SEMESTER 4
264 – The Means of Christian Perseverance
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY IV LESSON # 64
THE DOCTRINE OF PRESERVATION AND PERSEVERANCE
(THE MEANS OF CHRISTIAN PERSEVERANCE)
INTRODUCTION:
1. When we see the tribulation of Job, the trial of Stephen and the temptations of Joseph assail us, we may reasonably ask, “How can I persevere in this?”
2. How can we persevere against one so much more powerful than we, as is Satan?
I. CONSIDER AREAS WHICH REQUIRE PERSEVERANCE
1. Temptation to sins of the flesh. (Gen. 39:7-12
)
2. Temptation to despair in injustice. (Gen. 39:13-20, Acts 16:19-24, Job 1:13-20, Job 2:7-8)
3. Temptation to faint at hard labor. (Gal. 6:9)
4. Temptation of personal loss and physical suffering. (Job 1:13-20, Job 2:7-8)
5. Temptation to abandon responsibility because of persecution. (Acts 13:13)
6. Temptation to return evil for evil. (Luke 22:48-51)
II. THESE CAN ONLY BE OVERCOME BY GRACE(JONAH 2:9
)
1. By the indwelling Holy Spirit. (Gal. 5:22, Eph. 1:13-14, Phil. 1:6, Phil. 2:13)
2. By God’s ministry of the word to us. (Mat. 7:21, Rom. 6:12, Rom. 8:13, 1 Cor. 5:5, Gal. 5:16, 24, 25, Phil. 2:12, Phil. 3:11-12 Titus 2:11-12, James 2:20, 2 Pet. 1:5-10, 1 Jn. 2:4
3. Through the intercession of Christ. (Rom. 8:31-34, Jn. 17:9-17, Heb. 7:25)
4. Through the blood of Christ. (Rev. 12:10-11, Rom. 4:7-8, Rom. 10:4, Rom. 8:33-34, Gal. 3:13, Rom. 8:1, Heb. 10:14)
5. By deliverance from the law. (Heb. 8:6-12, Heb. 10:16-22, Jer. 32:40)
6. Through our Father son relationship with God. (I Cor. 11:32, Heb. 12:6)
7. Through the success of His eternal purpose. (Rom. 8:29-34, 1 Pet. 1:15, Rom. 8:37, Heb. 10:39, Psa. 37:28, Rom. 11:29, Eph. 1:13-14, Jn. 6:37-39, Jn. 10:27-28)
III. WHAT OF THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST PRESERVATION?
By this I mean those Scriptures and events, which many say deny sure eternal preservation and perseverance.
1. The claim of instances of falling.
i. “Saved” people they knew who fell.
ii. The example of Adam and angels.
iii. The example of the nation of Israel.
iv. The example of Moses. (Deut. 32:48-52)
v. King Saul. (I Sam. 10:9)
vi. David. (Psa. 51:11-12)
2. Passages which they acclaim to deny eternal security: (Eze. 18:24 compare to Eze. 33:13, Mat. 12:43-45, 2 Pet. 2:20-22, Mat. 13:20-22, Jn. 15:2, 1 Cor. 9:27 compare to Phil. 3:8-14, Heb. 6:4-6, Rev. 3:5, Rev. 22:19)
Salvation is of the LORD! True understanding of this will settle all soteriological issues.