Perseverance: A Warning

As we have studied the doctrine of perseverance, we have seen that one side of the coin is the fact that all true believers will persevere in the faith.  Those who are truly believers will manifest this fact by continuing to believe in Jesus (see the parable of the sower in Luke 8).  Those who fall away show that they were never true converts in the first place.

So, this doctrine is a warning to us.  We must not presume that we are saved if we are walking in a habitual pattern of disbelief and disobedience to God (though all Christians will struggle with sin and doubt).  We should not just look back on some decision we made many years ago and presume that it was a genuine conversion experience.  A Christian is one who is trusting in Jesus (present tense); not simply a person who “made a decision” at some point in the past (see passages like John 3:16 which says, “that whoever believes [present tense i.e. continuing to believe] in him should not perish but have eternal life”).   

The true Christian will, by the power of Holy Spirit, be persevering in the faith.  If he or she is not, this doctrine warns us that he or she might not be truly saved.  This is why we have passages that say you will be presented "...holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard..." (Col. 1:22-23 emphasis added).  Therefore, the first implication of this doctrine is a warning to continue in the faith and not shift from the hope of the gospel.

Perseverance: What Does it Mean for Me?

Now that we have considered objections to this doctrine and seen that they do not stand up, we will turn our attention to what this precious doctrine means for us.  You will remember that we took the following definition of this doctrine:  

The perseverance of the saints means that 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 (Grudem, Systematic Theology, pg. 788)  

What does it mean to say that God preserves every one of his children so that they will persevere in the faith and never totally or finally fall be lost?  I believe there are many implications.  We will examine two.  First, we will see the warning it holds for us.  Second, we will embrace the comfort it brings.

Reflecting on the Sermon: 3/13/11

Rod preached on the third part of Grace Church's mission statement: Evangelize the Lost.  He spoke from 2 Timothy 2:1-7.  He mentioned that evangelism is the one thing that we will not be able to do in heaven.  Our calling, while we await the return of our Lord, is to share the gospel with those around us and around the world.  It was a good reminder of the urgency of the task that lies before us.  Also, he talked a little about what it means when it says God "desires all people to be saved."  If you missed it I encourage you to give it a listen.

"The Ultimate Meaning of True Womanhood"

Women, check out this sermon by Piper on "the ultimate meaning of true womanhood."  I believe you will find it encouraging as you seek to minister faithfully for the glory of God.  Here is a short excerpt:

...if you try to reduce womanhood to physical features and biological functions, and then determine your role in the world merely on the basis of competencies, you don’t just miss the point of womanhood, you diminish the glory of Christ in your own life. True womanhood is indispensable in God’s purpose to display the fullness of the glory of his Son. Your distinctive female personhood is not incidental. It exists because of its God-designed relationship to the central event of history, the death of the Son of God. (Emphasis added)

The whole thing is worth reading or listening to.

Perseverance: Objections Part 7e

Continuing our look at Hebrews 6:4-9.

A final confirmation of this interpretation of Hebrews six is provided in verse 9, "Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation."  The author is convinced that most of those he is writing to have experienced genuine salvation.  In contrast to those who he described in verses 4-6, he is confident that they have "things that belong to salvation."  This contrast makes it clear that those described in verses 4-6 are not true believers.

So, the terms in Hebrews 6:4-6 refer to those who were associated with the church, participated in many Christian things, and even had some religious experiences, but they do not have a saving faith.

Perseverance: Objections Part 7d

Continuing our look at Hebrews 6:4-9.

It is impossible to renew them again to repentance. Some take this to mean that these people have genuinely repented at one time and then committed apostasy.  For these people, they say, it is impossible for them to repent and be saved again.  I don't believe this is the case.  For one thing, repentance does not always refer to a genuine, heartfelt repentance unto salvation.  For example, in Hebrews 12:17, the word is used of Esau in regards to his change of mind over selling his birthright (this was not a saving repentance, for the verse tells us he was rejected).  Here, in Hebrews six, it seems that these people felt bad over their sin and even changed their mind on some issues (realized some things that they believed to be good were actually sin), but they did not truly repent unto salvation.  2 Corinthians 7:8-11 shows us that there is a sorrow which leads to true repentance and a sorrow which still leads to death.  

The second half of verse Hebrews 6:6 goes on to say why it is impossible to renew them to repentance: "since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt."  In spite of seeing their sin and guilt and feeling remorseful over it, they willfully reject God's remedy to sin, namely the sacrifice of his Son.  These people have been "in" the church, tasted of the heavenly gift, seen the work of the Holy Spirit, been convicted of their sin and yet rejected it all.  Their hearts are hardened and calloused to the Word of Truth.  For these people, there is no hope because they have rejected the only possible hope- Jesus Christ and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

Reflecting on the Sermon: 3/6/11

Rod continued preaching on Why We Exist as a Church.  In this sermon he focused on the second part of our church's mission statement, Edify believers.  He spoke from Ephesians 4:11-16 and pointed out that the pastor's job is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry; not to do all the ministry.  This equipping occurs as the pastor uses the Word of God.  The point is to mature believers so that they are not tossed around by false doctrine and so that they minster to others.  I am encouraged that God's desire for us in the church is to be equipped for the work of the ministry.  Let's get equipped and continue ministering.