Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

though He repented of it. This is a general statement, though in the connection in which
it is found it refers to the calling of Israel. The apostle comforts the believing Philippians
with the words: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in
you will perfect it unto the day of Jesus Christ,” Phil. 1:6. In II Thess. 3:3 he says: “But
the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil one.” In II
Tim. 1:12 he sounds a note of rejoicing: “For I know Him whom I have believed, and I
am persuaded that He is able to guard that which I have committed unto Him against
that day.” And in 4:18 of the same Epistle he glories in the fact that the Lord will deliver
him from every evil work and will save him unto His heavenly kingdom.
2. INFERENTIAL PROOFS. The doctrine of perseverance may also be proved in an
inferential way.
a. From the doctrine of election. Election does not merely mean that some will be
favored with certain external privileges and may be saved, if they do their duty, but that
they who belong to the number of the elect shall finally be saved and can never fall
short of perfect salvation. It is an election unto an end, that is, unto salvation. In
working it out God endows believers with such influences of the Holy Spirit as to lead
them, not only to accept Christ, but to persevere unto the end and to be saved unto the
uttermost.
b. From the doctrine of the covenant of redemption. In the covenant of redemption God
gave His people to His Son as the reward for the latter’s obedience and suffering. This
reward was fixed from eternity and was not left contingent on any uncertain
faithfulness of man. God does not go back on His promise, and therefore it is impossible
that they who are reckoned as being in Christ, and as forming a part of His reward, can
be separated from Him (Rom. 8:38,39), and that they who have entered the covenant as
a communion of life should fall out.
c. From the efficacy of the merits and intercession of Christ. In His atoning work Christ
paid the price to purchase the sinner’s pardon and acceptance. His righteousness
constitutes the perfect ground for the justification of the sinner, and it is impossible that
one who is justified by the payment of such a perfect and efficacious price should again
fall under condemnation. Moreover, Christ makes constant intercession for those who
are given Him of the Father, and His intercessory prayer for His people is always
efficacious, John 11:42; Heb. 7:25.
d. From the mystical union with Christ. They who are united to Christ by faith become
partakers of His Spirit, and thus become one body with Him, pulsating with the life of
the Spirit. They share in the life of Christ, and because He lives they live also. It is
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