TODAY’S VERSE:

Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

As we continue our study on eternal security in prep school, we have taken some time to focus on the word perish and what it means to both believers and unbelievers. First, let’s define the word. Perish means to suffer death or complete ruin; to rot or decay. In today’s verse, it says the wicked, meaning unbelievers, will perish. What about believers?

John 10:27-28 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

What does it mean that believers will “never perish”? According to our definition, it’s saying that believers will never die. But haven’t many believers already died? Yes, consider those we have read about in the Bible. Hmmmm... Since God is omniscient (knows everything) and cannot lie, then He cannot be talking about physical death since all people, according to our definition, will “perish”.

Since perishing in these verses does not refer to physical death, it must be talking about spiritual death. Do you know what that is? Spiritual death is an existence without the Lord, a complete and total separation from God and all that He is. This is the fate of those who reject the Salvation Plan of God. The verses above describe the results of man’s decision re: this plan... believers in the Lord Jesus Christ “will never perish”, while those who reject Him “will perish”.

This may make you sad and wonder what you can do to help prevent people in your life from perishing. The Bible tells us that it is the believer’s job in this life to tell others the Good News. It is a part of every believer’s “Great Commission”, given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself.

Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The Great Commission is both a responsibility and a blessing in the life of a believer. If you love Jesus Christ and are grateful for all He has done for you, then you WANT to tell others about Him. You want to share the Good News and hope that others learn to love Him, too. Since we are commanded to do this, not sharing the Gospel is disobeying God.

Before we can share the Good News, though, we must understand it. Let’s discuss the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall we?
-We all have a problem… we all have sinned against God, who is perfect.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
-There is a penalty for that sin.
Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death.
- There is only one way to receive forgiveness for it.
Hebrews 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
- Jesus Christ shed His blood for us, being judged, for the payment of our sin.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Jesus Christ is God who became a man, lived a sinless life, and was judged on the cross for the sins of mankind. He died and then 3 days later rose again. He now is seated at the right hand of God, the Father, in Heaven.

These are the facts of the matter, but there is more to salvation and eternal security than mere facts. In humility, we all must recognize how 100% imperfect we are and want to live differently- this is called repenting. In prep school, we summarize it this way...
-Admit you are a sinner
-Admit you need a savior
-Accept that Jesus Christ is that Savior
-Accept Jesus Christ as YOUR Lord and Savior

A very important thing to remember is that humility, repentance, salvation, and eternal security are all grace gifts from God. We may provide, or hear and believe, the facts, but all the necessary power for salvation comes from God, not people.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

So, hopefully you can see why God calls this the Good News. There is hope for all sinners because of His amazing love for us that we do not deserve.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.