Perseverence in the faith « Scripture Zealot

Perseverence in the faith

06Oct07

So many in the church today believe that once you pray the sinner’s prayer, you’re in and that’s about all there is to it except for going to church and maybe having a quiet time.

Thomas Schreiner in his Romans commentary says, “…preaching the gospel for Paul involved more than initial conversion. His goal as an apostle was to bring about the obedience of faith, which as 1:1-7 shows is part and parcel of the gospel community. Paul often insists that perseverance to the end is necessary for salvation (e.g. Rom. 8:13; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 15:1-2; Gal. 5:21; 6:8-9; Col. 1:21-23).”

Others that I have collected:

Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness toward you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
Romans 11:22 NRSV

Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2 NRSV

Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
Galatians 5:2-4 NRSV

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
Philippians 2:12 NRSV