B16 Perseverance-Apostasy

P. PERSEVERANCE-APOSTASY

It is the birthright of every child of God not only to be cleansed from all sin in this life, but to keep himself unspotted from the world, and so to live as never more to offend his Maker. Psalms 37:37; Hebrews 11:5; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 4:17; 1 John 5:18; Jude 1:24. Yet the best of believers are liable to so far apostatize as finally to perish. (116. What is meant by perseverance? How may every believer persevere in faith and obedience?) This is evident from the history, (1.) Of certain angels. Job 4:18; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6. (2.) Of Adam. Genesis 1:27; Genesis 1:31; Genesis 3:6-10; Ecclesiastes 7:29. (3.) Of the Jews. 1 Corinthians 10:1-12; Hebrews 3:17-19; Jude 1:5 (4.) Of Saul. 1 Samuel 10:1-9-10; 1 Samuel 15:23-24; 1 Samuel 16:14. 5. Of Judas. Psalms 41:9; John 13:18; Matthew 26:24-25; John 17:12; Acts 1:25. The numerous commands and exhortations to perseverance, and the many warnings against apostasy, are further proof of this doctrine 1 Chronicles 28:9; Ezekiel 18:24; Ezekiel 33:12-13; Ezekiel 33:18; Matthew 5:13; Luke 9:62; John 15:1-6; Romans 11:20-22; 1 Corinthians 9:27; 1 Corinthians 10:12; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; 1 Timothy 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:15; 2 Timothy 1:14-15; Hebrews 4:1; Hebrews 4:11; Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:26-29; Hebrews 10:38-39; Hebrews 12:14-15; 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Peter 1:10-11, 2 Peter 1:18-22, Revelation 2:4-5; Revelation 3:10-11.