Westminster Larger Catechism # 79
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q79. May not true believers, by reason of their imperfections, and the many temptations
and sins they are overtaken with, fall away from the state of grace?
Answer: True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God, and his decree and
covenant to give them perseverance, their inseparable union with Christ, his continual
intercession for them, and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, can neither totally
nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but are kept by the power of God through
faith unto salvation.
References: Jer. 31:3; 2 Tim.2:19; Heb. 13:20-21; 2 Sam. 23:5; 1 Cor. 1:8-9; Heb. 7:25;
Luke 22:32; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 2:27; Jer. 32:40; John 10:28;1 Pet. 1:5.
Harmony of the Standards: COF 17.1-2
Perhaps the saddest thing in all Christianity is to see someone who has taken hold of
Christ by faith continuing to carry around the guilt of past sins as well as a very
present fear of not being able to keep themselves from sin to a degree that is acceptable
to God. The same error that gives to the created free will and the ability to choose God
also teaches that a believer can back slide all the way into hell. This ignores so many
verses of Scripture that it seems only the blind could take hold of such a doctrine.
Nonetheless, there are many who are introduced to God through a group with these beliefs,
or they have been raised therein and have never heard of grace in the reformed sense of
that word.
In 1 John 4:17-19 we read "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have
boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no
fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that
feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us."
"...As he is, so are we in this world." is misunderstood by so many because it
is an acknowledged fact that we are not perfect and have the nature of sin within the
flesh. This doesn’t speak of perfection, but of maturity. There are those who upon
this verse claim that we can reach perfection in this world, but they too err. The truth
is we cannot be made perfect in that sense of perfection because we cannot shed this
raiment of sin before the day we too are glorified in Christ. However the intention of
being spiritually mature that this verse deals with is not only possible, it is the
position we find ourselves in when first we enter the state of grace.
I know that I dwell upon the perfection or completeness and unity of God, but it is
only in His perfection, His immutability we can find the understanding to grasp these
deeper things of God, and with His faithfulness toward us, not our meager reflection of
faith toward Him begin to understand and know this life without fear that the Holy Writ so
continuously promises. Not unlike Peter walking on the water, our attention is caught up
in the world and we cannot grasp the truth so clearly presented and begin to sink once
more into the darkness from whence we came. We are not saved by our knowledge nor
abilities, but faith and faith is not that which we can see or hold, yet is more tangible
than those earthly senses in that with the eye of faith we can both comprehend and obtain
the unseen. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen (Heb. 11:1). In another place Paul writes it is no longer hope if it is seen.
Likewise, in first coming to Christ many have had great emotional experiences, and have
felt the presence of God. Reading His Holy Word brings chill bumps to the sin and great
feelings of emotion well from deep within the soul. This however is no assurance of
anything.
Now then we can see that it isn’t by the experience, no matter how deep and
profound that we obtain this state of grace. Then our hope (faith) is such an intangible
thing, as if smoke or vapor. Within our own faculties, all of which have been darkened and
rent asunder with sin we cannot grasp such a truth as "the just shall live by
faith" a recurring theme in both Old and New Testaments. How then does the peace so
often spoken of in Scripture, the contentment that Paul assures us belongs to the
household of faith become manifest to mere mortals like me? God’s faith toward me,
God’s grace wherein by faith in Christ I stand, sealed with the Holy Spirit until the
day of redemption, the selfsame Spirit who will lead me to these jewels of faith in the
Holy Writ, that through sin stained flesh and clouded eyes I can see the Gospel truth is
all of grace and not I.
From the vantage point of that grand Reformed flower, the TULIP it is so easy to cast
stones at those who see not its simplicity, its beauty, its divine truth. To me all of the
above, at least in their infancy come with regeneration and causes the flesh in which I
dwell to often wonder of the very salvation of those who don’t understand nor embrace
this beloved bloom from God’s own garden. Sadly I attempt to share this glorious seed
from God with those whose sincerity could not have been matched by the holy apostles
themselves, yet they are so filled with fear surly they aren’t of the elect. But
thankfully God’s own word returns to quell such feelings of ego and I am reminded
that twas not so long ago I too wandered in such darkness. Though glorious she be, the
TULIP isn’t the measure of election, but only that of faith which comes only by
grace. For this reason those whom God has so blessed to reside in the garden amid the full
bloom of the TULIP should labor without end to share the truth with those who have not yet
stood in her light amidst the darkness.
Then the truth of God’s word matures within and we realize that right
understanding of His precious word is too a gift of grace. That for His own purpose He
often allows His own children to continue for a season, striving in fear of the awesome
God of creation. They continuously wash themselves in the grief of their own shame of past
deeds finding they are never clean enough to enter the palace of the great king. Until in
His own time, the King Himself points out that they have never been outside His palace,
and they have no need of fear of being cast from His presence, for they are His children.
"Perfect love casts out all fear." Children do not fear their parents, neither
do we fear our heavenly Father. It is only at this point we can understand Romans 8:28
that all things work for good.
All of this rests upon the sovereignty of God and His immutability. It is God who has
told us of the union with Christ, and that this union cannot be broken. It is God who has
imputed to us the righteousness of Christ, that He sees not our flesh and evil, but His
beloved Son in us, today and eternally. It is God who has said you are saved by grace
thorough faith. Though we attribute the writing of the word to human authors, it is all of
God. Now anything less than a God who is both sovereign and immutable and these are but
empty words, and promises without hope. It is for this reason I so jealously guard the
word grace, and teach a particular grace only. God in His perfection cannot give a gift
that isn’t perfect and complete. Thus the doctrine of "common grace" seems
alien to me to the sovereign God of the universe. I choose other ways to show God’s
mercy and love toward all of creation, not the dividing of grace into several classes.
To this sovereign God, who cannot lie nor change I can cling with all certainty and
hope in faith, embracing His promises then as deeds already performed. Here, resting in
His grace naught makes sense but the Reformed scheme of things, and I can see the beauty
of the TULIP as a thing to be shared and not to glory in. Our TULIP appears to be such a
harsh and severe doctrine when first approached, it causes many to turn aside in dismay.
But with the love God has shown us, we can confidently share the grace thus bestowed, and
lead others into the safety of the Master’s garden. Perhaps it was for this very
reason our forefathers chose the petals of the TULIP for the memory device to share this
divine truth. Though they rise to greet the sun in all their glory, these beautiful
flowers make not whips, nor have limbs sturdy enough to scourge another with.
As I have written in considering the issue of sin in these lessons, the price of sin is
twofold, that is the wages of sin are death (meaning the second death), but sin also has a
present and earthly price, human misery. Likewise it is with error of doctrine brings
about more suffering of the soul and searching for that which cannot be obtained.
Wandering endlessly lost and alone, until God in His unending mercy guides us into the
reformed TULIP garden. We are to be constantly reminded, it was not with human hands that
the TULIP was planted, and it is of no personal effort that here we rest. Thus to
patiently, and lovingly share the Reformed truth becomes our duty as we await the prayed
for return of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. How sad then when the haughtiest of
God’s children so often seems to be those God has shown the most mercy, and it is
from within the ranks of the Reformed the roar of the Canon sounds loudest in
condemnation.
The Divines have rightly answered this question, and I think none among men will find a
more accurate nor precise wording. "Ye are saved by grace through faith, and it is
not of yourself, but the gift of God lest any should boast."
Dr. Chuck Baynard -- September 1998
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