1 Peter 1:5

Not only is God protecting our inheritance, but He is also protecting us by His power. All Christians will undoubtedly obtain an eternal inheritance one day (cf. Philippians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:8). Our faith in Christ for salvation is, on the human side, what guarantees our final realization of the fullness of our salvation (i.e., our glorification). Peter was not saying our faith keeps us saved. He said God’s power keeps us saved. Our faith is the means by which we receive salvation initially and, therefore, our inheritance.

Some Christians (mainly in the Reformed tradition) believe this verse teaches that true Christians will inevitably continue in the faith, that they will never abandon Christianity or stop believing that Jesus is the Christ. They view the faith referred to in this verse as ongoing faith rather than initial faith. One advocate of this view wrote the following.

"Those who have true faith can lose that faith neither totally nor finally." [Note: Anthony A. Hoekema, Saved by Grace, p. 234. See also John MacArthur, Faith Works, pp. 175-92.]

I do not believe the apostle meant that the elect will inevitably continue in faith, namely, continue to believe the truths of the gospel. Paul warned that Christians can stop believing the truth (e.g., 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:17-18). Rather Peter meant that God’s power keeps believers saved in spite of their sins because we have placed saving faith in Christ in the past. In this sense we never lose our faith.

There is much misunderstanding about the Bible’s teaching concerning the perseverance of the saints. Joseph Dillow has the most helpful and biblically consistent discussion of perseverance that I have found. [Note: Joseph C. Dillow, The Reign of the Servant Kings. See his Subject Index for his many references to it.] Scripture does not teach that Christians will inevitably continue to persevere in the faith, that is, continue believing the truth, walking with the Lord, or doing good works. It does teach that God will persevere in His commitment to bring all who have trusted in Him to heaven. If someone asks me if I believe in the perseverance of the saints, I ask him what he means by the perseverance of the saints. If he means that a believer is eternally secure, I say that I believe that. If he means that a believer will inevitably continue to believe the truth or follow God faithfully to the end of his or her life, even with occasional lapses, I say I do not believe that.

The salvation ready to be revealed in the last time is the aspect of salvation that we have yet to enjoy, namely, our glorification. When God glorifies us, He will save us from the presence of sin forever. This will happen when we see our Savior and are from then on with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:17). This glorification will become ours at death or the Rapture, whichever event comes first.

"Every preparation for the final unveiling of this salvation is completed." [Note: Davids, p. 54.]

Salvation is the subject of 1 Peter 1:3 to 1 Peter 2:10. Note the recurrence of the word "salvation" (Gr. soteria) in 1 Peter 1:5; 1 Peter 1:9-10, and 1 Peter 2:2. Peter referred primarily to the future aspect of our salvation in this epistle, namely, our glorification.