Friday 17 May 2013

Read: John 6:35-40, Romans 8:28-39

I went for a hike recently in some bushland near Toowoomba. We chose a track which went along the edge of the park and then turned back to meet up again with the main track. Somehow, we missed the turnoff to go back to the main path. When our path clearly ended we decided to blaze a trail through the untamed scrub. Unwilling to give up and turn back we pushed on until finally (3 hours later!) we found a road and a way back to civilization. As we talk about choosing between the narrow road and the wide road we have to ask whether we can do the same thing. Can we be on the narrow road one day, take a wrong turn, and end up on the wide road? Can we lose our salvation in Christ?

 

Jesus' words in John 6 give us great comfort when we are fearful or doubt our place in Christ: "And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day." If we are in Christ God has promised that we will not get lost. We will not fall out of our relationship with God. Rather, we can be secure and sure that we are in Christ and that He will raise us up on the last day. Jesus has promised that we can be sure in the work which He has done for us.

 

Paul's oft quoted words in Romans 8 back up these words of Jesus. What could possibly separate us from the love of Christ? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Re-read Paul's incredible list Romans 8:35-39 and take a moment to ponder the significance of these words. Absolutely nothing can separate you from the love you have in Christ. Paul is emphatic about the absolute certainty that we can have in Christ Jesus.

 

What does this mean for you? If you are doubting your relationship with Christ or fearful that you might wander off the narrow road and end up on the wide road be encouraged! God has promised that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ! You can live with 100% certainty and knowledge the if you are saved by faith through Christ, nothing at all could possibly separate you from His love.

 

Spend some time today meditating on the work of Christ, your salvation and faith in Him and the trust that you can have in the work which He has completed. Praise God for all that He has done on your behalf and that you can be 100% in your trust in Him. Pray that He would help you to live confident in what He has done and striving to be more like Him.

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¥ Pray for the youth group as they gather together tonight to study God's word and to grow in the love for Him. Pray that God would encourage them and challenge them to live passionately for His glory. Pray that they would take advantage of every opportunity to share Him with others.

 

¥ Praise God that He is the one who builds and grows His church. Pray that God would raise up in your church people who are passionate to use their gifts and abilities to grow God's kingdom and to serve His people. Pray that God would give you wisdom to use your gifts for His glory.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. How does it make you feel to know that your salvation is secure in what Christ has already done on your behalf? How should this knowledge change the way that you live?

2. If we cannot lose our salvation why should we seek to put sin to death and seek to live holy lives? Have a look at Romans 6 if you are stuck for ideas.