No 19

(Calvinism P)

This brings us to the last of the 5 points of Calvinistic theology – P, for perseverance. As the other points, this one is the logical consequence of the salvation that Christ wrought for mankind on the cross. Calvinism sums up what Romans 8 so divinely states: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (vs29, 30). Therefore, it only stands to reason that when God saved us, He made sure that our salvation was secure in Him. Other verses in Romans 8 state: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (vs 38,39). How can it be clearer? The Bible also states : “But he that shall persevere unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matt 24:13) Those who persevere to the end do so because they are saved, they do not persevere to be saved. One of my favourite verses on the subject of saving and persevering is found in the epistle of Paul to the Philippians in verse 6: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Salvation is God’s gift to man; let us now go and tell all who need to hear these words. Let us be like Charles Haddon Spurgeon who did not mince his words but preached the Gospel of God’s grace in truth.