In the last study sheet we examined article one of the chapter “Of Perseverance of the Saints” from the London Confession of Faith of 1689. In this study sheet we will consider the two remaining articles of this chapter:

2. “This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree (Rom. 8:30; Rom. 9:11,16) of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:9,10; John 14:19) and union with Him, the (Heb. 6:17,18) oath of God, the abiding of His Spirit, and the (I John 3:9) seed of God within them, and the nature of the (Jer. 32:40) covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.”

3. “And though they may, through the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalence of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous (Matt. 26:70,72,74) sins, and for a time continue therein, whereby they incur (Is. 64:5,9; Eph. 4:30) God’s displeasure, and grieve His Holy Spirit, come to have their graces and (Ps. 51:10,12) comforts impaired, have their hearts hardened and their consciences wounded, (Ps. 32:3,4) hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments (II Sam. 12:14) upon themselves, yet they shall renew their (Luke 22:32,61,62) repentance and be preserved, through faith in Christ Jesus, to the end.”

Questions

1. Does God want His children to have the assurance of their salvation? Prove your answer by the Scriptures.

4. What are some of the factors that lead a child of God into sin?

Memory Verses:

Philippians 1:6, John 10:27-30, and Romans 8:38-39.