the beginning of our text.

The Effect of Righteousness Quietness and Assurance For Ever

After asserting that it is the work of righteousness that brings peace, Isaiah then gives two results of that work of righteousness. First, Isaiah declares what the work of righteousness DOES; then, he reveals what the work of righteousness PRODUCES. He gives us the EFFECT, or RESULT of Christ’s work of righteousness. The products of Christ’s work of righteousness can be rightfully claimed by those who are trusting in Christ’s work of righteousness. Isaiah gives two great results of trusting in Christ’s work of righteousness – first, quietness; and second, assurance forever.

First, Isaiah says that the work of righteousness produces quietness. This describes the spirit of the individual who is trusting in the work of righteousness. Simply put, if you are trusting Christ for your salvation, then quietness of spirit is offered to you. Christ stated it another way:

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

There is no need for any believer to worry over his final salvation. The work of righteousness produces quietness! There remaineth a rest to the people of God! How long has it been since you have experienced quietness in the depths of your soul? How long has it been since you lay your head on your pillow, knowing that if you passed from this life to the next before morning, you had nothing whatsoever to fear, and did not have to give it a second thought? Many Christians, to their shame, forfeit such rest.

Notice our text – first, the Lord promises quietness, or rest. But He is not content to stop there. He then gives us something on which to rest – “assurance for ever!” I am resting in my eternal assurance! Because of the truth of God’s word, I am sure of my salvation, and I am resting in it.

If you have experienced the peace brought about by the work of righteousness, why not lean on the remainder of the verse, and rest in the assurance that is offered? You can KNOW that you are saved and know it forever!

In times like these, I have a Saviour;
In times like these, I have an Anchor!
I’m very sure; I’m very sure;
My anchor holds and grips the solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus; yes, He’s the One.
This Rock is Jesus; the Only One.
I’m very sure; I’m very sure;
My anchor holds and grips the solid Rock!*

*Ruth Caye Jones