Any surface reading of the New Testament gives plenty of evidence to refute the Calvinistic doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints. The Calvinistic view ultimately excuses the unrepented failures in the lives of erring Christians. An example of such a refutation can be found in Paul’s writing to the Ephesians. In chapter 5 of the letter, Paul writes to Christians (the audience to which he writes) to be “imitators of God as dear children” (1). This is an admonition, an admonition with consequence as we will quickly see.
But first, we note that chapter 5 is simply a continuation of a premise Paul began in 4:17. They (these Christians) were to no longer walk as Gentiles. They needed to allow the education of their faith to keep them from unrighteousness, instead putting off the old man, and being “renewed in the spirit of your mind” (4:23). The exhortations continue: “put on the new man…in true righteousness and holiness” (24); “putting away lying” (25); “do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (26); “nor give place to the devil” (27); “steal no longer” (28); “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth” (29); “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (30); “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice” (31).
Continuing the call to refuse sin, Paul writes in the 5th chapter: “But fornication, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even by named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, or foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting” (5:3-4).
The first question to be asked, why is such an admonition given? If such activity has no impact upon your standing with God, why warn them to not sin? Well, there are two reasons. The first might be accepted by the Calvinist. It is the matter of ought. Since Jesus died for us (cf. 5:2), it is inappropriate for the child of God to engage in unrighteousness. The gift of grace should compel a loving and obedient response.
However, Paul’s second reason decisively denies the Calvinist’s doctrine of perseverance, commonly referred to as “once saved, always saved.” Read verses 5-7, “For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.”
A Christian can be rejected because he commits sin. Repentance is always necessary. “Let no one deceive you.” Paul clearly warns us in this text.
