5. Perseverance of the Saints is another deception. Most people think it is Eternal Security, but, that just isn’t the case. As I stated before, because 5 point Calvinists believe that God shows His irresistible grace to totally depraved people whom He has unconditionally elected before time, Calvinists have no choice but to believe that it is impossible for a genuinely-saved person to forfeit his salvation. This is what the Calvinistic doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints is all about. True saints will persevere in faith, and if they don’t, they were never truly saved in the first place, according to Calvinists.
Moreover, logic dictates that if people are saved due to God’s unconditional election and irresistible grace, there is no sound reason for Scripture to warn anyone to persevere in faith. Those who are genuinely saved will persevere in faith and cannot do otherwise. Have you always persevered in the faith, unwavering? If you haven’t, you may not be one of the elect. They need no encouragement, because their salvation has been guaranteed since the foundation of the world. Likewise, those who are only phony believers have no reason to be encouraged, because their faith isn’t genuine, and it is certain that they won’t persevere, because their damnation has been guaranteed since the foundation of the world. To encourage such a person is to encourage him to remain deceived a little longer, until he discovers the inevitable—he has been predestined to be damned, and there is no reason for him to attempt to persevere in faith. His faith is bogus. The 5 point Calvinists hope is in their election, not resting in Christ. This is why you will consistently see Calvinists on social networks bragging about all the righteous deeds that they have done. I believe it gives them hope in their election.
That is why it is virtually impossible for a consistent 5 point Calvinist to have absolute certainty of his salvation until his final breath, because he must always live with the fear that his faith may prove to be bogus if he doesn’t persevere in faith until death. That is why these teachers constantly say that you have to look back on your works to make sure you are in the faith. If this is the case then this is works based salvation. John Piper himself says that maintaining our salvation is due to our obedience. He quotes,
“Nevertheless, we must also own up to the fact that our final salvation is made contingent upon the subsequent obedience which comes from faith.”
This I guess would imply that if you disobey, you were never truly saved. Have any of you disobeyed God?
We are saved forever when we freely place our trust in Christ. The Holy Spirit then seals us unto salvation. Ephesians 1:13 gives us a clear picture of the order of salvation:
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,”
The Holy Spirit is God’s deposit in us. It is like putting a deposit down on a house. It is rightfully yours until, although you have left it for a period of time. You then come back for it to claim it as yours. This is exactly what God has done by sealing us with the Holy Spirit. He has left us for a short time until He comes back to claims us as His! No matter the wrong we have done and how disobedient we have been, we are still His. Who can pluck us out of His Hand?
In Summary: ONCE WE HAVE FULLY TRUSTED IN CHRIST, HE SEALS US UNTO SALVATION. THERE IS NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO TO LOSE IT! WE HAVE WILLINGLY CONSENTED TO FOLLOW HIM.
I’ve heard it said that true (5 Point) Calvinists are not so diametrically opposed to your doctrine as to be labeled heretics. Well, let’s look at that claim. First, let’s define heresy.
Hersey– A fundamental error in religion, or an error of opinion respecting some fundamental doctrine of religion. The Scriptures being the standard of faith, any opinion that is repugnant to its doctrines, is heresy;
Now let’s look at what a heretic is.
Heretic– A person under any religion, but particularly the Christian, who holds and teaches opinions repugnant to the established faith, or that which is made the standard of orthodoxy. In strictness, among Christians, a person who holds and avows religious opinions contrary to the doctrines of Scripture, the only rule of faith and practice.
I believe I have shown in this brief presentation enough evidence to show how this theology is heretical in nature. Therefore, if you esteem fellowship over the truth of God, you too are held accountable. It is required that we separate from it. We should make war against it. And whoever believes in it needs to repent of it. You say, “How am I a heretic if I don’t believe it and choose to fellowship with them anyway?” Let me take you through a scenario. First, although you did not pull the trigger, your friend kills someone and you tell no one about it. He later gets caught and brings up your name. What happens to you? Are you charged with the crime? Yes you are. Why? Because you were an accomplice. If you would have warned someone about what had happened you would not have been held accountable. It is the same with heresy. You may sit there and think all is peachy, but, God knows that you are an accomplice and you will be held accountable. Not only are you going to be held accountable for not warning every one of their error but also for esteeming fellowship above the Word and Truth of God Himself!
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