Preservation of the Saints

We have reached the final doctrine represented by the acrostic TULIP.  Once again we will find a doctrine under girded by the sovereignty of God. If you have ever heard the phrase "once saved, always saved" then you have heard someone referring to the doctrine of the preservation of the saints.  This doctrine refers to the teaching of scripture that once God has reconciled a person to Himself, nothing can change that.  This is probably the most commonly acknowledged of the TULIP doctrines and is often professed by those who would argue against many if not all of the other 4 reformed doctrines of salvation.
Scriptures that teach this doctrine include:

• Ephesians 1:13-14 - the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our eternal inheritance.
• Philippians 1:6 - God will complete the good work He began in us.
• John 10:29 - Jesus says that no one can snatch from His hands those the Father has given Him.
• Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Also, every verse in the bible that speaks to God's sovereignty over everything serves to reinforce this doctrine.  If God chooses to save, then nothing can alter His purposes in salvation.

I would like, again, to remind you that these are not, and are not meant to be, exhaustive studies of the reformed doctrines of salvation or of reformed theology in general.  They are what I believe to be the truth as revealed in scripture and I want you to know what I believe and the basics of how I landed there.  Study these things for yourself.  Ask God for wisdom and understanding.  Run hard after Him and His truth.

What I would like to do next is tell you the impact this theology has had on my life.  It changed the way I viewed everything about God, my faith, and my everyday living.