The Perseverance of the Saints

In historic Protestant and Reformed churches we love theology. We love to organize and systemize the cardinal and even "minor" propositions of the Bible. We love to wrestle with challenging texts and research reputable sources for answers. Sometimes we even love to carry the banners of past heroes such as Martin Luther or John Calvin and wear our affiliations like a badge. In most senses these things are not bad (though they can become so). But if these activities begin to obscure the message of the gospel and distract us from the "end of the story" we have made the message of the gospel less than it truly is. On this Reformation Sunday, we are reminded of one battle which our forefathers fought whose goal was to restore the great hope of the message of the gospel: those who have been converted by the perfect sacrifice of the Savior and professed faith in Him will persevere to the end even through many "dangers, toils, and snares" by God's grace, and there is nothing and no one who can overturn what the Lord has done fir such a one. Glory be to God! – Pastor Schlegel