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Articles
Preservation of the Faithful
The story of the Bible is replete with man’s failure to maintain the standard of holiness and his suffering of the consequences of his rebellion. While there may be a cause and effect relationship between the unrighteous man and his calamities, have we also forgotten “the rest of the story”? The story of the Bible is also filled with God’s promises and those who are rewarded for their faithful service according to His will. God continually comes to the rescue of His people and abundantly supplies all their needs. The promises of God give the hearer and doer of His Word both the assurance of salvation and his preservation.
The sad reality for many Christians today is that both of these precious promises have been robbed from their spiritual walks, because of the effect of false doctrines and manmade religion. The very statement that one can have assurance and security in his faith, requires several caveats and appendices. It is not the scope of this article to argue each of these thoroughly, but rather to point out the great comfort that is promised to God’s faithful servants.
Our Father has never allowed His faithful to experience a trial beyond their control. The apostle Paul wrote – “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13; emphasis mine, bcj). We should find great solace in this promise of God. There is no temptation that may confront us, where the way of escape is not made ready. There is no trial insurmountable, where through trust in God all things are made possible (Matthew 19:26). We must be able to look beyond our current situation(s) and see the providence and care of God. The apostle Peter wrote – “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
The promise of God’s deliverance through trials and His protection in their duration can be found in multiple passages. Jesus told His audience –
27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand (John 10:27-29).
The faithful sheep who both hear and obey their Shepherd’s voice receive the blessing of their Father’s protection.
These sheep are also being preserved to the glory of the Father. The apostle Paul wrote of this process –
22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:22-23).
The Christian who has been enslaved to God will have believed, confessed, repented, and been baptized for the forgiveness of his sins. The Christian who has been enslaved to God will not live according to the flesh, but rather will live in newness of life being freed from sin (Romans 6:3-7).
If we live faithfully in this life, then the blessings of God’s protection surround us and preserves us. The apostle Peter wrote of these blessings –
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3-5).
The theme of God’s preservation of the faithful is found throughout the New Testament. We should not be fearful of this biblical doctrine, but rather find solace in God’s grace and mercy.
We have been robbed of these blessings for far too long. It is time that we renew our commitment to serve God faithfully and to enjoy His favor as being His children. The false doctrines of man will continue to abound by taking passages from their original contexts and meanings, but this should never inhibit our desire to draw near to God through our knowledge and application of His Word. The Bible gives us great hope in the faithfulness of God and His promises. We may never find true peace in this world, but there is a peace without comprehension in God (Philippians 4:7). We may never find true love in this world, but no greater love has ever been manifested than by our God (1 John 4:8; John 3:16; Romans 5:8). We may never find true protection in this world, but for every faithful Christian there is comfort and rest in the hand of God (John 10:29). Thank You Father for Your care! Thank You for Your love! Thank You for Your promise to preserve the faithful!
