Welcome back to week 15. Today we will be considering an aspect of soteriology; Christian perseverance. Do Christians persevere? What does that mean and what relationship, if any, does this have with biblical counseling?

The wonderful truth is that Christians do indeed persevere. The shortest explanation of “perseverance” is this: once saved, always saved. True Christians persevere in their salvation because they are preserved by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of redemption (Eph. 1:13-14; Phil. 1:6). The Holy Spirit gives the ability to believe in Jesus as the Messiah to God’s elect. Thus, they believe (John 5:24). Through God’s gift of faith in Christ, Christians persevere, and are eternally secure (Eph. 2:8-9; 1 Pt. 1:3-5; John 6:37-47; 10:27-30). It is critical to have an accurate biblical understanding about the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints in counseling because many misconceptions and wrong practices can easily arise. 

Someone many not believe in this doctrine because they believe that someone can lose their salvation if they sin. This belief leads to one of two erroneous God demeaning, man exulting conclusions: one, sinless perfection here on earth is achievable by man. In this case God cannot hold onto the individual’s eternal life due to his sin, but the individual, by his own will, can hold onto God by willing himself, through the power of his faith, sinless. This false belief can be seen in many Arminian churches and is also called, “Entire Sanctification” (e.g., the Church of the Nazarene).^[1]

Two, it results in categorizing sin. In other words, there is the really bad sin that can send you to hell (i.e., willful sin), and then there are mistakes (i.e. oops, I did not mean too, or unwilful sin). The foolishness of this belief is exposed by a single question, “Is there some not so bad sin that God allows in heaven?” (Matt. 5:48; James 2:10). In this belief system, on one hand, there is the creation of self-righteous hypocrites and the other hand, self-deceived heretics. None, except Jesus Christ, are without damnable sin (1 John 1:8, 10). All sin, willful or unintentional, is treachery against a holy God. 

It is very hard to counsel someone who believes he has no sin, or that he only commits mistakes. After all, who needs to repent from mistakes? Mistakes are unintentional. They just happen. This is prideful, legalistic Pharisaicalism. 

On the other side of the theological ditch it is equally hard to counsel someone who abuses the doctrine of perseverance. They think that they can do anything since they assume, they are saved. This is antinomianism (i.e., lawlessness), often clothed in moralistic actions and Christianese. 

Yet, Scripture teaches that if we say we know Him, but fail to keep His commandments then we are liars (1 John 2:3-4). It is true that once we are saved, we are always saved. However, it is not necessarily true that once we pray, we are saved. That prayer may not be genuine and God isn’t under obligation to save everyone, or you just because you prayed a prayer. It’s His gracious lovingkindness, not our meritorious prayers, that saves us (Eph. 1:4-6). 

However, true Christians will persevere in a life path of righteousness because they have been totally transformed by God. One of the evidences of that truth is that they will submit themselves to His counsel (2 Cor. 5:17; John 10:27; Matt. 7:21-27). A false convert, on the other hand, will not submit to Scripture and will abandon his profession of faith when things get tough for him or when the world calls loudly enough (Matt. 13:18-22; 1 John 2:19).

Thus, the relationship between perseverance and counseling is clear. The counselor cannot counsel an unbeliever because he or she will not submit. On the other hand, the believer, even though in tribulation or a season of disobedience, will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, persevere and submit to God’s Word even if after wrestling with the truth (Job 17:9; Ps. 37:24; Rom. 12:12; Col. 1:21-23; 2 Thess. 1:4-5; 1 Pt.1:3). 

Since this is true it would be wise of the biblical counselor, whether lay or certified, to first seek to ascertain if the counselee(s) sitting in front of him are truly saved.^[2] If they are, then we must discern if there is a misunderstanding of God’s Word on the matter of perseverance and correct it. If they are saved, praise the Lord! If there is a misunderstanding, help them grasp God’s Word better and experience the hope and peace that surpasses all understanding. Because of the indwelling Holy Spirit and a renewed heart, the believer will persevere in love for the Lord, in spite of circumstances.

We hope our short time considering soteriology this week was helpful. Lord willing, next week we will begin our three-week consideration of pneumatology. Until then may our Lord bless you and keep you.

^[1] https://2017.manual.nazarene.org/section/christian-holiness-and-entire-sanctification/#:~:text=Section%3A%20Christian%20Holiness%20and%20Entire%20Sanctification&text=We%20believe%20that%20entire%20sanctification,obedience%20of%20love%20made%20perfect. Accessed 9/26/20.

^[2] We can only biblically counsel believers. Unbelievers will not submit to Scripture for the right reason; glorifying God. Oh sure, an unbelieving couple can follow biblical principles for a better marriage because they don’t like the consequences of a bad one. But if they never repent and trust Christ that better marriage won’t mean a thing in hell. We ought not strive to make Pharisees. We ought to do our best to discern whether or not the profession of faith is also possession of faith!