Originally Posted by
CaptainM
Recently I witnessed to a guy who believes one cannot have the assurance of salvation. I don't think he is against perserverance of the saints, he just thinks one cannot know if they are truly saved until their Judgment Day. He has just enough biblical knowledge to make him dangerous and takes a lot of scripture out of context to prove this particular point (like using 1 Corinthians 4 to support his belief). I was limited in time I could talk with him, and though I pointed out several verses (ie: Romans 10), he still felt they were not enough validation.
If you had only 5 minutes to share with someone how they can have assurance of salvation, what would you share? What scripture would you use? I'm a little stumped to find the validation he is looking for and my mind is racing for those passages that we can hang our hats on.
Well, I gave it 5 minutes and it got ignored and diverted away from the subject, and since this subject is of vital importance I will repeat myself. Please take hope and comfort from the Apostle's word
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1Peter 1:3-7
Our assurance rests in God himself, who has caused us to be born again to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable. Our hope rests in God himself who protects us by his power. And the trials of our faith are precious because the outcome will be praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
What is the division of labor in this case; what do we do and what does God do? I will go through trials and tests of my faith, which will force me to face difficult challenges to what I believe and my loyalty to the savior. God, on the other hand, was the one who gave me new birth and protects me with his great power. These trials and tests of faith are precious since, due to Gods blessing, will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:3-10
Here Paul argues from the greater to the lesser. Since the first thing is much harder and the second thing much easier, then if the first thing was accomplished how much more certain it is that the second thing will be accomplished? In other words, having died for his enemies, which is a greater and harder thing, how much more certain is it that he will subsequently save us from God's wrath?
Paul draws a straight line from tribulations, to perseverance, to certification, to hope, and he says our hope will not disappoint us because God himself will make sure it doesn't. Just like Peter, Paul places our assurance in the hands of God, who protects us with his great power.
Again, James preaches the same message of assurance through trial.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tested, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:2-16
Just like Paul and Peter, James considers trials of faith to be precious and a cause for joy and for the same reasons. Just like Paul, James also draws a straight line from the test, to endurance, to certification, to eternal life.
Take comfort in the words of the apostles.
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And what verse did you use in Romans 10?
Its God that saves us...and hangs onto us.
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