Do Calanists Actually have Full Assurance of Salvation?

[JesusFan]

Please tell me If I am understanding 5 point Calanism wrongly here on this point of assurance and security..

Seems that the more strict Calvanists appear to intermingle Faith and Works to such an extant that Works are the "proof" of one actually being the elect unto salvation in Christ...

That one has to have "enough " of the good works to prove/show they are really saved...

Tens to be on the "higher" side of Lordship salavtion , almost to the point that one cannot be sure have given up enough of ones life over the the Lordhip of Christ..

All true Christian believe that one needs to contu=inue to Mature in Christ, to become more and more like him...

But isn't there a danger that if you press "proof" of life in Christ into being define strictly by how we live our lives, that we really have no true assurance?

Does a Christian perserver because he is eternally secured in christ, or because he makes Jesus fully Lord over his life?

Doesn't the strict Reformed Christian, if he does not "watch it" almost bring keeping the Law back against grace by faih alone. or at least almost make it seem like Catholics that we have to co operate with the "seed" God placed in us, if we doonot measure by enough good works and having Jedsus enough as out Lord, can get shipwreaked and lose the salvation?

 

[Osage Bluestem]

Christians persevere because they are predestined to salvation. Those who have faith in Christ are the elect.

1 John 5:13 NIV
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life

 

[Tom Butler]

A couple of scripture passages might help this discussion.

James 2:18 ".....I'll show you my faith by my works."

I Thess 1:3: "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

An evangelist at our church years ago asked during his message: "If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

A couple of scripture passages might help this discussion.

James 2:18 ".....I'll show you my faith by my works."

I Thess 1:3: "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

An evangelist at our church years ago asked during his message: "If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

Oh boy Tom.....that word "Endurance" when applied to Christ rings a bell for me. Thanks for that Scriptural Reference. :thumbs:

Now how does that lead to confidence

 

[Van]

Assurance Jesus is Mine

This topic is frequently tossed around in an effort to illustrate the difference between the Calvinist Doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints and the Arminian Doctrine of Possible Loss of Salvation.

As far as thinking Jesus is mine, it seems the Arminians have the upper hand, since they believe if they put their trust in Christ, that puts them among the Elect, but they may in the future decide to leave and no longer be saved. They must sustain to the end of their physical lives, and if they do they have assurance.

On the other side, we that believe God chooses us (whether before creation as foreseen individuals or during our physical lives based on crediting our faith as righteousness) election is God's sovereign action. So "if" we are saved, we have blessed assurance that Jesus is ours for eternity.

How do we have confidence that God did indeed put us spiritually in Christ? By our changed lives. When we take communion we consider ourselves (and are not called to examine the fruit of others) and if we pass the test, because we can see the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and have the desire to walk humbly with Christ, we eat the bread and drink the cup with blessed assurance, singing Jesus is mine.

May God Bless

 

[Iconoclast]

24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

A God given saving faith results in believing in Jesus as both Lord and Christ.

Your assurance of faith fluctuates according to your obedience to the revealed will of God, expressed by having and maintaining a clear conscience.

14But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.

4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

6From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

We are saved 100% by grace,and by God.God puts His law in our hearts.
We desire to serve and worship Jesus as Lord bearing fruit unto holiness as if salvation depended on our works.....even though we know it is really God who works in us to will and to do His good pleasure.

6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

10Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

11As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

We work, because He works in us. Just like salvation , it is all of God.