Perseverance / Steadfastness in Christ
2 Peter 1.3-9 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
James 1.3-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the desting of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be ferfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Romans 5.1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
James 1.3-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the desting of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be ferfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Romans 5.1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
While each of the character traits listed in 2 Peter 1:3-11 are significant in and of themselves and may be studied individually in light the larger context of Scripture, it is nevertheless good not to lose sight of their collective value. Collectively they function as a character collage of the Christian man or woman who has, through the Holy Spirit’s work in his or her life, found that he is experiencing Christ being formed in him. It is not a thing that happens all at once. It happens by degrees. That is why Peter says to make every effort to add one spiritual grace upon another. As with any difficult undertaking, the believer may struggle with one thing more than another. It is natural to experience different seasons in life. Perhaps for a time the problem of goodness is the main issue; at another time, it may be the pursuit of Biblical knowledge. Though the believer makes some headway in these virtues, when he considers how much he yet must learn, he may become discouraged and even entertain thoughts of giving up. We have already examined faith, goodness, knowledge and self-control and found that there is so much to these traits that it would take a lifetime to master any of them – if indeed that were even possible. But at just this point Peter encourages the reader not to give up; it is perseverance in these things that makes all the difference.
We can, I believe, easily see how Peter constructs a picture of the mature Christian who cultivates these spiritual virtues. Furthermore, we have seen that behind each of these spiritual virtues there is the working of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. Perseverance is no exception. As with self-control, which is dependent upon self-surrender, so too with perseverance: it is God who is at work to keep you from falling. As with the other Christian virtues, perseverance is not mastered by a reliance upon inherent strength, but by learning to live in faith dependence upon God.Consequently, the fundamental importance of the doctrine of perseverance is evident in the contrast between the permanence of God and the mutability of creation. The Bible informs us that the things of God endure forever, i.e., His counsel and Word (Isaiah 7.7; 14.24; 40.8; Romans 9.11; 1 Peter 1.23,25), the eternal city in the new heaven and the new earth (Zechariah 14.10; Isaiah 66.22; Revelation 21.1-2), the righteous who partake in God’s eternality (Psalm 112.2-9), the new covenant (2 Corinthians 3.11), and faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13.13). Of course, Christ himself remains forever (John 12.34). So, the believer is to persevere in faith, love, and holiness (1 Timothy 2.15).
Finally, there is an eschatological dimension associated with the admonition to persevere in faith. For this reason, John instructs his readers to abide in those things which will endure, such as God’ word (1 John 3.15), love (3:17), truth(2 John 2), anointing of the Spirit (1 John 2:27), light (1 John 2:10), and in doctrine (2 John 9). In contrast the unbeliever abides in darkness (John 12:46) and death (1 John 3:14).
Perseverance (ὑπομονήν) is generally ethically neutral. Perseverance is for the early church a prominent virtue in that the believer demonstrated courageous endurance in the face of life-threatening opposition. It is distinct from patience, a fruit of the Spirit mentioned by Paul (Galatians 5.23). To be successful in persevering in the faith does not necessarily mean you will overcome all opposition, but it entails the bearing of pain by the wounded, and the calm acceptance of God’s providence, no matter how bleak the circumstances. True perseverance is not motivated outwardly by public opinion or hope of reward, but inwardly by love of God.
Job is an example of Biblical perseverance in the face of God’s judgment. The central truth of Job is that humans cannot endure in their own strength (Job 6:11) to sustain themselves before God (Job 9:4). God shatters their expectations (Job 14:19). God himself reminds Job that no one can stand against him (Job 41:3). Yet Job waits for God to intervene (Job 14:14). While this kind of endurance resembles the Greek Stoic virtue, it is ultimately higher because it comes from God and evidence fear of God.
“In the New Testament (ὑπομονήν) is naturally a basic attitude of believers in view of the eschatological orientation of their faith. Over against a hostile world, they wait confidently for the fulfillment of the kingdom and their own salvation. Jesus uses the term three times. In Lk. 8:15 ὑπομονήν characterizes true believers; it is here an active force that finally bears fruit. In Mk. 13:13 endurance will be needed in the trials of the last period if one is to be saved. Lk. 21:19 offers an active formulation of the same thought (cf. Acts 14:22).” (F. Hauck, TDNT IV, 574-88)
In the Pauline corpus perseverance is not derive from bravery or dullness of one’s circumstances, but from faith and hope (Romans 8:25). The Christian endures the wickedness and injustice of the present age (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 3:7) because he has a hope for the age to come (Romans 5.1-8). The Christian practices perseverance and finds that it produces good works (Romans 2:7). There is also a passive element to perseverance which endures under suffering (2 Thessalonians 1:4; cf. 1 Peter 2:20). The Greeks regarded the passive suffering of evil as shameful. “However, Christians know that they are called to suffer (Acts 14:22), and they show their faith by persevering all the same (cf. 2 Timothy 2:10). Affliction produces endurance, and endurance character (Romans 5:3-4). This endurance is given by God (Romans 15:5) and is closely related to faith and love (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 3:10). Titus 2:2 has the triad faith, love, and (hoping) steadfastness. If hope focuses on the future, the steadfastness of hope is its expression in the present time of affliction. It has the promise that those who die with Christ, if they endure, shall also reign with him (2 Timothy 2:11-12)” (ibid. 574-88).
The author of Hebrews encouraged a persecuted church to persevere in the face of great suffering (Hebrews 10:32,36; 12:1). The Christian should consider Christ, who himself endured the cross (12:2), as a model of perseverance.Trials serve as tools of God’s discipline (Hebrews 12:7). James, too, shows that trials confirm faith and thus strengthen the believer and helps to bring them to maturity and completeness (James 1:3-4).
Of course, the book of Revelation is a book of the martyr church, and one would naturally expect John to extol the perseverance of the believer. The church is waiting for Jesus and the great victory (Revelation 3:21) and at the same time is the enduring of suffering and persecution (Revelation 2:2-3; 19). We know there is to be a final confrontation between good and evil; it is the supreme test for the church and demands absolute persistence from the faithful, if all is not to be for nothing (Revelation 13:10; 14:12).
There is a popular idea that perseverance is a solitary endeavor. It may be hard to imagine perseverance as a group activity. Yet, as we have seen in our study of the church in John’s Revelation, the believers did indeed persevere as a community of faith. This is precisely what Paul admonishes the church at Galatia to do: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6.2). And of course, Hebrews gives us a similar admonition in 10.23-25, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
It was this attitude of encouragement demonstrated by Barnabas that no doubt revitalized the discouraged John Mark. When Paul refused to allow Mark to accompany him on the second missionary journey (Acts 15.36-40) Barnabas stood by the young Mark, taking him to Cyprus while Paul and Silas left for Syria and Cilicia. With the encouragement of Barnabas Mark persevered in the ministry and much later Paul was to write to Timothy from prison: Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry (2 Timothy 4.11). Perseverance is very much an activity of the community of the faith.
You may find the following excerpt from the Dictionary of Biblical Imagery helpful in gaining an understanding of the believer’s part in persevering in his faith. "Perseverance is rooted in confidence (in the Lord). It is produced by suffering (Rom 5.3; Jam 1.3) and produces character, ‘so that we may be mature and complete not lacking anything’ (Jam 1.4); also Rom 5.4). Faith requires perseverance (Heb 12.1) because the world hates believers and works to discourage them from finishing the race, perseverance is the mark of an apostle (2Cor 12.12) and anyone who does the work of God. In perseverance, strength comes from God, and God is glorified by it (Heb 11.27). He notices Christians’ perseverance (Rev 2.2, 19) and rewards them with his compassion and mercy (1Tim 4.16; Heb 10.36; Jam 5.11). Paul’s perseverance is perhaps the prime biblical example: ‘I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!’ (1Cor 9.16). After being stoned by the Jews and left for dead in Lystra, Paul gets up and goes back into the very same city (Acts 14.19-20). In fact, Paul is so set on preaching Christ that he endures terrible hardship and persecution (2Cor 11.24-33)."
Paul’s perseverance is marked by humility and lack of concern for himself. Always on his mind is the glory of Christ and his concern for the churches. He does not care for himself but continues to faithfully serve the Lord according to the calling he received. But perseverance is not reserved for the apostle; in epistle to the Hebrews we are called to Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10.23-25).
For the Christian, there is no higher aspiration than for Christ to be formed in his or her life; not partially formed but completely formed. As we have already observed, this is difficult and requires that he preserve in his pursuit of holiness. Moreover, believers need to encourage one another to preserve in godliness. However, even with the faithful pursuit of righteousness by the Christian (Hebrews 12.14) and with the collective effort of the larger body of Christ (Hebrews 10.23-25), the believer cannot hope to succeed without the preserving work of the Holy Spirit. The Christian’s hope for perseverance is secured in his confidence that God is preserving him. Indeed, it is Christ who is at work within you to will and do His good pleasure (Philippians 2.13). It is God who has begun the work and will, in due time, bring it to completion (Philippians 1.6).
God has on the one hand made it clear that He will render to every man according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation (Romans 2.6). But God has also said: And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified (Romans 8.30). So, the Christian is required to persevere in holiness, but his confidence is in God’s preserving him.
J. I. Packer observes in his book, Concise Theology, that it is more proper to speak of God’s work in preservation than is commonly done. “Perseverance means persistence under discouragement and contrary pressure. The assertion that believers persevere in faith and obedience despite everything is true, but the reason is that Jesus Christ through the Spirit persists in preserving them.”
Scripture frequently emphasizes this plain truth. For example, John informs the reader that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has been guaranteed by his Father that all who have been promised to him will indeed come to him (John 6.37-40). Moreover, his sheep belong to him, and they are completely secure in that relationship. To the Pharisees he says you do not believe because you are not my sheep. But to his disciples he says: My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand (John 10.26-29). Jesus prayed before his passion that those whom the Father had given him (John 17.2, 6, 9, 24) would be preserved to glory. “It is inconceivable that his prayer, which still continues (Romans 8.34; Hebrews 7.25), will go unanswered” (ibid.).
Paul too portrays God’s plan for the salvation of his elect as complete in Christ. This salvation consists of the believer’s justification, sanctification, and finally his glorification (Romans 8.29-30). “On this basis he builds the triumphant peroration of Romans 8.31-39, in which he celebrates the present and future security of the saints in the almighty love of God” (ibid.). Paul assures his readers that there is an absolute certainty that God will complete the “good work” that he began in them (Philippians 1.6; cf. 1 Corinthians 1.8-9; 1 Thessalonians 5.23-24; 2 Thessalonians 3.3; 2 Timothy 1.12; 4.18).
This teaching of God’s work of perseverance is clearly evident in the Westminster Confession which declares: They, whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved. (XVII.1)
“The doctrine declares that the regenerate are saved through persevering in faith and Christian living to the end (Hebrews 3.6; 6.11; 10.35-39), and that it is God who keeps them persevering. That does not mean that all who ever professed conversion will be saved. False professions are made; short-term enthusiasts fall away (Matthew 13.20-22); many who say to Jesus, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will not be acknowledged (Matthew 7.21-23). Only those who show themselves to be regenerate by pursuing heart-holiness and true neighbor-love as they pass through this world are entitled to believe themselves secure in Christ. Persevering in faith and penitence, not just in Christian formalism, is the path to glory. To suppose that believing in perseverance leads to careless living and arrogant presumption is a total misconception” (Packer).
There are numerous admonitions in Scripture for the believer to examine himself. Our present passage is a case in point. Paul writes to those in Corinth: Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13.5; Lamentations 3.40; Haggai 1.5; Hebrews 12.12-14). Paul instructs his young protégé: Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers (1 Timothy 4.16).
Although the regenerate may backslide and fall into foul sin this is out of character with the new nature he has received in Christ. He does violence to his new nature and makes himself miserable. There is no succor for his misery until he finds restoration in Christ and resumes righteous living. “When regenerate believers act in character, they manifest a humble, grateful desire to please the God who saved them; and the knowledge that he is pledged to keep them safe forever simply increases this desire” (Packer).
Regarding the perseverance of the saints, we may note the following from the Confession of Faith: "They whom God has accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them; and the nature of the covenant of grace:5 from all which arises also the certainty and infallibility thereof Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalence of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and for a time continue therein; whereby they incur God’s s displeasure, and grieve his Holy Spirit: come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts: have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves."
Perseverance is a state of grace stemming from the gracious work of God in the life of the believer. It does not proceed from anything inherent in the life of the regenerate soul but is solely a result of God’s mercy towards that individual. There can be no assurance that the Christian will not fall from grace and lose his salvation except for God’s unchanging work of grace to keep his covenant of love and sustain the elect whom He has called. The true believer, having been regenerated and justified by God, can never totally fall away from grace, but will persevere in his salvation to the end. This is certain. It is not the free-will of the saints that is the source of their salvation, but the free and elective purposes of God in their salvation (2 Timothy 1.8-9). Salvation is rooted in the intercession of Christ and in the constant indwelling and preserving power of the Holy Spirit.
The true believer may succumb to the seductions of Satan (1 Peter 5.8, 9), or yield to the corruption of his own nature (Jam 113-14), or neglect grace given him (2 Timothy 4.14) and even grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4.30). He will, for any of these things, suffer the privation of God’s grace and comfort. With his heart hardened and his conscience wounded, the unfaithful Christian is plunged into a state of misery because he is out of fellowship with God. In due course, the Lord will bring him to repent of his obdurate behavior (1 Timothy 1.18-20) or take him home (1 Corinthians 11.30).
The doctrine of perseverance is not that salvation is certain if we have once believed, but that perseverance in holiness is certain if we have truly believed. A believer may be certain of his salvation only through his perseverance in holiness. There is no assurance of the Spirit for those who live in opposition to the known will of God. The tendency to relax one’s diligence in grace, because of the doctrine that true Christians will not be allowed completely to fall away, is itself evidence that he is not in a state of grace. Consequently, the threats of the law, and the invitations of the gospel, are the truths applicable to such an individual. The consolations of eternal security (God’s perseverance) are only for those who evidence the disciplines of the Spirit. It is not merely persistent effort on our part that guarantees we will persevere in our salvation, rather our efforts are certain to succeed because it is God who works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2.13; Ephesians 2.4; 2 Thessalonians 2.13-15; Titus 3.4-7).
We can, I believe, easily see how Peter constructs a picture of the mature Christian who cultivates these spiritual virtues. Furthermore, we have seen that behind each of these spiritual virtues there is the working of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. Perseverance is no exception. As with self-control, which is dependent upon self-surrender, so too with perseverance: it is God who is at work to keep you from falling. As with the other Christian virtues, perseverance is not mastered by a reliance upon inherent strength, but by learning to live in faith dependence upon God.Consequently, the fundamental importance of the doctrine of perseverance is evident in the contrast between the permanence of God and the mutability of creation. The Bible informs us that the things of God endure forever, i.e., His counsel and Word (Isaiah 7.7; 14.24; 40.8; Romans 9.11; 1 Peter 1.23,25), the eternal city in the new heaven and the new earth (Zechariah 14.10; Isaiah 66.22; Revelation 21.1-2), the righteous who partake in God’s eternality (Psalm 112.2-9), the new covenant (2 Corinthians 3.11), and faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13.13). Of course, Christ himself remains forever (John 12.34). So, the believer is to persevere in faith, love, and holiness (1 Timothy 2.15).
Finally, there is an eschatological dimension associated with the admonition to persevere in faith. For this reason, John instructs his readers to abide in those things which will endure, such as God’ word (1 John 3.15), love (3:17), truth(2 John 2), anointing of the Spirit (1 John 2:27), light (1 John 2:10), and in doctrine (2 John 9). In contrast the unbeliever abides in darkness (John 12:46) and death (1 John 3:14).
Perseverance (ὑπομονήν) is generally ethically neutral. Perseverance is for the early church a prominent virtue in that the believer demonstrated courageous endurance in the face of life-threatening opposition. It is distinct from patience, a fruit of the Spirit mentioned by Paul (Galatians 5.23). To be successful in persevering in the faith does not necessarily mean you will overcome all opposition, but it entails the bearing of pain by the wounded, and the calm acceptance of God’s providence, no matter how bleak the circumstances. True perseverance is not motivated outwardly by public opinion or hope of reward, but inwardly by love of God.
Job is an example of Biblical perseverance in the face of God’s judgment. The central truth of Job is that humans cannot endure in their own strength (Job 6:11) to sustain themselves before God (Job 9:4). God shatters their expectations (Job 14:19). God himself reminds Job that no one can stand against him (Job 41:3). Yet Job waits for God to intervene (Job 14:14). While this kind of endurance resembles the Greek Stoic virtue, it is ultimately higher because it comes from God and evidence fear of God.
“In the New Testament (ὑπομονήν) is naturally a basic attitude of believers in view of the eschatological orientation of their faith. Over against a hostile world, they wait confidently for the fulfillment of the kingdom and their own salvation. Jesus uses the term three times. In Lk. 8:15 ὑπομονήν characterizes true believers; it is here an active force that finally bears fruit. In Mk. 13:13 endurance will be needed in the trials of the last period if one is to be saved. Lk. 21:19 offers an active formulation of the same thought (cf. Acts 14:22).” (F. Hauck, TDNT IV, 574-88)
In the Pauline corpus perseverance is not derive from bravery or dullness of one’s circumstances, but from faith and hope (Romans 8:25). The Christian endures the wickedness and injustice of the present age (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 3:7) because he has a hope for the age to come (Romans 5.1-8). The Christian practices perseverance and finds that it produces good works (Romans 2:7). There is also a passive element to perseverance which endures under suffering (2 Thessalonians 1:4; cf. 1 Peter 2:20). The Greeks regarded the passive suffering of evil as shameful. “However, Christians know that they are called to suffer (Acts 14:22), and they show their faith by persevering all the same (cf. 2 Timothy 2:10). Affliction produces endurance, and endurance character (Romans 5:3-4). This endurance is given by God (Romans 15:5) and is closely related to faith and love (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 3:10). Titus 2:2 has the triad faith, love, and (hoping) steadfastness. If hope focuses on the future, the steadfastness of hope is its expression in the present time of affliction. It has the promise that those who die with Christ, if they endure, shall also reign with him (2 Timothy 2:11-12)” (ibid. 574-88).
The author of Hebrews encouraged a persecuted church to persevere in the face of great suffering (Hebrews 10:32,36; 12:1). The Christian should consider Christ, who himself endured the cross (12:2), as a model of perseverance.Trials serve as tools of God’s discipline (Hebrews 12:7). James, too, shows that trials confirm faith and thus strengthen the believer and helps to bring them to maturity and completeness (James 1:3-4).
Of course, the book of Revelation is a book of the martyr church, and one would naturally expect John to extol the perseverance of the believer. The church is waiting for Jesus and the great victory (Revelation 3:21) and at the same time is the enduring of suffering and persecution (Revelation 2:2-3; 19). We know there is to be a final confrontation between good and evil; it is the supreme test for the church and demands absolute persistence from the faithful, if all is not to be for nothing (Revelation 13:10; 14:12).
There is a popular idea that perseverance is a solitary endeavor. It may be hard to imagine perseverance as a group activity. Yet, as we have seen in our study of the church in John’s Revelation, the believers did indeed persevere as a community of faith. This is precisely what Paul admonishes the church at Galatia to do: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6.2). And of course, Hebrews gives us a similar admonition in 10.23-25, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
It was this attitude of encouragement demonstrated by Barnabas that no doubt revitalized the discouraged John Mark. When Paul refused to allow Mark to accompany him on the second missionary journey (Acts 15.36-40) Barnabas stood by the young Mark, taking him to Cyprus while Paul and Silas left for Syria and Cilicia. With the encouragement of Barnabas Mark persevered in the ministry and much later Paul was to write to Timothy from prison: Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry (2 Timothy 4.11). Perseverance is very much an activity of the community of the faith.
You may find the following excerpt from the Dictionary of Biblical Imagery helpful in gaining an understanding of the believer’s part in persevering in his faith. "Perseverance is rooted in confidence (in the Lord). It is produced by suffering (Rom 5.3; Jam 1.3) and produces character, ‘so that we may be mature and complete not lacking anything’ (Jam 1.4); also Rom 5.4). Faith requires perseverance (Heb 12.1) because the world hates believers and works to discourage them from finishing the race, perseverance is the mark of an apostle (2Cor 12.12) and anyone who does the work of God. In perseverance, strength comes from God, and God is glorified by it (Heb 11.27). He notices Christians’ perseverance (Rev 2.2, 19) and rewards them with his compassion and mercy (1Tim 4.16; Heb 10.36; Jam 5.11). Paul’s perseverance is perhaps the prime biblical example: ‘I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!’ (1Cor 9.16). After being stoned by the Jews and left for dead in Lystra, Paul gets up and goes back into the very same city (Acts 14.19-20). In fact, Paul is so set on preaching Christ that he endures terrible hardship and persecution (2Cor 11.24-33)."
Paul’s perseverance is marked by humility and lack of concern for himself. Always on his mind is the glory of Christ and his concern for the churches. He does not care for himself but continues to faithfully serve the Lord according to the calling he received. But perseverance is not reserved for the apostle; in epistle to the Hebrews we are called to Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10.23-25).
For the Christian, there is no higher aspiration than for Christ to be formed in his or her life; not partially formed but completely formed. As we have already observed, this is difficult and requires that he preserve in his pursuit of holiness. Moreover, believers need to encourage one another to preserve in godliness. However, even with the faithful pursuit of righteousness by the Christian (Hebrews 12.14) and with the collective effort of the larger body of Christ (Hebrews 10.23-25), the believer cannot hope to succeed without the preserving work of the Holy Spirit. The Christian’s hope for perseverance is secured in his confidence that God is preserving him. Indeed, it is Christ who is at work within you to will and do His good pleasure (Philippians 2.13). It is God who has begun the work and will, in due time, bring it to completion (Philippians 1.6).
God has on the one hand made it clear that He will render to every man according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation (Romans 2.6). But God has also said: And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified (Romans 8.30). So, the Christian is required to persevere in holiness, but his confidence is in God’s preserving him.
J. I. Packer observes in his book, Concise Theology, that it is more proper to speak of God’s work in preservation than is commonly done. “Perseverance means persistence under discouragement and contrary pressure. The assertion that believers persevere in faith and obedience despite everything is true, but the reason is that Jesus Christ through the Spirit persists in preserving them.”
Scripture frequently emphasizes this plain truth. For example, John informs the reader that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has been guaranteed by his Father that all who have been promised to him will indeed come to him (John 6.37-40). Moreover, his sheep belong to him, and they are completely secure in that relationship. To the Pharisees he says you do not believe because you are not my sheep. But to his disciples he says: My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand (John 10.26-29). Jesus prayed before his passion that those whom the Father had given him (John 17.2, 6, 9, 24) would be preserved to glory. “It is inconceivable that his prayer, which still continues (Romans 8.34; Hebrews 7.25), will go unanswered” (ibid.).
Paul too portrays God’s plan for the salvation of his elect as complete in Christ. This salvation consists of the believer’s justification, sanctification, and finally his glorification (Romans 8.29-30). “On this basis he builds the triumphant peroration of Romans 8.31-39, in which he celebrates the present and future security of the saints in the almighty love of God” (ibid.). Paul assures his readers that there is an absolute certainty that God will complete the “good work” that he began in them (Philippians 1.6; cf. 1 Corinthians 1.8-9; 1 Thessalonians 5.23-24; 2 Thessalonians 3.3; 2 Timothy 1.12; 4.18).
This teaching of God’s work of perseverance is clearly evident in the Westminster Confession which declares: They, whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved. (XVII.1)
“The doctrine declares that the regenerate are saved through persevering in faith and Christian living to the end (Hebrews 3.6; 6.11; 10.35-39), and that it is God who keeps them persevering. That does not mean that all who ever professed conversion will be saved. False professions are made; short-term enthusiasts fall away (Matthew 13.20-22); many who say to Jesus, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will not be acknowledged (Matthew 7.21-23). Only those who show themselves to be regenerate by pursuing heart-holiness and true neighbor-love as they pass through this world are entitled to believe themselves secure in Christ. Persevering in faith and penitence, not just in Christian formalism, is the path to glory. To suppose that believing in perseverance leads to careless living and arrogant presumption is a total misconception” (Packer).
There are numerous admonitions in Scripture for the believer to examine himself. Our present passage is a case in point. Paul writes to those in Corinth: Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13.5; Lamentations 3.40; Haggai 1.5; Hebrews 12.12-14). Paul instructs his young protégé: Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers (1 Timothy 4.16).
Although the regenerate may backslide and fall into foul sin this is out of character with the new nature he has received in Christ. He does violence to his new nature and makes himself miserable. There is no succor for his misery until he finds restoration in Christ and resumes righteous living. “When regenerate believers act in character, they manifest a humble, grateful desire to please the God who saved them; and the knowledge that he is pledged to keep them safe forever simply increases this desire” (Packer).
Regarding the perseverance of the saints, we may note the following from the Confession of Faith: "They whom God has accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them; and the nature of the covenant of grace:5 from all which arises also the certainty and infallibility thereof Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalence of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and for a time continue therein; whereby they incur God’s s displeasure, and grieve his Holy Spirit: come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts: have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves."
Perseverance is a state of grace stemming from the gracious work of God in the life of the believer. It does not proceed from anything inherent in the life of the regenerate soul but is solely a result of God’s mercy towards that individual. There can be no assurance that the Christian will not fall from grace and lose his salvation except for God’s unchanging work of grace to keep his covenant of love and sustain the elect whom He has called. The true believer, having been regenerated and justified by God, can never totally fall away from grace, but will persevere in his salvation to the end. This is certain. It is not the free-will of the saints that is the source of their salvation, but the free and elective purposes of God in their salvation (2 Timothy 1.8-9). Salvation is rooted in the intercession of Christ and in the constant indwelling and preserving power of the Holy Spirit.
The true believer may succumb to the seductions of Satan (1 Peter 5.8, 9), or yield to the corruption of his own nature (Jam 113-14), or neglect grace given him (2 Timothy 4.14) and even grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4.30). He will, for any of these things, suffer the privation of God’s grace and comfort. With his heart hardened and his conscience wounded, the unfaithful Christian is plunged into a state of misery because he is out of fellowship with God. In due course, the Lord will bring him to repent of his obdurate behavior (1 Timothy 1.18-20) or take him home (1 Corinthians 11.30).
The doctrine of perseverance is not that salvation is certain if we have once believed, but that perseverance in holiness is certain if we have truly believed. A believer may be certain of his salvation only through his perseverance in holiness. There is no assurance of the Spirit for those who live in opposition to the known will of God. The tendency to relax one’s diligence in grace, because of the doctrine that true Christians will not be allowed completely to fall away, is itself evidence that he is not in a state of grace. Consequently, the threats of the law, and the invitations of the gospel, are the truths applicable to such an individual. The consolations of eternal security (God’s perseverance) are only for those who evidence the disciplines of the Spirit. It is not merely persistent effort on our part that guarantees we will persevere in our salvation, rather our efforts are certain to succeed because it is God who works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2.13; Ephesians 2.4; 2 Thessalonians 2.13-15; Titus 3.4-7).