 |
 |
| The Doctrines Of Grace |
| Exposition of Perserverance Of The Saints |
 |
| Pages Home Depravity Of Man Unconditional Election Limited Atonement Irresistible Grace Perserverance Of The Saints Links Historic Baptist Doctrine God's Truth Is Absolute |
| FINAL PERSEVERANCE Originally Published by THE NEW TESTAMENT BAPTIST CHURCH 4828 Vine Street Cincinnati 17, Ohio |
| Our subject today is, "The Final Perseverance of the Saints." This is the last in the series of messages on the doctrines of grace, or the Five Points of Calvinism. As has been our custom, we shall look first at the old Baptist Confession which says, "Those whom God hath accepted in the beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without repentance...and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them, yet it is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraven upon the palm of his hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity."
We read now the text which is Job 17:9, "The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." I don't know of any better summary statement of the doctrine of perseverance than what we have in this verse. "The righteous," that is, the one made righteous by Christ, "shall" -- not "may," but shall -- "hold on his way." He that is a true partaker of saving grace shall continue in the way of holiness; and, this one who has clean hands shall grow stronger in the things of God. This truth is sadly neglected in this day. There is much said about the "eternal security of the believer"; but, little said about that professed believer persevering in grace. This lopsided view has lead preachers to say, "It doesn't matter what a Christian does, he is eternally saved"; but, I can find no such doctrine in the Word of God. Rather the Scriptures teach that only such as endure to the end shall be saved. Let us then consider that perseverance is required. PERSEVERANCE REQUIRED Perseverance is the only true mark which distinguish believers from false professors and so it is required of every one who shall finally be saved. "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." (John 8:31.) A mere profession was not enough to prove that these Jews had been genuinely converted; there could be no real evidence of it apart from their continuing in His word. This would teach us that no matter how sincere a profession a man may make, and regardless of how many evidences he may possess; if he does not continue in the word of Christ, he is none of His. Oh, may the Spirit use this to search our hearts. We claim to be the disciples of Christ; but, are we continuing in His word? Are we being conformed to His image? Are we growing in holiness? Are we holding on our way? Only if our answer is in the affirmative can it be said that we are His disciples indeed. Look now at John 15:5-6, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." Then Matthew 10:22 declares, "...but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Many have for a little season left the path of sin only to return to it again. Yea, many have for years been faithful in attending public worship and have been very diligent in their observance of religious duties; and, yet, have denied their profession by a wicked life. Oh, my friends, none of these shall inherit the blessings of that land above; for, only such as endure, persevere, unto the end shall be saved. Another passage which plainly shows that continuance in grace is the only true mark of discipleship is John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." How are the sheep distinguished from the goats? The sheep hear His voice and follow Him. No man has a right to claim that Christ is his Shepherd unless he will hear His voice and follow Him. Let us further note that perseverance is pressed upon us as a duty. We are commanded to hold on our way, to continue in grace. We have such a command in Acts 11:23, "he...exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should cleave unto the Lord." Here Barnabas appeals to their responsibility, saying that it is their duty to cleave unto the Lord. And so are we often exhorted, as in II Peter 1:4-10: "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge... For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." You see how we are admonished to grow in grace that we may not fall? We turn now to Hebrews 10:22 and here we find one of the strongest discourses in the Bible on perseverance. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works... For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries... For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." And the Apostle goes on to say, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward... Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." This passage has been avoided by many and misinterpreted by many more. But regardless of what men say about it, there it stands as a warning and an exhortation to every pilgrim that journeys to the Celestial City. Notice how strongly our duty is enforced, "Let us draw near," "Let us hold fast"; and, especially take heed to the terrible warning, "If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." I know that some would say this means the loss of a "millennial" crown, but the verse plainly speaks of drawing "back unto perdition." Now just one more verse before we pass to the next point. Jude, verse 20, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." What is the duty here enjoined? "Keep yourselves in the love of God." And someone will ask, "Is not this inconsistent with what you have already preached about the sovereignty of God?" No, my friends, it is not. This doctrine of perseverance is a very vital part of this system of truth concerning the sovereign grace of our Lord. There is no more inconsistency here than to say that we are free-men and servants of Christ at the same time, or to say with Paul that we are in joy and sorrow together. God shall keep His elect, but they are admonished to continue in the way. Next we wish to point out that perseverance is worked in us by the Holy Spirit. "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil. 1:6.) If the Spirit has begun a work of grace within the heart, He will complete it. It is His ministry to begin and complete this work; for otherwise, this grace could not exist. In Philippians 2:12-13 the Apostle says, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." It is our duty to work out our salvation, and this is to be done with fear and trembling. Some have said that to fear is a sign of weak faith; but, in this passage we are admonished to fear. Why should we fear? Because we see so much corruption in our heart, so many fleshly lusts waring against our soul; we see our great adversary the Devil prepared to fight against us throughout our entire journey; and too, we are conscious of the fact that if we should draw back our Lord will have no pleasure in us. This Scripture, as well as most of those that deal with perseverance, has frequently been used in an attempt to prove salvation by works. But the context clearly reveals that such an idea was the farthest from the Apostle's mind; for, we can only work out this salvation as the Spirit works in us both to will and do. No, this verse does not teach free-will, it teaches God's will. And so we see that perseverance is worked in God's people by His Spirit. Furthermore, let us consider that the warnings of the Scriptures are used as a means to cause us to persevere. First we read Matthew 7:21, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." When most people read this verse they immediately think of some members of some religious sect which preaches heresy, and in so doing they miss that for which it is intended. This should be a solemn warning to every person who professes faith in Jesus Christ. Say not that it has reference to this person, or that group of people; but ask, "Lord, is it I?" Those whom the Lord cast from his presence were sincere in their profession and their works. In fact they may have heard many a sermon on perseverance; but, treated them as some of you treat this message today, saying, "He speaks of someone else." Oh my friend, be not so presumptuous as to cast off these warnings. Take them to heart. Make your calling and election sure. Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith. In Romans 8:13 we find another of these grave warnings, "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." What weary pilgrim is not made to tremble by such words as these? "If ye live after the flesh ye shall die." What effect should this have upon that one who claims an interest in Jesus Christ? It should cause him to put off fleshly lusts; it should cause him to ever walk cautiously, crying out to the Spirit to mortify the deeds of the body; it should cause him to rely upon the all- sufficient grace of God to carry him on the way; and, should keep him from presumption. I must hasten and so can make very little comment on the next verses, but I wish to call your attention to several more passages which are given as warnings. "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62.) "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame... But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak." (Heb. 6:4-9.) "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (I John 2:4.) "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (I Cor. 10:12.) There is nothing that will kill out pride and presumption like this blessed truth. We cannot stand and say, "I am one of God's elect, I am eternally secure"; for, as surely as we thought we were standing we would fall. The best evidence of our election is a holy life; and, we have before us these many warnings that we might not turn from the path of righteousness. But yet there is another aspect to this truth, and thank God for it; because if the struggling saint should be taken up only with thoughts of his own sinfulness, the dangers of the way, and with the warnings which were given him; he might easily give up in despair. While on one side of the road over which he travels there are warnings to keep him from presumption, there are on the other side the promises to keep him from despair. And thus we next consider, PERSEVERANCE PROMISED This side of the truth is more widely preached than the other, so I shall only deal with it briefly. Reading Psalms 94:14, "For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance." During those dark hours when our spirit is depressed and our hands hang down, promises of this kind are like a tonic to our troubled soul. How blessed to know that the Lord will not forsake His inheritance--His elect. Jeremiah speaks of that everlasting covenant of grace and in so doing makes reference to this doctrine of perseverance. "And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me." (Jer. 32:40.) Is it not a comforting truth, to know that the Lord will not turn away from His people, He will not cease to do them good? And because of His fear which is placed in their hearts they shall not depart from Him. True it is that His people do not always walk as they ought, they often stumble, they are sometimes cast down; but, they shall never finally depart from their God. Christ said, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (Joh. 10:28.) This assures the perseverance of all His elect; but, it in no way relieves them of their responsibility to hold on their way. He gives eternal life to His sheep -- and remember His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. I Corinthians 1:8-9 speaks of Christ, "Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." And I Peter 1:5 says, "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." The perseverance of the saints is further assured because they are sealed with the Spirit according to Ephesians 1:13-14, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." And finally we shall see that their perseverance is founded upon the death and intercession of Christ. "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Rom. 8:34.) All of these promises are to give us courage to continue in the way, to strengthen us when we are opposed by our great enemy, and to keep us looking unto Him who is the author and finisher of our faith. And in closing we shall now consider, PERSEVERANCE ILLUSTRATED This doctrine is clearly illustrated in the parable of the sower. As you remember the sower went out sowing the seed. Some of it fell by the wayside, some on stony ground, some among thorns; and yet, some on good ground. The seed which fell by the way side was taken away by the birds, which represents Satan taking away the word from one who understands it not. But the seed which fell on stony ground sprang up rapidly and appeared for a season to grow; yet, when the sun beat down upon it, it wilted and died for it had no root. So are they who make a profession of faith; they at first receive the word with gladness; for a little season they give the same evidences, perhaps better ones, as true believers; but, when persecution arises they draw back unto perdition, they turn out of the way and bring damnation upon themselves. The seed which fell among the thorns, represents that one who hears the word but has it choked out by the love for this present world. Notice that only one-fourth of the hearers of this parable actually received the word and brought forth fruit, giving evidence that a true work of grace had been wrought within them. Are there not multitudes in this day who make a good profession for a while, perhaps even for years, but, finally turn from it, thus committing the sin unto death. Now my friend, what shall be your response to this parable? Are you now applying it to some neighbor or friend? Oh, be not presumptuous. Rather cry out to your Lord for grace sufficient to hold on your way. If many have been deceived, if many have taken the wrong path; yea, if many have turned back: is there any reason to believe that you are above such things? Surely not. The effect of these warnings upon the believing heart will be to drive them to the Saviour praying for persevering grace; they will cry, "Lord, save me or I perish." Another illustration of these things is found in II Peter 2:22, "But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." If a dog has eaten too much and is sick he will vomit his food, only to return to it when he is eased. And this is true of many a sinner. He gets Hell scared, or he is afraid his sin will cause him to loose his wife, or his drunkenness has made him physically sick; and, so he puts away his sin for a little while; but, just as soon as his feeling of danger is gone, he returns to the same sins and his latter end is worse than the first. Do you now see how well the text in Job expresses this doctrine. "The righteous also shall hold on his way." The righteous has all the warnings of God's Word to keep him in the way, to discourage him from turning back; yea, to keep him from presumption with which many are possessed in this day. At the same time there are many promises to give him courage. There is God's purpose of election, the death of Christ, the effectual work of the Spirit; all these to keep him from despair. Though to many this may seem to be inconsistent; yet, the doctrine is this: All the elect of God shall be finally and eternally saved; for the elect have been chosen to holiness; but, if any man draw back he shall be damned. Let these warnings grip your heart. If they fill you with fear, let it be so; it shall be for your profit. And yet, take courage, dear friend; the righteous shall hold on his way, he shall continue in grace, he shall persevere, he shall progress in holiness; for, it is God who worketh in him to do of His good pleasure. "Ye pilgrims of Zion, and chosen of God, Whose spirits are filled with dismay, Since ye have eternal redemption thro' blood, Ye cannot but hold on your way. As Jesus in covenant love did engage A fulness of grace to display, The powers of darkness in malice may rage, The righteous shall hold on his way. This truth, like its Author, eternal shall stand, Though all things in nature decay; Upheld by Jehovah's omnipotent hand, The righteous shall hold on his way. They may on the main of temptation be tossed, Their sorrows may swell as the sea, But none of the ransomed shall ever be lost, The righteous shall hold on his way. Surrounded with sorrows, temptations, and cares, This truth with delight we survey, And sing, as we pass through this valley of tears, The righteous shall hold on his way." |