The teaching of the perseverance of the saints is somewhat controversial, as some claim that it leads to people professing their faith but then continuing to live however they want because they believe their salvation is guaranteed. This objection is one the writers of the Canons of Dort heard as well, as in the conclusion that examines false accusations, they state some claimed the teaching of the Canons “makes people carnally self-assured, since it persuades them that nothing endangers the salvation of the elect, no matter how they live, so that they may commit the most outrageous crimes with self-assurance.” This is found in the section on “false accusations,” showing this is not the case. The 5th Main Point seeks to show the idea of perseverance does not lead to unrighteous living, but rather to godliness.
Humility, Not Arrogance
Assurance of salvation because of God’s work in the perseverance of the saints does not lead to arrogance, but rather, humility. The Canons state: “This assurance of perseverance, however, so far from making true believers proud and carnally self-assured, is rather the true root of humility, of childlike respect, of genuine godliness, of endurance in every conflict, of fervent prayers, of steadfastness in cross bearing and in confessing the truth, and of well-founded joy in God. Reflecting on this benefit provides an incentive to a serious and continual practice of thanksgiving and good works, as is evident from the testimonies of Scripture and the examples of the saints” (5.12). Just because God is at work in someone to keep them in the faith does not mean that we can live however we want. Rather, we should be humbled by the great love of God and seek to live for Him, not because we have to, but because we want to. (In fact, thinking that we can do whatever we want is a sign that God’s grace is not at work in us.) The Rejection of Errors states that “those who teach that the teaching of the assurance of perseverance and of salvation is by its very nature and character an opiate of the flesh and is harmful to godliness, good morals, prayer, and other holy exercises … show that they do not know the effective operation of God’s grace and the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and they contradict the apostle John, who asserts the opposite in plain words: ‘Dear friends, now we are children of God, but what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he is made known, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure’ (1 John 3:2-3)” and “are refuted by the examples of the saints in both the Old and the New Testament, who though assured of their perseverance and salvation yet were constant in prayer and other exercises of godliness” (Rejection of Errors 5.6).
Obedience, Not Disobedience
This humility leads to godliness, not immorality, as the Canons go on to say, “Neither does the renewed confidence of perseverance produce immorality or lack of concern for godliness in those put back on their feet after a fall, but it produces a much greater concern to observe carefully the ways which the Lord prepared in advance. They observe these ways in order that by walking in them they may maintain the assurance of their perseverance, lest, by their abuse of God’s fatherly goodness, the face of the gracious God (for the godly, looking upon that face is sweeter than life, but its withdrawal is more bitter than death) turn away from them again, with the result that they fall into greater anguish of spirit” (5.13). To put it another way, when someone falls into sin, the teachings of the Canons of Dort invite them back to God’s grace and to dig deeper into His grace and obedience rather than to move into disobedience. Since the godly will persevere in faith and repent of their sins, the doctrine of perseverance cannot cause one to remain and continue in their sin; repentance is a sign of faith and perseverance.
How to Respond
The writers of Dort noted there were people who rejected, ridiculed, attacked, and abused this teaching, but they defended it because they saw it as “a teaching which God has very richly revealed in the Word for the glory of his name and for the comfort of the godly, and which God impresses on the hearts of believers” (5.15). They viewed it as a teaching which gives us confidence that God’s plan is complete and will prevail and the church will always continue (if there is no promise of perseverance, the church could cease to exist). The Canons note that Satan hates this teaching, likely because it is a reminder that he will lose and he can’t stop that. Ultimately, this doctrine should lead us to be in awe and praise of God, living a holy life in response and praising Him, with this main point ending with praise, as the last sentence is: “To this God alone, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen” (5.15). Theology should lead to godliness and praise.
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