Please turn in the New Testament to Colossians 1

The Perseverance of True Believers Colossians 1:21-23 A verse-by-verse study of Colossians

Colossians 1:21-22 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Colossians 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; 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;

Question #1 Is it possible for someone who has been radically changed by the power of the gospel into a new creature in Christ to lose their salvation?

Question #2 Does the Bible give instructions to the believer concerning persevering in the faith?

Thesis True believers are those who have been converted by the power of the gospel and thus persist in a state of repentance toward God and obedience to the gospel. True believers are those who have been converted by the power of the gospel and thus persist in a state of repentance toward God and obedience to the gospel. This perseverance is characterized by a life- long battle against my sin, unbelief, and worldliness and a love for God and others. This perseverance is characterized by a life- long battle against my sin, unbelief, and worldliness and a love for God and others.

Colossians 1:21-22 With regard to the eternal security of man’s salvation, the Bible does two things: With regard to the eternal security of man’s salvation, the Bible does two things: – 1. It comforts me in knowing I have been reconciled.

Reconciled Colossians 1:21-22 Colossians 1:21-22 – And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

True Believers have been: Regenerated Regenerated Justified Justified Adopted Adopted Reconciled Reconciled Sanctified Sanctified Can a new creature in Christ become irreconcilable with God?

From King Jesus Turn to John 10:24-30

What Comfort: Jesus Jesus – He gives them eternal life – Eternal life is a gift – He secures them; His Father secures them – His sheep never perish – No one can take them out of the Hand of God – His Father is greater than Him

John 10:28 In the clause “and they shall never perish” John uses the double negative (ou mē) which is a very emphatic way of declaring that something will not happen in the future. In the clause “and they shall never perish” John uses the double negative (ou mē) which is a very emphatic way of declaring that something will not happen in the future. A literal translation would be something like, “they shall not, repeat, shall not ever perish in the slightest.” A literal translation would be something like, “they shall not, repeat, shall not ever perish in the slightest.”Erickson

BBC Article of Faith 12. We believe in the eternal security and everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the eternal conscious punishment of the lost. 12. We believe in the eternal security and everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the eternal conscious punishment of the lost. The preservation of all believers rests upon the finished work of Christ, the promises of God, the gracious election, and the sovereign predestination of God. The preservation of all believers rests upon the finished work of Christ, the promises of God, the gracious election, and the sovereign predestination of God.

Awesome, What a relief! Question Should this security in Christ independent of my actions and life create an indifference toward the moral and spiritual demands of the gospel in the life of the believer? Should this security in Christ independent of my actions and life create an indifference toward the moral and spiritual demands of the gospel in the life of the believer?

Fours Question Is there anything God-glorifying in that scenario/attitude? Is there anything God-glorifying in that scenario/attitude? How does that scenario compute with the character and will of God? How does that scenario compute with the character and will of God? Who is god in that mindset? Who is god in that mindset? How does that reflect upon the power of the gospel and the grace of God? How does that reflect upon the power of the gospel and the grace of God?

Are you going to heaven or hell? Paul answers how a person can know if they have been reconciled to God.

Look at Colossians 1:23 Notice what Paul does NOT say:

Paul does not say If you prayed for Jesus to come in your heart If you prayed for Jesus to come in your heart If you meant it If you meant it If you were sincere If you were sincere If you were baptized If you were baptized If there was ever a day….. If there was ever a day…..

Colossians 1:21-22 With regard to the security of man’s salvation, the Bible does two things: With regard to the security of man’s salvation, the Bible does two things: – 1. It Comforts me in knowing I have been reconciled. – 2. It Challenges me to persevere in the faith once delivered.

Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, 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;

From King Jesus Turn to John 10:24-30

What a Challenge Jesus’ Sheep Jesus’ Sheep – Hear His voice – They are characterized by following Him

Colossians 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; 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;

Biblical Fact There is no assurance of eternal life for those who don’t hear the voice of the Master and obey His Word! There is no assurance of eternal life for those who don’t hear the voice of the Master and obey His Word! Unless they are being chastised. Unless they are being chastised. – Hebrews 12:8

Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, – that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. [or] – to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,

Turn to 1 John 2:19

Commentary Continuing in the faith is NOT what keeps me saved—it is the evidence that I have been CONVERTED.

Acts 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. 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.

Fact It is UNBIBLICAL to give someone assurance of their salvation if they are not presently living in the faith and hope of the gospel.

BBC Article of Faith 12. We believe in the eternal security and everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the eternal conscious punishment of the lost. 12. We believe in the eternal security and everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the eternal conscious punishment of the lost. The preservation of all believers rests upon the finished work of Christ, the promises of God, the gracious election, and the sovereign predestination of God. The preservation of all believers rests upon the finished work of Christ, the promises of God, the gracious election, and the sovereign predestination of God.

An Illustration of Preservation Turn to Acts 27:22, 31 Biblical Tension God’s Sovereignty Human Responsibility

God’s Sovereignty An illustration of the Promises of God An illustration of the Promises of God – Paul is in his final trip to Rome – A tremendous storm threatens the lives of the crew and passengers – Paul gets word from an Angel of God – See vs. 22

Human Responsibility The means of the preservation The means of the preservation – Fearing for their lives – With no confidence in the promise from Paul – The crew attempts to sneak off the ship – See vs. 31

“Keep” in the NT Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning (Lk. 12:35). Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning (Lk. 12:35). keep oneself from being polluted by the world (Jam. 1:27). keep oneself from being polluted by the world (Jam. 1:27). Keep yourselves in God’s love (Jude 21). Keep yourselves in God’s love (Jude 21). Dear children, keep yourselves from idols (1 Jn. 5:21). Dear children, keep yourselves from idols (1 Jn. 5:21).

2 Peter 1:10-11 A Challenge & A Comfort

A Challenge 2 Peter 1:10 2 Peter 1:10 – Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure : for if ye do these things, for if ye do these things, – ye shall never fall:

Commentary Christians who are diligent about growing in the qualities of godliness in Christ Jesus can have assurance of their salvation and reduce the chance that they will fall into apostasy. Christians who are diligent about growing in the qualities of godliness in Christ Jesus can have assurance of their salvation and reduce the chance that they will fall into apostasy.

A Comfort 2 Peter 1:11 2 Peter 1:11 – For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

The Biblical Doctrine of the Perseverance of True Believers Is both comforting and challenging!