first assembly

As a pastor I get the opportunity to hear lots of stories of redemption, either through my own life or from other people in our community. I also get to pray with a great many people about a lot of things. One of the things that comes up quite often for people is the idea of not feeling certain in their faith. Whether they grew up in Church, or not the uncertainty or insecurity usually bubbles up to the surface with someone that is sincere about wanting to follow Christ (if not they generally wouldn't be asking these questions) but "struggles" with the idea of forgiveness. Sometimes it's because they're struggling with habits that they know they want to rid themselves of, sometimes it's because they've grown up in eternal insecurity.(answering altar call after altar making sure I'm really forgiven this time!

Not having a true understanding of God's grace and forgiveness. Either way we need to understand this. Our salvation is based on the grace of God and that is a gift, therefore anything we try to put into the equation apart from grace, is just "good works"  and with that we've missed the boat of grace. Our righteousness is based on what happened at the cross...He (Jesus) who had no sin became sin for us, through faith in Christ, the exchange at the cross means we step into forgiveness and we are seen now as the righteousness of Christ and He took our sin. Best Deal Ever! Does that mean we can live anyway we want? Actually when we step into faith our desire and nature is to live the very best way possible (because we have a new nature!)...which is empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Can you walk away from God...

The Arminian/Wesleyan/Holiness tradition, and the Assemblies of God that grew out of it, have both historically rejected the belief in eternal security. The official AG Web site states, “The Assemblies of God has taken a stand against the teaching that God’s sovereign will completely overrides man’s free will to accept and serve Him. In view of this we believe it is possible for a person once saved to turn from God and be lost again.”

So yes definitely if you really want to walk away from God, you can because you have a free will...But do you lose your salvation because you feel like you messed up? Nope...just let grace overtake you!

And just remember:1 John 1:9-10 NIV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Want a fuller Biblical explanation of eternal security/eternal insecurity? Check the link below:

Does the Bible teach eternal security?