“The Use of Means” -- Article Fourteen, The Fifth Point of Doctrine, Canons of Dort

Article 14: God’s Use of Means in Perseverance

And, just as it has pleased God to begin this work of grace in us by the proclamation of the gospel, so he preserves, continues, and completes his work by the hearing and reading of the gospel, by meditation on it, by its exhortations, threats, and promises, and also by the use of the sacraments.

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As the Canons point out, thankfully, the merciful God who chooses to save a multitude of those fallen in Adam so vast they cannot be counted (Revelation 7:9) does not begin the process of salvation and then give up on those who commit serious sins or who, for a time, fall into unbelief (Romans 8:28–30; 1 John 1:5–2:2). God ensures that all those whom he has chosen to save will persevere unto the end of their lives in faith—despite serious or careless sins. Although God does not promise to undo the consequences we bring upon ourselves through such acts, Jesus does promise that he will indeed save all those given to him by the Father (John 6:37–40; John 10:27–30). Paul concurs (Romans 8:31–38).

As we have seen in the previous articles under this head of doctrine, the opponents of the Reformed doctrine of the perseverance of the saints (the Dutch Arminians, Roman Catholics, and later Wesleyan Arminians) held that such a view makes people indifferent to their sins and offers a false sense of security, leaving little, if any, basis for holy living. Grounding the Christian life in the fear of punishment and the hope of reward, these groups are right to see that the Reformed doctrine—grounded in the saving efficacy of God’s grace in the person and work of Jesus Christ—presents a serious challenge to them. Yes, these groups argue that God gives enabling grace to those willing to receive it, but the Reformed have noted that such forms of motivation do not give life to those dead in sin. Indeed, asking someone dead in sin to take the first step toward God is like asking a corpse to take a breath so that it can come to life and take more breaths.

The Reformed contend that once God gives eternal life to those dead in sin—life which Peter identifies as an “imperishable seed” (1 Peter 1:23)—God will not allow such a person (who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit) to perish. If his elect stray, fall into sin, or struggle with doubt, God has provided for them the means through which those whom he has chosen, and for whom Jesus has died, are restored—the Word and the Sacraments—identified here by the authors of the Canons. God calls us to faith through the proclamation of the gospel. He continues to call us and create faith through that same gospel. “Just as it has pleased God to begin this work of grace in us by the proclamation of the gospel, so he preserves, continues, and completes his work by the hearing and reading of the gospel, by meditation on it, by its exhortations, threats, and promises.” God’s Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11) and accomplishes that which God intends it to do—in this case, returning the straying sheep to the fold.

The saving promises in that gospel are confirmed by the sacraments—the so-called “visible Word.” As covenant signs and seals, the sacraments confirm and ratify the promises God makes to us in his Word. We cannot see the Holy Spirit do his invisible work of regeneration, but we can see him unite us to Christ in his death and resurrection (Romans 6:4–6) and seal us unto the day of redemption in the waters of baptism. And since Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried long ago, the same promises he made to his disciples are presented anew in the bread and wine (which by faith we take to be the body and blood of Christ), anticipating the great marriage supper of Christ the Lamb (Revelation 19:6–9).

God is gracious from beginning to end. We need not fear his wrath, nor strive to earn his favor. Jesus bore the wrath we deserve, and by providing us with a justifying righteousness, he earned for us a mansion in heaven. And like a marathon runner who is given a cup of refreshing water as they run, so too the sacraments refresh and renew us along the way.