Justification and Assurance

So this evening we're going to continue in our study of systematic theology. We are currently studying soteriology, or the doctrine of salvation.

You can see from our outline here we are in lesson number 9 of 12 lessons. And today, tonight we're going to be continuing talking about justification, which we've been talking about and learning about for the last four weeks. We've looked at it through the lens of liberty, through the lens of adoption, and tonight we're going to look at it through the lens of assurance.

Let me just start by saying it was such a privilege to be able to study this important doctrine. And I know it's a cliché that we've all heard, but I can say it is so true, where the teacher learns more probably than the student. I have learned so much, and it has been such a blessing just to study this important doctrine. Even if I didn't have to even deliver this as a teaching, I have gotten so much out of it. It's been such a blessing. It's my prayer that this will be a benefit and an encouragement to you as well, too, this important doctrine of assurance. I know it has been for me studying this these last few days. But before we get into our worksheet here, I want to kind of give you a brief high view of where we're going tonight. And then we're going to get into more depth and really dig into some Scripture here and see what the Lord says about this very important doctrine of assurance.

Let me start by saying that I feel arguably, and I know many may agree with me, that one of the most terrifying passages in the New Testament comes towards the end of the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7, Jesus says that not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven. He will say to many, "I never knew you. Depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness."

Notice that these people are addressing Jesus in a very personal and intimate title. They're calling Him Lord. They will use this title, "Lord," under the assumption that they have a deep and personal relationship with Him, and they don't. These people are not necessarily on the fringes of the church. They are immersed in the life of the church. Now, I bring this up at the beginning of our teaching because when we make a profession of faith, we must ask ourselves the question, "How do we know that we will not be part of that group that expects to enter heaven only to be cast out?" How do we know that? How do we know that we are not deceived? How do we know that we are truly saved? Hopefully, we'll be answering those questions here in tonight's teaching.

There's obviously the parable of the sower that describes how people respond differently to the gospel message. There's also the examination to see evidence of fruit in our lives as believers, as evidence of true conversion. However, we must remember that we are not saved by our own works. Nor do we maintain our salvation through works. This is at odds with the Roman Catholic Church and other religions that believe salvation is a combination of faith and works.

Many theologians have indicated there are four types of people. They say there are people who are saved and know that they are saved. There are people that are saved and either don't know it or doubt it. There are people that are unsaved and they know they're not saved. And probably the most concerning group is there is a large group of people who are unsaved and don't know it. They believe they are saved.

So our quest for full assurance of salvation is complicated by the fact that there are two different groups of categories here that we're talking about. We've got the group that believes they are saved and they are saved, and the group that believes they are saved and they are not saved. One of these two groups have to be mistaken. So how can false assurance be possible? How do people arrive at false assurance?

There are many reasons. I want to go over three common reasons of many where people fall into believing that they are saved when they're not, or false assurance. There's the belief of universalism. Universalism is a belief where everyone goes to heaven. That is a belief in Jesus Christ that when Jesus died, His atonement paid the penalty for sins for everybody, which it did. But through that, everybody is automatically saved. Even those who do not believe in Him will enter heaven and inherit eternal life. So that's universalism. Everybody is heaven bound.

There's also legalism that people fall into. And that's more of a works righteousness where people believe they've got to obey the law perfectly and live a good life. And that is a focus on works and not on Christ.

There's another belief that comes under sacerdotalism. And that is salvation that is accomplished through the priesthood. We see that in the Catholic Church. We see that in other religions where the priest somehow imparts salvation through either penance, infant baptism, confessing sin to a priest in order to earn salvation.

So Gallup polls have routinely found that tens of millions of Americans claim to be born-again Christians. If you ask the average person on the street, friends, neighbors, people you work with, are you a Christian, the vast majority of Americans will answer in the affirmative. Are you going to heaven? Most will say yes. Many will say I hope so. But most unfortunately have an unbiblical understanding of what it means to be born again.

If asked what it means to be born again, even many Christians will say things like, well, I made a decision. That's why I'm born again. Meaning my own intellect, my own desire, I decided to come to Christ. I thought it out and logically this makes sense to me. So I am, based on my own intellect, on my own desires, on my own will, I am coming to Christ.

Others will say I prayed the sinner's prayer. Now, I'm not saying those that pray the sinner's prayer cannot be saved, but many are putting their faith not in Christ, but on a prayer they said, often being told to repeat a certain 30-second prayer, and then being declared you are saved because of what you just prayed.

Now, these actions in and of themselves are not a true indication that a person has been born again. It is possible to make a profession of faith without being regenerated. To be born again means to be changed by the supernatural operation of God the Holy Spirit. Understanding this is critical as we study assurance of salvation.

So on another note, there may be some here that cannot pinpoint the exact date, time, and minute they were saved. We see this often in children that are raised in godly homes. And as they become adults they'll say things like, I never remember a time where I didn't believe, because they were raised by godly parents and in a godly church. And some struggle with that in that they cannot — because somebody could have a radical conversion where they can say on this date, on this time I was saved. Others cannot say that with certainty. I want to say that your assurance does not rest on your memory or your feelings, but it rests on Christ's work.

So if you see evidence of God's Spirit shaping your heart, drawing you to Him, and producing faith and love in your life, these are marks of His saving work, regardless that you cannot pinpoint an exact time, date, and minute of your conversion. Trust in what He has done, not what you remember.

Okay, so now let's dive in and see what Scripture says about assurance, okay? So let's go ahead and begin to refer to our handout here.

Point number one. Sinners are justified through faith, which unites them to Christ the Savior. Saving faith can be small. Small is your first fill-in word.

Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Faith unites us in Christ not because of its strength, but because of its object. Our faith is not in faith. Our faith is in Christ. Justification rests not on how strong our faith is, but on whom our faith trusts, which is in Christ alone. Even weak faith grasps a strong Savior. A trembling hand that lays hold of Christ still receives all His righteousness.

Continuing on. God graciously justifies those who can only say, "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief." And we see that in Mark 9:24. Unbelief is the fill-in word there.

Ephesians 2:8–9, a very familiar verse: "For by grace you have been saved through faith and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not as a result of works so that no one may boast." So faith is God's gift. It is not a human condition. Faith comes from God, not from within ourselves. Assurance flows from divine election and Christ's finished work.

Assurance is not based on our fluctuating feelings. How many of us have — I mean, we just wake up every morning and we're nonstop, just always in the best of moods, nothing ever bothers us. We don't feel the weight of — well, okay, somebody is pointing at somebody here in the congregation. (Laughter) And you don't feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, you don't read the news and you're concerned. Our feelings ebb and tide, but our faith does not. Our faith is not based on how we're feeling from day to day. Our faith is based on Christ. We don't put faith in faith — our faith is based on Christ. Faith is a byproduct.

Doubts do not spring from the new man, but from the old. Doubt does not flow from the Spirit, but out of the flesh. Doubt stems from our depravity. Depravity is your fill-in word.

So doubt arises from indwelling sin, not from a regenerate heart. When we are saved, we are given a new heart. That new heart does not produce doubt. Doubt comes from the flesh. The new man delights in Christ and His promises. The old flesh is what breeds doubt.

God is delivering us from it in our sanctification. Scripture therefore abounds with promises to console — console is your word — the doubting, the desponding, and the weak in faith.

So God's sanctifying work progressively delivers believers from doubt. We're going to learn more about next week. I believe Mike is going to be teaching us on sanctification. Scripture comforts the weak in faith.

In Romans 10:11 and 13, "For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame,' for 'whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'" Our application: "Do you encourage" — encourage is your word — "do you encourage, do you comfort, and do you make strong the weak?"

So the smallest faith in Christ saves as surely as the greatest faith does. Because salvation rests on Christ's perfect righteousness, our salvation is not based on our perfect believing.

Point number two. Many believers erroneously look to the quality of their faith — faith is your word — or the quality of their life's works — works is the second word there — to find assurance of salvation.

A good verse here would be Hebrews 12:2, "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." We see here that faith justifies not because of its vigor, but because it unites the sinner to Christ. And Christ is the ground of our justification, not our faith. It's Christ.

They look exclusively within. The sad result is their assurance of salvation is dependent on the degree of evidence that they see of their regeneration in their own experience. The ground of our assurance is not so much found within us as it is found without us. The ground of our assurance is not in our weak faith, nor our imperfect works.

The ground of our assurance is the very object — object is your word — of our faith, Jesus Christ. That's so important, because our faith and our works can never be perfect. And if we're looking at our faith, the quality of our faith, the amount of our faith, or the amount of works we do, and how perfect they are, we're always going to fall short. And we could end up doubting our assurance based on that, if that is our focus, and our focus is away from Christ and the work on the cross, and His promises in the Word.

Looking inward for assurance often leads to despair. Now, self-examination does have its place, however, so I want to be careful here, because in 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul tells us to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith. Yet, that is not the anchor of our assurance. Christ is our anchor.

Jesus Christ — I'm sorry — He is the captain of our salvation. Salvation is your next word, and we see that in Hebrews, and the author and finisher of our faith. So salvation is the word that we're filling in there. So Christ is both the author and finisher of our faith. Our faith may fluctuate, but Christ's grip does not.

True assurance is therefore objective before it is subjective. And let me define that. The Reformed view distinguishes between the ground of assurance — and that ground is what? Christ and His promises — and the evidence of assurance, which is fruits of sanctification. Confusion arises at times when the believer inverts these, trying to rest not on Christ, but on our fruits and our inward works, instead of on the outward foundation of the gospel.

John 11:25–26: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." Now, our application: there is salvation — salvation is your word — in no one else but Christ.

So as a believer, our peace grows as our gaze shifts from our faith to our faithful Savior.

Point number three. Believers find assurance of salvation not only from the sure promises of God realized in Christ, but also in the testimony — testimony is your word — of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:16 tells us that the Spirit Himself testifies within our spirit that we are children of God. God's Holy Spirit confirms the validity, not by some inner or mystical voice, but by the fruit He produces in us. And we see that in Galatians 5:22–23. And also through the power He provides for spiritual service, Acts 1:8. The witness of the Spirit is not — not is your word — new revelation. But a strengthening of our faith by making us conscious of God's promises to the point where they become indubitable.

John 14:26 tells us, Jesus says, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." This makes clear to us that the Spirit's work affirms what has already been revealed in Scripture rather than giving us new revelation. The Holy Spirit is not going to give you a word or a feeling or a revelation outside of Scripture. That's very important to remember.

The Spirit of faith in 2 Corinthians 4:13, who put faith within us, continues His work by assuring us of our faith. Assuring is our word. And I'm going to read 2 Corinthians 4:13 for us. "But having the same Spirit of faith according to what is written, 'I believed, therefore I spoke,' we also believe, therefore we also speak." And Paul is referencing the Old Testament passage of Psalm 116:10 there.

The Comforter puts the word in our hearts, pours out God's abiding love within us, and impresses on us the very likeness of Christ. The same Spirit who regenerated us, the Spirit of adoption who lives within us, who has sealed us, and causes — causes is your next word — us to cry out, "Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6.

Also Romans 5:5 tells us that the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. So the Spirit who placed within us the faith to believe also continues to assure us.

In John 16:13, "When He the Spirit has come, He will guide you into all truth." Our application: "Be filled" — filled is your word — "with the Spirit and give thanks."

So we are to trust that the Holy Spirit actively strengthens our faith and confirms our identity in Christ. When doubts arise, we need to recall the Spirit's testimony to us initially during our salvation as evidence that God's promises are true.

Point number four. The living Christ to whom we are united through faith by His Spirit is our assurance. The faith which connects us to Christ is given to us by His Spirit, who also maintains and strengthens it. This is not a dead faith, but a living faith that produces works. Works is your fill-in word.

James 2:17 tells us, "So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself." So this faith that we have is living. It is not dead. And it produces works. But works are not the starting point for assurance.

Let's continue on. However, in seeking assurance, we can never begin — begin is your fill-in word — with works, or seek to achieve — achieve is the next word — assurance by them.

Now works can illustrate God's work within us. And works can definitely encourage our faith. But our assurance originates entirely in Christ.

To the degree that our works illustrate God's work within us, they can encourage and strengthen our faith. It is better yet to be encouraged by any love for God, which is faith, and any sorrow for sin, which is repentance. As both can only — only is your fill-in word — result from Christ's work within us by His Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us, "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death." So love for God, or faith, and sorrow for sin, or repentance — having those things are even better indicators of Christ's work within us, as both are gifts from the Spirit. And hopefully recognizing those will also give us assurance.

John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit." So our application: "Rejoice in and bear the fruits" — fruits is your word — "of the Spirit." Galatians 5:22.

So we want to look to our union with Christ, not our works, as the foundation of our assurance. We want to recognize that faith, love for God, and sorrow for sin — these are gifts from the Spirit. And there is evidence of His ongoing work in our life.

So let these realities strengthen you, let these realities encourage you, and encourage your heart. Knowing assurance comes from Christ alone.

Point number five. We have assurance of salvation because of Christ's atonement. Christ's atonement.

Our assurance of salvation rests on the finished and atoning work of Christ, because Christ's sacrifice was complete and accepted by the Father. Our salvation is secure and cannot be lost.

Romans 8:3 tells us, "For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh on account of sin. He condemned sin in the flesh."

John 10:28–29: Jesus says, "And I give them eternal life and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." Now for those that believe you can lose your salvation, I would argue, go ahead and explain this verse to me and how you see it any differently than what it says here. Once we're saved, we are saved eternally. We cannot be snatched out of the Father's hand. Our salvation is grounded not in our worthiness, because none of us are worthy of salvation, but in the sufficiency of Christ's substitutionary death.

The atonement reveals the unchanging love and faithfulness of God towards His elect. Our application: "Rest" — rest is your fill-in word — "in the finished work of Christ."

So we're to rest in our assurance. Notice it doesn't say "rest in your feelings." It doesn't say "rest in your works or your performance." But in the finished work of Christ.

So when doubts arise, look again to the cross where God's justice and mercy meet. Remember that Christ's atonement fully secures your salvation. Nothing can be added to what He has already accomplished.

Point number six. We have assurance of salvation because of union — "union" is your fill-in word — with Christ.

So by faith we are united to Christ in His death and resurrection, sharing in all that He has accomplished for us. This union is the unbreakable bond between the believer and the Savior, established and sustained by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17 tells us, "But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him."

Our union with Christ guarantees perseverance, for nothing can separate us from His love.

Romans 8:9–11: "But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." Our application: we have been forever grafted — grafted is your fill-in word — into Christ.

So again, we find our assurance not in our performance, but in our position — being in Christ. Remember that all spiritual blessings, all acceptance and security flow from our union with Him. When doubts arise, anchor your confidence in this unbreakable union, knowing Christ's life, righteousness, and victory are yours.

Point number seven. We have assurance of salvation because of God's adopting us. We learned about adoption last week. Adopting is your fill-in word.

In 1 John 3:1, "See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God, and such we are." The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. This confirms that our relationship with God is real. It also confirms that our relationship with God is secure.

Our application: we are made His children — children is your fill-in word — through Christ.

So assurance grows in the life of a believer as we live in the joy of being loved and kept by Him. We are no longer spiritual orphans. We are secure in the Father's love. God does not unadopt His children.

Point number eight. We have assurance of salvation because of God's loving purpose. Purpose is your fill-in word.

So assurance comes from knowing salvation is a result of God's sovereign will, not our own efforts. Again, we look to our own efforts. We look to our own works. We are always going to come up short, and that's where doubt arises.

His purpose cannot fail, and His love guarantees the final salvation of all His chosen.

Romans 8:29–30: "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called. Whom He called, these He also justified. And whom He justified, these He also glorified."

See the progression there? First being elected, then being called, which leads to justification. Then we're sanctified, and then later to be glorified.

Our application: God fore-loved — loved is your fill-in word — us in Christ, and will glorify us in Christ. Doubts fade as we trust in His sovereign will.

Point number nine. We have assurance of salvation because of God's loving gift. Gift is your fill-in word.

So assurance comes from knowing it is unearned. It is fully secured by God's grace. Our confidence rests in God's faithful gifts, not our works and not our feelings.

Romans 8:31–32: "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for all of us — how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

Our application: God has purchased — purchase is your fill-in word — us through Christ.

So we see here that assurance is grounded in what God has done, not what we do. Doubts are silenced by the certainty of His faithful gift. We live in gratitude, we live in confidence, we live in boldness, because salvation is His gift.

Point number ten. We have assurance of salvation because of Christ's intercession. Intercession is your fill-in word.

Assurance comes from knowing our salvation is upheld by Christ's ongoing work. Our confidence rests on His perfect advocacy, not our own efforts.

Hebrews 7:25 tells us, "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

So the application here is: Christ — Christ is your fill-in word — is the judge, the advocate, and our substitute.

So we can live without fear of losing our salvation because our confidence rests in Christ's ongoing intercession. We approach God boldly, assured that Christ maintains our acceptance.

Point number eleven. We have assurance of salvation because of Christ's mighty love. Mighty is our word.

Christ's love for His people is unchanging, it's powerful, and it's eternal. Assurance comes from knowing nothing can separate us from His love.

Romans 8:35–37: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? As it is written, 'For Your sake we are killed all day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us."

Our application: you can't — can't is our word — be taken from Christ's hand.

Because Christ's love is mighty and unbreakable, we can face trials with courage knowing nothing threatens our salvation. Our assurance motivates bold obedience. Our assurance motivates sacrificial service, since His love sustains and secures us in all circumstances.

Point number twelve. We have assurance of salvation because of His immutable love. Immutable — I-M-M-U-T-A-B-L-E — immutable love.

Assurance comes from knowing that nothing can alter His commitment to save us. Our confidence rests on His faithfulness, not our fluctuating feelings.

Malachi 3:6 says, "For I the Lord do not change. Therefore you, O sons of Jacob, have not perished." So we see here God's unchanging nature guarantees our salvation remains secure.

Romans 8:38–39: "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created things shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Our application: He is the same — same is your word — yesterday, today, and forever.

So we can trust God completely. In every season we can trust Him and be confident that His love never wavers. Assurance allows us to persevere through doubt and spiritual dryness.

So in closing, I would like to encourage you to walk boldly, live faithfully, and face every trial with joy, knowing your salvation is fully secured by Christ's mighty and unchanging love. Amen.