The Certainty of Perseverance

There is something more sure in life than death and taxes. The saving work of our Lord Jesus is the only thing we as Christians can and should be sure of. This is 'The Rock' on which the Church is built, all other else is sinking sand. John shows us in his epistle how this assurance will manifest itself within the life of a believer, how it will cause a person to love God, love the Law, and love his brother while at the same time develop a natural hatred of sin. John does not say a saved person doesn't sin rather he says a saved person will not abide in sin, or continue to sin. This person will long to become closer to God and more obedient to the Word. This type of change only comes to the Elect when God effects it.

We as fallen men are not able to do this on our own, in fact, we are bound to do the opposite. So if our assurance of salvation is on anything other than the one given in the Gospel it will fail like the seeds sewn in rocky ground. The path of salvation is narrow and unchanging and given plainly in the Gospel. The path to destruction meanders wide, constantly turning and changing to make us more comfortable.

As you listen to this sermon see if you can find any areas in your life where you are not abiding in Christ. Have you changed your doctrine to match your ways rather than change your ways to match His doctrine? Remember there is one one Savior and only one way to Salvation.