This week, P & R Publishing released a booklet they asked me to write, What is the Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints? This is part of their “Basics of the Reformed Faith” series. P and R Publishing introduced its series this way: “Basics of the Reformed Faith booklets introduce lay readers to Reformed distinctive. These resources are designed especially for use by Presbyterian and Reformed churches.” I was honored to be asked and enjoyed the writing of this little book. I sought to write it as if I were sitting with someone, maybe at coffee house or over a meal. I pray it reflects a pastoral warmth, as I present the doctrine, rather than a haughty condescending tone, which we can often fall into. No friends are made that way, and little truth is advanced when the other person is having to defend himself.
As a pastor, nothing was more wonderful than watching as believers began to “get it!” I meant to say that they began to grasp the Gospel of God’s grace and see its implications for all of life. There is a birthing process that goes with that. And as pastor, one must be patient during the gestation period of this growing faith. The best way to introduce the truth of God’s grace is simply and profoundly through the Scriptures, without labels. The Holy Spirit will apply His Word to their hearts. But these little books do, indeed, help in that work as these books are grounded in the Bible and are simply expositions and explanations of the major doctrines of the Bible, which are also, refreshingly, simply the doctrines of the Reformed faith.
As this new book is launched, I pray for God’s blessings on those who will take and read; that many will also inwardly digest the Gospel truth that is there.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Amen.