Perseverance of the saints
*Just a reminder that this study of Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology, is not by any means me teaching, but rather a simple summary chapter by chapter of his book for my own enrichment.*
Can a true Christian lose their salvation? How doe we know if we are truly born again?
This doctrine means that God holds true Christians close to himself all their lives and assures them of that. It also means that continuing in the Christian life is an evidence that the person is truly born again.
John 6 says, Wand this is the will of him who sent me (Jesus), that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day."
John 10, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me, and i give them eternal life, and they shall never perish...No on is able to snatch them out of the Fathers hand."
Christians are "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit," which is a guarantee of our inheritance. They are also called that God has set a guard or protection around them.
Phil 1:6, I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
John 8:31-32, If you continue in my word, youa re truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free....
a false assurance that everyone who goes through the "church system" is saved, is very clearly avoided in the Bible, as many times the Bible speaks of how to know you are a Christian, what perseverance and good works as fruit of belief mean, etc.
Speaking of people who have left the fellowship of believers, John says, "they went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us."
Grudem seems to say that it is possibly for people to experience answer to prayer, the Holy Spirits blessings, a glimpse of knowledge about God, ....and yet their hearts can be hardened and they want nothing of it. The book of Hebrews speaks of "here is how far a person can come in experiencing temporary blessings and still not really be saved."
What then is evidence of genuine assurance?
1. continuing in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard. Not just from a decision 20 years ago but daily life in Christ.
2. Evidence of a regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in my heart...that I can feel God's leading throughout my life and reflect the fruits of the spirit. Also continuing to believe and accept the sound teachings of the church. (No one who denies the Son has the Father).
3. A life of obedience to show that you indeed "know the Father."
Do I see a long term pattern of growth in my Christian life?
The result of these questions should be a comforting doctrine and assurance for true believers. Instead of asking, "can i persevere," rather we can say, "I am truly born again, therefore I will certainly persevere, because I am guarded by God's power working in me through my faith, and I will never be lost."
On the other hand, people who are living carnally and call themselves Christians should do as the Bible clearly says and examine themselves to see if they are in the faith.
See Paul Washer's sermon on this topic: http://evangeliecentrerat.se/ar-du-en-sann-kristen-paul-washer-svensk-text/
*Just a reminder that this study of Wayne Grudem's book, Systematic Theology, is not by any means me teaching, but rather a simple summary chapter by chapter of his book for my own enrichment.*
Can a true Christian lose their salvation? How doe we know if we are truly born again?
This doctrine means that God holds true Christians close to himself all their lives and assures them of that. It also means that continuing in the Christian life is an evidence that the person is truly born again.
John 6 says, Wand this is the will of him who sent me (Jesus), that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day."
John 10, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me, and i give them eternal life, and they shall never perish...No on is able to snatch them out of the Fathers hand."
Christians are "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit," which is a guarantee of our inheritance. They are also called that God has set a guard or protection around them.
Phil 1:6, I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
John 8:31-32, If you continue in my word, youa re truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free....
a false assurance that everyone who goes through the "church system" is saved, is very clearly avoided in the Bible, as many times the Bible speaks of how to know you are a Christian, what perseverance and good works as fruit of belief mean, etc.
Speaking of people who have left the fellowship of believers, John says, "they went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us."
Grudem seems to say that it is possibly for people to experience answer to prayer, the Holy Spirits blessings, a glimpse of knowledge about God, ....and yet their hearts can be hardened and they want nothing of it. The book of Hebrews speaks of "here is how far a person can come in experiencing temporary blessings and still not really be saved."
What then is evidence of genuine assurance?
1. continuing in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard. Not just from a decision 20 years ago but daily life in Christ.
2. Evidence of a regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in my heart...that I can feel God's leading throughout my life and reflect the fruits of the spirit. Also continuing to believe and accept the sound teachings of the church. (No one who denies the Son has the Father).
3. A life of obedience to show that you indeed "know the Father."
Do I see a long term pattern of growth in my Christian life?
The result of these questions should be a comforting doctrine and assurance for true believers. Instead of asking, "can i persevere," rather we can say, "I am truly born again, therefore I will certainly persevere, because I am guarded by God's power working in me through my faith, and I will never be lost."
On the other hand, people who are living carnally and call themselves Christians should do as the Bible clearly says and examine themselves to see if they are in the faith.
See Paul Washer's sermon on this topic: http://evangeliecentrerat.se/ar-du-en-sann-kristen-paul-washer-svensk-text/
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