In my opinion, it is clear that a state of confusion currently persists concerning the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints reflected in such statements as "you are secure no matter how you live," and Calvinists "deny or explain away the real possibility of a believer falling away for the sake of tradition." These straw men arguments do little to enhance the real issue relative to this discussion and only serve to confuse the meaning of the doctrine in question.

Before I clarify what the biblical position actually is concerning the preservation of the elect, it is important that we should be clear upon the issue that we are really discussing. If we only trade verses for or against my Calvinistic position we will never progress in our arguments. It is imperative that we escape this myopic view that dominates so many discussions relevant to this topic and note what the foundation of your position really is—a synergistic concept of salvation based upon grace mingled with works, with the emphasis being upon the latter.

Now if we are to engage in an intellectually honest discussion then you must be sincere in acknowledging that you stand in opposition to the Protestant Reformers on this fundamental position in that you are embracing a system of salvation that removes grace alone through faith alone. This is the inevitable consequence of a position that denies salvation is of the Lord from the beginning to the end. If Christ is not our Savior, Sanctifier, and Sustainer then there is no hope for anyone just as Isaiah teaches us that even our righteousnesses, reflected in good works, are as filthy rags. "For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away" (Isa 64:6). The ultimate hope of any believer is relying upon the sufficiency of Christ. The gospel message is that Jesus shall save His people from their sins (Matt 1:21) and not that He shall make them savable when combined with their own good works.

A synergistic theology, when carried to its logical conclusion, gives man the final decision in his eternal destiny in that he performed a righteous act—that is, believing—and saved himself. While this may be flattering to man’s ego, it is an affront to the grace of God. In a system of salvation other than grace, the perseverance unto salvation is dependent upon an individual’s own good works and removes God from being the "the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb 12:2 KJV). These two opposing viewpoints of salvation cannot be reconciled for one is of works and grace, while the other is all of grace.

Writing to the Christian faithful in Rome, the apostle Paul taught that believers are not under the law but are under grace, and because of this reality, are not condemned for having violated the law. "For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (Rom 6:14). Works cannot cause one’s ultimate and final downfall since we are no longer under the system of the law but are operating under a system of grace. "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace" (Rom 11:6).

Conversely, the one who thinks he can contribute towards his own salvation, no matter to what degree, becomes a debtor to do the whole law (Gal 5:3). So when you argue that we must persevere in good works unto our final salvation, you are putting us back under the law and are abrogating the system of grace that Paul so clearly articulated throughout his epistles. If you deny this logical outworking of your beliefs, it would still leave you with the difficult position of having a God who bestows grace on individuals then removes that grace and places them back under a system of laws. Either way, you have reached an untenable position. Nevertheless, what you are doing is ultimately giving man the deciding factor in his own salvation, while the Reformed position maintains that it is wholly of the sovereign and perfect will of God.

Beyond arguing this point, remember that Christ has freed us from the anxiety of falling from grace by promising, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out" (John 6:37). Likewise, "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day" (John 6:39). Again, Christ tells us, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, 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" (John 10:27–29). Jesus’ own words support the sovereignty of God in choosing a people, giving them to the Son, and preserving them unto the end (cf. Jude 1:24).

John Calvin further remarks in his Institutes, "when he declares, ‘Every tree that my Father has not planted will be uprooted,’ (Matt 15:13) he conversely implies that those rooted in God can never be pulled up from salvation." The Johannine epistle concurs with this assessment by recording that, "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us" (1 John 2:19). Furthermore, the apostle Paul writing to the Philippian Church promises, "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil 1:6). This was the definitive promise that Paul gave to the Christian faithful and what a magnificent covenant it is. It provides a secure hope that God will remain faithful. Just as Christ prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail (Luke 22:32), His prayer for His people is that they too shall remain strong until the end.

Yet this teaching appears antithetical in light of the anecdotal evidence you presented wherein your friend claimed to be saved at a young age, but then repudiated God later in life, and is now on a path towards destruction. I admit that that is truly a sad predicament, and I can only pray that he returns to God lest he suffer the eternal consequences for his obstinacy. Nevertheless, the Bible tells us that such an individual never truly cleaved to Christ with the trust that the elect do. Remember, that they went out from us, because they were not of us. I will not deny that your acquaintance displayed signs that were similar to those of the elect, but good works alone are not always sufficient proof to say definitively that someone is saved. When one has been regenerated, the Lord enters his heart and transforms his life forever. This does not mean one will never sin again. The unfortunate reality is that the taint of original sin remains within us and we will never be able to change that until we receive our resurrected bodies fit for heaven. Even the elect can act badly for a season, but they will not persist in that sin unto eternal destruction.

So how then are we to read the numerous warning passages? Do they not imply that that the elect can loose their salvation? I would offer this answer in response. When we read passages such as Paul’s warning to the Corinthians, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall" (1 Cor 10:12), we are reading a warning against the confidence of the flesh, which "bears in its train haughtiness, arrogance, and contempt of others, snuffs out humility and reverence for God, and makes one forget grace received."

With that said, let me also remind you of what Christ’s death on the cross actually accomplished. Jesus did not merely leave the eternal glory that was His to manifest Himself in the form of man only to suffer an ignominious death and to watch His elect fall from grace. Such belief would mean that it was theoretically possible that Christ died for the salvation of mankind, but yet, those very same individuals for whom Jesus died might still suffer eternal damnation. Despite the suffering, humiliation, and best efforts of Jesus, all men could potentially suffer eternity in hell. This is the logical extension for which your system of belief could allow.

But the good news, however, is that we do not have to worry about that tragic outcome, because Jesus told us, "I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine" (John 17:9 KJV). Take comfort in knowing that God prayed for us that we would be kept from the evil one for all of eternity. When Jesus prays, God hears Him. His prayers are always answered because He knows God’s will, and the end result is that the elect are preserved through faith in Christ Jesus for all eternity—both in this life and that to come.

Your affectionate uncle,
Luke

Extract from Predestined to Believe