Expert: Rev C.Brian Ross - 1/7/2012

Question
Hello again Rev. Ross,

What I am about to ask may sound a bit silly, and I have a suspicion that it is a thought planted in my mind by the enemy, but it is always good to make sure.

Just some quick background that might help in answering this question: I just came out of an intense trial. I was doubting and doubting my salvation to the point of losing hours of sleep. However now I am past that - and my faith has been made stronger. However I can still feel Satan trying to pull me back into that.

Let me say this: I know that on my own I am not sufficient to reach God's Holy Standard. I know that before I was saved, I fit into that Romans 3:9-18 category. And now, my sins are atoned for and only by the blood of the perfect Lamb.

Now, for salvation, it is necessary to know that one is a sinner and that this fact keeps one separate from a Holy God that can not tolerate sin. If one does not know this or one thinks this isn't so, he misses the entire point of needing Christ in the first place!

However I got this thought in my head - only today - and kind of out of no where - that maybe my knowledge of this fact is "only mental ascent." I grew up in a Christian home so I always knew and more recently acknowledged that yes, I am a sinner saved only by God's grace. I never pondered that much until recently, and while I feel remorse for having been such a detestable thing, I haven't like broken down and wept about it.

So my question is this: is it possible for one to only have "mental ascent" (or to not "realize it enough") on the issue of one being a sinner, and if such is possible, what would be some indicators of it?

Thanks,
Tressa

Answer
Hi Tressa.

You certainly come up with the difficult ones!!!  I have taken a little longer over this one, simply because it is not one that I feel able to answer "off the top of my head"!

It seems to me that what we are dealing with, here, is what theologians refer to as the doctrine of assurance.  This is something that, I suspect, every true disciple of Jesus faces - not just once in a lifetime, but often.  It is, as you suggest, a work of the enemy.

One old Confession of Faith states:

"The assurance of Grace and Salvation is an infallible assurance of faith founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ (Heb.6:17,18) revealed in the gospel; and also upon the inward (II Pet.1:4-5,10-11) evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made, and on the testimony of the (Rom.8:15-16) Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God; and as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both (I John 3:1-3) humble and holy."(Philadelphia Confession of Faith, Chapter 18, Section 2)

The first point is that our assurance is based on the finished work of the Lord Jesus, at Calvary.  I may be assured that my faith is genuine, because I am totally dependent on the shed blood, and the righteousness, of the Lord, <b>and on nothing else<b>.

The second point concerns  "the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made".  This, of course, is subjective.  However, it is totally Biblical.  So Paul exhorts the disciples of Jesus in ancient Corinth, as they come to the Lord's Table, to examine themselves.(I Cor.11:28).  How may I do so?  I would suggest that a good "check-list" is to be found in Gal.5:22-23 - the Fruit of the Spirit.  If that fruit is being increasingly displayed in my life, then I may be assured of my salvation, because that is a work ONLY of God the Holy Spirit.  This is not some doctrine of "sinless perfection".  One of my own (?) little 'one-liners' states that "In this life I shall never be sinless but, by God's grace, I may sin less"!  This is the work of God the Holy Spirit in making me more and more like Jesus. (the work of sanctification, to use the big theological word).

The third point concerns what the Confession refers to as "the testimony of the Spirit of adoption".  This refers to the inner conviction that the believer enjoys.  This is Paul crying out, to Timothy, "... I <b>KNOW<b> Whom I have believed, and I am utterly convinced that He is able to keep, until 'that Day', all that I have entrusted to Him." (II Tim.1:12).  This is the same apostle, teaching the disciples of Jesus in Rome that God the Holy Spirit provides an inner witness to my salvation. (Rom.8:14-16; but the whole passage of vs.1-17 is well worth reading, and pondering).

There is, of course, a real danger that creates false views of assurance.  This lies in taking only one of these three points and building the whole case on it. Let me illustrate by using three methods to prove that I am married:

   (1) I can produce a marriage license. That is the objective legal proof that I am married.

   (2) I can introduce you to my wife and children. They are the fruits that prove my marriage is real.

   (3) I can just smile and with an ecstatic look say, "Of course I am."

Any one method is evidence that I am married. However, it may take all three to give total assurance!

Well, I have gone on a bit.  But it's a big question!  Let me finish (for now???) by reminding you of something I said in an earlier answer.  I referred to what is generally called "the unforgiveable sin" (see Matt.12:31-32), and pointed out that those who are concerned that they may have committed it are almost certainly not guilty, as those who are won't be the least bit bothered!  Likewise, if you are concerned about any lack of assurance, I would encourage you that the assurance is there.  I can only advise you to keep reading the Word (as you appear to be doing); pray regularly (like, daily!); sit under a Godly ministry that preaches the whole counsel of God; and enjoy fellowship with those whom you recognise to be, themselves, genuine believers.

And the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is all-sufficient; the love of God the Father, that never, ever, fails; and the fellowship of God the holy Spirit, Who never, ever, forsakes; be your portion, and experience, until that Day when you see Him, face-to-face, in Glory.

Richest blessings.

C.Brian Ross (Rev)