If You Continue in the Faith

 

Over the years, many men much wiser than myself have wrestled with the theological implications of perserverance and the security of the believer. Because I'm of the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition, I find it extremely helpful to study the "other side" of the debate. Not so that I can find proof-texts or answers to their arguments, but so that I can be fully informed of the whole counsel of God on any particular biblical doctrine. You might be surprised to find that many of our differences theologically have to do with semantics rather than substance. For example (and this is not an exhaustive scenario by any means), let's go over a brief scenario and how various groups would interpret or summarize what happened:

John Doe (sorry I'm not feeling very original today) goes to church one Sunday morning and after the preacher finishes his sermon- an altar call is given. John then makes his way to the front and makes a profession of faith (let's not slice hairs at this point and debate whether he said a "sinners prayer" or repeated some other creed-the point is that he has publicly made a confession of Christ). To this end, the minister feels great that someone has responded to his sermon (I'm a preacher and believe me it's wonderful to see people compelled to faith by responding to the preached Word of God). The church rejoices that another soul has been saved, and John goes back home with a smile on his face and an eagerness to share with his family, friends, and co-workers what God has just done in his life.

This elation continues for several weeks...even months. Not only is John telling everyone that he got saved, he is beginning to manifest some true Christian fruit. Some of the habits he has been enslaved to are no longer an issue for him. He's even stopped swearing, lying, and he's paid back many of the debts that he owed his creditors (a sure-fire evidence that a man has been saved is when he begins to make restitution). The next few years are like heaven on earth for John's wife and kids as they witness his transformation.

However something goes terribly wrong for John. He begins working later hours on his job and rarely has time to read his bible or go to church anymore (much less pray). Some of the guys working at the office have now persuaded him to stop by the bar on the way home from work in the evenings so that they can unwind together. This goes on for several weeks and John soon lapses back into a lifestyle of heavy drinking. To make matters worse, there is a new lady at the office who has shown a particular interest in John. Despite the obvious perils, John begins working late hours alone with her, having "work dates" to finish special projects. Things are especially tense at home, so he seeks refuge in the arms of this temptress.

About 3 years have taken place since his initial conversion experience. Now, not only has John stopped praying, reading his bible, and going to church, but he has lost his family and now doubts that Jesus is even who He says he is. He convinces himself that it was all emotionalism that led him to the altar that day, and that Christianity is merely a crutch for those who are too weak to handle their problems on their own. Now the mere mention of the gospel causes him to recoil in anger. He is completely cold to things of God and feels no conviction about his ungodly lifestyle. And here you have it- really not a "fantastic stretch" of a scenario at all.....this type of thing happens all the time! Now the church...particularly the "theologians" are faced with what to think and say about John's "conversion"...because (as they often do) people have questions. Here is a brief synopsis of what various groups would conclude-based on their historic approach to such an issue (keep in mind that these are hypthetical so I'm not saying these things to be inflammatory to my brothers of other persuasions):

Calvinists/Augustinians- "John was not one of the elect since he failed to perservere."
Arminian Baptists-"John was never really saved to begin with" (despite the obvious initial fruit)
Classic Arminian-"John is currently in a lost condition unless he repents"
Wesleyan/Arminian-"John, through persistant willful sin fell away from faith in Christ"
Unconditional Eternal Security (OSAS)-"John went to heaven regardless of his apparent lapse back into unbelief due to the initial profession of faith in Christ".

(Again, if I have misinterpreted your particular camp's position then please don't stone me- I am open to correction-these are just my observation from years of study and spirited debate with brethren from these respective camps.)

So you can see that in almost every instance, the outcome is the same (except for those who hold to the unconditional eternal security model). Even the Calvinists would say that the person did not inherit the kingdom of God despite the initial profession of faith because he failed to perservere. So you see that while we differ in the semantics, the end result is basically the same (again with the exception of the radical teaching of once-saved, always-saved)....John is lost! Yet another debate would ensue as to whether or not John could actually be "saved again" but I'm not going to tackle that here (I will say however that I don't hold to the revolving-door salvation theology- I believe that falling away is a permanent condition based on Hebrews 6 which says it is "impossible" to renew them again unto repentance). Having said all of this, let's look at what the scriptures teach concerning the need to perservere or "continue in the faith."

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed

Here, Jesus describes the condition of true disciples. Many in the modern era have tried to make a distinction between the "Christian" and the "disciple"-as if to say that one could be Christian and not a disciple. I don't think such a dichotomy exists- true Christians are disciples or they are not Christians at all! Much in the way that justification anticipates sanctification, conversion anticipates discipleship.

John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned

A dear friend recently shared with me an analogy that perfectly illustrates this principle. They said that they often think of this passage when they are trimming trees, hedges, and vines. They notice (if it takes them several days to gather them) that the ones they trim away shrivel and die within a day or two of being cut off from the "parent" plant (or in this illustration-"the vine"). There are some who make a big deal about the fact that eternal life is "eternal." What we must keep in mind though is that life is "in the Son" Outside of the Son there is no "eternal" life- for those who choose not to remain (or continue) in Christ, there is no life. Notice what John says about this in his epistle:

I John 5:11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life

Next, I'm going to look at a few critical passages from the book of Acts. I realize that many have problems with Acts because it's written as a narrative and because it is a "transitional" book. I readily admit that the book of Acts covers a lot of chronology and shows the spread of Christianity from what was predominately a Jewish sect to the rest of the known world (i.e. from Jerusalem to the "uttermost parts of the earth"). While we may not be able to tangibly apply everything that happened in Acts (casting lots in chapter 1, teaching in the synagogue, ...you get the picture), I believe that certain basic truths of the gospel are set forth that have universal application (repentance, baptism, empowerment by the Spirit,etc.). Of special interest are those things that Paul taught, because many see him as a "line of demarcation" of sorts since he is the apostle to the Gentiles. I am not of the dispensational school of thought that says we should set aside the writings of the Messianic Jews (Peter, James, the author of Hebrews, etc.) in favor of Paul. I believe that they all have something to say to us today. However I'm going to cite examples of Paul because I know some who believe only Pauline theology would apply to us today. With that in mind, let's look at some of Paul's attitudes toward perserverance...beginning in Acts before we move on to his epistles.

Acts 13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Paul understood that it's not how you start the race, but rather that you finish. This is a consistant theme of Pauline theology. It was Paul who wrote that it's possible to "receive the grace of God in vain" (II Cor 6:1 ) and to "believe in vain" (I Cor 15:2).

Many of us in the modern era (especially in the Western culture) have little understanding for the context of first- century Christianity. To be a Christian in the first century meant that you could face martyrdom at any time. It was not uncommon to be killed for faith in Christ or to be disowned by family members. The lack of persecution in modern Western Christianity has caused us to view the warnings in scripture against apostacy as merely hypothetical. Paul however understood the very real dangers of apostacy and the promise that "all who live godly in Christ Jesus" would suffer persecution. Today we may not face martyrdom, but we face 21st century temptations which are equally dangerous from a spiritual perspective. Notice Paul's concern for his recent converts.

Acts 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God

Now the tribulation Paul is speaking of is not in an eschatological sense but rather a practical one. Paul thought it necessary to "confirm" the souls of the disciples and exhort them to continue in the faith, because trials and temptations can (and sometimes do) lead to apostacy. Jesus when expounding the parable of the sower, illustrated this principle. Remember that Jesus asked the question "know ye not this parable...how then shall ye know all parables?"

Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away

Romans (admittedly) contains some difficult theological concepts. Romans 11 is the conclusion of a segment focusing on God's election of Israel and their salvation history (past, present, and future). At this point in time, the Gentile church was expanding and many were perhaps tempted (as many are today in what we call the camp of "replacement theology") to believe that God was finished with Israel altogether. Those of us who take a literal approach to bible prophesy believe that at some point in the not-to-distant future, God will again turn His focus back to Israel and their deliverance and "all Israel shall be saved" (Rom 11:26). Paul reminds the Christians at Rome not to be haughty or high-minded because Israel is currently "broken off" because of unbelief (Rom 11:20) and that we (Gentile Christians) are standing by faith. He then goes on to warn them :

Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off

Colossians contains yet another of these conditional clauses. The believer is secure inasmuch as he abides in Christ and does not depart from a living faith in Him.

Colossians 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Christ makes us a promise that He will present us to the Father "holy and unblameable in his sight" (can you say Praise God!!!). We have an obligation however to continue in the faith and be not moved away from that hope of the gospel.

Next we come to more conditional clauses from the pastoral epistles. I will group them together for sake of time and space :

I Timothy 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

I Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

The woman, although deceived by Satan in the garden of Eden, is no less important in God's plan of salvation. However her means of salvation (just like men) is through continuance of faith. Timothy is warned by Paul to watch his life and doctrine closely and to continue in them (some translations read "perservere in them"). Conduct and theology are closely related and both have eternal consequences.

One last example in this article will come from the first epistle of John. John is very straightforward in his teaching and he often uses antithetical themes. He contrasts those who belong to God with those who are following the devil- he contrasts those who "walk in the light" with those who "walk in darkness"- he contrasts those who love Jesus Christ, and those who are antichrist (I use the term antichrist in a generic sense here, not referring to the apocalyptic world leader to emerge during the Tribulation period). Where so many in today's church see "gray areas", John tends to view (and preach) things in mutually exclusive terms. In this particular example, John explains the absence of the "antichrists" from the local assembly. By their leaving, they have proven themselves not to be true Christians. Had they remained (or chosen to "abide") in Christ ,then they would have had a chance. John is concerned that his readers do not fall away from the truth ,but continue in what they have heard and received. It is only in perserverance in faith in Christ that they ultimately posess eternal life.

I John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life

Many are familiar with this verse from the last chapter of 1st John :

I John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Of course I've added emphasis where many choose to ignore. What are the "these things" that John is referring to? Are they not the very things that we have just mentioned? (Abiding in the Son, continuing in the faith, loving the brethren, confessing our sins to Christ, keeping His commands). One of the things that I have found greatly helpful when reading an epistle (which is really like reading a letter) is to read it all the way through several times. We make mistakes when we try to extrapolate information from an epistle and isolate it from the immediate context. If most people would read first John all the way through, they would realize that "these things" he wrote unto them were the collective body of scripture from John which indicates evidence of a truly Christian walk.

It is my hope and prayer that through this brief article I have demonstrated unto you that both Jesus and the Apostles held to a theology that states a person absolutely must perservere or continue in the faith to receive ultimate salvation. Remember that although we now posess eternal life, there is yet a future aspect to our salvation- glorification! Glorification awaits those who through faith and patience inherit the promise of eternal life.

May the Lord bless you as you continue to study His Word!

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Truth Ablaze