The Concept of Perseverance in Scripture: A Continuous Journey
The Bible presents perseverance as an essential aspect of the Christian faith, one that is closely tied to the believer’s ongoing relationship with God. The idea that salvation is a one-time event that guarantees eternal security without the need for continued faithfulness and obedience is a misunderstanding of the biblical teaching. Scripture emphasizes that salvation is a journey, a path that requires the believer to remain steadfast in faith, resist temptation, and continue to grow in grace.
As Ephesians 6:18 urges believers to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people," it is evident that perseverance is not just a passive state of being but an active, ongoing effort to remain faithful in the face of trials and challenges.
The Misconception of "Once Saved, Always Saved"
The doctrine of "once saved, always saved," or eternal security, suggests that once a person has accepted Christ, their salvation is secure regardless of their subsequent actions or faithfulness. This view, however, is not supported by the full counsel of Scripture, which consistently calls for perseverance and warns against falling away.
For example, in Philippians 2:12-13, Paul exhorts believers to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." This passage highlights the tension between human responsibility and divine sovereignty in the process of salvation. While it is God who initiates and sustains the work of salvation, believers are called to actively participate in this process through obedience and perseverance.
Moreover, the warnings in Scripture about falling away are clear and numerous. Hebrews 6:4-6, for instance, speaks of those who "have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away." The passage warns that for such individuals, it is impossible to restore them to repentance because they have rejected the very source of salvation.
The Necessity of Endurance in the Christian Life
Endurance is a recurring theme in the New Testament, reflecting the reality that the Christian life is not without challenges and trials. Jesus Himself emphasized the need for endurance in Matthew 24:13, saying, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." This statement underscores that final salvation is contingent upon enduring faith.
Similarly, in the book of Hebrews, the author repeatedly encourages believers to persevere in their faith. Hebrews 10:36 states, "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised." This need for endurance is further emphasized in Hebrews 12:1, where believers are encouraged to "run with endurance the race that is set before us."
The warnings in Scripture serve as a reminder that perseverance is not optional but a vital aspect of the Christian life. The believer is called to remain vigilant, resisting the temptation to fall away and continuing to grow in faith and holiness.
The Role of Faith and Works in Perseverance
The relationship between faith and works is central to the doctrine of perseverance. While salvation is by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), true faith is always accompanied by works. James 2:14-26 makes this clear, arguing that "faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:17). Genuine faith is demonstrated by a life of obedience and good works, which are the fruit of a living faith.
This understanding aligns with the teaching of Jesus in John 15:1-6, where He uses the metaphor of the vine and the branches to describe the relationship between believers and Himself. Jesus declares, "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." The call to "abide" in Christ emphasizes the necessity of remaining in a close, continuous relationship with Him, which is evidenced by the fruit of good works.
The warnings against complacency and the exhortations to perseverance throughout the New Testament make it clear that salvation is not merely a one-time event but a lifelong journey. Believers are called to continue in faith and obedience, producing the fruit of good works as evidence of their genuine faith.
The Possibility of Falling Away: A Biblical Reality
The Bible does not shy away from the reality that it is possible for believers to fall away from the faith. This is not due to any deficiency in God’s saving grace but rather due to the believer’s failure to remain steadfast in faith and obedience.
Hebrews 10:26-27 warns, "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries." This passage speaks directly to the danger of apostasy—deliberately turning away from the faith after having received the knowledge of the truth.
The New Testament provides several examples of individuals who fell away from the faith, such as Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, and Demas, who deserted Paul because he loved the present world (2 Timothy 4:10). These examples serve as a sobering reminder that perseverance is not guaranteed and that believers must remain vigilant in their faith.
Moreover, the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-23 illustrates the different responses to the Gospel, highlighting that not all who initially receive the word will persevere. Some fall away when persecution arises, while others are choked by the cares of the world. Only those who receive the word in good soil and bear fruit persevere to the end.
The Role of the Holy Spirit and the Church in Perseverance
While the believer is called to persevere, this perseverance is not achieved through human effort alone. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding and sustaining the believer through the Word of God. The Spirit does not indwell the believer in the charismatic sense but works through the Scriptures to illuminate the mind and heart, enabling the believer to understand and apply God’s Word.
In times of uncertainty, the Holy Spirit provides guidance through God's Word. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs, "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." As we pray for direction, it is crucial to seek wisdom from the Scriptures and trust in God's guidance. This active engagement with God's Word helps us navigate life's uncertainties.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in counseling, providing guidance, comfort, and conviction through the Spirit-inspired Word of God. We are guided when we act on behalf of our prayers by digging into the Scriptures and determining what the authors meant by the words they used. To illustrate, if we were praying for a job but never went out and filled out job applications, how would God feel about our prayers? If we were praying about the shame we feel over something, yet we never investigated what the Scriptures had to say about shame so as to apply them, how would Gold feel about our prayer?
The church also plays a vital role in the believer’s perseverance. The community of believers provides accountability, encouragement, and instruction, helping one another to remain steadfast in the faith. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges believers to "consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." The church is a place where believers can confess their sins to one another, pray for one another (James 5:16), and bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
The mutual love and support within the body of Christ not only help believers persevere but also testify to the reality of the Gospel. As Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).
Blamelessness as the Goal of Perseverance
The ultimate goal of perseverance is to be found blameless on the day of Christ’s return. This blamelessness is not about achieving sinless perfection but about living a life of integrity and holiness before God. Philippians 1:10-11 expresses this desire: "so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
This state of blamelessness is not achieved by human effort alone but is the result of God’s sanctifying work in the believer’s life. As Paul prays in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." God’s faithfulness ensures that He will complete the work He has begun in the believer, preserving them blameless until the day of Christ.
The believer’s perseverance is ultimately for the glory of God. As we persevere in faith, our lives become a testimony to the power and grace of God. We reflect His character to the world and bear witness to His redemptive work. The Apostle Peter encourages believers to use their gifts to serve one another, "in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 4:10-11).
In summary, perseverance is not just about enduring to the end but about growing in grace, maturing in faith, and glorifying God through our lives. It is a journey that requires both the sustaining power of God and the active participation of the believer. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), we can be confident that He will see us through to the end, presenting us blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy (Jude 1:24).
What Is Salvation?
The Bible uses the terms "save" and "salvation" in different contexts. Sometimes, they refer to being rescued from physical danger or destruction, like when the Israelites were saved from the Egyptians at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-14) or when Paul and others faced peril at sea (Acts 27:20). However, more often, these terms refer to being saved from sin. Since sin leads to death, being saved from sin means having the hope of eternal life (Matthew 1:21; John 3:16-17).
The Bible sometimes speaks of salvation as if it has already been accomplished, even though the full realization of salvation—being completely freed from sin and death—lies in the future (Ephesians 2:5; Romans 13:11).
The Way to Salvation
To be saved, the Bible teaches that you must have faith in Jesus Christ and show that faith by obeying His teachings (Acts 4:10, 12; Romans 10:9-10; Hebrews 5:9). This faith is demonstrated by works—actions that prove your faith is genuine. James 2:24, 26 makes it clear that faith without works is dead, meaning that true faith naturally produces obedience.
However, it's important to understand that these works don't earn salvation. Salvation is a gift from God, given by His grace—His undeserved kindness (Ephesians 2:8-9). This means that while our actions reflect our faith, they do not make us deserving of salvation; rather, God grants it out of His mercy.
Can You Lose Salvation?
Yes, it is possible to lose salvation. Just as someone rescued from drowning could fall back into the water, a person saved from sin could lose their salvation if they stop evidencing their faith. This is why the Bible urges believers to "put up a hard fight for the faith" (Jude 3) and to "keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). This means that Christians must continue to live faithfully and obediently, understanding the serious responsibility of maintaining their salvation.
Who is the Savior—God or Jesus?
The Bible identifies God as the ultimate source of salvation, often referring to Him as "Savior" (1 Samuel 10:19; Isaiah 43:11; Titus 2:10; Jude 25). In the Old Testament, God used various men to deliver Israel from their enemies, and these men were called "saviors" (Nehemiah 9:27; Judges 3:9, 15; 2 Kings 13:5). The same Hebrew word used for these human saviors is also used for Jehovah as the divine Savior (Psalm 7:10).
Jesus is also called "Savior" because God provided salvation from sin through Jesus' sacrifice (Acts 5:31; Titus 1:4). The name "Jesus" itself comes from the Hebrew name "Yehoh·shuʹaʽ," which means "Jehovah Is Salvation," emphasizing that Jesus is the means by which Jehovah offers salvation to humanity.
Will Everyone Be Saved?
No, not everyone will be saved. Jesus made it clear that while salvation is offered to all, not everyone will accept it. When asked if only a few would be saved, Jesus responded by saying that many would seek to enter the narrow door of salvation but would not be able to (Luke 13:23-24). This indicates that while God desires people to be saved, salvation requires effort and commitment, and some will choose to reject it.
Misconceptions About Universal Salvation
Some believe that the Bible teaches universal salvation, meaning that everyone will be saved regardless of their actions or beliefs. For example, 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, "in the Christ all will be made alive," but the context of this verse is about the resurrection. It means that everyone who is resurrected will have this blessing through Christ, not that everyone will be saved (John 11:25).
Another verse often cited is Titus 2:11, which says that God is "bringing salvation to all people." However, the Greek word translated as "all" can also mean "every kind or variety." This means that God is making salvation available to all sorts of people, regardless of their background or nationality, as seen in Revelation 7:9-10, where people from all nations are saved.
Finally, 2 Peter 3:9 says that God "does not desire anyone to be destroyed." While God wants everyone to be saved, He does not force anyone to accept salvation. His day of judgment will still involve the destruction of those who reject His offer of salvation (2 Peter 3:7).
In summary, salvation is a gift from God, made possible through faith in Jesus Christ and demonstrated by obedient actions. While God desires everyone to be saved, salvation is not automatic and can be lost if faith is not maintained. Not everyone will be saved, as it requires accepting God's provision for salvation and living according to His will.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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