It is the birthright of every child of God not only to be cleansed from all sin in this life, but to keep himself unspotted from the world, and so to live as never more to offend his Maker. Ps. 37:37; Heb. 11:5; 7:25; I Pet. 1:5; I John 3:9; 4:17; 5:18; Jude 24.

          Yet the best of believers are liable to so far apostatize as finally to perish. (116. What is meant by perseverance? How may every believer persevere in faith and obedience?) This is evident from the history, (1.) Of certain angels. Job 4:18; II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6. (2.) Of Adam. Gen. 1: 27, 31; 3:6-10; Eccl. 7:29. (3.) Of the Jews. I Cor. 10:1-12; Heb. 3:17-19; Jude (5.) 4. Of Saul. I Sam. 10:9-10; 15:23-24; 16:14. 5. Of Judas. Ps. 41:9; John 13:18; Matt. 26:24-25; John 17:12; Acts 1:25.

          The numerous commands and exhortations to perseverance, and the many warnings against apostasy, are further proof of this doctrine I Chron. 28:9; Ezek. 18:24; 33:12-13,18; Matt. 5:13; Luke 9:62; John 15:1-6; Rom. 11:20-22; I Cor. 9:27; 10:12; I Tim. 1:19-20; 5:12,15; II Tim. 1:14-15; Heb. 4:1, 11; 6:4-6; 10:26-29, 38, 39; 12:14-15; II Pet. 1:3-10-11, 18-22, Rev. 2:4-5, 3:10-11.