Perseverance and Good Works

Dennis Tuuri

Outline: Gratitude & Good Works John 3 - Perseverance and Sanctification Canons of Dort , Fifth Head, Articles 12 and 13, Rejection of Errors Paragraph 6 Sermon Outline for September 9, 2007 by Pastor Dennis Tuuri Introduction Article 12 - This assurance does not lead to complacency So far, however, is this certainty of perseverance from making true believers proud and complacent that, on the contrary, it is the true root of humility, Childlike reverence, genuine godliness, patience in every conflict, fervent prayers, constancy in the cross and in the confession of the truth, and lasting joy in God. Further, the consideration of this benefit is for them an incentive to the serious and constant practice of gratitude and good works, as is evident from the testimonies of Scripture and the examples of the saints. Article 13 - This assurance does not lead to carelessness Neither does renewed confidence of persevering produce carelessness or neglect of godliness in those who have been restored after their fall; rather, it renders them more careful and diligent to discern the ways of the Lord so that by walking in them they may retain the certainty of persevering. They do this lest, because of their abuse of His fatherly goodness, the reconciled God should again turn away His face from them (the contemplation of which is to the godly sweeter than life, and the withdrawal of it more bitter than death), and they should fall into more severe torments of soul. Error: By its very nature the doctrine of the certainty of perseverance and salvation causes false security and is harmful to godliness, good morals, prayers, and other holy exercises. On the contrary, it is praiseworthy to doubt. 6. Refutation: This doctrine ignores the effective power of God’s grace and the working of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. It contradicts the apostle John, who teaches the opposite with these express words in his first letter: Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure, 1 Jn 3:2, 3. Furthermore, it is refuted by the example of the saints both of the Old and New Testament who, although they were certain of their perseverance and salvation, nevertheless continued in prayer and other exercises of godliness. 1 John 3:1.40 Context I John Outline (Links to 7 Days of creation, 7 Feasts, 7-Fold Outline of Revelation). A The Light of Life Seen 1A B Making Him a Liar by Walking in Darkness 1 B C Christ’s New Commandment vs. Antichrists 2 D The Confidence of the Sons of God - Loving One Another 3 C’ Antichrists vs. God’s Increasing Love 4 B’ Making Him a Liar by Not Believing the Witness 5A A The Confidence of Eternal Life 5B I John 3:1-10 Those with the assurance of their preservation and perseverance are: Those who are deeply grateful for their having been called as Sons of God, and know that they are unworthy recipients of His love. Vv. 1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. II. Those who eschew evil works and embrace good works . Vv. 4-10 A. Who no longer move in terms of the evil of lawlessness, the reflection of which is sin. V. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. B. Who are the subjects of Christ’s mission, which is to remove sin. V. 5 C. Who now move in terms of union and communion with Christ, which is incompatible with practicing sin. They abide in Him, meaning they grow in holiness. Vv. 6,7 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. D. Who no longermove in terms of union and communion with the devil, that is, the practice of sin. V. 8a E. Who are subjects of Christ’s mission, which is to destroy the works of the devil. V. 8b For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. F. Who are born of God, and thus do not practice sin. V. 9 No one who is born of God Commits sin For His seed abides in him And he is not able to commit sin Because he is born of God. G. Who are children of God, not children of the devil, and they love the brethren. V. 10 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.