PERSEVERANCE

    
          The next step in the Biblical Order of Salvation is PERSEVERANCE.

          Perseverance is the believer's ability, solely through God's power and grace, to
     remain in Him forever.



                                     ****************************

          Many Christians believe in the doctrine of "once saved, always saved," but
     that belief can't be true in a "man-centered" theology.  If man is the "ultimate
     decider" in his own salvation (that is, he makes the final decision to believe in Jesus,
     not that God has chosen him from the beginning for salvation, in Him), then man can
     lose his salvation just as easily as he gained it, by "doing" something wrong.
          If the faith he has is from within himself, and not from God, then his work (his faith)
     is the deciding factor in his salvation.  If his salvation depends on something he did, then
     he is able to do something that can cause him to lose it.
          In other words, there is something good that comes from within the person (his
     intelligence, courage, ability, etc.) that causes him to believe, instead of the clear teaching of
     the Bible, that God changes a person's heart from a heart of stone (unresponsive to Him)
     to a heart of flesh (responsive to God), and gives him understanding of the gospel, and makes
     him willing and able to come to Christ for salvation.

                          ****************************************

          Those with a "God-centered" theology, where salvation depends entirely on God's
     grace, have an assurance that they will never lose it because God's word tells them they
     can't.
         (Jesus said),"All that the Father gives me (Ephesians 1:4) will come to me, and whoever
     comes to me I will never drive away.  For I have come down from heaven not to do my will
     but to do the will of him who sent me.  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall
     lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day."  John 6:37-39

          Everyone the Father draws to Jesus WILL come to Him, and will be raised up at
     the last day.  
          (Jesus said), "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I
     will raise him up at the last day."  John 6:44

         
          The NIV commentary states:  "It is God who initiates salvation, who continues it and
     who will one day bring it to its consummation."
          "... He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of
     Christ Jesus."  Philippians 1:6

                   *************************************************

          Since God is the author of salvation, no one can snatch His people from His hand.
          (Jesus said), "My sheep (His people) listen to my voice;  I know them, and they follow
     me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;  no one can snatch them out of
     my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all;  no one can snatch
     them out of my Father's hand.  I and the Father are one."  John 10:27-30

                             ************************************
          God is able to keep His people from falling away and losing their salvation.
          "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious
     presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty,
     power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!
     Amen."  Jude 24-25

                           
          Jesus perseveres for us so that we never lose our salvation.
          "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 
     We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we
     command.  May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance."
     2 Thessalonians 3:3-5

          God is able to and will keep His people blameless.
          "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your
     whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
     The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24


          The believer who relies entirely on God's grace, and not his own ability to choose to
     believe, will never lose his salvation.
    

                                   **************************************

          Next time - the final two steps in the Biblical Order of Salvation - DEATH and
     GLORIFICATION.