THE
DOCTRINE OF DIVINE PRESERVATION
Although
the Bible tells us that salvation is a gift, and that we are "kept by the
power of God through faith," many believers are troubled by a fear of
losing salvation (1Peter 1:5). They may be familiar with passages that assure
us that God is able to keep us from falling, yet they derive little comfort
from such passages because other passages seem to contradict what they say. In
fact, on the surface it looks like there are two sets of passages, one assuring
us that God will keep us from falling, the other warning us of the danger of
falling. That fact leaves many people confused. However, what they fail to
understand is that one set of passages is law, while the other is gospel.
The
passages that are law are God's warning to the unrepentant. Those passages
rebuke any unrepentant thoughts and desires that may arise in our hearts, while
reminding us of our need for God's sustaining grace. In contrast, the gospel
comforts believers by assuring us that God will keep us by His grace. Both are
important! The unrepentant need to hear God's warning just as
much as those who repent need God's assurance that He is able to keep them from
falling. Therefore, those who emphasize only one set of passages to the
exclusion of the other set are failing to rightly divide the Word of Truth.
THE
LAW
Luke 8:13, Those on the rock
are the ones, who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but they have no
root, THEY BELIEVE FOR A WHILE, but in time of temptation fall away.
Galatians 1:6, I am astonished that you are so quickly
turning away from him who called you
into the grace of Christ to another gospel.
Galatians 5:4, Christ is of no benefit to those of
you, who seek righteousness by the law; you are fallen from grace.
1Timothy
1Timothy 4:1, Now the Spirit specifically says, that in the future some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils.
1Timothy
1Corinthians
Hebrews 6:4-6, For it is impossible for those who have
once been enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and became
partakers of the Holy Spirit, And have tasted the good word of God, and the
powers of the world to come, and have fallen away, to be brought back to
repentance; seeing that they crucify the Son of God anew for themselves, and
put him to public shame.
Hebrews 10:26-27, For if we sin willfully after we
have received the knowledge of the truth, no
sacrifice for sin remains, But only a fearful expectation of judgment and
raging fire, that will devour the enemies of God.
Hebrews 10:38-39, Now the
just will live by faith: but if any man turns back, my soul will take no
pleasure in him. But we are not of those who turn back and are destroyed; but
of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
2Peter 2:20-22, For if after they have escaped the
corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, they are again entangled in it, and overcome, they are worse off at the
end than they were at the beginning. For it would have been better for them not
to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn
from the holy commandment that was given to them. But it has happened to them
according to the true proverb, The dog is turned back
to his own vomit; and the sow that is washed to wallowing in the mire.
[Comment: Just as
the passages that warn sinners of the danger of hell, were intended to show us
our need for forgiveness in Christ, the passages that warn us of the danger of
falling were intended to show us our need for God’s sustaining grace (Jude
1:24, Romans 7:4). In both cases God
wants us to trust in His grace, not in our own efforts. Therefore, if the
verses cited above trouble you, instead of trusting in your own efforts,
believe His promise to keep you from falling, for by so doing you commit your
soul to His care.]
THE
GOSPEL
John 10:27-29, My sheep hear
my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give them eternal life;
and they will never perish, nor will any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all; and no man
is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
1Peter 1:5, Who are kept by
the power of God through faith unto salvation which is waiting to be
revealed at the end of time.
2Timothy
Jude 1:24, Now to him who is
able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before his
glorious presence with great joy.
Philippians 4:7, And the
peace of God, that transcends all understanding, will keep your hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus.
2Thessalonians 3:3, But the Lord is faithful, and will
strengthen you, and keep you from evil.
[Comment: The
words, "none can keep alive his own soul" make it clear that it is
impossible for us to keep ourselves saved (Psalm
CONCLUSION
Believing that God will keep you by
His grace goes hand in hand with believing that you are saved by grace
(Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, those who think that they can keep themselves
saved are just as foolish as those who think that they can save themselves. At
the same time, those who think that they can harden their hearts in unrepentance (by denying their sin or willfully flaunting
God's law) yet still be saved, are under a delusion (Galatians 5:4, Hebrews
10:26-27, 2Peter 3:6). Such people need the warning of God's law, while those
who have a repentant heart need assurance that God will keep them by His grace.
Gary Ray Branscome