By Harry Edward Jessop

Chapter 1

INTRODUCING THE THEME THE CONTROVERSY OF THE PERSEVERING SAINTS

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ" (1 Peter 3:15,16).

We have been asked to state reasons as to why we do not believe and teach the Bible doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints. Our answer may be startling, yet it is strictly true: We do steadfastly believe and wholeheartedly teach the Bible doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints. It is difficult for us to see how any person, acquainted with the plain teachings of the Word of God and knowing by experience anything of the power of God, could believe and teach anything. else.

Once for all then, let it be placed on record for all who will to read, we believe sincerely and teach emphatically the Bible doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints.

We insist, however, that such a statement should be intelligently interpreted, and in making that interpretation common sense Seems to say that if there is to be a final perseverance of the saints there must of necessity be saints and these saints must persevere.

What we do not believe and certainly do not teach is that subtle and dangerous doctrine of continued salvation for those who lapse again into deliberate sin and therefore, being no longer saints cease to persevere. If they no longer persevere how can they reasonably talk about final perseverance? By doing this they deceive themselves. No longer being saints they have again become sinners; hence, instead of enjoying the saint's assurance they have fallen under the sinner's condemnation.

The favorite argument with these fallen saints is that their perseverance does not depend upon them but on their eternal relationship to their Lord which, say they, cannot ever be annulled. To them the word saint is a sort of courtesy title, bestowed without respect to character; the righteousness which makes them saints not being required in them because found in the One who answers to God for them and covers all their delinquencies; the risen Christ Himself.

It is amazing how subtly a glorious truth can be twisted into a dangerous error, and how many sincere souls can be persuaded into accepting it without realizing the poison it contains. So far as we understand the teaching of our New Testament, the source of all our righteousness is Christ Himself, and there is no salvation for any man except in and through Him. In answer to our repentance and faith in His Calvary merits our past is dealt with and we are born again, "being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare . . . his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus" (Romans 3:24-26).

This, however, by no means confers upon a soul continuing to sin, an unconditioned salvation. God does not have two standards in relation to sin whereby He condemns it in some and condones it in others. What he abhors is an unregenerate sinner He will not tolerate in a confessed believer. As much separation from sin is required in our everyday walk if we are to retain the divine favor as was demanded on that first day, when, as a penitent at the altar of God, we sought to obtain it.

Let it be clearly understood then -- and we speak not only for ourselves but for all who are of like precious faith, and there are many -- we do not believe, neither will we teach that perilous doctrine of the continued salvation of any, no matter what may have been their previous experience, if they cease to persevere in the way of faith. whoever ceases to be a saint obviously becomes a sinner. Whoever ceases to persevere plainly forfeits all right to talk about final perseverance.

We may not "continue in sin that grace may abound." "How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1, 2).

"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20); but that abounding grace is not given as a cover for our sinning, it is intended rather to recover us from our sinning. "Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

In conducting this study we shall take up two lines of thought, first reviewing the doctrine as presented from the Calvinistic viewpoint, then seeking to show why we find it impossible to accept the teaching as there stated.

A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never-dying soul to Save,
And fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill;
Oh, may it all my powers engage,
To do my Master's will.

Arm me with jealous care,
As In Thy sight to live;
And Oh! Thy servant, Lord, prepare,
A strict account to give!

Help me to watch and pray,
And on Thyself rely,
Assured, if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.

-- Charles Wesley