John Calvin-Life,Legacy and Theology

JOHN CALVIN : LIFE, LEGACY AND THEOLOGY -
PROF. M. M. NINAN
P
"PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS"
ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED
"Perseverance of the saints" (also known as "perseverance of God with the saints" and
"preservation of the believing") (the word "saints" is used to refer to all who are set apart by
God, and not of those who are exceptionally holy, canonized, or in heaven) asserts that since
God is sovereign and his will cannot be frustrated by humans or anything else, those whom
God has called into communion with himself will continue in faith until the end. Those who
apparently fall away either never had true faith to begin with (1 John 2:19), or, if they are saved
but not presently walking in the Spirit, they will be divinely chastened (Hebrews 12:5–11) and
will repent (1 John 3:6–9).
"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." Westminster Confession of Faith XVII, 1
"Those who are sovereignly elected and regenerated will continue in the faith. “Those whom God hath
accepted in the Beloved, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the
state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall through neglect and
temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach
on the Church, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto
repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation”
Abstract of Principles, 1858.
The last of the five points of Calvinism teaches that God preserves His people so they can never be
lost. To put it simply, it means this: "Once you are saved, you are always saved."
God's Word is full of proof for this beautiful truth. And though many deny it, and tell you that you can
be lost and saved many, many times, and therefore can never be sure of your salvation, the Bible
says otherwise. Talking about His elect sheep, Jesus said: "And I give them eternal life; and they shall
never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:28). See John 6:39, 17:2,
11,12; Romans 8:37-39; II Tim. 1:12; 4:18, etc. etc.
Some object to this doctrine because it supposedly makes men "carnally secure" in their salvation.
That is, if I know nothing can make me go to hell once God has saved me, I will "live like the devil."
There have been some who have used this beautiful truth as an excuse to live like the devil. But they
are not Christians. This is because you cannot know whether you are an elect or not.
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