How Can I Know I am Saved? by Trevor Bowen

http://insearchoftruth.org/articles/know_i_am_saved.html

How Can I Know I am Saved?

Introduction

When one first arises from that watery grave to walk in newness of life, he or she experiences a tremendous sense of relief and comfort. The feeling of safety and security is overwhelming. However, as time passes and sin creeps back into the young Christian’s life, he or she begins to wonder, "Am I still saved?". Since we have previously rejected Calvin's answer that the elect are immutably saved, we must turn to the Scriptures to answer the question, "How can I know am saved?".

First, please note that this question is not about establishing faith in the existence of God or in the inspiration or integrity of God’s written Word. These questions are considered elsewhere. In this article, instead of strengthening trust in the general availability of salvation, we want to find confidence for our own personal salvation.

Second, this question cannot be answered by a simple self-examination of our personal feelings, because our feelings can be very deceptive (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12). For example, please consider the apostle Paul, who who committed heinous sins by persecuting Christians, and yet his conscience never warned him (Acts 26:9-11; 23:1). Similarly, a person may be overly fearful of his standing before God, even though God has accepted him (I John 3:20). Since the feelings of our hearts do not necessarily reflect the true spiritual reality, any trust placed therein is vain at best and damnably misleading at the worst.

"That You May Know"

Although not the exclusive purpose (abstaining from sin and refuting false teaching were others - I John 2:1, 21-26), one of the reasons that John wrote his first epistle is provided here as follows:

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (I John 5:13)

Why is it important for believers to know that they have eternal life? Elsewhere, John introduced the occasion for his writing as follows:

The life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us ... And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (I John 1:2-4)

One will never experience "full joy" as long as his heart remains unsure of his eternal fate. It is evident that such uncertainty, if left unchecked, will eventually transform into discouragement, then into depression, and finally into despair and hopelessness, which is ultimately an expression of faithlessness. As was implied by John, knowing that we have eternal life is closely related to our continued belief in Jesus (I John 5:13); therefore, it is critical that we establish a firm basis for justifying assurance in our own salvation; otherwise, we may truly lose that which we fear to have already lost.

First Things First

It should be evident that no one can have confidence in his personal salvation until he has first satisfied God’s simple requirements for obtaining salvation. In other words, one cannot lose what he does not already have. Please consider, that John's epistle, designed to inspire confidence, was addressed to those who had already obtained forgiveness of sins:

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (I John 5:13)

I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. (I John 2:12-14).

Therefore, John's following solution for confidence offers no assurance to the unbelieving or unregenerate. We must first follow the New Testament pattern for conversion before we can obtain forgiveness of sins; otherwise, we have no hope, much less assurance.

Assuming that this foundation is in place, let us briefly study the first epistle of John, looking for the marks that indicate one possesses eternal life.

Mark #1: Obedience

One of the first characteristics we find in John's first letter is obedience to God’s commands:

"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him." (I John 2:3-5)

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us." (I John 3:24)

If one claims to be a Christian, but generally fails to act like one, then he will be widely regarded as a hypocrite (Matthew 23:1-4, 13-15, 23-28). Therefore, it is no surprise that one of the first marks proclaimed by John is the disciple's obedience to His Teacher. Again, John records:

No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. ... No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. (I John 3:6-10 - NIV)

The NIV translation was selected for this reading because it best reflects the ongoing, characteristic nature of the original Greek verbs. John is not saying that Christians do not sin ever, because he previously provided instructions for such occasions (I John 1:7, 9; 2:1-2). Instead, John states that Christians do not live in sin. They are not characterized by sin. They cannot be, if they are true Christians. God’s Word, which they have ingested, will ultimately enable them to overcome, if that represents their true desire. Therefore, we can expect a Christian’s life to reflect spiritual growth and an ever advancing triumph over sin. When such people become entangled in sin, they repent, confess, seek forgiveness, and move forward (I John 1:7, 9; 2:1-2).

Therefore, we should examine our own hearts with the following questions: Is there some cherished but sinful practice that we are knowingly maintaining? Are we excusing select sins with statements such as: "Nobody is perfect!"; "But, I am not as bad as so and so"; or "I will repent tomorrow"? These excuses reflect an ongoing acceptance of sin, which makes us subject to the very warning of the above verse. Consequently, if our lives reflect any toleration of sin within our own life, even if it is just one practice, then we will find no comfort in the Scriptures. The assurance that John's epistle offers is an absolute rejection of sin. Therefore, "let us lay aside every weight and the sin, which so easily besets us" (Hebrews 12:1), so our hearts can be assured before Him.

Mark #2: Adhering to Truth and Upholding It

As implied by the mark of obedience, we must necessarily adhere to truth and uphold it; otherwise, we will fail to obey God, regardless of our claims (Matthew 7:21-23).

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ... They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (I John 4:1-6)

This passage corroborates the previous point made that we should not simply accept our feelings as being testimony of spiritual things, possibly even assuming them to be intimations from the Holy Spirit. Instead, we are to receive such feelings with skepticism, "testing the spirits, whether they are of God." Please notice that the above passage not only directs us to test the spirits, but it gives us at least one standard of measurement for qualifying them - comparison with the previous messages revealed to the apostles and prophets ("he who knows God hears us"; see also I John 1:2-4; I Corinthians 14:37-38).

The above quoted passage provides an obvious point for examining ourselves again, so that we may have assurance: Do we truly love the word of God (II Thessalonians 2:9-12)? Do we recognize and adhere to the message delivered to the first century apostles and prophets? Do our lives reflect a pattern of measuring all thoughts and teaching by the Scriptures (Acts 17:11), or do we simply accept any idea or feeling which seems sensible to us?

Mark #3: Love

The next mark, which indicates our redemption, is our love of the brethren.

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. " (I John 3:14-15)

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." (I John 4:7-8)

Please notice that this love is not just a sentimental feeling. Furthermore, this love is more than just words. It is action. Do we love the brethren? What actions sustain this claim? How do we see love? How did God show us His love for us?

"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him." (I John 3:16-19)

Again, we should pause to consider if we do indeed love the brethren. Do our lives reflect sacrificial love and service toward our brethren, or does it reflect self-serving indulgence?

Mark #4: Faith

After considering the above marks of a child of God, one may wonder if this list constitutes a merit based system of justification, which ultimately places confidence in our own works. However, John corrects this overreaction by listing faith (which necessitates grace) as our final confidence-building mark of the true Christian.

"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (I John 5:1-5)

Please observe the close correlation between obedience, God’s commandments, love, and faith. These marks are inseparably intertwined. One cannot love others, without first loving God and obeying Him, which cannot be accomplished without accepting the revealed commands of God. Ultimately, all of this hinges on our faith.

Our sins, like all of the spiritual reality, exist unseen by human eye. We can no more empirically observe our sins any more than we can emperically observe their forgiveness. Jesus acknowledged this difficulty when he used an observable miracle to prove that He possessed power to forgive unseen sins (Mark 2:5-12). Therefore, regardless of the exact details, maintaining confidence in one's salvation will always require faith (II Corinthians 5:6-8). Consequently, a prolonged resistance to develop confidence in one's salvation manifests an underlying faithlessness in God’s ability to ultimately forgive sins and nurture his children.

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." ... Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:5-12)

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (I Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Admittedly, we have some small part to play, but the Lord has already done what may be considered the "heavy lifting". The part that remains for us is neither impossible nor beyond our grasp (I Corinthians 10:13), only because the Lord Himself placed it within our tiny reach (Acts 17:26-27; II Corinthians 10:3-5). However, laying hold on what God has offered to us requires faith, both "that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

After we learn all the marks that we may develop to assure our hearts before God, and after we learn that He has placed salvation within our reach, if we continue to doubt God’s salvation, then we must recognize that it is not a failure on God’s part. The only failure expressed is ultimately a lack of faith in God and on our part.

Conclusion

At first, one may be surprised, even disturbed that God’s evidence for our personal salvation requires effort on our part. However, please consider that God’s overall plan for man's salvation requires both faith in God’s grace and satisfying conditional works on our part (James 2:14-26). Furthermore, God has provided more than sufficient evidence and assurance to His power to maintain His promise including, but not limited to the sacrifice of Jesus (John 3:16; Romans 8:31-32) and raising Jesus from the dead (Acts 17:31). Therefore, it should not be considered strange that God’s offering for our individual salvation is somewhat dependent upon us.

In summary, John's epistle, which was written in part to produce assurance in our personal salvation, offers at least four evidences upon which, we may know that we are saved:

• obedience to God’s commands
• accepting and upholding God’s Scriptures
• loving God and the brethren
• faith in God and Jesus

Although these may be obvious marks in the mature Christian, even the young babe in Christ will manifest some capacity in each of these four foundations for assurance. Furthermore, they provide areas for continued development, which will produce increasing confidence as the new Christian grows.

Christians may have weak moments, when they doubt their own personal salvation, even though they may be the most godly of saints. However, that was never God’s intention, because I John was written to give us the “full joy” and “assured hearts” (I John 1:4; 3:19). Having compared our lives to the marks provided by God through John, if we find each of those marks with good conscience, then we need to trust Him, have joy, and have confidence. However, if we find ourselves lacking, then we know what we need to do! How does your life compare with these marks? Do you believe that they will provide confidence? If so, what will you do to ensure that your spiritual life is full of them, so "that you may know that you have eternal life" and so "that your joy may be full"?

Author: Trevor Bowen

Our God is a God of New Beginnings By: Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=1325

Our God is a God of New Beginnings

Our God is a God of New Beginnings 

By: Ben Fronczek

Here’s a true Story:

He was a young, poor, country boy who had some talent as a football player in high school. He ended up with a foot ball scholarship to a technical university after high school, but before going he married his 16 year old girl friend. His wife later wrote. “We were so poor,  So in love, but so poor.”

At the age of 18 this young man had his first son. His wife later said, that her husband had never drank alcohol before, but started to party with the football team once he got to college. She said,  “It was scary to me,”  as a young girl. She had never been exposed to that kind of life style. They soon had their second son, and she reported that her husband’s drinking habits worsened. She also suspected that he was also doing other drugs and was committing adultery. He started to become very angry, and was rarely with the family.

She went on to say that one day, a man went into the beer joint that her husband was working at with a Bible and tried to tell him about Jesus. She said her husband ran him off, and later got in a bar fight so bad that he got in trouble with the law. He came home that evening and told her that he was going to hide in the woods and probably wouldn’t “surface” for 2 or 3 months.

She said when he eventually turned up, the drinking continued – She said, “He became more and more mean, and mean-spirited,”. He eventually told her and their three children to get out leave their home.  

Later he told others, ‘I would say the low point in his life was when he ran his wife and the kids off. He was  all alone, with no hope, and miserable.’

He began to seriously wonder if there was a way out of all of his troubles, and his faithful wife suggested that he talk with the man who had once approached him about the Lord. And so he decided to talk to him

Later he said, “I didn’t even know what the Gospel of Jesus was,”  “I was blown away when I heard that Jesus died for me, was buried, and raised from the dead – something so … simple, but profound…”

One day his wife came home and found a note which said that he was at the church. She and their three boys went to the church and saw him standing in the baptistery. She rejoiced. She said,  “I heard him say, ‘I want to make Jesus the Lord of my life. I want to follow Him from this day forward.’  Her three boys were so excited that tears streamed down their faces. She said “The boys started hollering and singing, jumping all over the place … they were so happy,”  she said.   He told her that he was turning away from his sinful past, and it was in that moment that their family felt complete.

As a young Christian, he was put to the test when he caught men stealing fish from him down on the river. He said, In the past he would have confronted them with his shotgun – He said,  “I was fishing for a living – it was my livelihood. I was working my tail off,” he explains.

But he had been reading Romans 12,  which says – “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them … Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (English Standard Version, from Romans 12:14-21).

 

He was puzzled, but felt convicted –He called out to the Lord and said, “They’re stealing my fish here, Lord, and You want me to do what?”   Even though he felt that it made no “earthly sense,”  He determined to do good to the men. Just as they were about to pull his fishing net on-board their boat he caught them stealing from him again red-handed. Seeing this he told them “Here’s the good news – I’m going to raise the net, and whatever is in there, I’m going to give them to you,”. The men were suspicious but from that day forward, they quit stealing his fish. “I took that to mean God was right all along,” he said.

Being the outdoorsman that he was, soon after he became a Christian he made a unique duck call and named it the Duck Commander. He made and sold some earning $8,000 in sales his first year. The family-operated company has now grown to a multimillion dollar business. This man now in his 60’s,  and Phil Robertson does not hesitate to give credit where credit is due. He says,   “I am giving the credit to God Almighty and Heaven for the duck call sales, the fish that were in the nets way back, [and] for my life.”

If you haven’t guessed it already I am talking about the father and patriarch of what is now known as Duck Dynasty.  Here we have just one example of a man being what we now call… reborn or born again; going from someone who was vile, corrupt, and mean to becoming a sweet and loving husband and father, and now someone who stands up and professes Christ and his Lord and preaches his word. It has been said that Phil has baptized over 300 people into Christ in the river just outside his home in Louisiana.

I wanted to tell you this story today because as we begin a New Year many of us look at it as a new beginning. Some of us make New Year resolutions. Some of us go on diets, start an exercise regiment, many of us even start a Bible reading program or do other things we’ve put off doing.

What I want to do is remind us all that Our God is a God of New Beginnings. Just like with Phil Robertson becoming quite literally a new man, we hear and read about how God has enabled people to experience new beginnings over and over in big and small ways ever since the beginning.

For example..

● The creation itself was a new beginning.

● Eve coming on the scene in Adam’s life was the start of a new beginning for him.

● Noah and his family experienced a new beginning. Like the sin in Phil’s life and ours when we were baptized, God washed away the sin of the world in the flood waters of Noah’s time and they all began a new life as they exited the ark.     1 Peter 3 says, “In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,  who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”

● At the Tower of Babel when God gave people different languages it was a new beginning for those people.

● When God interacted with Abram and make a covenant with him it was new beginning for Abram and his descendants. His family would become the Hebrew nation and the first Jews.

● Joseph interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh led to a new beginning for him and the people of Israel. His small family later moved to Egypt and grew in a nation of people there.

● After 400 years in Egypt God would have Moses lead the Jews out to start a new life again. We see this happening over and over again throughout Bible history, from entering the promised land to being swept away to Babylon and then being led back again to rebuild.

But the greatest change that God brings about are the changes that happen in individual’s lives because of what Jesus did for us. Stories like Phil Robertson have been taking place since Jesus came on the scene 2000 years ago. Lives have been changed, renewed, and there have been countless new beginning. Fisherman and tax collector became Apostles. Thieves, prostitutes, murders, drug addicts, and still worst alike have been given a new beginning, having been born again because of Jesus.

Most all of us know about the Jewish Pharisee that hated Jesus and his followers and what they stood for. Saul of Tarsus hunted Christians down, imprisoned them, and even approved of their death. But then the God of new beginnings opened his eyes by blinding him on the road to Damascus. He did a 180 and eventually became one of those Christians that he use to persecute. He was a new man and often wrote about it. In Phil. 3 he writes,

 “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.”

As we enter a new year I want you to remember this. Our God is a God of new beginnings. Eph 3:20 says that God, “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”

You may know that you have something in your life that you need to change.  I say, ask God to help you make that change. Paul said that He ‘is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. ‘

In this text Paul tells us what helped him. He “consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord.” And so he ‘pressed on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 He press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God had called him heavenward in Christ Jesus.’

God will give you that new beginning, a new start, a new life, but sometime you have to set a goal and ask God to help you.  If God was willing to send His Son to suffer and then die on that cruel cross, if He loves you that much don’t you think He will help you with some of these other things in your life you want to change?

You know what the problem is? We do without a lot because we are not bold enough to ask God with conviction for his help and favor.

James 4 says, “You do not have because you do not ask God.”

We have to trust Him and remember how much He loves us and who we are to Him. We are His redeemed ones, those He saved. We are those He justified. We are co-heirs with Christ Jesus, we are His children.

Why should we think He wouldn’t want to help us? There is no excuse for not becoming victorious in all things if Jesus is your Lord and if God is our Father

In Closing I want to mention a special ‘new beginning’ that God has in store for us. It is the prize that Paul wrote about.   Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

The Apostle John wrote about this in Revelation 21, he wrote,  “21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Our God is a God of new beginnings.  I encourage you to look to God for new beginnings. He has your very best in mind. I also encourage you to make an extra effort like Paul, forget the past and all the ways you messed up and start straining toward what is ahead,  press on toward that prize for which God has called you heavenward. With Jesus’ help you can do anything.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST – IT’S THE ONLY CHURCH THAT SAVES by Alfred Shannon Jr.

https://biblicalproof.wordpress.com/2011/07/

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST – IT’S THE ONLY CHURCH THAT SAVES

Many will ponder and ask, why are there so many churches, and will some be going to heaven from each church. No where, or at any time did Christ build more than One church. Jesus stated it plainly, “And upon this rock (meaning himself) I will build My church.” (1) Paul stated it clearly that there is One body (meaning One church). (2) He also stated that their is One Faith, not many faiths. (3) Every true Christian is baptized into this One Church. (4) So the real question is, what is the name of that church. Paul called the church by name: The churches of Christ, (5) The church of God (God the Son), (6) the body (church) of Christ, (7) the church of the firstborn (Christ), (8) and the church of the living God (God the Son). (9) In all these names, the name of the church is clearly seen, the church of Christ. Plainly stated, only those who are baptized into the church of Christ, which follow the doctrine of Christ, (10) will be saved. The Church of Christ, the only church that saves.

(1) Mt 16:18 (2) Eph 4:4 (3) Eph 4:5 (4) 1 Cor 12:13 (5) Rom 16:16 (6) Acts 20:28 (7) 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 1:22,23; Col 1:18 (8) Heb 12:23; Col 1:18 (9) 1 Tim 3:15 (10) 2 Jn 9, 1 Cor 1:10

LIMITED ATONEMENT by C. A. Feenstra

http://www.oldpaths.com/news.html

LIMITED ATONEMENT

Man's words

Canons of Dordt - Second Head of Doctrine

Article 8

For this was the sovereign counsel and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of His Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation; that is, it was the will of God that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby He confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation and given to Him by the Father; that He should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, He purchased for them by His death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing; and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them, free from every spot and blemish, to the enjoyment of glory in His own presence forever.

* * *

"The Biblical or Calvinistic position is that Christ intended that his death should atone only for the elect and not for others. According to this position, man is totally depraved, and God, loving some with a great love, elected them, or in other words, determined that they should be saved. He sent Christ to die for them and them alone, thereby saving them. Thus the atonement of Christ is limited to some and is not intended for all. Hence, the name 'limited atonement'. That is all there is to the doctrine. It is very simple." The Five Points of Calvinism, Edwin H. Palmer, Th.D., page 35

"Historical or mainline Calvinism has consistently maintained that Christ's redeeming work was definite in design and accomplishment -- that it was intended to render complete satisfaction for certain specified sinners and that it actually secured salvation for these individuals and for no one else. The salvation which Christ earned for His people includes everything involved in bringing them into a right relationship with God, including the gifts of faith and repentance. Christ did not die simply to make it possible for God to pardon sinners. Neither does God leave it up to sinners as to whether or not Christ's work will be effective. On the contrary, all for whom Christ sacrificed Himself will be saved infallibly. Redemption, therefore, was designed to bring to pass God's purpose of election.

All Calvinists agree that Christ's obedience and suffering were of infinite value, and that if God had so willed, the satisfaction rendered by Christ would have saved every member of the human race. It would have required no more obedience nor any greater suffering for Christ to have secured salvation for every man, woman, and child who ever lived than it did for Him to secure salvation for the elect only. But He came into the world to represent and save only those given to Him by the Father. Thus Christ's saving work was limited in that it was designed to save some and not others, but it was not limited in value for it was of infinite worth and would have secured salvation for everyone if this had been God's intention." The Five Points of Calvinism, Steele and Thomas, page 39

Q. Is Calvinism's "Limited Atonement" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that God loves all men?

"For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward. He doth execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loveth the sojourner, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the sojourner; for ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt." Deut. 10:17-19

"Jehovah is gracious, and merciful;
Slow to anger, and of great lovingkindness.
Jehovah is good to all;
And his tender mercies are over all his works." Ps. 145:8-9

"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else." Isa. 45:22

"Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Ezek. 33:11

"But I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?... Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matt. 5:44-46, 48

"But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:35-36

Q. Is Calvinism's "Limited Atonement" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that God loves all men and that He desires the salvation of all men?

"Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? saith the Lord Jehovah; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?...For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord Jehovah: wherefore turn yourselves, and live." Ezek. 18:23, 32

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

"And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world." I John 4:14

"For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men" Titus 2:11

"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth." I Tim. 2:3-4

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isa. 53:6

"And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people." Luke 2:10

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." II Pet. 3:9

Q. Is Calvinism's "Limited Atonement" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that Jesus died for all men?

"Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all." I Tim. 2:5-6

"And he (Jesus) is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world." I John 2:2

"But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man." Heb. 2:9

"And he (Jesus) died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again." II Cor. 5:15

"Who needeth not daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people: for this he (Jesus) did once for all, when he offered up himself." Heb. 7:27

"By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Heb. 10:10

* * *

Q. Is Calvinism's "Limited Atonement" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that God earnestly calls all men to hear and obey the gospel of His Son that they may be saved?

"...Jesus answered and said...Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; ...and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matt. 11:25, 28-29

"And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned." Mark 16:15-16

"And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:" Matt. 28:18-19

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:47

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17 AV

* * *

Q. If God loves all men and Jesus died for all men, does this mean that all men will be saved?

"Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it." Matt. 7:13-14

"For many are called, but few chosen." Matt. 22:14

Q. Is Calvinism's "Limited Atonement" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that Jesus died for some men who will be lost?

"For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died." I Cor. 8:11

"Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died." Rom. 14:15

"Overthrow not for meat's sake the work of God.... It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth." Rom. 14:20-21

"But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them" II Pet. 2:1

* * *

Q. If God loves all men and Jesus died for all men and yet only few are saved, who are these few?

"And he (Jesus) is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his (Jesus') commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoso keepeth his (Jesus') word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected." I John 2:2-5

"...The living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe." I Tim. 4:10

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matt. 7:21

"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." Matt. 17:5

"He (Jesus) became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation." Heb. 5:9

"He that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36b

* * *

Q. Is Calvinism's "Limited Atonement" true, OR is there a great amount of teaching in GOD'S WORD which shows us that God loves all men and that He desires their salvation, and that Jesus' death made salvation possible for whosoever will obey him?

"On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!" John 1:29

"And they (the Samaritans) said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world." John 4:42

"For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world." John 6:33

"I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world." John 6:51

"Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12

"I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture." John 10:9

"And I (Jesus), if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself." John 12:32

"And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." John 12:47

"For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell; and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross..." Col. 1:19-20

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Rev. 3:20

"...God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses..." II Cor. 5:18-19

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?" Rom. 8:32

"For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother." Matt. 12:50

"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18:4

"Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life." John 4:13-14

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die." John 11:25-26

"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness." John 12:46

"And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21

"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom. 10:12-13

"...Whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's shall save it." Mark 8:35

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine (Jesus), and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:" Matt. 7:24 AV

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." Matt. 10:32 AV

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43 AV

"Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my (Jesus') sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house..." Luke 6:47-48 AV

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life." John 3:14-15

"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame." Rom. 10:10-11

"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God: and whosoever loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." I John 5:1

"As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." Rom. 9:33 AV

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

* * *

Q. How are we to harmonize the few scriptures which teach that Christ died for "the sheep" and "the church", with the many, many scriptures which teach that he died for all men?

"And he (Jesus) is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him (Jesus), and keepeth not his (Jesus') commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoso keepeth his (Jesus') word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected." I John 2:2-5

"...The living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe." I Tim. 4:10

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

"Off" and "On" by Gary Rose

The older I become, the less I know. But, I do know that my dog loves me. Why? Well, who really knows? But, I like to think he sees something in me that others may not. Perhaps he just can “sense” that I care for him, or is feeding him or petting him or taking him for a walk enough, or is is something else?

All this raises questions. Am I really good (bad) and if so, am I always this way?

And if I see a “not-so-good” side of me, can I get better? It is written…

Colossians (World English Bible)

 ¹ If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.  ² Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.  ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  ⁴ When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.  ⁵ Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;  ⁶ for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.  ⁷ You also once walked in those, when you lived in them;  ⁸ but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.  ⁹ Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,  ¹⁰ and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,  ¹¹ where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. 

  ¹²  Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;  ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 

  ¹⁴  Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 

To get better (and hopefully stay that way), I should:

1. Seek things above vs. 1f..

2. Remember that Christ is your life- follow him vs. 3.

3. Put to death (put off, don’t do) this list vss. 5-9.

4. Put on (do the following) 10-13.

Not sure what to do… try to live a life that is filled with LOVE.

Not sure how to do THAT? Remember that picture????