Page 78 - The Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2009
P. 78
79
There is a valid concept of “perseverance of the saints”. However, it’s emphasis is not placed upon God
becoming an absolute guarantor to the believer apart from the labors of the believer. The Scriptures
reveal that God and man are “co-laborers together” (1st Cor. 3:9). In our final thoughts, let us consider a
few passages where we find this truth expressed:
“…WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH Notice the dual mandate (1) you “work out” your salvation
FEAR AND TREMBLING; FOR IT IS GOD WHO and (2) God will “work in” you His salvation.
WORKS IN YOU BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO We are co-laborers with God.
FOR HIS GOOD PLEASURE.” Phil. 2:12
“…YOU WERE SEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT How often has the emphasis been placed on half
OF PROMISE, WHO IS THE GUARANTEE OF of what God recorded pertaining to the “sealing of
the Holy Spirit”? It is also possible to grieve the
OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE DAY OF Holy Spirit of God by our conduct. Read on in Eph.
REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED 4:31 for Paul has a whole list of “do’s and do not’s”
POSSESSION…AND DO NOT GRIEVE THE to prevent the grieving of the Holy Spirit by the
HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, BY WHOM YOU WERE believer. We are co-laborers with God.
SEALED FOR THE DAY OF REDEMPTION.”
Eph. 1:14 and Eph. 4:30
“…AND YOU WHO ONCE WERE ALIENATED AND Are we still “irreproachable in his sight” if we
ENEMIES IN YOUR MIND BY WICKED WORKS, YET do not continue in the faith, but are rather
NOW HAS HE RECONCILED IN THE BODY OF HIS
FLESH THROUGH DEATH, TO PRESENT YOU HOLY moved away from the hope of the gospel by
AND BLAMELESS, AND IRREPROACHABLE IN HIS either our own fleshly lusts or by the pull of
SIGHT-IF INDEED YOU CONTINUE IN THE FAITH,
GROUNDED AND STEADFAST, AND ARE NOT MOVED this present world?
We are co-laborers with God.
AWAY FROM THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL…”
Col. 1:21-23
“CHRIST AS A SON OVER HIS OWN HOUSE, WHOSE These types of in-depth portrayals of the Christian
HOUSE WE ARE, IF WE HOLD FAST THE life should dispel the errors of Calvinism totally.
Why would the apostle Paul give such warnings if
CONFIDENCE AND THE REJOICING OF THE HOPE there was such a thing as “irresistible grace”?
FIRM TO THE END.…BEWARE BRETHREN, LEST Can a believer “depart from the living God by the
THERE BE IN ANY OF YOU AN EVIL HEART OF deceitfulness of sin”? Paul thinks so. What is the
UNBELIEF IN DEPARTING FROM THE LIVING
GOD…LEST YOU BE HARDENED THROUGH THE cure? It is the perseverance of the saints in
“holding fast the beginning to the end.”
DECEITFULNESS OF SIN, FOR WE ARE PARTAKERS We are co-laborers with God.
OF CHRIST IF WE HOLD THE BEGINNING OF OUR
CONFIDENCE STEADFAST TO THE END.”
Heb. 3:6-14 excerpts
4. 5. How do we judge the Calvinistic view of God Under “Total depravity”, man cannot cease from
1. 2. 3. in light of The Righteous Judge? sin for he has no power to do so.
Is this the Gospel Paul preached?
Under “Unconditional election”, only the elect that
OTAL DEPRAVITY OF FALLEN MAN God chooses are to be unconditionally saved.
Man has no part in that election.
NCONDITIONAL ELECTION OF MAN BY GOD
Under “Limited atonement”, only the elitist elect are
IMITED ATONEMENT OF MAN BY GOD saved, the rest of mankind is doomed since Christ
RRESISTIBLE GRACE UPON MAN BY GOD did not die for them.
ERSEVERANCE (PRESERVATION) Under “Irresistible grace”, what God does for the
OF THE SAINTS BY GOD elect cannot be resisted. The elect will become
what God has foreordained them to be whether
It is the conviction of this teacher that the tulip of they want to or not.
Calvinism does not represent either the Righteous
Judge of the Bible or the Gospel which God gave to Under “Perseverance of the saints”, God will
save fallen man. It certainly does not represent the protect the believer from himself. He can never fall
pathway of discipleship in which we are to “take up away because God will not permit him to do so. It
is “once saved, always saved” and “unconditional
our cross daily, deny self, and follow Christ.” eternal security.”
