MARCH 2, Philippians 1:6

Suppose someone asked you this question: “Are you sure you will go to heaven when you die?” What will your answer be?

For Apostle Paul, his answer would have been a resounding “Yes!” Not only was he confident of his own salvation but also that of his fellow believers. Why do you think Paul was so confident? Whom was Paul confident in?

Apostle Paul trusted in Jesus and His every word. In John 6:29, Jesus says it is God who does the salvation work in man. That means no man can work his own way or pay his way to heaven. In John 10:29, Jesus says that no man can ever pluck anyone out of his Father’s hand. That means that once Jesus has saved a man, this man will never lose his salvation. Hence, once we are saved, we will always be saved. Apostle Paul reminded the Philippians church of this truth, in order to encourage them to persevere in their faith.

You may ask, “What if I fall into sin again? What if I disobey God deliberately or hurt somebody? Will God still consider me His child?” Yes. Jesus has said so - No man can pluck you out of God’s hands. Once God has begun His work of salvation in us, He will never give up on us, whatever happens. He will continue to mould us to be more and more like Christ until Christ returns. He may chastise or discipline us when we sin but He will never discontinue the salvation work in us. Do you have confidence in God?

Strike out the one and only false teaching:

1. We are saved by the grace of God through faith.

2. If Christians sin against God, they will lose their salvation.

3. It is God who has begun and will complete His salvation plan.

4. God’s Word is true and unchangeable.

5. God’s salvation plan includes moulding a man to be Christ-like.

Thought: My confidence is in God because He never changes.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You have saved me and will save me to the end. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.