Posted on 07/02/2024 6:33:39 AM PDT by metmom
“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
True believers will see the glory of Christ reflected in their lives when they examine the genuineness of their salvation.
Assurance of one’s salvation has been a key issue throughout the history of the church, especially the Reformers’ reaction to the Roman Catholic Church’s assertion that since salvation is a joint effort between man and God, the outcome is in doubt until the end. John Calvin, the leading sixteenth-century Reformer, taught that believers can and should be assured of their salvation. He made the grounds for assurance objective, urging believers to look to the promises in God’s Word to gain a sense of personal assurance.
Later Reformed theologians (including the seventeenth-century English Reformers known as Puritans), however, recognized that genuine Christians often lacked assurance. So they emphasized the need for practical evidences of salvation in a believer’s life. Thus they tended to emphasize a subjective means of establishing assurance, counseling people to examine their attitudes and actions for evidence of their election.
The question is: Should Christians derive assurance through the objective promises of Scripture or through subjective self-examination? The Bible teaches that both will lead to assurance. The objective basis for salvation is the finished work of Christ on our behalf, including the promises of Scripture (2 Cor. 1:20). The subjective support is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians, including His convicting and sanctifying ministries. Romans 15:4 refers to both aspects of assurance: “Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance [subjective] and the encouragement of the Scriptures [objective] we might have hope.”
The Holy Spirit applies both grounds of assurance to believers: He “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:16). Are you sure of your salvation? Ask yourself the objective question: “Do I believe?” If you truly believe, you can be sure you are saved (John 3:16; Acts 16:31). The subjective question is: “Is my faith real?” That’s why Paul said, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Cor 13:5). Use the remaining days of this month as an opportunity to take the test.
Suggestions for Prayer
Ask God to reveal your true heart attitude toward Him. Make Psalm 139:23-24 your prayer.
For Further Study
Read 2 Corinthians 3:18.
How might this be considered part of Paul’s test?
What should true believers be looking for in their lives?
From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Assurance of salvation is a challenge for all Christians to some degree and at some times. We are sinful and do not always live as God’s children.
But Calvinism, which John MacArthur subscribes to, makes this even harder. Calvinism teaches that God in eternity chose some and not others; that Christ died for some, but not others; and that the Holy Spirit called some, but not others.
So Calvinists cannot look to Christ crucified and know for certain that he died for them, as the Bible teaches. Instead, they must look inward at their own lives as evidence. This ultimately leads to uncertainty, pride, or despair.
On top of this, Calvin introduced the concept of Evanescent Grace. This teaches that God gives some the illusion of being saved, but who really are not of God’s elect.
The Bible teaches that God loves all and wants all to be saved in Christ, trusting in his sacrifice for the world.
Christ died for you. Trust this and live with assurance.
Calvinism teaches that God in eternity chose some and not others; that Christ died for some, but not others; and that the Holy Spirit called some, but not others.
= = =
This would want to make me go “Fatalist”.
I am saved, by God’s choosing, or He didn’t choose me. (How can I tell?)
So I’ll just live as whatever - I can’t do anything about it. God made up His mind.
Phillipians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Calvanism adds ‘works’.
Things you have to do.
Hasn’t worked yet. No human has ever been able to work their way....
I’m not sure where you learned about Calvinism, but your statement is completely erroneous.
Please see https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/ccc/westminster/Of_Good_Works.cfm
Calvanism adds ‘works’.
Things you have to do.
Hasn’t worked yet. No human has ever been able to work their way....
= = =
I’m not sure where you learned about Calvinism, but your statement is completely erroneous.
= = =
“Completely” erroneous??
Maybe the ‘works’ part, but there is hints of that.
And ‘no human has been able by works...’
Is that part erroneous?
Good works are called out in the Bible, so it is erroneous to say Calvinism “adds works”.
Good works are a result of God working in me and you to do them.
Not something I have to keep doing to be saved.
Good works do not save, but are an example of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
Calvinism doesn’t say that you do. Good works are done by those who are saved, not to keep salvation, but as a natural outcome of being renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Folks,
A good question for reflection is, “Did God choose you or did you choose God?”
If the power of choosing God resides in you, the power of UNCHOOSING God also resides in you. You cannot have assurance of salvation.
Think about that with your morning coffee or evening beer.
Folks,
In our small minds we think it is one OR the other. There is assurance of salvation or there is not assurance of salvation.
In reality there are some deluded in their assurance of salvation and there are others where it is real. Both are possible.
The question is which one are you?
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. That does not mean you earn your salvation, it means you have been given a gift, excercise it....................
“Completely” erroneous??
Maybe the ‘works’ part, but there is hints of that.
And ‘no human has been able by works...’
Is that part erroneous?
Do not confused that with faith plus works = salvation.
The = sign does not always mean it works backwards.
Everyone I know has fought against the ideas presented in Calvinism. Even great preachers.
I did too.
The first response to it is, “THATS NOT FAIR!”
The truth is none of us would choose God of our own ability, meaning his word and standards. Many choose their idea of God though. There is a difference.
Keep arguing against the ideas, don’t give up but use God’s Word. As someone said to RC Sproul once, “It is on every page of the Bible.” Sproul responded, “No, but it is on every other page.”
The truth is none of us would choose God of our own ability, meaning his word and standards.
= = =
This is the meat of the issue, I think.
God grants repentance. For me, that was when I got this pang of conscience, (or maybe Holy Spirit) that said, you better choose Me, (and repent, etc.) You know it (in your mind); do it in your heart.
So I did. That pang of conscience is not all the time. It is when “God grants repentance”. I believe God does this for every human, in some time in their life. Maybe many times. (He knows how many times it will take, and if it will take at all.)
So, God, knowing each person’s choices in the future may quit granting repentence (tweaking their conscience), and use that person’s life and death as it suits his purpose.
I believe that I did make that choice (is that Pride?)
Else, God picks whom he wants, and we are not willing love slaves, but forced into ‘worshipping’ Him.
How does that please Him? Look, Satan, here are those people that I made to love me.
Vs. Here are those people that want to love me of their free will.
I believe that I did make that choice (is that Pride?)
These are just worthy questions, not being critical.
What does God say on the matter.
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