| Assurance of Salvation You can know that you are saved! Foreword: I for one have been accused of not promoting salvation assurance. Though, I actually believe you can be sure that you are saved. That is truly what the words "Salvation Asurance" means. You can know that you are saved and in good standing with God. I however will not tell anyone that they have a license for immorality whether they are saved or not. I will not say that you are in good standing with God when you are in sin, rebellion, or disobedience. This ultimately brings up the question as to if a backslidden person is saved and destined to return. I will answer this way. A backslidden person may not return and they may have never been saved to begin with. God knows ultimately whether they were saved or not. Looking to the parable of the sower, we see how that seeds were planted and new life began to grow but then some were not deep rooted. Some died. Yet then some seeds were planted in good tilled soil. Quoting Joseph R. Chambers, "The controversy between Calvinism and Arminianism has been elevated far beyond the teaching of either of these great men. The devil himself loves a debate as foolish as this one." True Christians do not believe in a license to sin. Also, true Christians do not believe we are bound to Heaven one day and bound for hell the next (paraphrasing Chambers). I for one have many time been sent to, quote, "sinning Christians" to shake them out of their "license to sin" delusions. I've seen it in Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Nazarene, Full Gospel, Lutheran, Catholic, Apostolic, Assemblies of God, and Churches of God. I admit that it sickens me. This is one reason that I am very hesitant on speaking of eternal security, once saved always saved, assurance of salvation, and the like because people do not want to be responsible for their actions. I will assure people they are saved when they tend to be under attack and or struggling as new converts. My goal is not to undermine people's faith or their foundations in Christ but to stop a taught "license for immorality" that runs rampant in churches around the globe. Assurance of Salvation: 1) We can be sure that we are saved 2) We can be sure we are in good standing with God. 3) We can win in spiritual warfare by choosing God's Ways and denying the flesh, satan, and the world, for the outcome of spiritual warfare for us is determined by choices we make. 4) God wants us to be confident in Him. 5) Satan wants to undermine our security and standing in Christ with fear and doubt. 6) We can stand because, we can do all things through Christ who is our strength. 7) Tell the devil to stop lying to you and that you know you are bought with the blood of Jesus and to let you go. by Jeremy Brown |
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