Monday, July 21, 2008
Assurance Versus Security
Security
When we trust in Jesus Christ, our eternal security in Christ becomes a spiritual reality whether we understand it or believe it. Ones belief in security in Christ does not make it true or false. If we have trusted in the person and work of Christ for personal salvation, security is a fact.
COMMENTS OF MINE IS CAPS. IT SAID THE FACTS ARE IF YOU GOT SAVED ITS A FACT YOUR IN HEAVEN FOREVER. GOD IS GOOD IS A FACT BUT until WE MAKE IT OURS WE DO NOT FEEL IT. WHEN I GOT SAVED I WAS TOLD TO READ THE BIBLE NO MATTER HOW I FEEL. FEELING SAVED IS NOT BEING SAVED. I SOMETIME DO NOT FEEL LIKE I AM A AMERICAN BUT I AM.
Assurance
Assurance is the confident realization of that security. It is the realization of what we have in Christ such as eternal life, forgiveness of sin, and being the object of God’s personal care as his children. Assurance has to do with our comprehension of the facts and provisions of salvation through faith in Christ. This is a crucial doctrine because, properly understood, it will touch the believer’s life in several areas. Not only does it give assurance of salvation, but with that also comes a greater assurance of God’s provision in all areas of life.
LIKE I SAID THE TRUTH IS ONE IS SAVED FOREVER. WE CAN NOT FEEL IT BUT THE LOVE OF GOD IS NOT REALLY ALL FEELINGS. WE KNOW IT IS A ACTION. JESUS DEATH IS ACTION AND EVENT THAT SHOWS HE IS GIVING THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL. JESUS SAID GREATER LO VE IS THIS THAT ONE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE SO HE LOVED US MORE THAN ANYONE EVER DID. AND THEN HE GAVE THE FAITH AND WHEN HE GET SAVED WE HAD THE RIGHT TO BE THE CHILD OF GOD. WE ARE ADOPTED INTO A FOREVER TYPE OF THING.
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
When people do not have assurance, we should always begin by sharing the gospel to be sure they have truly trusted in Christ. Once this is confirmed, then move on to the matters of assurance.
Reasons Why People Lack Assurance
(1) People often lack assurance because they cannot remember or point to a specific time when they received Christ. Some doubt or wonder if they were ever really saved. There is a specific point in time when salvation occurs—the point when regeneration takes place. The issue for people is to know if they now really trust in the person and work of Christ. \
IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE the TIME AND PLACE. JESUS DID NOT ASK FOR IT BUT IF YOU HAVE TRUSTED JESUS ALONE YOUR SAVED AND IF YOU LIVE LIKE WOOLARD AND CLAIM JESUS YOUR NOT SAVED IN THE LEAST BIT. IT IS HOW YOU LIVE AND HOW JESUS CHANGES YOU THAT PROVES THE TRUTH. IF JESUS IS YOUR REASON FOR LIVING AND YOU LOVE HIM AND DO AS HE ASKS YOU YOUR SAVED. IF YOUR EARNING THE GRACE AND DOING IT YOUR WAY NO SALVATION BECAUSE JESUS DID IT ALL.
(2) People often lack assurance because they question the procedure they went through when they accepted Christ. Many evangelists and preachers emphasize the need for some form of public confession of faith like going forward at the end of a service or raising your hand. If people receive Christ privately, they may wonder if they should have made a public confession or prayed a different prayer. JESUS DID NOT DO THE ALTAR CALL, IT WAS IN OUR DAY THAT WAS TO BE. IT WAS IN THE 1900 IT CAME TO BE. IF YOU DID NOT GO FORWARD IN A SERVICE THAT IS NOT WHAT THE BIBLE IS TEACHING. SOME THINK IT IS BUT IF YOUR FAITH IS IN JESUS ALONE YOUR SAVED. GOING FORWARD MAKES NO ONE SAVED IT IS THE LORD AND YOUR HEART THAT THE SAVINGS TOOK PLACE. TO SIGN A CARD IS A GOOD THING BUT IF YOU THINK THAT IS ALL NO IT IS JESUS AND WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS AND HOW YOU MAKE THAT APPLY IN LIFE.
(3) People often lack assurance because of struggles they have with certain sins. They wonder if a true believer would have these kinds of problems. The real problem is ignorance of man’s sinful nature, the spiritual warfare we are in, God’s means of deliverance, and the need to grow and mature in Christ. WE ALL SIN FOLKS AND SALVATION IS THE GIFT WE HAVE. WE HAVE THINGS JESUS GAVE US TO FIGHT SIN LIKE GOING TO JESUS AND ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS AND 1 JOHN 9 GRANTS FORGIVENESS EVERY TIME. FRIENDS CONFESS YOUR SINS AND THEN AS THEY TELL ME DROP IT. JESUS DIED FOR ALL YOUR SINS AND HE LOVES YOU AND PLEADS YOUR CASE AND WINS IT EVERYTIME. GET OVER IT CHILD OF GOD SINS ARE FORGVEN.
(4) The primary reason behind a lack of assurance is doctrinal misunderstanding and the consequent lack of faith in the finished work of Christ. This means a failure to understand the Word and its teaching regarding mankind, his sin and inability to work for or maintain his salvation, God’s perfect holiness, and the finished nature and sufficiency of the work of Christ.
(5) Finally, people often lack assurance because they have erroneously been taught that they should look to themselves and their works as the primary proof of their salvation. This is a major issue today. Robert Lightner writes:
Those who think the sinner must make Christ Lord of his life, or at least promise to do so, before he can be saved make assurance rest on the evidence of a surrendered walk. MacArthur cites this as the only way a believer can be assured of his or her salvation. ‘Genuine assurance comes from seeing the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in one’s life, not from clinging to the memory of some experience.’7
So what is the proper basis for assurance? Should we look to some experience or our works? WE LOOK TO THE BIBLE AND THE TRUTH NOT TO WHAT WE DO. WE ARE NOT SAVED BY WORKS WE DID JESUS DIED FOR IT. I THINK MAC IS NOT QUOTED RIGHT IN THIS BECAUSE IF ONE IS SAVED AND IS ABLE HE WOULD LOSE IT BUT HE CANNOT LOSE IT BECAUSE JESUS HAS THE SPIRIT TO SEAL THE DEAL IN EPH.
Foundations for Assurance
The Word of God
The Word of God is God’s witness to the believer (). The Greek text includes the article with the word “life.” Salvation in Christ is not just the gift of life, but of “the life,” the one which comes only through faith in God’s unique Son. The clear declaration of Scripture is that the one who believes in Christ’s person and work on the cross as God’s provision for his sins has:
(1) Eternal life.
The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him.
But he answered them, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your mat and walk’?” 13 But the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped out, since there was a crowd in that place.
(2) Forgiveness of all sin.
About him all the prophets testify, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions.
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 rhaving wiped out the 9handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 sHaving disarmed tprincipalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
(3) Freedom from condemnation.
“I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
(4) Justification (declared righteous by God).
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter? 2 For if Abraham was declared righteous by the works of the law, he has something to boast about—but not before God. 3 For what does the scripture say? “ Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 So even David himself speaks regarding the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.
(5) Salvation.
For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.
(6) A child of God by faith.
But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)—if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.
Security
When we trust in Jesus Christ, our eternal security in Christ becomes a spiritual reality whether we understand it or believe it. Ones belief in security in Christ does not make it true or false. If we have trusted in the person and work of Christ for personal salvation, security is a fact.
COMMENTS OF MINE IS CAPS. IT SAID THE FACTS ARE IF YOU GOT SAVED ITS A FACT YOUR IN HEAVEN FOREVER. GOD IS GOOD IS A FACT BUT until WE MAKE IT OURS WE DO NOT FEEL IT. WHEN I GOT SAVED I WAS TOLD TO READ THE BIBLE NO MATTER HOW I FEEL. FEELING SAVED IS NOT BEING SAVED. I SOMETIME DO NOT FEEL LIKE I AM A AMERICAN BUT I AM.
Assurance
Assurance is the confident realization of that security. It is the realization of what we have in Christ such as eternal life, forgiveness of sin, and being the object of God’s personal care as his children. Assurance has to do with our comprehension of the facts and provisions of salvation through faith in Christ. This is a crucial doctrine because, properly understood, it will touch the believer’s life in several areas. Not only does it give assurance of salvation, but with that also comes a greater assurance of God’s provision in all areas of life.
LIKE I SAID THE TRUTH IS ONE IS SAVED FOREVER. WE CAN NOT FEEL IT BUT THE LOVE OF GOD IS NOT REALLY ALL FEELINGS. WE KNOW IT IS A ACTION. JESUS DEATH IS ACTION AND EVENT THAT SHOWS HE IS GIVING THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL. JESUS SAID GREATER LO VE IS THIS THAT ONE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE SO HE LOVED US MORE THAN ANYONE EVER DID. AND THEN HE GAVE THE FAITH AND WHEN HE GET SAVED WE HAD THE RIGHT TO BE THE CHILD OF GOD. WE ARE ADOPTED INTO A FOREVER TYPE OF THING.
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
When people do not have assurance, we should always begin by sharing the gospel to be sure they have truly trusted in Christ. Once this is confirmed, then move on to the matters of assurance.
Reasons Why People Lack Assurance
(1) People often lack assurance because they cannot remember or point to a specific time when they received Christ. Some doubt or wonder if they were ever really saved. There is a specific point in time when salvation occurs—the point when regeneration takes place. The issue for people is to know if they now really trust in the person and work of Christ. \
IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE the TIME AND PLACE. JESUS DID NOT ASK FOR IT BUT IF YOU HAVE TRUSTED JESUS ALONE YOUR SAVED AND IF YOU LIVE LIKE WOOLARD AND CLAIM JESUS YOUR NOT SAVED IN THE LEAST BIT. IT IS HOW YOU LIVE AND HOW JESUS CHANGES YOU THAT PROVES THE TRUTH. IF JESUS IS YOUR REASON FOR LIVING AND YOU LOVE HIM AND DO AS HE ASKS YOU YOUR SAVED. IF YOUR EARNING THE GRACE AND DOING IT YOUR WAY NO SALVATION BECAUSE JESUS DID IT ALL.
(2) People often lack assurance because they question the procedure they went through when they accepted Christ. Many evangelists and preachers emphasize the need for some form of public confession of faith like going forward at the end of a service or raising your hand. If people receive Christ privately, they may wonder if they should have made a public confession or prayed a different prayer. JESUS DID NOT DO THE ALTAR CALL, IT WAS IN OUR DAY THAT WAS TO BE. IT WAS IN THE 1900 IT CAME TO BE. IF YOU DID NOT GO FORWARD IN A SERVICE THAT IS NOT WHAT THE BIBLE IS TEACHING. SOME THINK IT IS BUT IF YOUR FAITH IS IN JESUS ALONE YOUR SAVED. GOING FORWARD MAKES NO ONE SAVED IT IS THE LORD AND YOUR HEART THAT THE SAVINGS TOOK PLACE. TO SIGN A CARD IS A GOOD THING BUT IF YOU THINK THAT IS ALL NO IT IS JESUS AND WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS AND HOW YOU MAKE THAT APPLY IN LIFE.
(3) People often lack assurance because of struggles they have with certain sins. They wonder if a true believer would have these kinds of problems. The real problem is ignorance of man’s sinful nature, the spiritual warfare we are in, God’s means of deliverance, and the need to grow and mature in Christ. WE ALL SIN FOLKS AND SALVATION IS THE GIFT WE HAVE. WE HAVE THINGS JESUS GAVE US TO FIGHT SIN LIKE GOING TO JESUS AND ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS AND 1 JOHN 9 GRANTS FORGIVENESS EVERY TIME. FRIENDS CONFESS YOUR SINS AND THEN AS THEY TELL ME DROP IT. JESUS DIED FOR ALL YOUR SINS AND HE LOVES YOU AND PLEADS YOUR CASE AND WINS IT EVERYTIME. GET OVER IT CHILD OF GOD SINS ARE FORGVEN.
(4) The primary reason behind a lack of assurance is doctrinal misunderstanding and the consequent lack of faith in the finished work of Christ. This means a failure to understand the Word and its teaching regarding mankind, his sin and inability to work for or maintain his salvation, God’s perfect holiness, and the finished nature and sufficiency of the work of Christ.
(5) Finally, people often lack assurance because they have erroneously been taught that they should look to themselves and their works as the primary proof of their salvation. This is a major issue today. Robert Lightner writes:
Those who think the sinner must make Christ Lord of his life, or at least promise to do so, before he can be saved make assurance rest on the evidence of a surrendered walk. MacArthur cites this as the only way a believer can be assured of his or her salvation. ‘Genuine assurance comes from seeing the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in one’s life, not from clinging to the memory of some experience.’7
So what is the proper basis for assurance? Should we look to some experience or our works? WE LOOK TO THE BIBLE AND THE TRUTH NOT TO WHAT WE DO. WE ARE NOT SAVED BY WORKS WE DID JESUS DIED FOR IT. I THINK MAC IS NOT QUOTED RIGHT IN THIS BECAUSE IF ONE IS SAVED AND IS ABLE HE WOULD LOSE IT BUT HE CANNOT LOSE IT BECAUSE JESUS HAS THE SPIRIT TO SEAL THE DEAL IN EPH.
Foundations for Assurance
The Word of God
The Word of God is God’s witness to the believer (). The Greek text includes the article with the word “life.” Salvation in Christ is not just the gift of life, but of “the life,” the one which comes only through faith in God’s unique Son. The clear declaration of Scripture is that the one who believes in Christ’s person and work on the cross as God’s provision for his sins has:
(1) Eternal life.
The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him.
But he answered them, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your mat and walk’?” 13 But the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped out, since there was a crowd in that place.
(2) Forgiveness of all sin.
About him all the prophets testify, that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions.
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 rhaving wiped out the 9handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 sHaving disarmed tprincipalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
(3) Freedom from condemnation.
“I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
(4) Justification (declared righteous by God).
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter? 2 For if Abraham was declared righteous by the works of the law, he has something to boast about—but not before God. 3 For what does the scripture say? “ Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 So even David himself speaks regarding the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.
(5) Salvation.
For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.
(6) A child of God by faith.
But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)—if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.
