Secure in Grace: Not Saved and Lost, but Saved and Loved

We live in a very unsafe universe—or at least it feels that way. Many have been taught to believe God is out to get them. Religion has sometimes succeeded in keeping believers on edge, walking a tightrope of guilt and fear. It’s a fear-based salvation rooted in a rule-based identity. No security. Only anxiety.

For some, salvation feels like a water faucet—when the water’s running, they feel saved; when it’s off, they feel lost. Confident on Sunday. Condemned by Wednesday.

But the Bible doesn’t teach a “saved-lost-saved-lost” cycle. You’re either saved or you’re not (1 John 2:19). To claim that you’re saved one moment and lost the next is to suggest that God has enough power to rescue you but not enough to sustain you.

Paul clears this up in Romans 6–8. You are securely saved, but you will struggle. Two things you must never forget:
    1.    You are positionally secure in Christ. Nothing can alter your standing. Paul shouts this truth across the centuries: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35–39). Read those verses again and again until they become your heartbeat.
    2.    You are progressively being transformed. Though you’re saved, you’re still in process. Sanctification means tension—the pull between the old and new self, flesh and Spirit, confidence and insecurity. But never confuse spiritual struggle with spiritual loss. God’s grip is stronger than your grip on Him. You're not the security; He is!

Grace means God has already done the heavy lifting. As the inmates say, “Let’s walk this bit down.” With the brief time we have left on this earth, let’s walk it out with gratitude. Let’s serve. Let’s share. Let’s show grace.

At least we can tell our story.
At least we can visit those behind bars.
At least we can feed, clothe, and care for the broken.
At least we can love like we’ve been loved.

“Grace doesn’t erase the struggle; it ensures the struggle won’t erase you.”

Grace to you,
Cedric Finley
Traditionalwriter@yahoo.com