On what basis can we confidently assert that we are truly saved, that is, among the elect? Those of us who hold to a reformed view of sotieriology often hear the question phrased this way: If you believe that God chooses who will be saved, and that nothing man does either contributes or diminishes his salvation, how can anyone then be assured that they are saved?
Fred Sanders at ScriptoriumDaily.com is posting in segments a paper he delivered on this subject at the Evangelical Theological Society. It’s worth a read:
Post One: How Assurance of Salvation Works
Post Two: Assurance of Election and Justification
We have assurance of salvation the same way we know we have a need for salvation: by the Word. If you believe the Word, you know that no one can snatch the elect sheep from His hand. What is dangerous is to assume that even though we claim that our works can’t save us, many people assume that their works can assure us. We need to place our assurance in the same place we place our hope of salvation: In the cross of Christ, revealing the work of Christ written in the Word of Christ.
Answer: You already know the answer, just as a convict knows if he/she told the truth.
It was Einstein that expressed all matter has the ability to be exchanged for energy. I propose all questions can be exchanged for answers by the Word; ultimate truth.
More to the point: Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “…(we) must deny (ourselves) and take up (our) cross daily and follow (him).” That’s the narrow way to salvation.The eternal, internal resonator, the Holy Spirit “…confirms it” as Paul declared in Romans 9:1
Confirms what? What is in the heart of a man, or in our case the question of salvation.
1 author in 1500+ years, precisely directed 66 books with 1189 chapters that date roughly 1400 B.C to A.D.100 by way of 3 languages to give clear expression, given all situations, what accuses or excuse’s all peoples both elect and non elect.
Without any salt to make it more palatable you truly already know the answer, just as his sheep hear his voice.
All thoughts very much welcome…
Don,
“Assurance comes from;
God, by the Holy Spirit, through the vehicle of the written Word.”
Amen Brother! It seems sometimes we try to out-think what God has plainly written…
Paul,
Isn’t the love of Jesus something wonderful? To me, there will never be a sweeter story. It is still THAT NAME that causes much turmoil and all joy at the same time.
“Lord, remember me….TODAY thou shalt be with me”…!
And my all time fav;
But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
Thats us brother!
I had never left thee nor forsaken thee.
I was just sitting in the back of the congregation, as recommended by one more prominent than myself.
Welcome back, Don!
I stand amazed.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
… for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God…. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Assurance comes from;
God, by the Holy Spirit, through the vehicle of the written Word.
In the beginning was the Word…But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Behold the Lamb of God!!!!!
Discover the meaning of all, any, whosoever, and whole and the joy shall be restored.
(are there any “just preachers” left?)…….. Sir’s, what must “I” do?
And that is the rest of the story!… just “Tell me the old old story”!!!
It’s really great that we have such educational resources available to us to spark our interest and our intellect, for man is definitely a curious creature. Our heavenly Father lovingly made us so and with the making provided a redemptive plan to counteract the side effects of this curiousness. This wonderful plan of grace included as aspect of wonder so great we can never reduce it to head knowledge…The infilling of the Holy Spirit…if He’s there…you know.
*: )…This is kinda like…How do you know you husband loves you…Yeah, your married, but how do you know he won’t dump you somewhere down the road and choose somebody else?