The Perseverance of the Saints

Those whom God has accepted in the beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace but will certainly persevere to the end. They are eternally saved, for the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable.¹ Consequently, he continues to produce and nourish in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit which incline to immortality.² Though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, these shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock on which they are fastened by faith. Notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them,³ yet he is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God for salvation. There they shall enjoy their purchased possession, having been engraved upon the palms of his hands and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity.⁴

This perseverance of the saints depends not on their own free will but on the immutability of the decree of election,⁵ which flows from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father. Their perseverance likewise depends on the oath of God⁶ and the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him,⁷ on the abiding of his Spirit, the seed of God within them,⁸ and the nature of the covenant of grace.⁹ From all of these the certainty and infallibility of this perseverance also arises.

Christians may fall into grievous sin and continue for a time in it,¹⁰ through the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalence of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation. Through such sin they incur God’s displeasure and grieve his Holy Spirit,¹¹ come to have their graces and comforts impaired,¹² have their hearts hardened and their consciences wounded,¹³ hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.¹⁴ Despite all this, they will renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.¹⁵

1. Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ↩︎
2. John 10:28–29 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.  Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  2 Timothy 2:19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”  1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. ↩︎
3. Psalm 89:31–32 If they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes.  1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. ↩︎
4. Malachi 3:6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” ↩︎
5. Romans 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.  Romans 9:11–12 Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”  Romans 9:16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. ↩︎
6. Hebrews 6:17–18 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. ↩︎
7. Romans 5:9–10 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.  John 14:19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ↩︎
8. 1 John 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. ↩︎
9. Jeremiah 32:40 I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. ↩︎
10. Matthew 26:70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”  Matthew 26:72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”  Matthew 26:74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. ↩︎
11. Isaiah 64:5 You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?  Isaiah 64:9 Be not so terribly angry, O Lord, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all your people.  Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ↩︎
12. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. ↩︎
13. Psalm 32:3–4 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. ↩︎
14. 2 Samuel 12:14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.” ↩︎
15. Luke 22:32 “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”  Luke 22:61–62 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. ↩︎