Simply Put – "Perseverance"

Host: Barry Cooper
Date: December 2, 2025
Podcast by: Ligonier Ministries
Episode Theme: Exploring the biblical doctrine of perseverance—specifically the "perseverance of the saints"—and clarifying misconceptions about eternal security in the Christian faith.

Episode Overview

Barry Cooper delves into the concept of perseverance of the saints, answering the question: "If a person is truly saved, can they lose their salvation?" Through biblical exposition and clear illustrations, this episode aims to demystify common misunderstandings of "once saved, always saved," encourage struggling believers, and caution against complacency.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Is Perseverance of the Saints?

• Definition:
  The doctrine asserts that true believers, those genuinely saved and united to Christ, will ultimately persevere in faith and will not finally fall away from salvation.

  "It's the idea that once a person is saved, they cannot fall away finally from that salvation."
  (Barry Cooper, 00:44)

• God’s Role:
  The emphasis is not on human ability, but on God's faithfulness to complete what He begins.

  "In other words, what God starts, he finishes. People who are saved cannot lose their salvation."
  (Barry Cooper, 01:05)

2. Clarifying ‘Once Saved, Always Saved’

• A Dangerous Misinterpretation:
  Cooper warns against the belief that a one-time profession or prayer guarantees salvation without ongoing faith or obedience.

  "Dangerously, when some of us hear the phrase 'once saved, always saved', we think it means, because I once prayed a prayer...then regardless of how I live...I always be saved. That is categorically not what the Bible teaches."
  (Barry Cooper, 01:42)

3. Call to Endurance and Obedience

• Scripture on Perseverance:
  References like 1 Corinthians 15:2 and Mark 13 emphasize the necessity of enduring faith:

  "You are being saved if you hold fast the word which I preach to you…"
  "(Jesus says…) the one who endures to the end will be saved."
  (Barry Cooper quoting scripture, approx. 02:00-02:30)

• Evidence of Genuine Faith:
  Perseverance is shown in striving against sin, not in being sinless but in continual repentance and obedience.

  "Even the true believer will be engaged in an ongoing wrestling match with sin—but the wrestling is the point."
  (Barry Cooper, 03:05)

4. False Assurance and True Evidence

• Warning to the Complacent:
  Those uninterested in fighting sin have no grounds for assurance.

  "If a person isn’t interested in wrestling with their sin…then it’s questionable whether that person is a believer at all."
  (Barry Cooper, 03:21)

5. Addressing Objections: Hebrews 6 and Apostasy

• Hebrews 6 Explained:
  Cooper unpacks a common proof-text against perseverance, showing the difference between those who are truly regenerate and those who merely associate with the Spirit.

  "The Greek phrase means literally that they have become merely companions of the Holy Spirit… But the Spirit hasn’t indwelt them the way that he does the believer, and sooner or later they walk away."
  (Barry Cooper, 04:40)

• Other Supporting Texts:
  References Jesus' Parable of the Soils (Mark 4) and 1 John to distinguish between apparent faith and genuine saving faith.

  "If you have faith, you will never lose it. If you have it and then lose it, you never really had it."
  (Barry Cooper, 05:28)

6. Encouragement for Believers

• Assurance in Suffering and Struggle:
  Cooper offers comfort for those battling sin or enduring hardship, assuring them of God's faithfulness.

  "To know…that no one is able to snatch you out of the Father’s hand—that has the power to replace our anxiety with the deepest assurance."
  (Barry Cooper, 06:02)

• Closing Reminder:
  Salvation is secure not because of our grip on God, but His grip on us.

  "He who calls you is faithful, and he will surely do it."
  (Barry Cooper, quoting scripture, 06:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "What God starts, he finishes." (01:05)
• "Even the true believer will be engaged in an ongoing wrestling match with sin—but the wrestling is the point." (03:05)
• "If you have faith, you will never lose it. If you have it and then lose it, you never really had it." (05:28)
• "To know…that no one is able to snatch you out of the Father’s hand—that has the power to replace our anxiety with the deepest assurance." (06:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–01:40 — Introduction, personal anecdote, and definition
• 01:41–02:30 — Danger of misinterpreting "once saved, always saved"
• 02:31–03:21 — The call to endure and obey; wrestling with sin as evidence
• 03:22–05:27 — Hebrews 6 and clarifying false professions of faith
• 05:28–06:34 — Assurance for believers, closing encouragement

Takeaway

This episode clearly explains the perseverance of the saints: God's promise to finish the saving work He started, evidenced by a believer’s persistent faith and ongoing struggle against sin—not by a mere one-time decision. Through scriptural clarity and pastoral encouragement, Cooper upholds both the security of true salvation and the necessity of heartfelt perseverance.