Objection 21

From Sovereign Grace and the Scope of Election: A Comparative Examination of Attainment Theology and Grace Theology, with Particular Attention to the Question of Whether God's Elect Are Found Among All Nations and Religions

Colossians 1:23 and 1 Corinthians 15:2, "if ye continue in the faith"; "if ye keep in memory.

The "if" of these verses is the evidential if, not the meritorious if, the same construction as "if it rained, the ground will be wet." Continuance is the evidence of reality, as Jesus said: "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed" (John 8:31), continuing proves discipleship indeed; it does not purchase it. And who guarantees the continuing? "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). God secures the very perseverance the warnings call for. The warnings are His instrument, not His uncertainty.