The Assurance of Salvation
The speaker discusses the possibility and nature of assurance in salvation, emphasizing the role of faith, the Holy Spirit, and conscience in this process.
James Arminius discusses the assurance of salvation, emphasizing that believers in Jesus Christ can be certain and persuaded of their status as children of God, standing in His grace. This assurance is a result of the Holy Spirit's work within the believer, the fruits of faith, the believer's conscience, and the testimony of God's Spirit. Arminius believes that a person can confidently face death without fear, yet should continually pray for mercy. He acknowledges that ultimate judgment lies with the Lord, cautioning against equating the assurance of salvation with the certainty of God's existence and Christ's role as Savior.
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VI. THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
With regard to the certainty [or assurance] of salvation, my opinion is, that it is possible for him who believes in Jesus Christ to be certain and persuaded, and, if his heart condemn him not, he is now in reality assured, that he is a son of God, and stands in the grace of Jesus Christ. Such a certainty is wrought in the mind, as well by the action of the Holy Spirit inwardly actuating the believer and by the fruits of faith, as from his own conscience, and the testimony of God's Spirit witnessing together with his conscience. I also believe, that it is possible for such a person, with an assured confidence in the grace of God and his mercy in Christ, to depart out of this life, and to appear before the throne of grace, without any anxious fear or terrific dread: and yet this person should constantly pray, "O lord, enter not into judgment with thy servant!"
But, since "God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things," and since a man judges not his own self -- yea, though a man know nothing by himself, yet is he not thereby justified, but he who judgeth him is the Lord, (1 John iii, 19; 1 Cor. iv, 3,) I dare not [on this account] place this assurance [or certainty] on an equality with that by which we know there is a God, and that Christ is the saviour of the world. Yet it will be proper to make the extent of the boundaries of this assurance, a subject of inquiry in our convention.
Sermon Outline
- The Possibility of Assurance
- The Nature of Assurance
- The Relationship Between Assurance and Judgment
- God's greater knowledge and judgment
- The need for humility in self-judgment
- The importance of conscience and God's Spirit in witnessing
Key Quotes
“With regard to the certainty [or assurance] of salvation, my opinion is, that it is possible for him who believes in Jesus Christ to be certain and persuaded, and, if his heart condemn him not, he is now in reality assured, that he is a son of God, and stands in the grace of Jesus Christ.” — James Arminius
“I dare not [on this account] place this assurance [or certainty] on an equality with that by which we know there is a God, and that Christ is the saviour of the world.” — James Arminius
Application Points
- We should approach assurance with humility and recognize God's greater knowledge and judgment.
- Prayer is essential for those who are assured of their salvation, as it acknowledges God's mercy and grace.
- Assurance should not lead to self-righteousness, but rather a deeper dependence on God's grace.