49 “Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
50 “This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.
51 “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” John 6:47-51.
The Belgic Confession states:
Article 22: Of Faith in Jesus Christ.
We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him. For it must needs follow, either that all things, which are requisite to our salvation, are not in Jesus Christ, or if all things are in him, that then those who possess Jesus Christ through faith, have complete salvation in him. Therefore, for any to assert, that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him, would be too gross a blasphemy: for hence it would follow, that Christ was but half a Savior. Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith without works. However, to speak more clearly, we do not mean, that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our Righteousness. But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all his merits and so many holy works which he has done for us, and in our stead, is our Righteousness. And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with him in all his benefits, which, when become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins.
There is something in the Scripture for today which reminds us that a true faith “keeps us in communion with him”. There is the ongoing present tense: “if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever”.
God forbid that we should think that we can make a one time profession of faith or make a one time altar call and then withdraw from Christ and His church!
We are reminded of Jesus’ words of the need to abide in Him in John 15:5-6. “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.”
We are also reminded of Jesus’ warning in Luke 8:13 : “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.”
Through God’s grace, a true faith in Christ “continues” and is “steadfast“. Through God’s grace, the saints persevere. “Perseverance of the saints” is the “P” of “TULIP”.
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 112:7
“He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.”
Proverbs 11:19
“He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, And he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.”
Isaiah 26:3
“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.”
John 8:31
“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;”
Romans 11:22
“Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
Colossians 1:11
“strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously”
Colossians 1:23
“if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”
“constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,”
“We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.”
“May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.”
“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,”
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
“8 For finding fault with them, He says,
“BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD,
WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT
WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;
9 NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS
ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND
TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT;
FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT,
AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD.
10 “FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS,
AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS.
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD,
AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.” Hebrews 8:8-9.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 