In early 2006, I wrote an article saying that to be born again, a person must believe that the salvation/life he receives is irrevocable. After the article came out, a pastor friend forwarded a note from one of his church members. She called that idea “silly” and “such phooey balooey.”i
Over the years, I’ve heard from multiple pastors who say my teaching on assurance has led some of their church members to doubt their salvation.
A friend pointed me to a recent article that said my view on assurance “undermines assurance.” The article said,
This is ironic. The problem arises when proponents tell other Christians that they’re not really saved because they didn’t believe in Jesus for the essential benefit (i.e., eternal security). … I’ve…seen vulnerable, sensitive, highly introspective people be deeply shaken by it. They begin to doubt whether they were ever saved at all. Some…seem permanently damaged.
Here is a syllogism that explains what is going on in these sensitive people:
Major premise: Only those who have believed in Jesus for everlasting life have that life.
Minor premise: I’ve never believed in Jesus for everlasting life.
Conclusion: I do not have everlasting life.
Should people who have never been sure of their salvation be concerned?
Take, for example, a Roman Catholic. They believe that they must persevere in the sacraments to stay saved. They know they may well spend eternity in the lake of fire. Should they be concerned?
How about a member of the Church of Christ? They believe they must persevere in belief, obedience, confession, and repentance to enter heaven when they die. Should they worry? Should they pray about this and search the Scriptures?
Calvinists face the same dilemma. They believe they must persevere in faith and good works until death to gain “final salvation.” Wouldn’t it be appropriate for them to long for certainty?
Here is what I find commonly taught in churches today:
Major premise: A changed life is evidence of the new birth.
Minor premise: Though I’m imperfect, I’ve seen evidence of a changed life since I committed my life to Christii years ago.
Conclusion: I think I may be born again.
The people who come to doubt their salvation after they hear the promise of everlasting life are people who have been basing their assurance on their works. Of course, they could not be certain of their salvation by looking at their flawed works. But they might have some hope that they’re good enough.
Why is it bad to get people to realize that they will never be good enough? Isn’t it good that they meditate on John 3:16 and the promise of everlasting life (and never perishing) to whoever simply believes in Him?
The faith-alone-in-Christ-alone message disturbs some professing Christians. Anyone who cannot recall ever being certain of his eternal salvationiii should be concerned.
If your brother lacked certainty about his salvation, wouldn’t you want him to be concerned? Wouldn’t you want him to pray about it and search the Scriptures? Or would you rather have him go through life uncertain?
Keep grace in focus, and you’ll help others gain assurance of everlasting life.
i Yes, that was the exact wording she used. I still have the letter in my files.
ii You could insert here any of the things people say they did at the time their life began to change. Other phrases might be since I prayed to receive Christ, since I invited Christ into my life, since I turned from my sins and surrendered to Christ, or since I made Jesus the Lord of my life.
iii One need not remain assured of his salvation to remain saved. Once a person is saved, he is always saved. Assurance can be lost, but everlasting life can’t be lost. But if a person has never been sure of his eternal destiny, he has not yet believed the promise of life.
