by Garrett Glende

This week brings us to chapter 40 in Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology on the topic of the perseverance of the saints. While this doctrine is one of the most comforting in Scripture, it should also cause self-examination and evaluation of our own spiritual walks with God. It’s inclusion at this point in the volume comes after an overview of the application of Christ’s redemptive work. It is logical to study this issue of whether or not a person can lose their salvation, after having covered such topics as regeneration (being granted new life), justification (being counted as righteous before God), and sanctification (practical growth towards Christ-likeness), as it might be a question that some people could have after hearing all the other aspects of salvation. Can we ever expect to lose such a great gift? As we search the Scriptures, we will find that our salvation is indeed secure in Christ, and nothing will ever be able to separate the true believer from their sovereign and gracious Lord.

Grudem tells us that “the perseverance of the saints means that all those who are truly born again will be kept by God’s power and will persevere as Christians until the end of their lives, and that only those who persevere until the end have been truly born again.” One key section of Scripture that speaks on this issue is found at the end of Romans 8. We read in verse 30 that “those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” In what is known as the golden chain of redemption, it is clear that everyone who God sets his love upon in predestining them to be his children also are carried through the Christian life until they reach heaven in glorification. There is no room for doubt in Paul’s words. He does not say that only some of those who are justified end up being glorified. No, it is the same group of people in each category. They are predestined, called, justified, and glorified. But what is keeping them saved? Is it just that all people who are justified keep living good enough lives to stay in God’s favor? Or does their security come from an external source? Indeed, just a few verses later Paul provides an explanation as to how this golden chain is unbreakable. In verse 33 he writes, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” No one will ever be able to challenge the salvation of the saints because God is the one who has justified them. He is the one who has been guiding along the plan of salvation, even before the foundation of the world. There are none more powerful than Him and because His will is guaranteed to come to pass, all those whom He desires to be saved will be saved.

Moreover, God secures our salvation till the end for us by granting us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Paul writes to believers in Ephesians 1:13 that “when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, [you] were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” Here the Holy Spirit is called “the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it” (Eph. 1:14). Later on in the book he gives the command, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30). We see that it is the Holy Spirit who guards our salvation until we are ultimately glorified and receive our true inheritance in heaven.

At the end of the chapter, Grudem provides us with immediate application. He asks us to examine our own lives and tells us what can give a believer genuine assurance. The first of these questions to ask ourselves is, “Do I have a present trust in Christ for salvation?” Since this is what we are saved by in the first place (Eph. 2:8-9), we must ask ourselves if we still express a faith in Christ – faith that He has paid the penalty for our sins, and that only He can provide salvation for us. Sometimes it is easy for someone to say they believe in Christ because of some experience, but their assurance is based on only this experience and not the person and work of Christ. Another question to ask is, “Is there evidence of a regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in my heart?” Not only does the Holy Spirit provide a real type of confidence in one’s salvation, He also produces fruit in the life of a true believer. If a person truly has the Spirit in them, then it will be shown by their demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit. Their life will exhibit the character qualities that are consistent with those that are described in Scripture. Lastly, “Do I see a pattern of growth in my Christian life?” Surely there will be times when growth is more rapid than others, but we should be able to look back on our Christian lives and see a consistent upward trend towards holiness. By increasing in the virtues of faith, we will make our calling and election sure. It is my hope that all of us can trust in God’s promise to save us to the uttermost, as Christ constantly makes intercession for us before the Father. All praise be to Him for giving us such great comfort and hope!