Can I Lose My Salvation? (Crucial Questions) by Sproul R.C

Author:Sproul, R.C. [Sproul, R.C.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: assurance, theology, salvation, Christianity
ISBN: 9781567694994
Published: 2015-09-03T16:00:00+00:00

The concept of the perseverance of the saints can be easily misunderstood. In our everyday speech, we talk about persevering as something that we accomplish chiefly through our own concerted efforts. And though the New Testament calls us to persevere—it frequently uses the word endure, as in “the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 24:13)—placing the accent on persevering can cause us to miss the chief truth that supports this concept.

The first theologian to offer an extensive explanation of the doctrine of perseverance was Augustine of Hippo. The Latin phrase that he used was donum perseverantiae, meaning “the gift of perseverance.” By this phrase, Augustine meant that perseverance in the life of the Christian is not an achievement accomplished solely by human effort, but a gift. Augustine taught that the only way anyone ever perseveres to the end after beginning the Christian life is by virtue of the grace of God. Since that time, perseverance has been understood as a gift of divine grace.

That’s why, when discussing the perseverance of the saints, many English-speaking theologians have found it preferable to speak of the preservation of the saints—that is, God preserves His own. If I look to myself, I can have no confidence in my ability to continue on to glory once I begin my Christian walk because, as we have noted, the Christian life is a struggle. Paul articulated this in terms of spiritual warfare: the beginning of the Christian life involves liberation from the bondage to the flesh, and we are indwelt by God the Holy Spirit; once we become Christians, we embark upon a whole new life in which we’re engaged in the pursuit of our sanctification (Rom. 6:17–19). But that life, as Paul said, is marked by an ongoing battle between the new man and the old man, between the spiritual self and the sinful flesh that still retains power in our lives (7:13–25). But now we have something added as a gift, namely, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul calls the Philippian believers to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). In using this phrase, Paul does not mean to say that we earn our salvation by means of our works, but that our obedience (see his commendation of his readers’ obedience earlier in the verse) plays a role in our sanctification. In turn, our sanctification plays a role in our persevering.

This is a clear call to labor, to toil, to put forth effort, and this effort is not to be casual, light-hearted, or cavalier. The phrase “fear and trembling” calls attention to the sobriety and earnestness with which we are called to press into the kingdom of God. Jonathan Edwards once said in a sermon that seeking the kingdom of God should be the urgent, primary business of the Christian. We are called to work as hard as we can to persevere.

Note what follows this exhortation: “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (v.

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