Monday, February 23, 2009

Perseverence of the Saints

It is impossible for a person who believes to lose their faith. No one can take us out of God's hands (John 10:28,29). He has sealed us with his Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13, 4:30). A guarantee of future inheritance ( Rom 4:16; 2 Cor 1:22, 5:5; Eph 1:14). He has united us with Christ (Rom 6:5; 1Cor 6:17; Phil 2:1). Therefore, we cannot be separated permanently from him by weak faith (2 Tim 2:13, Luke 17:6), a specific sin or the actions of another person be they human or spiritual (Rom 8:35-39). We are adopted sons and daughters (Rom 8:23, Eph 1:5) of God protected by God's love (Rom 1:7; 5:8; Eph 2:4,5, 3:18,19) and power (1 Peter 1:5). A mighty fortress is our God. Who shall condemn the elect (Rom 8:33)? Can a person purposely reject God after he has believed? I believe in theory this is possible (Heb 6:4-6). The only situation that seems bibically rational is for a person to know the truth about God and reject him in purposeful rebellion realizing his end and accepting it in outright enmity with God. Does this happen? I do not know. From God's perspective a person cannot lose his salvation as God sees a person's life in it's totality. Thus he foreknows whether a person will believe and whether a person may choose to become apostate. The justification of a believer thus occurs as God sees the believer's faith and his/her persistence in faith to the end. The main point to remember is that we cannot for any reason outside of our own purposeful choice and determination lose our salvation.

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