The question of who endures to the end and will be saved is an important one for Christians. It touches on issues of salvation, perseverance, and eternal security. In examining this topic, there are several key questions to consider:
What does it mean to “endure to the end”?
Enduring to the end refers to continuing in the faith until death or the return of Christ. It means holding fast to belief in Christ, obedience to God’s commands, and faithful service to the end of one’s life. Enduring trials, temptations, persecutions, and hardships without giving up is part of what it means to endure to the end.
What enables someone to endure to the end?
God’s grace and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit enable believers to endure to the end. Faith in God’s promises and hope for eternal life also motivate endurance. Support from Christian community and means of grace like prayer, Bible study, and worship help believers endure.
What role does human effort play?
Believers must make effort by being vigilant, resisting sin, pursuing holiness, and developing Christian virtues. However, human effort alone is insufficient. Divine grace is essential both for beginning and continuing in the faith. Through grace, God motivates and enables the endurance He requires.
What is the relationship between endurance and salvation?
Enduring to the end is evidence of genuine faith and salvation. Those who fall away show their faith was never real. But endurance is not the basis for salvation. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. Endurance flows from salvation as a fruit and evidence, but is not the root.
The Necessity of Endurance
The Bible clearly teaches that endurance to the end is necessary to inherit final salvation. Jesus said, “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 24:13). Endurance is a mark of genuine disciples. As Hebrews says, “We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end” (Heb. 3:14). The faithful endurance of the saints is one of the key characteristics of Revelation (Rev. 14:12). Endurance is essential.
Old Testament Teaching on Endurance
The necessity of endurance is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. Ezekiel 18:24-26 warns that the righteous can turn from righteousness and face judgment. Jeremiah stresses Israel’s need to persevere in faith amid national calamity (Jer. 42:10). The Psalms repeatedly connect endurance, deliverance, and salvation (Ps. 102:2). Biblical history shows the consequences of unfaithfulness versus the blessings for those who endure.
New Testament Teaching on Endurance
In teaching that highlights endurance, Jesus stresses the cost of discipleship and need for wholehearted commitment (Luke 14:25-35). He warns against falling away under persecution (Matt. 24:10-13). Paul exhorts endurance amid adversity (Rom. 5:3-5, 12:12). The author of Hebrews warns of the danger of drifting from the faith (Heb. 2:1-3). James says steadfastness leads to blessings (James 1:2-4, 12). Revelation promises rewards to those who overcome (Rev. 2-3). Scripture consistently affirms endurance as necessary.
Examples of Biblical Endurance
Noah persevered in obedience over decades of constructing the ark (Heb. 11:7). Joseph endured betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment before God raised him up (Gen. 37-50). Caleb wholly followed God even when fellow spies lost heart and grumbled (Num. 14:24). Paul persevered through immense hardships and challenges (2 Cor. 11:23-28). Jesus Himself is the supreme example of endurance, even to the point of death (Heb. 12:1-3). The Bible gives many role models of endurance.
How Endurance Leads to Salvation
While endurance itself does not earn or merit salvation, endurance leads to final salvation in several important ways:
Endurance Proves Genuine Faith
True saving faith perseveres to the end. Endurance amid trials demonstrates faith’s genuineness (1 Pet. 1:6-7; James 1:2-4). Those who fall away show they never truly believed (1 John 2:19). Endurance gives evidence of real spiritual life.
Endurance Leads to Maintaining Justification
Justification is by faith alone but not by a faith that is alone. Faith that fails to produce good works and spiritual fruit is dead (James 2:14-26). God will discipline and judge unfaithful children (Heb. 12:4-11). But for those who walk in the light, the blood of Christ continues cleansing sin (1 John 1:7). Endurance leads to remaining justified.
Endurance Fulfills the Necessary Means to Salvation
God uses means like His Word, prayer, and the spiritual disciplines to enable perseverance. By continuing in these means of grace, believers stay connected to the vine and continue bearing fruit (John 15:1-11). The means God prescribes are essential for enduring and attaining final salvation.
| Means God Gives For Endurance | Scripture References |
|---|---|
| Trusting God’s Promises | 2 Pet. 1:4 |
| Abiding in Christ | John 15:4-7 |
| Prayer | Eph. 6:18 |
| God’s Word | Ps. 119:92 |
| Fellowship and Accountability | Heb. 10:23-25 |
| Suffering and Tribulation | Rom. 5:3-5 |
Endurance Leads to Increasing in Holiness and Virtue
Steadfastness amid trial leads to Christlike character. As believers endure, God develops perseverance, proven character, and hope within them (Rom. 5:3-4). Spiritual disciplines train believers in godliness (1 Tim. 4:7-8). Enduring in holiness leads to eternal life (Rom. 6:22).
Biblical Assurance for Those Who Persevere
For believers who endure to the end, Scripture provides tremendous assurances of salvation and reward:
God Secures the Salvation of Enduring Saints
Our perseverance ultimately depends on God’s faithfulness, not our own. He secures our salvation, for no one can snatch us from His hand (John 10:28-29). God keeps the feet of His saints (1 Sam. 2:9). He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it (Phil. 1:6). Our endurance rests on God’s sustaining power.
Christ Intercedes for Believers
Christ ever lives to make intercession for His people (Heb. 7:25). He prays they will remain faithful (Luke 22:32). His intercession guarantees that believers will endure, because the Father always hears the Son (John 11:42). We have an advocate when we sin (1 John 2:1). These assurances fortify endurance.
God Will Not Let Believers Be Tempted Beyond Ability to Endure
God faithfully provides the way of escape from temptation (1 Cor. 10:13). He limits the intensity and duration of testing. The righteous will never be shaken (Psalm 112:6-8). God oversees all trials and gives sufficient grace to endure through His Spirit (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
Promises of Salvation and Reward Await Those Who Endure
Scripture gives many promises to those who endure: They will eat from the tree of life (Rev. 2:7). They will receive the crown of life (James 1:12) and an unfading crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4). Having persevered through trials, they will receive blessing (James 1:12), reign with Christ (2 Tim. 2:12), and inherit eternal life (Matt. 19:29). God affirms that endurance leads to abundant life. As Christ told the church of Smyrna, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).
Possible Objections and Replies
Some raise objections to the biblical teaching on endurance and salvation:
Objection: Endurance Undermines Grace
Reply: Endurance does not earn salvation but flows from it. Believers endure through God’s grace, not their own merit. Yet Scripture clearly teaches endurance is necessary, while still affirming salvation by grace alone.
Objection: The Doctrine Undermines Assurance
Reply: Endurance can strengthen assurance, as believers see God’s sustaining grace amid trials. Warnings against falling away drive dependence on Christ rather than self-reliance. God gives assurance to enduring believers.
Objection: Christians Cannot Endure by Effort Alone
Reply: This is true. Human frailty alone cannot endure. But God provides believers His Spirit, Word, community and other means that ensure their perseverance when coupled with faith. Effort is necessary but not alone sufficient.
Practical Steps to Encourage Endurance
In light of the necessity of endurance, believers should make every effort to persevere. Practical steps include:
Maintaining Regular Spiritual Disciplines
Consistent devotional practices (prayer, Bible study, fasting, etc.) nurture endurance. They strengthen faith and dependence on Christ essential for enduring.
Cultivating Christian Community and Accountability
Fellowship reinforces endurance as believers encourage each other toward faithful living and preservation of true doctrine. Accountability helps endure temptation.
Preparing for Persecution and Trials
Remembering that trials will come and determining by God’s grace not to renounce Christ will help endure. Counting the cost and resolving to suffer for Christ strengthens perseverance.
Holding Fast to Sound Doctrine
Staying grounded in biblical truth provides vital nourishment for enduring. Sound doctrine equips believers to discern and reject that which contradicts or undermines perseverance.
Keeping Eternity in View
Fixing eyes and thoughts on eternal reward motivates endurance through present trials. The eternal perspective gives strength to run with endurance the race set before us (Heb. 12:1-2).
Conclusion
Enduring faithfully to the end is necessary for final salvation, according to Scripture. By God’s sustaining grace, believers must actively persevere in faith and holiness through all trials and temptations. Our effort is necessary but insufficient without God’s empowering grace at work within us. God assures His faithful people that He will complete the work He began. Believers can have full confidence that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). We rest not in our endurance, but in God’s promise and provision to secure the endurance of all His people until the end. Those who endure by His grace will joyfully attain the full salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5).