(Flowers and fruits are distinct; don't confuse them.)
The doctrine of the
perseverance of the saints is popularly understood to mean "God's children
shall persevere in a life of faith and holiness; those who don't persevere were not God's children, to begin with."
Read this passage
from Jeremiah 6:
13 For from the
least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to
covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth
falsely.
14 They have healed
also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when
there is no peace.
15 Were they ashamed
when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither
could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time
that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
16 ¶Thus saith the
LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the
good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they
said, We will not walk therein.
17 Also I set
watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said,
We will not hearken.
Some will be quick
to retort, those addressed by the LORD are Israelites, not His children.
Are the churches in
the 21st century any better than the situation diagnosed in the passage above?
Sorry, I digress.
The Calvinists' idea
on the perseverance of the saints is a fable; an injurious lie.
The biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints states that those whom God has
effectually called out of their native state of sin and death to that state of
grace and salvation in Christ Jesus shall immutably remain in that state of
grace and salvation; absolutely nothing shall dislodge them from that state of
grace and salvation.
Perseverance in the
state of grace and salvation is the immutable effect of the Divine purpose and
activities; perseverance in a life of faith and holiness is conditional upon
the obedience of God's children to His will.
Both the Calvinists
and their cousins Arminians equate the two.
