We are still considering the three verses, verses 28, 29 and 30, in the 8th chapter of Paul's

Epistle to the Romans. 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 firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover, whom he did predestinate them he also called,

and whom he called them he also justified,

and whom he justified them he also glorified.

Now there, as we've seen, the apostle is laying down what is commonly being called the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints.

And we've been considering this great doctrine in its various parts and portions.

Our interest in it is mainly, of course, due to the fact that it's clearly something that God gives his people

in order that they may have an ultimate assurance of their salvation, of its absolute certainty,

and of the great goal which God has set for his people,

namely that they are to be conformed to the image of his son. But there are always people who have difficulty with regard to this doctrine. And we have been spending our

time, therefore, in trying to deal with some of these difficulties that people find. We

considered a number of verses which generally adduced as teaching something which is contrary

to this doctrine. And we try to show that a true exposition

of them removes that source of difficulty. And now having done that, we are making again a

positive statement of the doctrine. This doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints, or if you prefer it, this doctrine which teaches that any person who is truly born again and who is a child of God can never fall from that position, and will certainly and inevitably arrive in that ultimate glory

and be conformed to the image of God's son.

Now we are putting it like this, that first of all, each of the terms that is used in this

very statement carries with it that inevitable implication.

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