Perseverence.

Before we get started, I'd like to warn you, as the reader, that this most likely is going to get dense and heavy pretty quick, so take a seat, buckle up, and lets do some work. I'm praying that this, as always, is nothing less than an exegetical exposition of the text, that you find in it truth, and in truth, application. Lastly I want to state, before we get into this, that this is no attempt to "scare the hell" out of you, (literally) but simply an effort to maintain a healthy tension of doctrine. Here we go.

Here's the camp I fall into. First, in all honesty, I doubt that many who think they are saved and Heaven bound actually find themselves on the path to arrive there. (Hopefully this could go unsaid, but if you AREN'T on the path to get there, you WON'T actually get there.) Secondly, should you TRULY be justified by the grace of a gracious Creator, not only will you not leave the path heavenward, but by the same grace that saved you, you will be unable to leave it.

The above is my layman's definition of the final doctrine of grace, the perseverance of the saints. So let's break this down and see what this looks like in application.

Why do I think that many who believe they are saved, truly are not? Simply because I find the Bible testifying to that very fact. I know we've been through this before, but the text is extremely obvious that true salvation yields true results through grace driven effort. What am I saying? That works are necessary for salvation? By no means. Check out my post "Works" about a conversation with some Mormon missionaries about works based systems of salvation. What I am saying, however, is that works do indeed PROVE a TRUE conversion of the gospel.

"Bear fruits in keeping with repentance." (Luke 3:8 ESV)

"So faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (James 2:17 ESV)

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14 ESV)

"And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1st John 2:3-4 ESV)

So my question is: Are you REALLY saved? And how do you know? Is it because you go to church, and you've been to church? No where in the text does it state that a church attendance is a fruit of justification. This is not to say that where you have seen fruit in the past, and currently walk through difficulty or sin, grace has been retracted. Sanctification and becoming more Christ-like is a life long process. This is not an elitist message, nor one demanding of perfection. It is simply one mimicking the statement of the text. We know him if we keep his commandments.

I must again quickly state: These works do not save us! We are not to work ONLY for the sake that he wants us to, despite the fact that he wants us to! For more about this check out the posts Work. and People.

Secondly, should you be truly justified, than the grace of God that saved you, will also keep you.

"According to His great mercy he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in Heaven for you, who by God's power are being GUARDED through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1st Peter 1:3-5 ESV)

"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those who he justified he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30 ESV)

"our Lord Jesus Christ who will sustain you to the end..." (1 Corinthians 1:8 ESV)

"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only one God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (Jude 1:24-25 ESV)

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:28 ESV)

See: 1st Thessalonians 5:23-24

See: Ephesians 1:13-14

See: Jeremiah 32:40

See: Philippians 1:6

See: 2nd Timothy 4:18

Quickly we're going to find our conclusion with what generally seems to be a problem text for this doctrine, and bring it to light in the comprehensive truth of the Word.

"For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirt, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God their own harm and holding him up to contempt." (Hebrews 6:4-6)

What does this mean? Does this not seem to contradict the fact that you can not lose your salvation? Almost more shockingly, in light of dozens of texts describing the assurance of salvation, it tells me that one can be enlightened, taste the heavenly gift, share in the Holy Spirit, taste the goodness of the Word of God and his power, and NOT truly be saved! How can this be? To hear the answer from the Christ himself flip to Matthew 13 and read The Parable of the Sower.

Hebrews 6 speaks of those on the rocky soil, and the thorny soil. Those whom hear the word, yet don't allow it to grow into fulfillment.

The gospel must take root. For the gospel to be legitimate, it MUST grow. It must flourish. It must shine. Are you saved?

Should you be a skeptic, I encourage you, as always to test yourself. I know that I fail to write effective apologetics when I do so strictly exegetically when you find little basis in the text of which I address. Perhaps one day we'll get to the authority of the text, but until then I pray you continue to have the intellectual courage to test these words by their outcome in hopes that the Spirit will move in you. There are answers, and, as always, I'd love to hear your questions.

Should you be a believer, I charge you to inspect yourself. Are you REALLY a believer? Does the gospel ACTUALLY take root and manifest itself in your life? To think that you've found the heavenward path while truly precariously walking the road to destruction will prove quite ineffectual when this life comes to a close. Make your calling and election sure. (2nd Peter 1:10) Live a life of love. (Ephesians 5:1-2) Lastly, know that while your works do not save you, you were indeed saved FOR them. (Ephesians 2:10, Titus 3:9, 2nd Corinthians 5:15)

May the Word move in you, and through you.

To Him be the glory.

-Matt Allen