Gordon H. Clark: Perseverance

". . .  It is hard to explain how any Christian can be an Arminian."  -- Gordon H. Clark

5. Perseverance 

As a partial answer to the perplexities of assurance, as an unmasking of the Wesleyan divergence from Scripture, and as a further step in developing the subject of sanctification, perseverance, the fifth of the five points of the Calvinistic TULIP, compels attention. In opposition to the Arminian doctrine that a man may be regenerate at breakfast, lost at lunch, and re-regenerated at dinner, or what is much worse, never regenerated again and finally lost, the Westminster Confession says, “Those whom God hath accepted in the Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved” (XVII, 1; compare 2 and 3). This doctrine is so frequently and forcefully stated, in both the Old and New Testaments, that it is hard to explain how any Christian can be an Arminian. To begin with, Job 17:9 says, “The righteous shall hold to his way, and he who has clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger.” This verse in the book of Job is a statement by Job himself and not one by his false friends who, though they may have spoken the truth at times, are condemned toward the end of the book. Hence we may trust it as true, rather than question it as possibly an evil pronouncement. The verse rather clearly, indeed unmistakably, indicates that a regenerate sinner will persevere. Though he may stumble and fall, though he may be temporarily overcome by weakness, he shall hold to his way; and not only so, but also he will grow stronger and stronger.

Gordon H. Clark (2013-03-04T05:00:00+00:00). What Is The Christian Life? (Kindle Locations 768-782). The Trinity Foundation. Kindle Edition.