PRESERVED AND PERSEVERING

One of the greatest blessings that the children of GOD have is the promise of the LORD to hold us in the palm of HIS hand and to preserve us unto the very end. (see John 10:28-30; Heb.13:5). HE has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. (see Ps.37:28) If HE is for us, then nothing can separate us from HIS love and care (see Rom.8:31-39). We are preserved and kept by HIS power until the day of judgement and shall be found faultless before HIM. (see Ps,125:1,2; I Pet.1:3-5; Eph.5:27; II Tim.4:18) These are promises without conditions.

There is however a two-fold error that often arises in the consideration of this very promise that threatens to overthrow the blessedness of it to the sons of GOD. There are some who believe and teach that salvation is something that a man can get by his own freewill and in his own time and then once he has obtained it (by believing) he can never lose it, regardless of perseverance. (This error is commonly taught by many missionary Baptists). Then there are those who teach that some are elected to eternal salvation and that they will be preserved unto that salvation even if they don't believe or persevere. (This error is commonly taught by many primitive Baptists). Both concepts are in error because they fail to recognize that GOD has ordained the salvation of HIS children to take place "in them" as well as outside of them. (see Phil.2:12-13) Of course there are others who teach that the blood bought sons of GOD can lose the salvation which GOD has given them, this concept totally denies the basic premise of salvation which we began our discussion with and flies in the face of GOD's promise and is an absolute error.

The sons of GOD are elected and predestined to be saved in time as well as eternity. We are "elect according to the foreknowledge of GOD the FATHER, through sanctification of the SPIRIT, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of JESUS CHRIST---- which according to HIS abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope" (1 Peter 1:2-5). We are chosen not simply to be ultimately saved in eternity, but we are chosen to be obedient and to be given hope in this life as well. We don't merit GOD's favor by being obedient, but we manifest the fact that we are GOD's children because HE works obedience in us.

The certainty of our eternal salvation is evidenced by the work which GOD has both begun and continues to do in HIS children.(see Phil.1:6, I Thess.5:24) "But we are bound to give thanks alway to GOD for you, brethren beloved of the LORD, because GOD hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the SPIRIT and belief of the truth: "Whereunto HE called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our LORD JESUS CHRIST." (2 Thess 2:13-14) All of the blessings which accrue to the sons of GOD, do so because of HIS grace. HE purchased for us our present hope as well as our future redemption (see Eph.1:13,14). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are HIS workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS unto good works, which GOD hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:8-10) The pathway we tread as the sons of GOD is marked out and ordered by the LORD (see Ps.37:21-33; 40:2; 121:3,8; I Sam.2:9; Prov.2:8) and is designed for our benefit and HIS glory. (see Rom.8:28)

So the sons of GOD not only are preserved by HIS grace but they persevere by the same. They shall not only taste of the glories of the world to come but shall have rejoicing in that glory begun below. (see Eph.2:6; Rom.6:4; Col.3:1-3). They are privileged not just to be named the sons of GOD in eternity but also to be called as the sons of GOD in the present time. "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to HIS own purpose and grace, which was given us in CHRIST JESUS before the world began" (2 Tim 1:9) We have been called unto:

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST." (2 Peter 1:10-11)