Wednesday: Assurance of Salvation
Some Seventh-day Adventists wonder if they will be saved. They lack assurance and long to know their future, in terms of eternal life. They work hard to be good enough and yet know that they come short.
Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com
They look within and find little to encourage them in their journey through life.
When we see the immense gap between the character of Jesus and ourselves or when we read a text such as “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:14), who of us doesn’t have moments when we wonder if we are going to make it?
To be prepared for the end time, people must have assurance of salvation in the present. They must revel in the reality of salvation in order to face the future unafraid. Yet, as we have seen, all the living Persons of the Godhead are at work to save us. Thus, we can and should live with the assurance of our salvation.
Read the following texts. What hope and assurances come from them regarding salvation and what God has done for us and promises to do?
We are called, even commanded, to live holy lives, but these lives are the result of having been saved by Christ, not the means of achieving that salvation. Though we must be faithful, even unto death, we must always lean on the gift as our only hope of salvation. God’s people will be found faithful and obedient in the last days, a faithfulness and obedience that arises from the assurance of what Christ has done for them.
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"When we see the immense gap between the character of Jesus and ourselves or when we read a text such as “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:14), who of us doesn’t have moments when we wonder if we are going to make it?" And then a pastor gets up and condemns us and tells us how we have to be PERFECT I know I will never make it. Then another pastor tells us all we have to do is accept Jesus because He paid the price and it gives me hope again.
Jesus tells us we must be perfect doesn't He(Matt 5:48)? God also instructs: "ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."(Lev 11:45).
Yet this is not some impossible expectation God places before us, but HE provides His power "unto salvation to everyone who believes"(Rom 1:16). As Jesus taught; "Without me you can do nothing"(in regards to bearing the fruit of holiness, John 15:5).
The Love of the Father
The Love of Christ
The Love of the Spirit
fruit the emphatic assurance of salvation
yet, we all struggle why?
Problem
Working hard
looking within
Solution
Psalms 91:15
He shall CALL upon Me
Joel 2:32
That whoever CALLS on the name of the Lord
Assurance of salvation is not in me. It is found in Christ.
John 10:28
No one can snatch me out of His hand.
Philippians 1:6
He who began a good work in me will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus
I want the good work to be completed and sealed. It will continue to perfect until the day of Christ Jesus.
If I might paraphrase Martin Luther. “When I look at myself I don’t how it is possible to be saved. When I look at Christ I don’t how it is possible to be lost.”
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. He began a good work and you can trust Him to finish it. For too many years Adventists have hoped that they will be good enough to be saved. No one ever will. Only Jesus can save. Rest in the knowledge that He loves you and will change you into what He wants you to be as you stay connected with Him. Let Him handle the details.
The question is, with all of Gods promises why do we struggle? Are we in danger of being hypocrites? Jesus used the word a number of times, such as in Matthew 15:7,in which He referred to Isiah 29:13-15. Texts that can apply to us very well. "These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, and in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.--- ). When we fall short like Apostle Paul in Romans 7:15---, does that make us hypocritical?
Hi Paul
If what you are proposing is universally the case, should not God's response to Elijah - when he was struggling - in 1 Kings 19:1-8 have been 'you hypocrite'?
Or, is it possible that, as frail humans, we can become fatigued and/or overwhelmed at times in our lives - and therefore experience moments of feeling doubt and discouragement - even though our hearts are not far from God in those moments?
I suspect God well knows our weaknesses under 'the curse of sin' and therefore why He responds with compassion (and restoration) rather than condemnation.
Paul, the apostle was referring to the example of the life that knows the law, but doesn't know Christ and His power to save. Romans 7 is about the life without faith, Romans 8 is about the life hid in Christ by faith and power of living by the Spirit. We can do nothing without Christ(brought near to each soul through the ministry of the Spirit) where the fruit of righteousness is concerned.
Hypocritical is living against your conscience and conviction of the Spirit, while professing to be a believer, not the occasional stumble. The Wise man wrote: "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."(Prov 24:16). Notice the man falling is called "just", not hypocritical. It's the rising again that makes the difference. (see Luke 2:34)
Salvation is assured only when we put on the robe of Christ's righteousness.
So how do we put the robe of Christ's righteousness on? Or do we trust God to put in on for us? In the parable of the wedding garment, nothing is said there about anyone putting on the garment, only that there was one who was not wearing it and he was cast out into outer darkness because of it.
Since this "robe" is really a analogy, I think the lesson is that we must make the personal choice. Regardless of how it is "put on", one must have it on, as the parable of Jesus teaches us.
Phil, if we "know...God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent", there will be no question of what this robe is.
Hi Robert
There are a range of views on what the robe of Christ's righteousness is. Conversations about Christianity in general, and salvation more particularly, suffer when concepts are referred to but not defined/described. Much confusion and misunderstanding has resulted because of this. Here is your opportunity to share with readers what you believe it to be and your basis for that belief.
Phil, I believe I already did in my comment above. If that is not sufficient, nothing I say further would be any more sufficient, even if writing 1000 books about it. The answer cannot be defined in the space allotted here or in those 1000 books. God has given us the book already, and most other books have resulted in only more confusion.
What I'm saying is this: I must learn it for myself from the only Source of Truth. That is all I intended to say, for I would only sound like another opinion among the wide "range of views" otherwise. I point all to the Word of God who alone can define heavenly truths to the seeking soul. This is our only work isn't it, to "lift Him up" for others to seek and follow?
Additionally I would refer to Prov 2:1-5. This is only achieved by individual effort. The answer lies within what God has given for all to search for themselves(Prov 22:20,21). We've become a people who often seek to be spoon-fed. Sorry, I have only one spoon, and like the oil, each must have their own.
If I say that this robe is the imputed righteousness of Christ, each will still need to study to show themselves approved to God on this subject. No one can seek this treasure for another.
I'm sorry, I meant the "imparted" righteousness of Christ. Imputed is what one receives through justification when repentant.
Justification is God accounting the righteousness of Christ as our in the judgement, Sanctification is the imparted righteousness of Christ in our daily living. We become like Him in our words and deeds. Transformed by "the renewing of [our] mind", through "the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost". This is a real and visible change in the life.
I hope this makes sense.
An important question would therefore be, what exactly is "the robe of Christ's righteousness"?
Let us all serve the Lord our God in natural Faith and trust that He had already paid the price of our sins on Calvary, like He told us in (John 10:10; 3:17; 14:1-3). And let us know that without Him we cannot make it to Heaven.
Christ is our most precious gift! Although sometimes in life we face ourselves in situations that can take away our focus from Him, we must keep in mind that our mortal nature is nothing but a swift blow! God already gave us the peace of salvation, His Son, we just need to accept Him!
Douglas u encouraged me this morning with Phil 1:6, when Christ sees my puny little effort He sees that I fall way short but He's willing to be so patient.
A little illustration here, yesterday, I saw a little baby trying to climb up on her mom. She was making so much effort and couldn't make it. The mother smiled and said let me help you, she reached under the baby's feet to give her a little nudge, so she could climb up. Meanwhile I am looking and smiling even now.
When I read your comment it came right back to me, that's what the Father thru Jesus n the Holy Spirit is doing and will continue to do untill He comes. So beautiful, let's be faithful to the end.
Douglas makes it seem a bit easy, just connect with Jesus. Here is a quote-The Christian life is a battle and a march. In this warfare there is no release, the effort must be continuous and persevering. It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan.......No one will be borne upward without stern, persevering effort in his own behalf. (Reflecting Christ, p. 312.1,2 8T 313) We can be assured of victory, however there may be a condition or two, like striving, stern, persevering effort, along with the connection.
Just connecting with Jesus is not just mental assent. It is signing on for the journey. Persistence and discovery are part of that journey. We are not saved by our efforts but when we are saved, the effort is part of the reward.
sure Maurice. Amen.
Raymond, it is that easy. You can find quotes to support any position along the continuum of “faith and works” so using quotes often leads the reader to choose those that best fit their personality and their view of salvation. No one can be saved based on their own righteousness. Any “improvement” you make through your own hard effort counts for nothing. We need a new heart. Only God does heart transplants. Let me give an example. Pick any “sin” you struggle mastering. Let’s just say it was swearing. You have discovered that by singing a verse or two of “Jesus loves me this I know” you can reduce your swearing. Morally that is good and socially you appear better. BUT in your heart you still want to swear. Are you any better in God’s sight since you aren’t swearing as much. I would submit no. I would also submit that if you spend time talking with and listening to Jesus daily, moment by moment, He will change you from the inside out. He talked of this when with Nicodemus as well as when He talked about cleaning the outside of a cup and thinking it was clean inside. Importantly He has a plan to change you. Swearing may not be what He thinks is most important to transform you at this time. If you let Him He is able and more than willing to do it. People often say to me that what I am saying is too easy. Staying in touch with Jesus is total commitment on your part. Working on trying to grow apples to use Morris Vendon’s analogy is impossible. Apples only grow as the tree is nourished. He submits and I concur that is spending time with Jesus, thinking of Him and communicating with Him will change you at His pace and in His manner.
People ask what about some “sin” you repeatedly fail in. It is no different. I can’t change my heart. I believe Satan would have us concentrate on fixing our “sins” or our bad behaviors. That will make you a better person, but changing a behavior doesn’t change your heart. Give up trying to change the sin and spend that effort communing with God and be amazed at what He will do in you. I think it is possible you or others might be focusing on the symptom not the solution to the problem. As a physician patients might come to me for some symptom. If I allieviated the symptom perhaps a cough by giving a cough suppressant but didn’t treat the underlying pneumonia they would die cough free. They focused on the symptom. I focused on the cause. God works on the cause; a new heart is needed — not just better behaviors.
It cost Him everything to give me this new heart. My task is to keep in touch with Him. I fall short every day and have my own unique list of recurring sins. I know I will never be able to conquer them by working on them. I find myself moment by moment thanking God for accepting me as I am and not forsaking me as I fail. He is gracious to forgive as long as you feel your need of Him.
Hi Douglas
I have read and re-read your post quite a few times trying to understand the detail of what you are saying/implying. While I absolutely agree about your point regarding the primacy of the need for heart change by God and His Spirit (as the primary cause underpinning the symptoms), I am not yet clear as to what you are saying in regard to a person's efforts at behaviour change.
When you state, for example, "give up trying to change the sin and spend that effort communing with God...", are you proposing that there is no role for a person to play in changing behaviour - or that such a role is secondary to the primary need of heart change via keeping in touch with God?
I ask this clarification because I don't want to just jump to conclusions regarding what you are saying.
Thanks
What Douglas wrote resonates with me. (But I do hope he also replies to your questions.) I find that focusing on sin in order to get rid of it is counter-productive. (You know that challenge of not thinking o red monkeys all day. 😉 ) Rather, I find that spending time with Jesus and then focusing on His will for my life is what changes me - from the inside out.
It's a matter of putting the effort where it counts: The battle most of us face is to focus on Christ in spite of the distractions/responsibilities/temptations of this world. But when we do focus on Christ, His love, His power, His will for our lives, then He effects the character change in us. It's learning to practice a Christ-focused thought pattern in place of a world-focused thought pattern - kind of like your suggestions for habit changes. Even that we cannot do without first submitting ourselves to Him and claiming His power.
As Doug suggests, just putting good behavior in place of bad behavior is merely an outward change. God wants to change our hearts, and then the outward changes follow naturally.
Salvation isn't by works but through faith and trusting in Jesus Christ who is our Savior .After acknowledging that Christ is your savior,wear God's armor and move out of our comfort zones and reach the in reached for that's what is left in these last days. Blessed day
Phil, there is a role for behavior modification. If the modification is to change an action eg swearing when mad it benefits those around you and improves your moral standing. That however does not change the underlying problem with anger or whatever is causing you to swear. Only God can change the motives or desires of the heart. My hypothesis is that as you behold Christ and get to know him better your will becomes conformed to His. That is the miracle He accomplishes in you. Often we concentrate on the “sin” and I submit that changes an action, but not the desire. It requires effort to spend time with Jesus. It is not our natural desire. I believe that is the life changing work we can do. Admit you cannot change yourself and then cling to Him. When you fail realize He loves you just as much as when you did right. Be like David who sinned and realized He needed God. God called him a man after His own heart because whenever David failed He returned to God.
Hope that helps clarify what I was trying to say.
Happy Sabbath.
Thanks Doug for your clarification.
Phil
Perhaps everyone is saying the same thing from a different perspective or with a different emphasis. The way I understand it (from both sides) is that the robe of Christ's righteousness is a symbol of both justification and sanctification. By confessing our sinfulness and accepting Christ's atoning death, we are "putting on Christ's robe of righteousness." We are justified (fully forgiven). We are saved! But once saved is not always saved. Our sinful nature reveals itself sometimes, and our robe is defiled. We must confess that sin and ask Christ to cleanse us from the source of that unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). We must REPENT! We must "wash our robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7:17). This is the process of sanctification. God loves us and wants to change us into being Christlike. Of course, we can't do it ourselves, but we must cooperate with Him. We must fight the good fight, we must take up our cross and follow Him. Christ uses our sins (if we're willing to look at them as in a mirror -- the 10 commandments) to "rebuke and chasten" us, so that we can choose to become more "zealous and repent" with each newly realized sinful aspect of our nature. "Remembering (bringing under consideration) from whence we art fallen" Rev 2:5). The best part is that we LEARN ("Put on the mind of Christ" Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:12-16) to overcome our sinful natures by communing with Him. "I stand at the door and knock (when we are being tempted -- before we choose to sin) and if we recognize His voice and open the door (keeping Him in our hearts), He "sups with us" -- nourishes us, strengthens us -- enabling us to overcome (Rev. 3:19-21). This is the SAVING "personal relationship" that we must maintain with our Lord and Savior. He is faithful to us, but so must we also be faithful to Him (Rev. 17:14). The just (justified by faith) shall live (moment by moment -- being sanctified) by faith. Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38. Also see Revelation 19:7-8. His wife (the church, His believers) hath made herself ready...for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. We put on Christ's robe of righteousness and over time that robe becomes our own -- His righteousness in us, the hope of glory, the mystery of God, or as Paul says it so simply, being "in Christ." (Or could we say, "wearing Christ's robe of righteousness"?)
The Robe of Christ's righteousness is Christ's spirit in us. It is the Holy Spirit's work to cloak us with His righteousness. If we attempt to do it ourselves, we are simply working towards something that we cannot obtain by our own righteous acts. Instead of putting this subject under a microscope and trying to break it down into subatomic particles, why don't we instead allow Christ to use us to reach out to a world writhing in terror, fear, sickness and filth. Let your light so shine among men that others will see your righteous acts and praise your Father in Heaven. Then when Christ greets us with those desirous words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant", He will place His robe over us.