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It is hard to see how a doctrine which assures the believer of a perseverance in holiness can be an incentive for sin. It would seem that the certainty of success in the active striving for sanctification would be the best possible stimulus to ever greater exertion.Systematic Theology, Chapter XI
the proof or validation of genuine conversion is that the one who professes faith in Christ perseveres in that faith and grows in sanctification throughout the full course of his life. If a person professes faith in Christ and yet falls away or makes no progress in godliness, it does not mean that he has lost his salvation. It reveals that he was never truly converted.
God does, indeed, by his grace and through his Spirit, work to preserve his people so that they will be vindicated in the judgment; but, at the same time, God's people are responsible to persevere in their faith if they expect to see that vindicationThe letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (p. 144). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.
Faith lays hold on God's power to be kept, and we are kept by the power of God through faith.
I knew a man who, when he came under convictions, endeavored with all his might to stifle them. His convictions grew stronger, and he hardened himself against them. He saw their tendency but was so opposite to it that he resolved, in express terms, he would not be a Puritan, whatever came of it. To the church he must go, his master would have it so. But this was his wont—to loll over the seat with his fingers in both his ears. Here general or conditional grace was surely nonplussed. But a chosen vessel must not be so lost. Now steps in electing grace, and by a casual slip of his elbows drew out the stoppers and sent in a word from the pulpit, which, like fire from heaven, melted his heart and cast it in a new mold. Surely in this the Lord did not wait for the man's compliance or improvements; His word was not originated thence nor dependent thereon.
Faith justifies the person, and works justify his faith.
The counsel of God concerning election is secret. The minister knows not who are the objects of it and therefore must preach to all, according to his commission. The Lord deals in this as in the matter of lots. Saul was foreappointed to be king, yet all Israel must come together and lots must be cast on the whole nation, as if the person were yet undesigned (1 Sam. 9:16; 10:20–21). The falling of the lot was wholly contingent as to men; another might have been taken as well as he it fell upon. But the Lord disposed it and casts it on the right person (Prov. 16:33). So, touching the gospel: it is sent to a place where, perhaps, but one or very few elect persons are, and those only shall be taken by it; and yet it must be published to the whole city promiscuously.Practical Discourses
being a doctrine of so great importance, be not indifferent about it. Put yourself on the trial touching your interest in it and bring forth your evidences for it. Observe what are the properties of God's elect, and see if they stand on your side. Practical Discourses
Heaven was made at the beginning of the world, but election was before. Practical Discourses
Election is absolute. In this are two things of great import— irrevocableness and independency. The decree is irrevocable on God's part, and independent as to human performances. The Lord will not go back from His to save His people, nor shall their unworthiness or averseness make void or hinder His most gracious intendment. And hence those various expressions of the same thing— namely, predestinate, ordain, prepare, appoint—have nothing subjoined that is like a conditional. There is, indeed, a kind of conditions, or rather qualifications, that must and always do precede the final completement of election, as "repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ," which, therefore, may be called conditionals of salvation, but not so to election.
Adam's fall was the devil's masterpiece; to bring men into his own condemnation is the trophy he glories in.
Did [Christ] make His soul an offering for sin to procure men a liberty of sinning? Or was Christ crucified that the body of sin might remain unmortified—yea, get ground and be the more rampant upon it? Is this your kindness to your Friend, to be so in love with His enemies, the spear and the nails that pierced Him, that you will spend and be spent for the service of your lusts? He died that those He died for might live. Live to whom? Not to themselves, but to Him that died for them.
remember that our salvation goes back even before the beginning of our faith, into eternity past. Salvation begins in election. This is an even more ultimate reason why we will persevere. In chapter 11, I quoted Romans 8 at some length. Note there how the apostle Paul connects election and perseverance. Paul sees a golden chain: from God's foreknowledge and predestination in eternity past, to calling and justification, to glorification. Those who are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ cannot fail to be glorified. So we hear the language of perseverance.Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief (Kindle Locations 25705-25709). P&R Publishing. Kindle Edition.
other passages put the point even more strongly: we have eternal life here and now, not only in the future: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him" (John 3:36 ); "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" (John 5:24);Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief (Kindle Locations 25705-25709). P&R Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Notice also John 10:27-29: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 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." Nobody can snatch a believer out of God's hand. These verses speak of eternal life in the future for those who believe today.Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief (Kindle Locations 25705-25709). P&R Publishing. Kindle Edition.
It is maintained that the life of regeneration and the habits that develop out of it in the way of sanctification can never entirely dissapearSystematic Theology, Chapter XI
Perseverance may be defined as that continuous operation of the Holy Spirit in the believer, by which the work of divine grace that is begun in the heart is continued and brought to completion. It is because God never forsakes His work that believers continue to stand to the very end.Systematic Theology, 546.
Let me tell you something, if you could lose your salvation, you would.Shepherds Conference 2012
Perseverance is not the means by which we get God to be for us; it is the effect of the fact that God is already for us. You cannot ever make God be for you by your good works because true Christian good works are the fruit of God's already being for you. (If you get it turned around, you will commit spiritual and eternal suicide.) Stand: A call for the Endurance of the Saints (Page 42) (Bracketed part is from a sermon with the same point)
Only let a sinner lay hold on Christ by faith and then however feeble, Christ's word is pledged to him, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." He may correct him occasionally in love. He may gently reprove him at times. But He will never, never give him up. Holiness (Chapter 12)
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