Please tell me If I am understanding 5 point Calanism wrongly here on this point of assurance and security..
Seems that the more strict Calvanists appear to intermingle Faith and Works to such an extant that Works are the "proof" of one actually being the elect unto salvation in Christ...
That one has to have "enough " of the good works to prove/show they are really saved...
Tens to be on the "higher" side of Lordship salavtion , almost to the point that one cannot be sure have given up enough of ones life over the the Lordhip of Christ..
All true Christian believe that one needs to contu=inue to Mature in Christ, to become more and more like him...
But isn't there a danger that if you press "proof" of life in Christ into being define strictly by how we live our lives, that we really have no true assurance?
Does a Christian perserver because he is eternally secured in christ, or because he makes Jesus fully Lord over his life?
Doesn't the strict Reformed Christian, if he does not "watch it" almost bring keeping the Law back against grace by faih alone. or at least almost make it seem like Catholics that we have to co operate with the "seed" God placed in us, if we doonot measure by enough good works and having Jedsus enough as out Lord, can get shipwreaked and lose the salvation?
Do Calanists Actually have Full Assurance of Salvation?
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by JesusFan, Mar 7, 2011.
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Christians persevere because they are predestined to salvation. Those who have faith in Christ are the elect.
1 John 5:13 NIV
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life -
A couple of scripture passages might help this discussion.
James 2:18 ".....I'll show you my faith by my works."
I Thess 1:3: "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
An evangelist at our church years ago asked during his message: "If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Now how does that lead to confidence -
Assurance Jesus is Mine
This topic is frequently tossed around in an effort to illustrate the difference between the Calvinist Doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints and the Arminian Doctrine of Possible Loss of Salvation.
As far as thinking Jesus is mine, it seems the Arminians have the upper hand, since they believe if they put their trust in Christ, that puts them among the Elect, but they may in the future decide to leave and no longer be saved. They must sustain to the end of their physical lives, and if they do they have assurance.
On the other side, we that believe God chooses us (whether before creation as foreseen individuals or during our physical lives based on crediting our faith as righteousness) election is God's sovereign action. So "if" we are saved, we have blessed assurance that Jesus is ours for eternity.
How do we have confidence that God did indeed put us spiritually in Christ? By our changed lives. When we take communion we consider ourselves (and are not called to examine the fruit of others) and if we pass the test, because we can see the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and have the desire to walk humbly with Christ, we eat the bread and drink the cup with blessed assurance, singing Jesus is mine.
May God Bless -
Iconoclast Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Your assurance of faith fluctuates according to your obedience to the revealed will of God, expressed by having and maintaining a clear conscience.
We desire to serve and worship Jesus as Lord bearing fruit unto holiness as if salvation depended on our works.....even though we know it is really God who works in us to will and to do His good pleasure.