DOWEL PINS OF SOUND DOCTRINE

By Steve Todd.

by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince Titus 1:9

There are old post and beam barns all across I standing though they were built long ago. We have one on our property here at Wildcat Ranch. Ours is a unique double "A" frame construction, and I was told by an architect friend that it is an incredibly strong structure. One of the main reasons for the strength of these old barns is the system of dowel pins that tie the beams together. These barns, though there isn't much to them, stand strong, weather the worst of storms, and time because the dowel pins hold everything together. Each dowel pin itself provides strength and stability, but the system of dowel pins, positioned in key places in the beams, is the key to that strength and stability.

Eternal security is a dowel pin of sound doctrine with which many people struggle. Like many others, I didn't understand it until I learned the difference between the prophetic program of God (for Israel) and the mystery program (for the church as the body of Christ) revealed through Paul (Rom. 11:13, Gal. 2:7-8,1 Tim. 1:16). Without the realization of Paul's distinctive message, the doctrine of eternal security could easily be called into question because so many verses would not reconcile You would end up handling the scriptures deceitfully (2 Cor.4:2) and twisting them to fit.

Salvation without eternal security is nothing more than a "works-based" program. Just as there is nothing you can do to save yourself, there is nothing you can do to keep yourself saved. It is what God did for you. Because Christ paid for all (Col 2:13) your sins on the cross; when you believe, God gives you eternal life (Rom. 6:23). He seals you with the Holy Spirit until the redemption of you, his purchased possession (Eph.1:13-14). It’s HIM that promises to be faithful (1 Thess. 5:24), not us. It is the Holy Spirit of God that places you into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13) and into the family of God. Salvation would only last a few minutes if it was up to us to maintain it.

There is no sin that can exceed the grace of God. Eternal life is just that. Eternal! You can never be disowned by God once His Son is in you (Col.1: 27,1Cor 6:16) for He cannot deny himself (2 Tim. 2:13.). So don't be caught in the snare of judging whether a person is saved or not because of the way their life compares to someone else's (2 Cur.. 10:12). That mentality leads us to trust in ourselves instead of God's grace. God knows them that are his (2 Tim. 2:19).

It is truth that makes us free (John 8:32) and comprehending eternal security will make us free to serve God motivated by love and thankfulness instead of fear and guilt. We will be free to operate our daily lives on the basis of grace and confidence, not legalism and condemnation.

Yes, It is the dowel pin of eternal security that "puts into gear" a properly functioning Christian walk.