Can persecution or distress cause a believer to lose their place in the body of Christ?
No. Persecution, distress, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword cannot force a believer out of their place in the body of Christ. Security rests not on human merit or performance but solely on the finished work of the cross, so nothing can separate the believer from the Lord.
Les explains that tribulation, distress, or persecution cannot give the devil enough leverage to force a believer out of his place in the body of Christ. The believer’s security is guaranteed because of the work of the cross, not because of what we have done or merit, but only because of what He has done. Those in Hebrews experienced famine, and many probably died of starvation, yet that did not separate them from the love of God. Paul endured nakedness, cold, heat, thirst, and finally beheading by the Roman sword, but none of these separated him from the Lord; the promises remain secure.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?