The Grace that Maintains Assurance of Salvation
Man-centered theology, Arminianism, cannot maintain a consistent doctrine of blessed assurance. In their scheme, man is always in control of the salvific process. A man decides to let Jesus Christ save him, by his own free will. To maintain the status of being, “saved,” man must decide that he still wants his relationship with Jesus. Just as God must respect man’s free will, when man’s first decision is made, permitting Jesus to save him, so God must maintain His respect of man’s free will throughout a man’s life. Thus, if a man chooses to no longer want Jesus’ salvation of him, then, God must honor that man’s free will decision, to divorce himself from Christ.
Obviously, Arminianism must be rejected. It is not only heresy; it is blasphemy against the Person and work of Christ. It exalts man to the place of deity (Gen 3:5), in control of a salvation that does not even belong to man (Ps 3:8; Jon 2:9; Rev 19:1).
The grace of God, in the salvation of His elect, redeemed people, is sovereign grace (Eph 2:8–9). This means that all authority in heaven and earth (Mt 28:18) resides with Him, who sits in the heavens and does as He pleases (Ps 115:3; 135:6). He does all His holy will (Eph 1:11).
So if blessed assurance, in the perseverance of the saints, is maintained by our gracious, sovereign God, then, what means does He use to keep us and keep us assured? First, there are the promises to preserve a people for His own possession (1 Pet 2:9), who cannot be separated from Him by anything (Rom 8:35–39). No one can pluck them from His hand (Jn 10:28–29).
Second, there is the covenant, whereby God has bound Himself by oath. The covenant of grace is unconditional, which means that only Yahweh is required to keep the terms of the agreement. The Lord was under no obligation, to obligate Himself for so great a salvation (Heb 2:3). God cannot deny himself (2 Tim 2:13), and His motive is unconditional love (Song 2:4).
Third, God has sent the Holy Spirit, as a token/pledge of His love and faithful commitment (2 Cor 5:5). The Spirit, who indwells God’s chosen saints (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; Jas 4:5), will never leave nor forsake them (Heb 13:5). In addition, the recipient of the Spirit of Christ has a Helper (Jn 14:26), who is the third Person of the Trinity.
The Helper comforts, guides, and teaches those in whom He abides (Jn 14:26; 16:13). This permanent resident, in the believer’s heart, is at work. The Spirit’s work is the work of God (1 Pet 1:2), who has willed for each saint to be sanctified (Phil 2:13; 1 Thess 4:3).
Sanctification is a loving discipline, from God, for the benefit of His adopted children (Jn 17:17; Rom 8:15, 23; Heb 12:4–11). God is committed to the maturing of His children, calling them to be holy, as He is holy (1 Pet 1:15-16).
Sanctification is the work of the Spirit (Rom 15:16; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2), who inspires men of God, to preach the Word of God (2 Tim 4:2), even as He inspired men to author the books of the Bible (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21). They preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2), by faith, which is pleasing to God (Heb 11:6).
The preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, when heard in the Spirit, serves as an effectual call for Christ’s elect sheep to follow Him (Jn 10:27). Grace preaches. Grace hears. Grace grants faith (Gal 3:22; Eph 2:8–9; Phil 1:29), and grace maintains faith, using the same means, as when faith first manifested as a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). It is all of grace and not of man.
The Word of God is the instrument in the Spirit’s employ (Jn 6:63; Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12). Christians continue to hear the voice of Christ through preaching. They are exhorted, corrected, instructed, and rebuked by the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of truth (Ps 119:160; Jn 17:17; Eph 6:17). This agency is from God, who is Himself the Agent.
Just as God causes His people to hear the Word (Rom 10:17), effectually, so He directs our steps (Prv 3:5–6), to be in the place where we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18). Trouble in the world threatens faith, as do the lies of the enemy. Faith, however, is maintained by grace, so it cannot fail. Grace is God’s work, and it is His perfect work.
Christian, it is the Spirit guiding you back to the Bible, where the wisdom and power of God is made known to you, again and again. Go there and read. Stay there and meditate. Read aloud so that the promises of our covenant God will be treasured in your heart and occupy your mind.
Blessed assurance is a reality to God. It is taught to His people, through the special revelation of holy Writ. Its apprehension by your soul is a gracious work of God’s abiding Spirit. He is the One who keeps you; and He is the One who keeps you aware that He is keeping you.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 26, 2022
