The Perseverance of the Saints, True Salvation Requires True Faith
The Perseverance of the Saints is a doctrine debated for centuries. It is the belief that once a person is saved, they or they will remain saved throughout their life. But can faithful Christians ever lose their salvation? This is a difficult question with many answers depending on who you ask. Proponents of this doctrine believe that the promises of God are so sure that a believer can never be lost.
In contrast, those against it believe that someone can turn away from God and thus lose their salvation. What is the truth? Through examining scripture, it is possible to come to a conclusion on this issue.
Biblical Evidence for the Perseverance of the Saints
The Bible contains verses that speak to the Perseverance of the Saints. One of the clearest examples is found in Romans 8:38-39. In this passage, Paul tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. He says, “And I am convinced nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above, or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This is a clear statement of God’s promise that He will never forsake those saved.
Another example of biblical evidence for the Perseverance of the Saints is found in Philippians 1:6. This verse tells us that God will complete His work in those who have faith in Him. It reads, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” This is an excellent reminder that God will never leave or forsake us and will always be faithful.
The Bible also speaks of the security of our salvation in other ways. Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Jesus is an everlasting priest, meaning He will always intercede for us. John 10:27-29 speaks of the assurance of our salvation, saying that no one can snatch us out of the Father’s hand. Finally, 1 Peter 1:5 tells us that we are kept by the power of God through faith. All of these verses speak to the fact that our salvation is sure and secure in the hands of a loving and faithful God.
Biblical Evidence against the Perseverance of the Saints
Although much biblical evidence exists for the Perseverance of the Saints, verses also speak against it. One of the clearest examples is found in Hebrews 6:4-6. In this passage, the author warns us that falling away from the faith and being cut off from God’s grace is possible. It reads, “For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they are nailing him to the cross again and holding him up to public shame.” This is a clear warning that it is possible to turn away from God and thus lose our salvation.
Another example of biblical evidence against the Perseverance of the Saints can be found in Matthew 24:13. In this verse, Jesus tells us that those who endure to the end will be saved. This speaks to the fact that we can lose our salvation if we do not remain faithful to the end.
Finally, many other verses speak of the importance of persevering in our faith and the consequences of not doing so. These include 1 Corinthians 9:27, Hebrews 3:12-14, and James 4:4. These verses speak to the fact that believers can turn away from God and thus lose their salvation.
Reasons it might look as if a Believer Might Lose Their Salvation
There are several reasons why it may appear that a believer might lose their salvation. The most common is simply a lack of faith. If a person does not have true faith, they can easily look like they have fallen away from it and thus lose their salvation. People with the spirit living in them will not continue to sin and refuse to repent. The Bible is clear that those who persist in their sin will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
Another reason someone who acts like a believer might look like they lost their salvation is because they have chosen to deny the truth of the Gospel. If a person denies the validity of the Gospel and continues in their unbelief, they can not be saved. The Bible tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). That faith is necessary for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Finally, a person cannot be a true believer if they reject the blood of Jesus. Jesus’ blood is the only way we can have our sins forgiven. And thus be saved (Hebrews 9:22). If a person rejects Jesus’ sacrifice for their sins and chooses to continue their sinful lifestyle, they can not be saved.
The Role of Free Will in Salvation
The Perseverance of the Saints doctrine does not deny the importance of free will in salvation. While we are saved by grace through faith, this does not mean we are robots programmed to follow God. We still have the freedom to choose whether or not we will accept God’s offer of salvation.
The Bible tells us that we can choose to reject God’s offer of salvation, and thus we would not be saved. This is because God respects our free will and knows we can choose. In John 15:6, Jesus tells us we can choose to remain in Him or reject Him. He says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” This is a clear affirmation of the importance of free will in salvation.
At the same time, it is essential to remember that God is sovereign and will ultimately have the final say in who is saved and who is not. His grace is available to all, but it is up to each individual to choose whether or not they will accept it.
This is not a “fire insurance policy.”
Once a person has “said” to accept Jesus as their Savior. It is essential to remember that it is not a “fire insurance policy” that will guarantee our salvation no matter what we do. Instead, having an ongoing relationship with God requires our faith and obedience.
The Bible tells us we must have true faith and obedience to have salvation. This means we must trust God, follow His commands, and obey Him. We must also remember to stay close to Him through prayer and reading His Word.
Finally, we must remember we need to resist temptation and flee from sin. The Bible tells us that if we have the Spirit live in us and live in habitual sin, it is clear that we may not have faith and we may not have salvation (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). Therefore, we must remain vigilant in our fight against sin and temptation.
Benefits of the Perseverance of the Saints
The doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints greatly encourages believers. It reminds us that once we are saved, we are secure in the hands of a loving and faithful God. It also teaches us that our salvation is sure, and we can have peace and assurance in our faith.
The doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints also helps us to understand how God can remain just in saving some and not others. It teaches us that God has allowed some to be saved but has also given us the freedom to choose whether or not we will accept His offer of salvation. Therefore, God is both just and merciful in His dealings with us.
Objections to the Perseverance of the Saints
One of the common objections to the Perseverance of the Saints is that it takes away the importance of free will in salvation. It is argued that our free will is taken away if we are allowed to be saved.
However, this objection fails to recognize the importance of free will in salvation. While it is true that God allows some to be saved, He also gives us the freedom to choose whether or not we will accept His offer of salvation. Therefore, our free will is still a vital part of the salvation process.
The Importance of Knowing the Doctrine
The doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints is a crucial doctrine to understand. It helps us to understand how our salvation is sure and secure, and it also allows us to understand the importance of free will in salvation.
Knowing this doctrine is also important because it helps us understand God’s promises, sin’s consequences, and faithfulness’s importance. It reminds us that God is faithful and will never leave or forsake us. Therefore, it is essential for believers to understand this doctrine and to trust in the promises of God.
Conclusion
The Perseverance of the Saints is a crucial doctrine to understand. It teaches us that once people have accepted Jesus as their Savior, they are secure in His hands and will never be lost. However, it is also important to remember that we can still reject God’s offer of salvation and thus not have salvation. Therefore, as Christ-Followers, we need to remember following Christ isn’t about escaping the fires of hell. It is not about raising your hand when no one is looking to join a club. It’s about daily picking up your cross, and it shows through the fruit of the spirit in your life. So, the doctrine of Perseverance is essential for believers as it helps us understand God’s promises. And the importance of free will in salvation and knowing a true believer is protected by the Spirit living in them.
Bruce Mitchell is a speaker, writer, and Bible teacher who loves to share God’s Word in everyday life. He has studied at Biola University and Dallas Theological Seminary. His blog (Allelon.us) is all about the principles of Agapao Allelon (Loving One Another) and God’s Mercy, Grace, Love, and Forgiveness and how it applies to our daily lives as Christ-Followers. (1 Peter 4:8)
