Perseverance of the Saints

[Antman_05]

Perseverance of the Saints: Perseverance of the Saints does not mean "once saved always saved". This corruption of the doctrine has been popular in recent years, but has never been a true representation of the doctrine.
"Once saved always saved" is more keenly given the name "Perseverance of the sinner" instead of "the saint".
For it teaches that man can be saved by Christ and then sin habitually, do whatever he wants, and then still "persevere to the end". Perseverance of the saints does not teach this. Perseverance of the saints teaches that once God has renews the heart of a sinner through the application of the redemption wrought by Christ upon the cross, he will continue to be saved and show forth the fruits of that salvation. The sinner perseveres because of Christ, but he continually shows himself as one who has been changed of Christ. God has saved the individual and will sanctify him until the end when he is ultimately glorified and in heaven. It does not mean man has a license to sin. Those who think they have a license to sin are not changed and saved by grace. They are still in sin. Those who are saved by grace and changed, desire to show forth the fruits of that salvation. God motions the heart to good work, and continues that good work to the end. (John 6:37-39; Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 2 Tim. 4:18; 1 Peter 1:23; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 2:10)

http://www.apuritansmind.com/Baptism/McMahonOldArticleOnReformedBaptists.htm

Perseverance of the Saints

Perseverance of the Saints is a doctrine which states that the saints (those whom God has saved) will remain in God's hand until they are glorified and brought to abide with him in heaven. Romans 8:28-39 makes it clear that when a person truly has been regenerated by God, he will remain in God's stead. The work of sanctification which God has brought about in his elect will continue until it reaches its fulfillment in eternal life (Phil. 1:6). Christ assures the elect that he will not lose them and that they will be glorified at the "last day" (John 6:39). The Calvinist stands upon the Word of God and trusts in Christ's promise that he will perfectly fulfill the will of the Father in saving all the elect.

http://www.pressiechurch.org/Theol_2/Five_points_explained.htm

Are these both Stating the same thing but in a different way?

[frumanchu]

Yes. The first explains it more as how it is contrary to the antinomian OSAS position (and thus spends more time speaking of fruit and works) whereas the other focuses primarily on the fact that true believers will never lose their salvation.

[Jon_]

The differences between OSAS and Perseverance of the Saints are simply differences of focus. One of the problems, as has already been addressed is the fact that "OSAS" has become very generic. People basically see it as, "All I have to do is confess my sins and then I can do anything I want." This argument is an appalling distortion of true doctrine, which is precisely why so many people find the position reprehensible. It is important to establish that "once saved, always saved," but it is also important to establish what it means to be saved. Just as you two have pointed out, faith bears fruit. This is the heart of the message of James. It's the law of cause-and-effect at work: faith causes works (effects). If a faith is not effecting works, then it's not faith at all. The causal relationship does not allow one without the presence of the other.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon