Preached by Gustavo Barros at Gospel Fellowship Community Church Salem
John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
Today we come to our last study on the Doctrines of Grace[1]. In our first study we saw the first point of the Five Points of the Doctrines of Grace (Five Points of Calvinism), Total Depravity. As we learned, the Doctrine of Total Depravity teaches that the human race is born affected, infected, and defected by sin. In Adam all man died and does not and cannot choose God. Because of sin man cannot and does not choose God, so God is the one who must seek and save sinners. This truth leads us to the Doctrine of Unconditional Election -- God (the Triune God) before the foundation of the world and with reasons known only to Himself, by His mercy and grace chose certain individuals from among the fallen members of Adam’s race to be the objects of His undeserved favor. Some people were chosen, by God’s unconditional grace, to be vessels of mercy and receive salvation. But election, or predestination, in itself does not save anyone, it only determined and marked those who were to be saved. The sinners, who were elected by God, need propitiation for their sins, they need the righteous wrath of God to be satisfied. The chosen vessels need the atoning death of Jesus Christ in order to be saved. This truth leads us to the teaching of “L” of Limited Atonement -- Jesus Christ came and died a victorious and saving death for the elect. The limitation is in the scope of His death, Jesus died for all the sins of His people. But these two gracious and merciful actions – election and redemption – do not complete the work of salvation. The benefits of the atonement brought by Jesus’ death and resurrection must be applied/imputed on the sinner, and that is the Holy Spirit’s role in the majestic plan of redemption. The Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is the One who makes the doctrines of predestination and definite atonement realities in the life of the sinner. He brings a new life, that is, a spiritual life in order that the sinner might believe and by faith receive the salvation. It is the Holy Spirit who changes the heart of the sinner and gives him a new life to repent and believe. This teaching is called Irresistible Grace. The Holy Spirit never fails to bring regeneration to the elect. Today we will study the last letter of the acrostic TULIP - the “P” stands for Perseverance of the Saints[2]. This is the logical, reasonable, and biblical conclusion of the chain of events that leads to the salvation of sinners for the Glory of God[3].
The Trinity works in unity. The Father, in eternity past, chose some to be given to the Son. The Son came in time and died for those whom the Father had given to Him. The Spirit regenerates the hearts of sinners and draws the people, those chosen by the Father and redeemed by the Son, to the cross. And the Three Persons work together in preserving the elect. The Son is interceding[4] and has His hand holding and protecting the chosen ones[5]. The Father has His hand over the Son’s hands[6] and He provides all that the chosen ones need to persevere until the end. The Spirit is the seal and the guarantee of our glorification[7].
This is one of the most precious and beautiful doctrines of the Christian faith! This marvelous teaching had a tremendous impact in the life of one of the greatest preachers who ever lived, Charles Spurgeon. “The truth of preserving grace, Spurgeon testified, was the enticing bait that drew him to Christ. Before he was saved, Spurgeon observed others who appeared to fall away from their profession. These apparent examples of apostasy made him hesitant to commit his life to Christ... The thought that he might start the journey to heaven but fail to complete it terrified Spurgeon. As a result, he remained paralyzed in unbelief. But then Spurgeon heard the marvelous truth that all who truly start the Christian life surely complete it. At that point, he could not resist entrusting his life to Christ: ‘When I heard and read with wondering eyes that whosoever believed in Christ Jesus should be saved, the truth came to my heart with a welcome I cannot describe to you. The doctrine that He would keep the feet of His saints had a charm indeed for me.’ He testified elsewhere: ‘I must confess that the doctrine of the final preservation of the saints was a bait that my soul could not resist. I thought it was a sort of life insurance—an insurance of my character, an insurance of my soul, an insurance of my eternal destiny. I knew that I could not keep myself, but if Christ promised to keep me, then I should be safe forever; and I longed and prayed to find Christ, because I knew that, if I found Him, He would not give me a temporary and trumpery salvation, such as some preach, but eternal life which could never be lost.’ Without it, he claimed, he would not be able to preach: ‘If anybody could possibly convince me that final perseverance is not a truth of the Bible, I should never preach again, for I feel I should have nothing worth preaching.’ Simply put, the perseverance of the saints was a necessary link in the unbreakable golden chain of salvation that he preached.” (http://www.ligonier.org/blog/charles-spurgeon-calvinism-preserving-grace/)
But this teaching is also one of the most misunderstood ones. Most Christians have a wrong understanding of this teaching and I pray that the Holy Spirit may bring clarity and understanding through this teaching. Many Christians want to embrace this fifth point of the Doctrines of Grace alone, despising the other four, and doing that they promote a false assurance of salvation and a perverted gospel. They declare that once a person prayed the “sinner’s prayer” and was baptized this person is saved forever no matter what his or her life looks like. But this is not what the Bible teaches. We are called to judge and examine the fruits in our lives and in other people’s lives. The doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints cannot be taught and embraced apart from the other four teachings[8]. If a person was regenerated by the Holy Spirit, this person will walk in holiness[9].
DEFINITION OF Perseverance of the Saints:
It teaches that God will preserve in saving grace all those whom He chose to be saved. “All the elect are kept by the power of God. None of the Father’s chosen one will ever be lost. None for whom Christ died will ever perish. None who are regenerated by the Spirit will ever fall from grace. This broad sweep of salvation now stands complete. Reaching back to eternity past and reaching forward to eternity future, salvation is rightly seen as one work of grace. Those whom God chose before time began are those who will be saved forever when time is no more All the elect will persevere because God Himself will persevere with them – and cause them to stand faultless before His throne.” (Steve Lawson, Foundations of Grace [Reformed Publishing], p.35)
“The perseverance of the saints means that all those who are truly born again will be kept by God’s power and will persevere as Christians until the end of their lives, and that only those who persevere until the end have been truly born again.” (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology [Zondervan], p. 788)
SAINTS – It refers to those who were chosen and called by God. It doesn’t refer to all who profess to be Christians, but to all whom Christ professes to be His. It doesn’t refer to those who profess to know Jesus, but to those whom are known by Jesus. The word “saints” refers to those who were chosen by God’s grace, redeemed by Jesus’ grace, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit’s grace. It is not about every single person who professes to be saved, but those who truly were saved by God.
PERSEVERANCE – Those whom were chosen by the Father, bought by the Son, and regenerated and drawn by the Spirit will persevere until the end. Their perseverance is grounded and rooted in God’s grace. True Christians are preserved by the same gracious God who chose, bought, and regenerated them. The perseverance is the result of God’s preserving grace[10].
The Character and Authority of God is Behind this Teaching:
The main issue behind this teaching is not man, but God! It is not a question of man losing his salvation, but a question of Jesus losing the ones given to Him by the Father. The question is, “Is there anything more powerful and stronger than God?”
“The doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints addresses the question of the nature, the extent, and the duration of the care and protection promised to Christian believers by their heavenly Father. Our understanding of the nature of salvation, indeed, of the very character of God is at stake in the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints.” (Mark DeVine, The Original Promise Keeper: The Doctrine of the Final Perseverance of the Saints, Reformation & Revival – A Quarterly Journal for Church Leadership Volume 6, Number 4•Fall 1997 [http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/ref-rev/06-4/6-4_devine.pdf])
If we believe that a man who was chosen by God, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit can go to hell in the end, then something is really wrong with the power and the character of God.
The Language of Justification and Adoption:
The one who is born from above and believes in Jesus is said to be justified (Rom. 5:1; 8:30) by God. Once the Righteous Judge declares a person righteous He doesn’t go back with His decree. God is not changing His mind every minute and declaring the same person justified and then guilty. He doesn’t declare one person just and two hours later unjust. The Bible also speaks of Christians as being adopted by God (Rom. 8:15; Eph. 1:5) and once God adopts a person He doesn’t change His mind and forsake His adopted children. God loves His adopted children in a way that nothing can separate them from His love (Rom.8:15-39).
In Ephesians 1:13-14 Paul says that Christians were sealed with the Holy Spirit (“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory”). “Seals were used widely in the ancient world as the primary way of indicating ownership… All of a person’s significant possessions were marked with the impression of a seal.” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Vol.3, p.308) The sealing of a person [slaves] was a sign of protection and security. Paul not only uses the language of adoption but he also uses the financial language when he says that the Holy Spirit is the “guarantee of our inheritance.” This word was used for down payment in ancient times. God has bought us and the guarantee of our glorification is the Holy Spirit inside of us.
PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS IN JESUS’ TEACHINGS:
Let us walk together through the Gospels and see what the greatest expositor and greatest teacher taught about His own power to preserve the believers until the end.
As we have been seeing through our studies in the Gospels, Jesus taught these doctrines everywhere He went and to everyone He encountered.
“Calvin did not invent a new teaching any more than Columbus invented America or Newton the law of gravity. As Columbus and Newton merely discovered what had existence all along, so Calvin uncovered truths that had been in the Bible all time.” (Edwin Palmer, The Five Points of Calvinism [Baker], p.6) And the truths that Calvin simply uncovered were the great and God-exalting truths taught by Jesus Christ.
As we open the pages of the Bible in the Gospel section (books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) we see:
1 – THE CERTAINTY OF REMAINING IN THE TRUTH:
Mark 13:20-22 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
Using an apocalyptic language to teach His disciples about the upcoming events Jesus says that the time of His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension would be a period in which it would be so hard to remain faithful that only the grace of God could keep the elect strong in the faith. God gives grace to His chosen ones to remain in the truth of His teachings. During the time of Jesus’ death until His ascension many people tried to destroy the faith of the disciples with false teachings, but God kept them with true biblical discernment. Even when many voices are being spoken, the true sheep of Christ hear the true voice of the true Shepherd, because of God’s preserving grace.
2 – SAFELY RESCUED:
Matthew 18:12-14 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Jesus makes it clear that God seeks His sheep until He finds them. His sheep are found by Him and led to safety. J.C. Ryle says, “These words are meant for the encouragement of all true Christians… They are meant to show us that our Lord Jesus is a Shepherd, who cares tenderly for every soul committed to His charge. The youngest, the weakest, the sickliest of his flock is as dear to him as the strongest: they shall never perish: none shall ever pluck them out of his hand. He will lead them gently through the wilderness of this world: he will not over-drive them a single day, lest any die (Gen. 33:13). He will carry them through every difficulty; he will defend them against every enemy… With such a Savior, who need fear beginning to be a through Christian? With such a Shepherd, who having once begun, need fear being cast away?” (J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on Matthew [Banner of Truth], p.179)
3 – GOD GIVES ETERNAL LIFE:
John 3:14-16 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Once a person is regenerated by the Holy Spirit and receives a new heart and a new mind to comprehend and believe in the Gospel (3:1-8), at the exact moment of the regeneration and faith the person receives eternal life!
Eternal life is not something given only to people who are in heaven, but it is given in the present age. The life of the age to come (Gk. ζωὴν αἰώνιον) is given in the present age. Jesus doesn’t say, “will have,” but He says, “has eternal life.” According to John 17:3 eternal life is to know God, that is why the life of the age to come starts here, because we have already started to know (have a loving relationship with) God.
Eternal in Quality: “When Jesus spoke of the eternal life that is given to believers, He was speaking primarily of the quality of life they receive. It is life far different from the empty existence this world offers.” (Lawson, p. 295) It is a different life because its quality supersedes all others. We can know God!
Eternal in Duration: It is eternal not only in quality, but also in its duration. It is a life that endures forever. If salvation could last only for a few months or years, it would not be called eternal life, but temporary life! If it is eternal, it means that it cannot be lost in this age. If a person could be a Christian for twenty years and then lose his salvation, we would have to call it “twenty-year life” instead of eternal life. Christians, by the grace of God, have eternal life, not a temporary life that depends on man’s effort and works.
4 – ETERNAL SATISFACTION:
John 4:13-14 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Every person who drinks of the salvation offered by Jesus Christ will never thirst again. Jesus Christ, the Living Water, satisfies completely and forever all the souls that drink from Him. It is an eternal state of grace!
“Jesus alone can fill up the empty places of our inward man. Jesus alone can give solid, lasting, enduring happiness. The peace that he imparts is a fountain, which, once set flowing within the soul, flows on to all eternity. Its waters may have their ebbing seasons; but they are living waters, and they shall never be completely dried.” (Ryle, p. 144)
John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
“Coming to Jesus” (see the parallelism) is the same as believing in Him and all who come to Him will never hunger or thirst again!
John 6:51, I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh, 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.
Every person lives forever, whether in heaven or hell. There is no annihilation of the soul. Jesus is saying that the one who believes in Him will be in a loving and gracious relationship with God for all eternity – starting here and now!
Why will those who believe in Him never hunger or thirst again?
John 6:37-40, 44 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”
When a man comes to Jesus Christ, he only comes because he was given to Christ by the Father, and once he comes he will never be cast away[11]! Christ keeps His sheep forever. The Good Shepherd feeds and gives water to His sheep forever.
If one person, given by the Father, came to Jesus and then was cast out into hell, He would have failed to do the will of the Father.
The true believer, a person chosen by God, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and regenerated by the Spirit when he believes in Jesus, has eternal life, he eats of the Bread of Life, he drinks of the Living Water, and he is kept by Jesus.
5 – JUSTIFIED FOREVER:
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Jesus is teaching that whoevers hear His voice and His words has eternal life. In John 10 Jesus explains that the only people who can hear His voice are those for whom He lays His life down – His sheep.
From the moment a person believes this person has eternal life, not temporary life! “If eternal life can be lost, it is not eternal. If it can be taken from us, it is not eternal. If we can renounce it so that it no longer belongs to us, it is not eternal. Is God changeable? Certainly not! Then His gifts cannot be withdrawn… If God had given us ten year’s life, then that life could not be lost before the end of the ten years. If he had given us one thousand years’ life, then that life could not be lost before the end of the one thousand years. In the same way, if he gives us eternal life, then that life is eternal. We can be certain that it will lead straight to the moment of our own physical resurrection…and beyond.” (James Boice, The Gospel of John [Baker], Vol. 2, p.396)
“He does not come into judgment” --- The person who is chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit in order to believe and be pardoned is declared innocent before God. There is no condemnation for the believer[12].
The truth about the human race is that all humanity stands guilty before the judgment seat of God[13]. Every person is by nature, a child of the wrath, God’s righteous wrath[14].
Therefore there is no greater news than the news that God has declared the guilty innocent! In God’s judicial system His people, those chosen by His mercy and grace, were punished in Jesus Christ[15]. Christ received the punishment of His people, and when the sinner believes – by faith - he is declared righteous before the holy God[16]. God’s declaration of innocence is made once for all.
The person who was saved by God is free from any judgment and condemnation. Jesus Christ was condemned in the place of His people so that we shall not be condemned! See Romans 8:1, 28-34.
What wonderful news!
6 – ETERNALLY SECURED (eternal security):
John 10:25-30 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
In verse 28 Jesus makes the doctrine of eternal security extremely clear. He speaks about the certainty of salvation in three different ways:
1 - The Good Shepherd gives eternal life to each one of His sheep. Not temporary life, but eternal life!
2 – He promises that none of His sheep will ever perish. It is Jesus’ promise that none for whom He died will perish in hell. All for whom He died will believe in Him and will never go to hell! “A promise like this deserves the closest attention. If words mean anything, it contains that great doctrine, the perseverance, or continuance in grace, of true believers. That doctrine is literally hated by the world. No doubt, like every other truth of Scripture, it is liable to be abused. But the words of Christ are too plain to be evaded. He has said it, and he will make it good: ‘My sheep shall never perish.’ Whatever men may please to say against this doctrine, it is one which God’s children ought to hold fast, and defend with all their might.” (J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on John [Banner of Truth], Vol. 2, p.150)
3 – The Lord of lords is holding each one of His sheep in His own hand. The One who conquered death and is the creator of all things has His people in His hand! Nothing and nobody is more powerful than the hands of Jesus Christ.
If a person who was truly saved ended up in hell, the problem would be with Jesus, the Shepherd, who would have lost a sheep. If the Good Shepherd loses one sheep, He fails and is no longer good. But Jesus loses none of His sheep[17], they are eternally secure in His hand.
If the words in verse 28 were not enough, Jesus adds another “hand” in verse 29, the Father’s hand! The believer is doubly secured. The Son and the Father are holding the believers in their hands. Jesus has the Father’s hand wrapped around His own. And they have two other hands free to fight against those who try to snatch the believers out of their hands.
Ryle says, “Our Lord does not say in this verse that his sheep shall lose nothing in this world. They may lose property, liberty, and life, for Christ’s sake. But their souls cannot be lost… All Christ’s sheep are in Christ’s hand. His hand holding them, and not their hand holding him, is the true secret of their safety and perseverance.” (Ryle, Vol. 2, p.155) We hold strong to Him, because He first holds us strong!
“The security of Jesus’ sheep rests with Him as the good shepherd, who has the power to keep them safe. Neither thieves and robbers (vv.1,8) nor the wolf (v.12) can harm them. Verse 29 makes clear that the Father ultimately stands behind the sheep’s security, for no one is able to steal from God, who is sovereign control of all things. No stronger passage in the OT or NT exists for the absolute, eternal security of every true Christian.” (NASB MacArthur Study Bible, commentary on John 10:28,29)
We have not only the Son and the Father[18] holding the believer, but the Spirit is also protecting and preserving each believer[19]. So we are triple-secured! There would have to be someone, or something greater than the Trinity to cause a saved person to perish in hell!
7 – THE ETERNAL INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
John 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
The Holy Spirit is with each believer forever! He is the seal and the guarantee of our salvation. The Holy Spirit doesn’t stay for a few days, or months, or years and then leave a person; when He comes and makes the person a temple He stays forever! He stays forever preserving the saving faith and giving strength to persevere[20].
8 – THE ETERNAL HIGH-PRIESLTY MINISTRY OF JESUS:
John 17:12, 20 and 24 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled [even the fall of Judas was predetermined], 20 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, [he is praying for us, Christians through all centuries], 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Jesus prays here for the glorification of all His elect. During His last meal with His disciples Jesus demonstrated to those men that they had a great and perfect high-priest. Just like Jesus prayed for His disciples to remain faithful so is He right now praying for each one of His sheep.
Jesus ascended into Heaven and became the Perfect High-Priest (Hebrews 7:26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens). As the Perfect High-Priest Jesus is the perfect interceder. The role of the high-priest was to intercede for the people before God. Jesus is doing this right now.
We are kept faithful because Jesus is interceding for us. See Romans 8:28-39. Jesus is praying for us, therefore nothing can separate us from God. Even the things that make people question the existence of God and curse God (sufferings, tribulations…) are not possible to make the elect be separated from God.
Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
A person who was truly saved by God will be glorified, because of the grace and mercy of God alone! Even the perseverance is a gift of Jesus’ prayers on our behalf!
CONCLUSION:
Let me finish this gracious and amazing doctrine with a very practical example from the pages of the Scriptures. Let us take a careful look at two lives, two denials, and two different results.
A Wonderful Example of the Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints: During the last hours of our Lord Jesus before His crucifixion, we are told of two disciples who both denied Jesus Christ – Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter. Why did Judas kill himself and Peter become the leader of the early church? How did the sorrowful reaction of Judas lead him to kill himself while the sorrowful reaction of Peter led him to repentance?
The answer is in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ – Luke 22:31-32 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Jesus, the Perfect high-Priest, was interceding on Peter’s behalf, but He was not praying for Judas. The reason why Peter repented and became the great leader of the early church while Judas Iscariot became a symbol of treason is in the grace of Jesus alone. Even though a believer falls, and we all fall, he will stand up. The life of a true Christian is marked by repentance, because of Christ’s intercession. “The believer, like a man on shipboard, may fall again and again on the deck, but he will never fall overboard.” (C. H. Spurgeon)
IMPORTANT OBSERVATIONS:
1 - Does this Doctrine Lead People to Sinful Behavior?
Many people try to argue against the doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints saying that it leads to sinful behavior. If a person thinks and behaves like that it is because he/she was never born of God. This doctrine is not dealing with people who profess to be Christians (it is not “once you professed to be saved you are saved no matter what”), but with those who were foreknown, predestined, called, and justified by God. Those who are born of God understand how much they were forgiven, and he who was forgiven much, loves much! We can and must test the reality of our profession: I John 2:3-6 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected [the true believer has an always increasing love for God’s Word]; 2:5b-6 By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked [the true believer “walks” (life style) in humility, holiness, and compassion like Jesus did]; 2:9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness [the true believer will love his brothers and sisters in the Lord, desire to be with and help them]; 5:18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning.
So the answer to the question is NO! The assurance and certainty of salvation lead us to a life of repentance and holiness. “A well-grounded assurance is the most active worker in the field, the most valiant warrior in the battle, and the most patient sufferer in the furnace. There are none so active as the assured. There never were men so self-sacrificing, so daring, so zealous, so enthusiastic in the cause of Christ, as the men who know that their names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and therefore out of gratitude serve their God.” (C.H. Spurgeon, Full Assurance – Psalm 35:3)
2 – What About Those Who Abandoned the Faith?
Most of us know many people who professed to be Christians, were baptized, and then “stopped following Christ.” Here we have two answers:
1 – Some true believers may fall for a little while. True Christians may go through a time of doubt and backsliding, but this time will be short, the phase of backsliding and spiritual coldness is for a short period, because the Bible teaches us that true Christians must always be changing; 2 – Most of these people who forsake Christ were never truly born of God. Jesus said that many will come in His name, but the truth is that He never knew them. The parable of the soils shows us that some stay in church and pretend to follow Christ for a while, but later when tribulations come they show that it was superficial. John tells in a very clear way that these people were never saved (I John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us).
Our experiences must be grounded in the Word of God. If a person professed to be a Christian and then went another direction, rejecting Christ, it is because that person was never a true sheep of Christ, for He loses none of His sheep.
3 – Be Careful With Feelings!
Many Christians “feel like” they have lost their salvation before[21]. Satan is in a constant battle to assault the assurance of our salvation. Why? Because soldiers who have no confidence in their Master are easy prey. When a person loses the certainty that it is God who saves and keeps us safe, he starts becoming man-centered (ego-centered). There is a reason why Paul compares salvation to a helmet[22]. The truth about God’s mighty power and amazing grace in the salvation of man must be daily put on the Christian head (his mind, his thinking). The truth that Jesus Christ is the author and perfector of our salvation must be the ground where we stand, fall, run, and fight. Once we put on the helmet of the hope of salvation we can fight like lions! Death will bring no fear, because we know of the eternal life given to us by Christ.
Conclusion:
How wonderful and God-exalting are the Doctrines of Grace. No other doctrine elevates the grace of God, and therefore His glory, like the Five Points that we finished studying today. No other doctrine humbles proud and arrogant man like these teachings. No teaching exalts the sovereign and power of God like these ones.
“Never has the need been greater for the truths of sovereign grace to be firmly established in the church. Her thinking about God desperately need to be flowing in the right direction. As the church thinks, so she worships; and, as the church worships, so she lives, serves, and evangelizes. The church’s right view of God and the outworking of His grace gives shape to everything that is vital and important. The church must recapture her lofty vision of God and, thereby, be anchored to the solid rock of His absolute supremacy in all things. Only then will the church have a God-centered orientation in all matters of ministry. This, I believe, is the desperate need of the hour.” (Steve Lawson, Foundations of Grace [Reformed Publishing], p. 23)
Only when we embrace, proclaim, and live these doctrines we can truly say, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
All the glory be to the Triune God! Salvation belongs to the Lord (Jonah 2:9)
For more resources online:
http://www.smallings.com/english/Essays/WhatIsPreservation.pdf
http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Assurance--Perseverance/Eternal-Security/
http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Perseverance-of-Saints/
http://www.waynegrudem.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/perseverance-of-the-saints-hebrews-6.pdf
http://www.gty.org/resources/articles/A218/perseverance-of-the-saints
http://www.sbts.edu/documents/tschreiner/2.1_article.pdf
http://vintage.aomin.org/eternalsecurity.html
[1] It is called Doctrines of Grace because it emphasizes that salvation is the gracious work of God. We could very well call this system of the Doctrines of Glory, because no other system of teachings emphasizes the glory of God in the salvation of sinners like these teachings.
[2] Also called Preserving Grace – God’s grace in preserving and giving the believers power to persevere.
[3] Romans 8:28-30 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
[4] Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25
[5] John 10:28
[6] John 10 29
[7] Ephesians 1:13-14
[8] “This doctrine does not stand alone but it is a necessary parto f the Calvinistic system of theology.” (Laraine Boettner, The Reformed Doctrines of Predestination [Philadelphia], p. 182)
[9] I John 1:5-6, 8; 2:3 [John 14:15], 6, 9-10, 15-17, 29; 5:18
[10] Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:29-30, 35; I Corinthians 1:7-9; 10:13; Ephesians 1:5, 13-14; 4:30; II Timothy 4:18; I Peter 1:3-5; Jude 1, 24-25
[11] “The aorist subjunctive of strong denial makes it clear that rejection of one who seeks refuge in Christ is a complete and total impossibility. What words to a sinners heart! Those who come to Christ will find Him a loving Lord who will never cast out those who trust in Him.” (James White - http://vintage.aomin.org/eternalsecurity.html)
[12] “Such a man is in an entirely new position before God. He is like one who has moved from one side of a gulf to another… He is already pardoned, forgiven, and saved, though not in heaven… His sins are entirely removed, taken away, and blotted out of God’s holy book, by Christ’s blood. He may look forward to judgment without fear and say, ‘Who is he that condemneth?’” (Ryle, p. 205)
[13] Romans 3:9-19
[14] Ephesians 1:1-4
[15] II Corinthians 5:21; Romans 8:3; Galatians 3:13; Isaiah 53:5-8
[16] Romans 5:1
[17] John 6:39 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day, 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
[18] Isaiah 43:13 "Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?"
[19] Ephesians 1:13-14 You were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance; II Corinthians 1:21–22 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
[20] Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
[21] “Of all the Diabolians that ever stole into the city of Mansoul, Mr. Live-by-feeling was one of the worst of villains, though he had the fairest face. Brethren, you had better live by works than live by feelings, both are damning forms of trust, but the one is more
deceptive and more delusive than the other by far. You are justified by faith, not by feelings; you are saved by what Christ felt for you, not by what you feel.” (C.H. Spurgeon, Full Assurance – Psalm 35:3)
[22] Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation
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