The statements about God’s preserving power with regard to his children are pastoral means to encourage those who are receiving the epistles. In a law-gospel context, one preaches warnings about apostasy when the hearers are seemingly content in unrepentant sin or are tempted by false doctrine. When they are confronted with sin and plagued by fear or doubt, gospel promises are to be proclaimed. This seems to be the same manner in which the Apostles utilize these concepts.
