- Jan 28, 2002
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Hi Verward, that seems to be one of the $64,000 questions around here, and is certainly one topic that must occupy several hundred (if not several thousand) megabytes of storage space on CF's serversNow I am confused, salvation is unconditional, but it is possible to fall away?
It's my belief that the Elect 'are' the ones who persevere to the end, principally because of God's ceaseless and mighty work in their lives (IOW, He not only saves the Elect, He also sees them through this life to Glory .. i.e. Deuteronomy 31:8; Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 7:25).
The Westminster Confession states:
Chapter XVII. Of the Perseverance of the Saints
Section I.–They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.
Section II.–This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own freewill, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them; and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof. ~Westminster Confession of Faith
Section II.–This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own freewill, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them; and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof. ~Westminster Confession of Faith
The Bible has much to say about all of this, so here are several additional verses to consider:
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. ~John 5
37 “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.
38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
39 “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. ~John 6
65 “No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by the Father. ~John 6
27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. ~John 10
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ~Romans 8
29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. ~Romans 8*
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 1
25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. ~Hebrews 7
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. ~1 John 5
Those who do not persevere in the faith, though part of the visible church and believed to be Christians (by others, and even by themselves) never knew Him (John 17:3) nor He them (Matthew 7:22-23). IOW, they never came to saving faith/became Christians to begin with!
Yours in Christ,
David
"He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come
come to God through Him, since He always lives
to make intercession for them"
Hebrews 7:25
come to God through Him, since He always lives
to make intercession for them"
Hebrews 7:25
*(Romans 8:29-30 is known as, "The Golden Chain of Redemption")
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