Posted on 05/24/2019 6:48:24 AM PDT by Gamecock
If we think the Bible teaches universal salvation, we may arrive at a false sense of assurance by reasoning as follows: Everybody is saved. I am a body. Therefore, I am saved.
Or, if we think salvation is gained by our own good works and we are further deluded into believing that we possess good works, we will have a false assurance of salvation.
To have sound assurance, we must understand that our salvation rests on the merit of Christ alone, which is appropriated to us when we embrace Him by genuine faith. If we understand that, the remaining question is, “Do I have the genuine faith necessary for salvation?”
Again, two more things must be understood and analyzed properly. The first is doctrinal. We need a clear understanding of what constitutes genuine saving faith. If we conceive of saving faith as existing in a vacuum, never yielding the fruit of works of obedience, we have confused saving faith with dead faith, which cannot save anyone.
The second requirement involves a sober analysis of our own lives. We must examine ourselves to see whether the fruit of regeneration is apparent in our lives. Do we have a real affection for the biblical Christ? Only the regenerate person possesses real love for the real Jesus. Next we must ask the tough question, “Does my life manifest the fruit of sanctification?” I test my faith by my works.
Coram Deo
What is your response to the questions posed in this reading: Do you have the genuine faith necessary for salvation? Do you have a real affection for the biblical Christ? Does your life manifest the fruit of salvation?
Passages for Further Study
Psalm 9:14 that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation.
Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
Psalm 20:5 May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!
Ping
Sounds biblical to me.
One of my favorite hymns. Thanks for posting that.
Here is Christian salvation in a nutshell:
God is Holy, perfect. Mankind, through Adam, sinned and fell from God’s holy image. Each of us, in our own way, sin against God and are condemned to spiritual death (separation from God). None of us are capable of restoring this relationship but the high priests of the Jewish temple could temporarily restore this through blood sacrifices until the next time we sinned.
Jesus, as God’s perfect Son, became flesh and was crucified on the Cross as the permanent restoration of this relationship with God so that we, who profess our faith in Him as the substitute for our sin punishment, can receive salvation and eternal life with God and the resurrected Jesus.
Our works have nothing to do with it. One can be saved on their deathbed (if we’re fortunate enough to have a deathbed). Works, however, are a manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s influence so faith is manifested through works and godly fruit (patience, love, kindness, etc.) is developed in the believer through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. Nothing comes to the Father but by me.” His death was necessary to restore our relationship with the Father.
There are and will be many who will be deceived and think they are saved by “doing good deeds” or attending church regularly or giving money. Only confessing our sins to Christ and accepting His free gift of salvation will get us to Heaven.
No one will ever find assurance for their salvation in the examination of their own faith and life. Our salvation rests on Christ alone, and our faith - also a gift of God - needs to look to him for assurance.
Self examination is worthwhile, as it will draw us back to the cross and the grace we find there. But there is no true hope or assurance to be found anywhere else - especially our own faith and good works.
To have sound assurance, we must understand that our salvation rests on the merit of Christ alone,
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That statement asserts a contradiction, to wit: If our salvation rests on the merit of Christ ALONE, then it is unnecessary for us to understand that.
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