Advice for someone doubting if he or is saved?

[StefanM]

This is an area where I struggle from time to time, so I'd be interested in hearing from the BB community regarding the ways they would counsel/advise someone experiencing this lack of confidence.

(Sorry for the typo---the heading should say "he or she.)

 

[Van]

First I would point out that all Christians routinely ponder whether they are of the faith. Paul told us to do that when we gather for communion.

Second, no objective evidence is provided to those of us who are actually in Christ and Christ is in us. Our blessed assurance flows from faith.

Third, do we really love Jesus, and are we really striving to become like Jesus such that we present Jesus to the lost? Are we comfortable that we are mature enough, or are we striving to become a more effective servant.

Scripture tells us that our conscience will tell us whether we are of the faith.

 

[Baptist Believer]

This is an area where I struggle from time to time, so I'd be interested in hearing from the BB community regarding the ways they would counsel/advise someone experiencing this lack of confidence.

I think much of the anxiety comes from the common idea that salvation is a kind of transaction that occurs invisibly, and usually provides no evidence that it has occurred. The teaching of Jesus and the New Testament writers tell a different story.

On a theological level, the epistle of 1 John tackles this subject directly and lays out how one can know they are of the faith (1 John 5:13). It lays out the differences that characterize one who is simply religious and one who is of the faith in stark terms. When reading it, the reader needs to be careful to look at the differences in a broad sense, rather than the specific sense. Also, the modern Western Christian needs to keep in mind that the modern Baptist and evangelical churches - for the most part - have not taught practical sanctification and how to overcome sin. So, for instance, some readers read 1 John 3:19 and see that "no one who is born of God will continue to sin" and assume that they have not been saved, when instead, they simply haven't been properly discipled. If one is grieved over persistent sin, that is evidence that there is something real going on. But instead of being grieved, you need to take action.

In practical terms, the way you can gain confidence of salvation is to simply become a disciple of Jesus and, as part of that process, undertake practical discipleship and learn how to overcome sin. To have any success, you must have the aid of the Spirit. If you ask for divine assistance in following Christ, you will receive it. Through the process of discipleship you will find confirmation that you are living in the kingdom of God.

 

[kyredneck]

I don't worry about it anymore. I'm resigned to the conclusion that it is by grace alone, and that if upon my death I find myself burning in hell it will be me getting what I deserve. But if I find myself in glory with The Savior then it will be by the grace of God and absolutely nothing else.

 

[JonShaff]

I don't worry about it anymore. I'm resigned to the conclusion that it is by grace alone, and that if upon my death I find myself burning in hell it will be me getting what I deserve. But if I find myself in glory with The Savior then it will be by the grace of God and absolutely nothing else.

Brother, this may be a mindset that is 100% okay with you and somehow might be satisfying, but i'm going to be straight up...if the "train" of "assurance" is taken to the "station" of what may be the reality you just described, that sucks.

 

[kyredneck]

Brother, this may be a mindset that is 100% okay with you and somehow might be satisfying, but i'm going to be straight up...if the "train" of "assurance" is taken to the "station" of what may be the reality you just described, that sucks.

Something unscriptural about it?

 

[JonShaff]

Something unscriptural about it? My 'tude', that is.

LOL, no i was just kinda giving you a hard time.

I'm just saying the Bible Gives a lot more assurance than when you just described lol.

 

[JamesL]

This is an area where I struggle from time to time, so I'd be interested in hearing from the BB community regarding the ways they would counsel/advise someone experiencing this lack of confidence....

My advice to you?

Get as far away from Calvinist doctrine as you can. Those works-mongers and fruit inspectors will have you looking at what YOU are doing, then trying to assess spiritual life according to filthy rags.

I'll tell you straight up - It was only when I left Arminianism that I found Christ, and it was only when I left Calvinism that I found assurance.

The very moment you start looking at your works to make a determination, that's when you've taken your eyes off Christ and are no longer hoping in Him alone.

 

[StefanM]

My advice to you?

Get as far away from Calvinist doctrine as you can. Those works-mongers and fruit inspectors will have you looking at what YOU are doing, then trying to assess spiritual life according to filthy rags.

I'll tell you straight up - It was only when I left Arminianism that I found Christ, and it was only when I left Calvinism that I found assurance.

The very moment you start looking at your works to make a determination, that's when you've taken your eyes off Christ and are no longer hoping in Him alone.

How would you describe the place you "landed" outside of Arminian and Calvinist theology?

 

[JamesL]

How would you describe the place you "landed" outside of Arminian and Calvinist theology?

Free Grace theology.

But don't be fooled. Not everyone who claims to hold to Free Grace theology is legit. Here's a great litmus test - parable of the soils.

True FG theology recognizes that the second and third soils represent genuine believers who believed the gospel and are 100% eternally secure, yet some fall away immediately, and others get carried away with the cares if this world and become unfruitful.

2Tim 2:12 says enough - if we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.

 

[crixus]

If you doubt you're saved then you're not. If you are, you know it in your heart and have no doubt.

 

[JamesL]

If you doubt you're saved then you're not. If you are, you know it in your heart and have no doubt.

I disagree.

Calvinism falsely teaches that the inevitable fruit of our faith is good works, and that these good works will persevere to the end.

There are many many Calvinists who, in the midst of moral failure, begin to look at their works and weigh them according to a perceived standard of righteousness which may or may not be accurate.

This has led many to sweep their own faults under the proverbial rug

But many others have doubted whether they are even in the faith because they know their works are wretched.

Having once been persuaded by Calvinism, I fell victim to both of those mentalities at various times

 

[crixus]

I disagree.

Calvinism falsely teaches that the inevitable fruit of our faith is good works, and that these good works will persevere to the end.

There are many many Calvinists who, in the midst of moral failure, begin to look at their works and weigh them according to a perceived standard of righteousness which may or may not be accurate.

This has led many to sweep their own faults under the proverbial rug

But many others have doubted whether they are even in the faith because they know their works are wretched.

Having once been persuaded by Calvinism, I fell victim to both of those mentalities at various times

See the Free Will Baptist logo I use for an avatar, that means I'm not a Calvinist. I just go by what works for me. If that one arm happens to be under their umbrella, then my head is not under it.

 

[JamesL]

See the Free Will Baptist logo I use for an avatar, that means I'm not a Calvinist....

Ok, that doesn't have anything to do with what I wrote.

You said that anyone (including a Calvinist, I presume) who might doubt their salvation is not saved.

I'm simply telling you that there are innumerable genuine believers throughout church history who have doubted their salvation.

Whether or not you are a calvinist has no bearing whatsoever on how Calvinism works

 

[TCassidy]

If you doubt you're saved then you're not.

Mark 9:24 Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Faith comes from God. Doubt comes from the Devil. The Devil causes Christians to doubt so he can keep them from fulfilling God's plan for their lives.

If a person never doubts it is probably because the Devil already has him right where he wants him. On the shelf.

Just as dark is the proof of light, and cold is the proof of heat, so also, doubt is the proof of faith.

 

[crixus]

Ok, that doesn't have anything to do with what I wrote.

You said that anyone (including a Calvinist, I presume) who might doubt their salvation is not saved.

I'm simply telling you that there are innumerable genuine believers throughout church history who have doubted their salvation.

Whether or not you are a calvinist has no bearing whatsoever on how Calvinism works

Hello! You brought up Calvinism, I just responded to your comment. I didn't even mention the C word in my initial post. Have a blessed day!

 

[JamesL]

Hello! You brought up Calvinism, I just responded to your comment. I didn't even mention the C word in my initial post. Have a blessed day!

So...
Are you not interested in trying to substantiate your position?

You claimed that anyone who doubts their salvation is unsaved. I say hogwash.

Your turn...

 

[JonShaff]

Mark 9:24 Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Faith comes from God. Doubt comes from the Devil. The Devil causes Christians to doubt so he can keep them from fulfilling God's plan for their lives.

If a person never doubts it is probably because the Devil already has him right where he wants him. On the shelf.

Just as dark is the proof of light, and cold is the proof of heat, so also, doubt is the proof of faith.

Good thoughts!

I know when i was lost i never doubted my "Right Standing with God." You wanna know why? Because, IN MY MIND, i belonged to the Correct church, The Holy Roman Catholic church. I placed my faith in self and works. Of course i had assurance, if only you knew how smart and awesome i was! Of course, scripture Teaches One is Saved only Based on God's Grace through Faith on the Finished Work of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

So i guess what i'm getting at is that "doubting" shows that a person is spiritual. What would a lost person doubt? They are blinded to the realities of Scripture/Salvation.

 

[Jkdbuck76]

Read John 5:24.

Then read it again. And again. And again.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[StefanM]

Thanks, everyone, for your contributions!