The Way Everlasting – the Way of Eternal Security

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24.

“The way everlasting” is “The way of holiness” (see Isa. 35:8), the path that the “strangers and pilgrims” (1 Pet. 2:11) travel – the way that the wisdom of this world counts “foolishness” (see 1 Cor. 1:18-29; 2:14). It is “the way of the cross,” the “strait” gate (that Jesus commanded us to “strive” to enter), the “narrow” way “which leadeth unto life,” that “few” find (see Matt. 7:14), and even fewer pursue to the end; that “many” are unable to enter at all (see Luke 13:24), because of their unwillingness to deny themselves and walk the strait-laced, flesh-mortifying path. A few legitimate questions for us all, which profess to be “saved,” to ask ourselves, are: “Am I really walking with Jesus in the strait and narrow way?” “Have I really entered into the fellowship of His suffering and, have I been made conformable unto His death?” (Phil. 3:10.) “Have I really crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts?” (Gal. 5:24.) “Am I living and walking in the Spirit?” (Gal. 5:25.) This is “the way everlasting,” the way of eternal life and eternal security. “If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” But, on the other hand, “if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.” (See Rom. 8:13.)

Are You Sheltered In the Cross?

“Are you sheltered in the cross, O my brother? Has your soul been cleansed from all its pride?

When the frowning world looks down upon you, Can you glory in the One who died?

When the trying hour of life is upon you, And against you comes the tempting throng,

Does your heart begin to doubt and falter? Can you shout and sing the victor’s song?

When you walk amidst the waves of affliction, And the tears of sorrow freely flow,

Can you say ‘Thy will be done, my Savior, For thy will is all I care to know?’

When you come before the King at the judgment, Will you be among the pure and the blest?

Can you face the blazing light of Heaven? Can you stand the awful judgment test?

Chorus:

Are you sheltered, are you sheltered? Has your soul been purged from all its dross?

Are you sheltered, are you sheltered? In the shadow of the Savior’s cross?”

– D. O. Teasley

Self Examination and Heart Searching Is Essential to Security

“…Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 2 Cor. 13:5a.

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life.” John 5:39a.

“Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea I shall observe it with my whole heart. … Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. … Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. … Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. … Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psa. 119: 33-34, 41, 57, 117, 133. “A Prayer In Song,” by W. M. Wilcott, expresses the sentiment of these scriptures so well:

“Teach me from Thy blessed Word Lessons precious to my soul;

Help me understand it, Lord, By it make and keep me whole.

By Thy Word we stand or fall, By Thy Word we live or die;

If by part and not by all, Then we make Thy Word a lie.

Savior, Thou are life to me, Guard me by Thy watchful eye;

Ever by Thy Spirit be Thou a guide to worlds on high.

Hide me from the storms of life; Keep me from the tempter’s snare;

And while here ‘mid toil and strife, Let me cast on thee my care.

Help me, Lord, to faithful be, Give me grace to do Thy will,

That through all eternity Holy love my soul may thrill.

For, though blest by worldly store, Sanctioned by the creeds of men,

Jesus says, ‘I am the door,’ – He alone can save from sin.”

It would be far better to examine ourselves, try ourselves, and judge ourselves in the balance of the Word of God NOW, and make any corrections we need to make in order to meet its standard, than to wait until we stand at Christ’s tribunal and there, placed on the scale of God’s Word, hear Him give this heart-rending verdict: “TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” (Daniel 5:27). Edwin Orr, had the right perspective when he penned the following words of song, based on Psalm 139:23-24:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart today;

Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.

See if there be some wicked way in me;

Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.”

This should also be our perspective. Paul had it: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” Phil. 3:14-15. Peter had it: “…giving all diligence, add to your faith … Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Pet. 1:5-10. Barnabas had it: “We ought therefore, brethren, carefully to inquire concerning our salvation. Otherwise, the wicked one, having made his entrance by deceit, may hurl us forth from our life.” And Jude had it:

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. … Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 20-21, 24-25.

This was the apostolic and primitive church stance on the security of believers.

By the inspiration and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit communicating and interpreting God’s Holy Word to my own heart and mind, I have made it mine also! Amen and Amen!

–Harlan Sorrell