Day 225

Of Perseverance of the Saints.

Chapter 17, Paragraph 1.

“Those whom God hath accepted in the beloved, effectually called and Sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his Elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without Repentance, (whence he still begets and nourisheth in them Faith, Repentance, Love, Joy, Hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality) and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon: notwithstanding through unbelief and the temptations of Satan the sensible sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them,…”

Scripture Lookup

John 10:28,29

Philippians 1:6

2 Timothy 2:19

1 John 2:19

Psalm 89:31,32

1 Corinthians 11:32

Reflection

There are times when we as believers don’t really believe that strongly. When friends turn fair-weather, when we are laid off and can’t find a new job right away, when blow after blow of bad news seems to lurk around every corner, we can find it difficult to say that the joy of the Lord is our strength. The temptation is strong to question whether Scripture actually speaks what is true, or if it is simply a means of suppression dreamed up by men. Giving up our faith dangles before us as an option.

And yet, we do not give up faith in Christ. Indeed, we cannot give up faith in Christ. For those who are accepted by God because they are in Christ shall endure to the end. It is God who calls us, God who regenerates us, God who justifies us. It is God who sanctifies us, God who enables faith in us, God who grants the grace of repentance in us. It is God who works in us to do and to will His good pleasure. God never repents of those saving graces He alone bestows. He will never take them back. They are ours to keep until our life in this world ends.

We may be beaten down time after time in our walk as Christians, but we will never be defeated. Our union in Christ ensures us of this.

Saving, helping, keeping, loving, He is with me to the end! -J. Wilbur Chapman

Questions to Consider

• If salvation is all of God, how can anyone who truly believes fall away?