The assurance of our final destiny.

[Johann]

ASSURANCE

A. Can Christians know they are saved (cf. 1 John 5:13)? 1 John has three tests or evidences.

1. Doctrinal (belief, 1 John 1:1,5,10; 2:18-25; 4:1-6,14-16; 5:11-12)

2. Lifestyle (obedience, 1 John 2:2-3; 2:3-6; 3:1-10; 5:18)

3. Social (love, 1 John 1:2-3; 2:7-11; 3:11-18; 4:7-12, 16-21)



B. Assurance has become a denominational issue

1. John Calvin based assurance on God's election. He said that we can never be certain in this life.

2. John Wesley based assurance on religious experience. He believed that we have the ability to live above known sin.

3. Roman Catholics and the Church of Christ base assurance on an authoritative Church. The group to which one belongs is the key to assurance.

4. Most evangelicals base assurance on the promises of the Bible, linked to the fruit of the Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:22-23) in the life of the believer (i.e., daily Christlikeness).



C. Believers' primary assurance is linked to the character of the Triune God

1. God the Father's love

a. John 3:16; 10:28-29

b. Romans 8:31-39

c. Ephesians 2:5,8-9

d. Philippians 1:6

e. 1 Peter 1:3-5

f. 1 John 4:7-21

2. God the Son's actions

a. death on our behalf

1) Acts 2:23

2) Romans 5:6-11

3) 2 Corinthians 5:21

4) 1 John 2:2; 4:9-10

b. high priestly prayer (John 17:12)

c. continuing intercession

1) Romans 8:34

2) Hebrews 7:25

3) 1 John 2:1

3. God the Spirit's ministry

a. calling (John 6:44,65)

b. sealing

1) 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5

2) Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:3

c. assuring

1) Romans 8:16-17

2) 1 John 5:7-13



D. But humans must respond to God's covenant offer (both initially and continually)

1. believers must turn from sin (repentance) and to God through Jesus (faith)

a. Mark 1:15

b. Acts 3:16,19; 20:21

2. believers must receive God's offer in Christ

a. John 1:12; 3:16

b. Romans 5:1 (and by analogy 10:9-13)

c. Ephesians 2:5,8-9

3. believers must continue in the faith

a. Mark 13:13

b. 1 Corinthians 15:2

c. Galatians 6:9

d. Hebrews 3:14

e. 2 Peter 1:10

f. Jude 20-21

g. Revelation 2:2-3,7,10,17,19,25-26; 3:5,10,11,21



E. Assurance is difficult because

1. often believers seek certain experiences not promised in the Bible

2. often believers do not fully understand the gospel

3. often believers continue to willfully sin (cf. 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 9:27; 1 Tim. 1:19-20; 2 Tim. 4:10; 2 Pet. 1:8-11)

4. certain personality types (i.e., perfectionists) can never accept God's unconditional acceptance and love

5. in the Bible there are examples of false professions (cf. Matt. 13:3-23; 7:21-23; Mark 4:14-20; 2 Pet. 2:19-20; 1 John 2:18-19,

 

[civic]

Your assessment below is spot on my friend. This is also confirmed by Jesus in the gospels and the other writings by the Apostles. Theology is the study of God and if we get the wrong god/christ then one has a wrong belief in a false god/christ. Genuine faith that results in the new birth where one has the Holy Spirit in them from believing in the real Jesus and the true gospel give one a new heart/mind that has been renewed resulting in a love for God that desires to please and obey Him. Great topic for discussion.

A. Can Christians know they are saved (cf. 1 John 5:13)? 1 John has three tests or evidences.

1. Doctrinal (belief, 1 John 1:1,5,10; 2:18-25; 4:1-6,14-16; 5:11-12)

2. Lifestyle (obedience, 1 John 2:2-3; 2:3-6; 3:1-10; 5:18)

3. Social (love, 1 John 1:2-3; 2:7-11; 3:11-18; 4:7-12, 16-21)

 

[Rockson]

4. certain personality types (i.e., perfectionists) can never accept God's unconditional acceptance and love

I think individuals like this are setting aside and making light of the precious blood of Jesus and what it accomplishes. When God says your sins can be blotted out, and remitted to make you just as if you'd never sinned, justified if they're going to walk in true humility not a false type but a true type they need to say OK God I accept YOUR assessment of what your blood has done.

If God says we're justified and God wants it that way well that's his problem to look upon us that way not ours if it's a mistake. Of course it isn't a mistake we should just accept that and walk away full of joy and if the devil comes by and says it isn't so we just stand our ground and say well God says it is so and if you've got a problem with it see him about it not me....I'm standing in what HE SAYS and I hardly think he's going to change his mind! The Blood of Jesus has made me accepted! Praise God!

 

[civic]

I think individuals like this are setting aside and making light of the precious blood of Jesus and what it accomplishes. When God says your sins can be blotted out, and remitted to make you just as if you'd never sinned, justified if they're going to walk in true humility not a false type but a true type they need to say OK God I accept YOUR assessment of what your blood has done.

If God says we're justified and God wants it that way well that's his problem to look upon us that way not ours if it's a mistake. Of course it isn't a mistake we should just accept that and walk away full of joy and if the devil comes by and says it isn't so we just stand our ground and say well God says it is so and if you've got a problem with it see him about it not me....I'm standing in what HE SAYS and I hardly think he's going to change his mind! The Blood of Jesus has made me accepted! Praise God!

ditto