The final point is the perseverance of the elect. Once more, all of the points build upon each other. The logic is obvious: man is depraved and cannot save himself, God elects some to everlasting life, Christ atones for the sins of the elect, the Spirit applies Christ’s work and merit to the elect, and the elect persevere unto the end by God’s grace. What God begins he finishes. Nothing goes unachieved. God chose to save, he accomplished salvation, he called the elect and they are saved in time, and he keeps them saved eternally.
Berkhof says that perseverance, “may be defined as that continuous operation of the Holy Spirit in the believer, by which the work of divine grace that is begun in the heart, is continued and brought to completion.”[1] The Westminster Confession is even more precise, “they, whom God hath accepted in His Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved (XVII. I).
Does the Bible support this doctrine? “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” “Who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”[2] Yes, most emphatically the scriptures teach the perseverance of all the saints.
If the opposite is true, that the elect could fall away and lose their salvation, what becomes of the biblical view of God? He would cease to be God; instead he would be weak and powerless. How worthy of all worship and praise would he be if he could not accomplish the final salvation of his elect? J. C. Ryle said it best,
...the attributes of God’s character revealed in the Bible... are all involved in the perseverance of the saints. If the elect may finally perish, what becomes of God’s counsel about them in eternity, and His doings for them in time... the offices which the Lord Jesus fills... what discredit is thrown on His discharge of them, if any of His believing people can finally be lost. What kind of Head would He be, if any of the members of His mystical body could be torn from Him? What kind of Shepherd would He be, if a single sheep of His flock was left behind in the wilderness? What kind of Physician would He be, if any patient under His hand were at length found incurable? What kind of High Priest would He be, if any name once written on His heart were found wanting when He makes up His jewels? What kind of Husband would He be, if He and any soul once united to Him by faith were ever put asunder?[3]
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