TULIP GEMS

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”  (2 Peter 3:18)

NOT SINLESS PERFECTION

Believers may fall into grievous sins.  Why?  The temptations of Satan and the world, the corruption remaining in them from their old nature, and the neglect of the means of their preservation (such as the Word of God and prayer) are all causes. 

They may continue for a time in sin and incur God's displeasure.  Through sin they may have their graces and comforts impaired. 

They may have their hearts hardened and their consciences wounded.  They may hurt and scandalize others.  They may bring temporal judgments upon themselves.

Yet they will renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Jesus the Messiah to the end.  In fact, the very presence of strife between the old, sinful nature and the new, holy nature is the sign of life.   It is the promise of final victory to every blood bought child of God.

“The Christian is like a man making his way up hill, who occasionally slips back, yet always has his face set toward the summit.  The unregenerate man has his face turned downwards, and he is slipping all the way.”   -- A. H. Strong

“The believer, like a man on shipboard may fall again and again on the deck, but he will never fall overboard.”   -- C. H. Spurgeon

“Each one of the elect is like the prodigal son in this, that for a time he is deluded by the world and is led astray by his own carnal appetite.  He tries to feed on the husks, but they do not satisfy.

And sooner or later he is obliged to say, 'I will arise and go to my father, and say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight.'  And he meets with the same reception ... 'This my son was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.'

Let it be noticed that ... the prodigal was a SON, and could not lose that relationship.  Those who are not sons never have the desire to arise and go to the Father.”  

-- Loraine Boettner

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