2Cor 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
For which the Greek, from the Byzantine, is:
2Cor 1:21-22 ο δε βεβαιων ημας συν υμιν εις χριστον και χρισας ημας θεος ο και σφραγισαμενος ημας και δους τον αρραβωνα του πνευματος εν ταις καρδιαις ημων
The first word in bold above is “bebaion,” the idea of confirmation, frequently used in commercial settings to confirm a bargain. Which of course makes sense of the remaining terms used here, which are also elements of a secured contract.
The second word in bold above is “sphragisamenos,” being sealed is to be marked by the signature, signet ring, or other unique proof of identity, that we belong to God, and this sealing is done by God, who is the one taking action in this verse. We do not and cannot seal ourselves. We do not, by our own powers, have access to God’s “signet ring.”
The third bolded word above is “arrabona,” and indicates what we might loosely refer to as earnest money, but in Hebrew culture conveys more the idea of a pledge of covenant, a security given as a guarantee that the deal will go through, though we only receive part payment at the beginning. See ערב for the related Hebrew stem indicating “pledge.”
So while this passage alone does not elaborate the entire concept of “perseverance of the saints,” it definitely supports it.
BTW, I noticed in your post a standard misrepresentation of the classic Protestant position. This is always fascinating to me because the accusation is that we do not represent Roman views correctly, and a great deal of “indignancy” swirls around us “getting it right.” Which is fine. We should represent our opponents’ views accurately.
But what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. We state it over and over again and it is as if it is never heard, but claiming Protestants believe “all they must do is say that Jesus is Lord in order to be saved” is simply false. That is a straw man. The whole point of a straw man is that no one really believes it, but because it is straw, it makes a fun and easy target for attack.
But it’s wrong and misleading. That’s not what we believe. We’ve said it, collectively, probably thousands of times on these pages. Real faith makes you a new creation in Christ. You change. You really do become a new person. You don’t ever just stop with saying some magic set of words and that’s it. Those words, Paul says, come from a heart that really believes, and if you really believe that Jesus is Lord, you cannot help but act on that belief. You change. Old lusts literally die. You get a whole new set of motivations. You love God, you want always to please Him. You begin to love others in a new way. There is healing, reconciliation, peace, a new way forward. It’s amazing.
And yes, just as Paul says, it is the work of God’s Holy Spirit, and it gives you a strong signal that you and God are finally at peace with each other. The deal is confirmed, and though only paid in part, we know we can count on God, who will not allow anyone to pluck us out of His hands. We have His word on that:
John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.
Peace,
SR
Preach it brother.
Great post.
I can’t remember ever having a response from you before. If I have and I have forgotten, my apologies. The reason I say this is because your response is one that came from reading what I wrote and responding with a thoughtful and caring answer. Thank you for that:)
And thank you for allowing that the point I was making is reasonable given the Scripture I offered.
I agree that we cannot save ourselves. God is our Creator and the power to save is His alone. Praise God that He sent Jesus and we believe, for it is His will and not ours that has led us to the Truth.
God’s seal is His promise of eternal life with Him if we live faithfully. That is why we believe Jesus when He says, If you remain in me, I will remain in you. We know His words are true because He was given as a first installment on that promise. Again, Praise be to God.
What I wrote about the OSAS doctrine I take to be more a caricature than a straw man. I have no doubt that there are protestants who believe this which is why they are secure in their sins. I also have no doubt that there are Catholics who believe that they are saved merely because they attend Mass every Sunday.
****Real faith makes you a new creation in Christ. You change. You really do become a new person. You don’t ever just stop with saying some magic set of words and that’s it. Those words, Paul says, come from a heart that really believes, and if you really believe that Jesus is Lord, you cannot help but act on that belief. You change. Old lusts literally die. You get a whole new set of motivations. You love God, you want always to please Him. You begin to love others in a new way. There is healing, reconciliation, peace, a new way forward. It’s amazing. ****
I believe this wholeheartedly for I have seen it in my own life. What I find interesting is the phrase that one cannot help but act on that belief. That is what the Catholic Christian believes also. We act out of love for Jesus and through the prompting of the Holy Spirit. But, again, it is an act of the will.
St. Paul uses the analogies of a soldier and an athlete to convey what he means when exhorting us to train our minds and our bodies to love God and follow His commands. In Romans 7, he explains that the Law did not cause sin, rather, it reveals it to us so that by our love for Jesus we are repentant and do not desire to remain in sin.
That is why he is anxious to die and be with the Lord. Once we are out of the body, we no longer have a desire to sin.
This is all an act of our will. We must be vigilant and constant in our protection of our souls, leaving behind our old lives and clinging to the new. Paul warns us to eshew the company of non believers and unrepentant sinners. He urges us to quell the desires of our body and replace them with the love of Jesus.
We battle against one who hates us and wishes us harm. We must stay as close to Jesus as we can in order to defeat that battle within us and the closer we are to Jesus, the more we love as He loved, the easier the victory.
Jesus has won the ultimate battle and secured the victory of salvation for those who believe and ACT ON THAT BELIEF.