I read once more for our consideration the words found in Paul's epistle to the Romans in chapter 8, verse 28, 29 and 30.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son,

that he might be the first born among many brethren.

Moreover, whom he did predestinate, then he also called,

and whom he called then he also justified,

and whom he justified, then he also glorified.

Now we've seen that there we have the greatest statement,

even in the scripture itself,

of the doctrine which is known as the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints.

And having expounded it positively, we are now trying to deal with difficulties that people find, as they try to lay hold upon this the most comforting and consoling and encouraging doctrine of all.

There are many who are in trouble about it and in difficulty, which is a curious thing in and of itself,

and surely is indicative of the fact that we have an adversary who, above everything else, is concerned to rob us of our joy.

You can never have true joy unless you've got assurance, unless you've got certainty.

So it's not surprising that there is difficulty in the minds of many with regard to this doctrine.

Now, having looked at some general difficulties,

I indicated that there are certain statements in the scripture,

certain verses, certain passages,

which people feel make it very difficult to accept this doctrine.

I divided them into through groups,

those that seem to deny it directly,

those who seem to, which seem to cast some doubt about it, saying that we can't be certain that it all depends

...