Assurance of Salvation: The Perseverance of the Saints
Summary
In exploring Romans 8:28-30, we delve into the profound doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints. This doctrine assures believers of their ultimate salvation and conformity to the image of Christ. It is a divine promise that those whom God has foreknown, predestined, called, justified, and glorified will never fall away from their faith. This assurance is not based on human strength or willpower but on God's unchanging purpose and sovereign grace. The New Testament consistently affirms that believers are united with Christ, regenerated, and part of the church for which Christ died. This union with Christ is the foundation of our perseverance.
The doctrine is further supported by the understanding that God's ultimate purpose in salvation is His own glory. Salvation is not primarily about our personal benefit but about the vindication of God's character and sovereignty. The plan of salvation, therefore, cannot fail, as it is rooted in God's eternal purpose. If it were dependent on human effort, it would contradict the very essence of grace and the biblical teaching of salvation.
The incarnation of Christ, the God-man, is central to this doctrine. Jesus, as the second Adam, ensures the success of God's redemptive plan. Unlike the first Adam, who failed, Christ's divine nature guarantees the fulfillment of God's purpose. His ongoing intercession as our high priest secures our salvation to the end. The glory of God is not left to human frailty but is upheld by Christ's perfect work.
This doctrine has been a cornerstone of Christian belief throughout history, upheld by theologians and reformers who recognized its importance. It is a doctrine that brings comfort and assurance, reminding us that our salvation is secure in Christ. We are called to rejoice in this truth, giving all glory to God, who alone is worthy.
Key Takeaways:
1. Assurance of Salvation: The doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints assures believers that their salvation is secure in God's eternal purpose, not in human effort. This assurance is rooted in God's sovereign grace and His unchanging will. [01:15]
2. Union with Christ: Believers are united with Christ, which is the foundation of their perseverance. This union means that we are part of the church for which Christ died, and it guarantees our ultimate conformity to His image. [03:30]
3. God's Glory in Salvation: The ultimate purpose of salvation is the glory of God, not merely our personal benefit. This perspective shifts our focus from ourselves to God's sovereign plan and His vindication through salvation. [12:10]
4. Christ's Role as the God-Man: Jesus, as the God-man, ensures the success of God's redemptive plan. His divine nature and ongoing intercession as our high priest secure our salvation, highlighting the insufficiency of human effort. [24:21]
5. Historical Affirmation: The doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints has been upheld by theologians and reformers throughout history. It is a doctrine that brings comfort and assurance, reminding us of the security we have in Christ. [40:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Introduction to Romans 8:28-30
- [00:56] - Doctrine of Final Perseverance
- [02:10] - Assurance of Salvation
- [03:30] - Union with Christ
- [04:20] - Chastisement as Sons
- [05:17] - What Keeps Christians from Falling
- [06:32] - Willpower vs. Divine Life
- [09:17] - Misunderstanding Grace
- [11:29] - God's Ultimate Purpose
- [14:02] - Restoration of Creation
- [17:24] - Dependence on Christ
- [21:37] - Christ's Ongoing Intercession
- [24:21] - The God-Man's Role
- [28:58] - Jesus' Assurance in John 6
- [33:15] - Christ's Kingdom Cannot Fail
- [40:03] - Historical Affirmation of Doctrine
- [44:38] - Warning Against Unbelief
- [46:18] - Rejoicing in God's Glory
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:28-30
- Ephesians 1:10
- John 6:37-40
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:28-30, what are the steps in the process that God uses to bring believers to ultimate glory? How does this passage assure believers of their salvation? [00:34]
2. In Ephesians 1:10, what is described as God's ultimate purpose in salvation? How does this relate to the concept of the final perseverance of the saints? [14:58]
3. In John 6:37-40, what does Jesus say about those whom the Father has given to Him? How does this passage support the idea that believers will not be lost? [28:58]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus as the God-man in ensuring the success of God's redemptive plan? [24:21]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints provide comfort and assurance to believers, according to the sermon? [01:15]
2. What is the significance of believers being united with Christ, and how does this union guarantee their perseverance? [03:30]
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's glory and the plan of salvation? Why is it important to understand salvation as primarily for God's glory rather than personal benefit? [12:10]
4. How does the sermon address the potential objection that the doctrine of perseverance might lead to complacency in the Christian life? [05:17]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you doubted your salvation. How does the assurance of salvation through God's eternal purpose change your perspective on those doubts? [01:15]
2. In what ways can you actively remind yourself of your union with Christ in your daily life? How does this awareness impact your actions and decisions? [03:30]
3. How can you shift your focus from personal benefits to God's glory in your understanding and practice of salvation? What practical steps can you take to make this shift? [12:10]
4. Consider the role of Jesus as the God-man in your life. How does His ongoing intercession as your high priest influence your prayer life and relationship with God? [24:21]
5. The sermon mentions the historical affirmation of the doctrine by theologians and reformers. How does knowing this history affect your confidence in the doctrine of perseverance? [40:03]
6. How can you ensure that your understanding of salvation is not based on human effort but on God's sovereign grace? What changes might you need to make in your spiritual practices to reflect this understanding? [10:29]
7. Identify an area in your life where you need to rely more on God's strength rather than your own willpower. What specific steps can you take to surrender this area to God? [09:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Assurance in God's Sovereign Grace
The assurance of salvation is a profound truth rooted in God's eternal purpose and sovereign grace. It is not dependent on human effort or willpower but on God's unchanging will. This assurance provides believers with the confidence that their salvation is secure, as it is part of God's divine plan. The doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints emphasizes that those whom God has foreknown, predestined, called, justified, and glorified will never fall away from their faith. This assurance is a source of comfort and strength, reminding believers that their salvation is not fragile or uncertain but firmly established in God's purpose. [01:15]
"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God's sovereignty? How can you remind yourself today that your salvation is secure in His unchanging purpose?
Day 2: Union with Christ as the Foundation of Perseverance
The union with Christ is the foundation of a believer's perseverance. This union means that believers are part of the church for which Christ died, and it guarantees their ultimate conformity to His image. Being united with Christ signifies a deep, spiritual connection that transcends human understanding. It is through this union that believers are regenerated and empowered to persevere in their faith. This connection assures believers that they are not alone in their journey but are supported by the strength and grace of Christ Himself. [03:30]
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5, ESV)
Reflection: How does your union with Christ influence your daily decisions and actions? What steps can you take to deepen this connection and rely more on His strength?
Day 3: God's Glory as the Ultimate Purpose of Salvation
The ultimate purpose of salvation is the glory of God, not merely the personal benefit of individuals. This perspective shifts the focus from self-centered concerns to God's sovereign plan and His vindication through salvation. Understanding that God's glory is the ultimate aim of salvation helps believers to align their lives with His purpose and to live in a way that reflects His character. It challenges believers to see their salvation as part of a larger divine narrative that brings honor and praise to God. [12:10]
"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:36, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from personal gain to God's glory in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to ensure that your actions reflect His character and purpose?
Day 4: Christ's Role as the God-Man in Securing Salvation
Jesus, as the God-man, plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of God's redemptive plan. His divine nature and ongoing intercession as our high priest secure the salvation of believers, highlighting the insufficiency of human effort. Unlike the first Adam, who failed, Christ's perfect work guarantees the fulfillment of God's purpose. His role as the God-man emphasizes the necessity of divine intervention in the salvation process, assuring believers that their salvation is upheld by Christ's perfect work, not their own. [24:21]
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do you rely on your own efforts for spiritual growth? How can you shift your reliance to Christ's perfect work and ongoing intercession?
Day 5: Historical Affirmation of the Doctrine of Perseverance
The doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints has been upheld by theologians and reformers throughout history. It is a doctrine that brings comfort and assurance, reminding believers of the security they have in Christ. This historical affirmation provides a rich heritage of faith and understanding, encouraging believers to trust in the enduring truth of God's promises. Recognizing the historical significance of this doctrine helps believers to appreciate the depth and continuity of their faith, as well as the assurance it provides. [40:03]
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)
Reflection: How does the historical affirmation of the doctrine of perseverance encourage you in your faith journey? What can you learn from the examples of past believers who have trusted in this truth?
Quotes
We are still considering the three verses, verses 28, 29, and 30 in the eighth chapter of Paul's epistle to the Romans, and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them or the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son. [00:00:16]
The doctrine, this doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints, or if you prefer it, this doctrine which teaches that any person who is truly born again into his a child of God can never fall from that position and will certainly and inevitably arrive in that ultimate glory and be conformed to the image of God's Son. [00:02:58]
The ultimate purpose of salvation is the glory of God and the vindication of the glory and the sovereignty and the character of God. Now, if we are not clear about that, of course, it's not surprising that we go wrong at many points. But this is something which is made perfectly clear in the scripture. [00:12:49]
The whole object of the Bible is to vindicate the glory and the character of God, and especially in the great plan and purpose of salvation. And it is because that is the ultimate object and purpose of the plan of salvation that it cannot fail, and it will not fail. Otherwise, the devil would have defeated God. [00:13:15]
The glory of God demands that this whole universe, this cosmos, cannot be left in its present form, evil, sinful condition. It's not consistent with the glory of God. Now, why God ever permitted evil to come in, we don't know. We are not told, and I can't go beyond what has been revealed. [00:15:27]
The proof of this doctrine is that the whole of salvation depends upon the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of God. Here was the position, let me put it in this form. Here his men, he's falling into sin. Man was the supreme object of God's creation. He made him Lord of creation, but man fell. [00:21:29]
God's glory demands that this be rectified. How can he do it? Well, let's say that the first possibility that occurred to the mind of God was Ness. I'll create another man. I made that first man Adam, but he fell. Very well, I'll make another man. But immediately, of course, that suggests you would have to be rejected. [00:22:57]
God has done it in this way because it must succeed. It cannot fail. A man isn't enough. You need a God-man. Yes, it's got to be done in human nature, but human nature alone is not enough. The human nature is going to be joined to the divine nature, so you have the whole miracle and marvel of the Incarnation. [00:24:45]
The Lord Jesus Christ working our salvation did not finish upon the cross. It is still continuing as is put in Hebrews 7. It is because he ever liveth to make intercession for us that he saves us to the Athamas, which means this, that he doesn't merely start our salvation, he continues it. [00:26:07]
We are saved not simply because he died for us but because we are united to him. We are in him, and he is in us. As the father, he says, is in him, so are we in him, and he is in us. That is the relationship that subsists. We are bound to him by this indissoluble bond. [00:28:00]
The greatest preacher of the last century, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, preached it and put it in one of his sermons. You'll find it in this volume of his revival year sermons. He went as far as to say this, that he rarely doubted whether the men who didn't believe this was a Christian at all. [00:42:42]
Throughout the centuries, with the exception of people like Arminius and Cecina s-- and the Wesley brothers John in particular, apart from those, there has been this great unanimity. Surely there ought to carry some weight of us. People no longer seem to know and to understand that until about 1860. [00:43:14]
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