Regular readers of this blog know I am not big on the “once saved, always saved” idea. I think it belittles the Bible’s emphasis on the necessity of persevering faith, and I don’t think it represents an orthodox view of eternal security. Salvation is no “tattoo”, Pastor Charles Stanley, not withstanding (see post linked above).
Since I had my 1 John 2:19 epiphany moment, the Bible’s teaching on perseverance and continuance in the faith has become clearer and clearer to me. And always ever more vital. Yet whenever one tries to explain it, he inevitably encounters many deaf ears, or stunned looks. Modern Christianity has biased us against grasping that faith must be alive and enduring for it to be a true saving faith.
John Piper recently shared a brief 4 minute audio clip of his father preaching on Colossians 1:23 — “IF indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast…”
I thought that clip, from a fundamentalistic SBC evangelist, was excellent. He explains the double nature of perseverance excellently. If we are really a possessor, then we are going to endure. And if we don’t endure, we are just a professor. Yet all the possessors are eternally secure. There I go again: tripping over my words trying to explain an important point. Stop reading and listen to Bill Piper, won’t you?
And if you care to read more from me on this subject, check out my posts on perseverance.
This is probably one of the most important aspects of the doctrine of perseverance. The Reformed view is the biblical one, and I think you stated it very concisely (i.e. “Perseverance for Dummies”). I’ll have to listen to the audio clip just after I post this…….
Everyone considering leaving the church needs to hear this…
Well done, Brother Bill! I will never get over how, after I learned the Reformed doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, how it is precisely what had been immortalized in my IFB articles of faith all along. Not one bit of difference–on paper, that is. Years of revivalism and fundamentalist anti-creedalism took a toll on the attention paid to the articles of faith.
Good point, John. Thanks for the comments, guys.
I’m not convinced in eternal security. I’m confused! How would you think of Eph.5:19-21?