Bitterness and Desire: Reflections on Perseverance

A recent post and discussion over on Pyromaniacs blog, has me thinking again about perseverance. [See my recent look at the “Once Saved, Always Saved” doctrine here.] James Spurgeon is promising to post more on this topic there, with specific reference to the importance of church in the avoidance of apostasy as seen in Heb. 10:25. Just prior to reading that post (and the earlier one here) on perseverance, I started reading the book On the Mortification of Sin by John Owen (abridged/edited by Richard Rushing and published by Banner of Truth). Anyway, the last few days, it seems, this topic has been on my mind. As I already have mentioned I recently wrote a somewhat lengthy post about this issue, but I have a few more brief thoughts I would like to post here which may be helpful to some (they were to me).

To begin, I want to quote a verse which could easily have made it into my original post, had I remembered it when composing that. I think it makes clear the importance of perseverance. Hebrews 5:9 “And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” Also, with regards to my use of Rom. 2 concerning judgment, let me clarify. The only reason we are allowed in heaven is that our names are in the Lamb’s book of life. Jesus’ work on the cross is our ONLY hope of heaven. Yet, Jesus works in us through the Spirit’s sanctifying work to such a degree that everyone who enters heaven has good works to evidence that their faith was genuine. This is where passages like Rom. 2:6-11 and John 5:28-29 come in. This is not to say believers are not judged concerning their works with respect to varying degrees of reward, but I believe (along with Wayne Grudem–see his systematic theology) that there is one final judgment where the lost and saved together will stand before God (Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 20:11-15). And at that time the saints will be rewarded while the lost will receive punishment see Rev. 11:18 (also concerning degrees of punishment for the lost see Luke 12:47-48; 20:47).Here would be a good time to point you to some further resources on the topic. First, be sure to read this short article by John Piper directed to pastors entitled “Brothers, Save the Saints”. Next, I would direct you to several articles at Desiring God listed here. Of course, you should read all or part of John Piper’s book Future Grace. I would also direct you to some further online resources available here, listed by Monergism.Com.

Now I would like to post a few quotes from Owen’s book which really apply to this discussion. On the Mortification of Sin is basically an extended (and very profitable, I might add) study of Rom. 8:13b “But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Let me first reproduce his outline of the verse:

• 1) To whom it is directed: “You believers”.
• 2) The condition: “If you”.
• 3) The means of accomplishment: “The Spirit”.
• 4) A duty: “Put to death the deeds of the body”.
• 5) A promise: “You will live”.

Owen stresses that believers must be mortifying sin: “The choicest believers, who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin [see 8:1], should also make it their business all of their days to mortify the indwelling power of sin.” (pg. 2)

He then expounds on exactly how mortifying is a condition: “The purpose of the condition, ‘If you’, is to express the certainty of the relationship between the cure and the result. There is a clear connection between the mortifying of the deeds of the body and living. This connection is not cause and effect properly and strictly, for ‘eternal life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ’ (Rom. 6:23), but rather means and end. The intent of the text in this conditional expression is that there is a certain infallible connection and coherence between true mortification and eternal life: if you use this means, you shall obtain that end; if you do mortify, you shall live. This then, is our main motive for the enforcement of this duty in our lives.” (pg. 2)

Now comes some really interesting quotes concerning the false professor, the one who does not mortify sin:

“The basic characteristic of an unmortified course is the digestion of sin without bitterness in the heart. He who is able to swallow and digest daily sins in his life without conviction in the heart is at the very brink of turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, and being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (pg. 11-12)

“From this door have gone out from us most of the professors that have apostatized in the days in which we live. For a while most of them were under conviction, and they ‘escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’ (2 Pet. 2:20). But after having become acquainted with the doctrines of the gospel, they became weary of thir spiritual duties. They had no true desire for these and they allowed evil instead to lay hold of them, and speedily tumble them into perdition.” (pg. 12)

From the above two quotes, it is clear that Owen says two characteristics of false believers–those who profess only but do not possess–are no bitterness of heart over sin, and no true desire for holiness. Let us soberly examine our hearts in this light. May we pray that God would great us hearts that mourn over sin (Matt. 5:4) and that have a true desire for holiness.

I hope these various reflections on perseverance help you. Feel free to add more thoughts or questions in the comments here.

∼striving for the unity of the faith for the glory of God∼ Eph. 4:3,13 “¢ Rom. 15:5-7