| What we call here God’s preservation of the | | | | Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from |
| saints is sometimes called the Doctrine of the | | | | the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere |
| Perseverance of the Saints. Like so many of | | | | therein to the end, and be eternally saved.” |
| the other terms commonly used in | | | | Chapter 17, Paragraph 1 |
| Reformed Theology this one is often | | | | There is a plethora of Scripture that teach this |
| misunderstood as well. There is a subtle | | | | doctrine. Consider these few verses: |
| suggestion in the term “perseverance of the | | | | For the mountains may be removed and the hills |
| saints” that makes one think that the | | | | may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be |
| continuity of the saint in his faith is a product of | | | | removed from you, and My covenant of peace |
| his own effort. This is not the case. We | | | | will not be shaken, says the Lord who has |
| persevere because God preserves us. | | | | compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 |
| Loraine Boettner, the Reformed theologian, made | | | | For I am confident of this very thing, that He |
| an important point when he said, “This | | | | who began a good work in you will perfect it until |
| doctrine does not stand alone but is a necessary | | | | the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 |
| part of the Calvinistic system of theology. The | | | | Now to Him who is able to keep you from |
| doctrines of Election and Efficacious Grace logically | | | | stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence |
| imply the certain salvation of those who receive | | | | of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only |
| these blessings. If God has chosen men | | | | God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be |
| absolutely and unconditionally to eternal life, and if | | | | glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all |
| His Spirit effectively applies to them the benefits | | | | time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24, |
| of redemption, the inescapable conclusion is that | | | | 25 |
| these persons shall be saved.” | | | | [1] Loraine Boettner, The Reformed Doctrine of |
| The Westminster Confession of Faith adds this: | | | | Predestination, Presbyterian and Reformed |
| “They, whom God has accepted in His | | | | Publishing Co., 182. |
| Beloved, effectively called, and sanctified by His | | | | |