One of the arguments against the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints centers around those who seem to have departed from the faith. For example, we all know people who once professed a faith in Christ — some even teachers or leaders in the church, who not only have stumbled into grievous sin but are continuing in that sin, showing no visible sign of repentance. What do we make of this?
There are two possibilities. Either their initial profession of faith was not genuine or, their faith was genuine and they will be brought back. The bottom line is that only God knows. While we are called to be an evaluating and discerning people, we must remember that only God can read the heart. In view of this, RC Sproul, in his teaching series, “What is Reformed Theology?” calls Christians to be in a posture of forbearance and grace in these situations. He reminds us of David, and Peter — both of whom, by the way, could have written a treatise on moral failure! What if we were to encounter King David before the prophet Nathan got to him? Or, what if we were to run into Peter as he warmed himself by the fire that fretful night he denied Christ? The truth is that not even our best actions can reveal what is in the heart. Indeed many of us will be surprised on that Day to see that our good works, which are supposed to be the evidence of our regeneration, have been rendered “wood, hay, or straw”. Only God sees the heart and He will render a final judgement. And so, “with the charity that covers a multitude of sins”, says Sproul, we are called, with sobriety, to hope for the best and pray for those who have become entangled in sin.
Below is an excerpt from Edwin Palmer’s “The Five Points of Calvinism”. It is the first of a two-part response to one of the traditional objections to the perseverance of the saints:
“It is true that Christians can backslide. We have all had that experience to some degree. At times we do not seem to be as close to God as we should. We become spiritually cold to a greater or lesser degree. And some Christians do some pretty bad things. You would hardly know they were Christians. There are adulteries and murders by Davids, denials of Christ by Peters, and the doing of things that ought not be done by Pauls.
But the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints does not mean that Christians are sinless. The Bible teaches us the Christian will sin and in some cases he will backslide a great deal. But if he is truly born again, if the Holy Spirit was really in him, causing him to believe, then the Spirit is a down payment of his full inheritance. Then he really does have eternal life, which means that he will be eternally saved.
The Bible does not promise that the Christian life will always be in a straight line upward. Rather it may be like a small boy climbing a snowy hill. He frequently slips, but he does manage to get to the top.
The Christian life is like a chart line of the American economy over a period of a hundred years. It begins in the lower left corner and rises to the upper right hand corner. There are ups and down, there are recessions and near catastrophic depression. The line is jagged and not straight in its upward climb; but when viewed over a period of a hundred years, it is easy to see that in spite of temporary setbacks there is ultimately a gain, and that our economy is far superior to that of the nineteenth century.
Or, as the great Calvinistic Baptist, Charles Spurgeon, put it, a man on board ship may be knocked down on the deck by the waves again and again, but he is never washed overboard.”
“In other words, the Christian may suffer temporary defeats, but sin will never gain complete control in him. There will always be a fighting against sin even though he is weak. This is true just because God has not taken his Holy Spirit from the Christian. Thus the fact that a Christian is still warring against sin and even falls does not mean that he will one day be abandoned by God to complete domination by sin. Paul says it plainly, “Sin will not have dominion over you.”
Edwin H. Palmer, The Five Points of Calvinism: A Study Guide, pages 91-92.
This is why I love the Doctrines of grace. We can never lose the gift which God has given to us. We do not have to live in insecurity and fear. He is a God who never changes and is not fickle like men. I find great peace and rest in knowing that though I may fall, the Lord will raise me up again to walk in His light. An excellent post Christina!!!!
Amen, Barbara! As I read this, I also couldn’t help but think about all the mom’s who are waiting on their prodigals to come home. The truth of this doctrine spurs us on in the faith and encourages us to pray for our loved ones.
“The bottom line is that only God knows.” Amen! Forbearance and grace are often missing, and it breaks my heart! It really does. Thank you for this gem! Love you!
I agree, Petra. While it is true this doctrine calls for sober examination when it comes to the state of our own souls, we must always assume a posture of grace and charity towards others. Thank you, as always, for your encouragement! As for me, well … I happen to think dandelions are ok! 🙂
“sober examination when it comes to the state of our own souls” Yes and amen. We pluck around in everybody else’s eyes so much that we miss our own ugly plank. We’ve got it totally backwards! And you’re right, dandelions are okay, just not in my yard. Okay, sista? I better go to bed!! love you!
I liked Dr. Palmer’s bit on this. However, it *still* does not answer the question of King Saul for me satsifcatorily. He died a reprobate, he even fell on his own sword, in fact the cases we know of in Scripture who apostasized they all comitted suicide. King Saul, Judas, and I can never say or spell his name right, but King David’s formerly wise counsellor who took Abasalmom’s part against his father. I think by perseverance of the saints, a saint proves their sincerity, so that those who persevere to the end will be saved. That is shown by their life. A backslider will be brought back before they die if they belong to God. (I believe so) But King Saul really throws me as far as “Once saved always saved” or eternal security. It’s interesting that the two biggest apostastes in Scripture both King Saul and Judas after their apostasy were troubled by demons. It was almost like a consequence of their apostasy. I have heard this happen in our day too with folk who have apostasized.
I don’t understand this but are keeping an open mind, and hope at some point to come across something that nails this in my mind. It’s not often folk hear me say “I don’t know” 😉 but on this I cannot honestly say any different. Though I would not preach against eternal security since the Reformed tradition and bigger minds than mine have taught it, but I don’t get them on this (as yet at least). But tis interesting reading these posts in that light (sorry for waffling–long, painful, totally sleepless night makes a difference) But enjoying this series of posts nontheless. 🙂
Great post, Christina. I love this doctrine so much after years of living in fear with no assurance. This also comforts me greatly as I pray for those who may be severely backslidden.