In these bulletin articles, we’ve been going through a list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism, published in the 17^th Century. We’ve previously learnt that a Christian cannot fall away because of the love of God. Why else does a Christian continue to believe?

The Bible teaches us that the decrees of God guarantee that believers remain believers.

God has made promises with people again and again through history. We generally understand that God has made one covenant of grace with his people that is then shown with certain covenants at different times in the history of God’s people.

And one aspect of the covenants that God makes with his people is that he will make sure that they continue in the faith.

For example, the author of Hebrews writes: ’20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen’ (Hebrews 13:20-21). The author reminds the Christian readers that they serve a covenantal God who will equip them with everything good for their service of him, which would includes the gift of faith.

The prophet Jeremiah also speaks of the eternal covenant of God: ’39 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then  go  well  for  them  and for  their  children  after  them. 40  I  will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me’ (Jeremiah 32:39-40). God has made a promise and therefore will never stop looking after his people.

Also, in the last words of David, we read: ‘3 The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: “When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, 4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.” 5 “Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?”’ (2 Samuel 23:3-5). God made a covenant with David and his descendants. That covenant continues with Jesus who is one of David’s descendants. God’s people then become a part of that covenant by faith in Jesus Christ. Which means the covenant blessing of salvation applies to everyone who believes in Jesus.

And the covenants cannot be broken. The author of Hebrews reminds us that the foundation of God’s promise is himself: ‘When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” (Hebrews 6:13-14). If God promises perseverance for his people, they will persevere!

So will you persevere in the faith? If you trust in Jesus Christ, God’s covenant ensures you will.