How to Get Assurance of Salvation
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- In this video I argue that assurance of salvation is possible and then suggest practical steps to pursue it.
Truth Unites exists to promote gospel assurance through theological depth.
Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai.
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00:00 - Introduction
04:33 - 1) The Case for Assurance
13:53 - Assurance vs. Presumption
14:12 - Assurance and Costly Discipleship
15:40 - Does Assurance Cause Laziness?
20:01 - 2) How to Get Assurance
26:58 - Yes, Assurance is Possible
Thank you, this was very helpful. God is working through you to minister to many people like me
Wonderful to hear that!
Ah. This comment is probably why this video popped up on my feed. Since I follow you, nice.
hii zoomer :))
Redeemed Zoomer and Dr Ortlund are legit!!!
Yo zoomer! Love your history vids!
I’m one of those people you spoke about. Always struggling anxiously with assurance. Thank you so much for this video. I will cling to Christ. May the Lord continue to use you as He has with this video.
I would sincerely ask for a follow up video that gives a Protestant perspective on passages where Paul is seemingly concerned with being disqualified and what it means to work out your own salvation etc.
Can a born-again Christin THAT IS SAVED BY FAITH Still sin do drugs gay sex ect and still go to heaven If so how ?
@@theodoreritola7641 are they struggling against their fleshly desires or are they just indulging in sin without remorse thinking they can just do it again and again without a care in the world because they think they can just ask for forgiveness
YES! I would love a video like this. I messaged him recently but these passages plus the lack of support in church history for the position of security of salvation causes angst
I've been debating with catholics lately and I recognized the spirit of the accuser in them when they start listing all these things you have to do to be saved. It is the Satan the accuser who comes to you and puts doubt in your mind. Thank-you for this video, I hope it provides the peace that Jesus gives and the assurance of our salvation.
Yes, those catholics are not speaking out of the Holy Spirit, sadly so
I used to serve as a chaplain for a facility that served the IDD (Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) community. One of the most heartbreaking situations I ever saw was a man who was raised in terror that he was not truly saved because he had not been baptized.
The situation was made worse because his caretakers wouldn't agree to let him be baptized.
The single moment in my ministry I will always remember was, after six months of fighting on his behalf, getting him baptized. The look of assurance & relief on his face was beautiful beyond words.
Catholics believe in this same level of assurance. We believe our salvation in Christ is 100% secure, true and eternal. We ALSO believe that we can walk away from our adopted family - like the Prodigal Son - who was not threatened or unduly yoked but chose by his own free will to leave. He had everything; why would he leave? And like the Prodigal son, God will not force us to stay but when properly disposed will always receive us back with a grand celebration and not condemnation. The presumption here is that it's not possible for me to walk away if I am TRULY saved. It is possible, even if I cannot conceive of it myself - I can't presume to know why or how someone would do this, but it is possible. God's Mercy and Love is always available, never forced upon you and me, and of that I am 100% assured. Will I accept it and endure in its truth til the end...can never be 100% sure of that...even if I FEEL it is 100% that way right now.
Struggling with assurance has been my toughest battle. I believe it comes from the hatred of my sin and a tendency to fall into works righteousness. I've made progress by memorizing the promises of Jesus and will add John 5:24 to the list. Looking ten times at Him for everytime I look at myself helps too. I pray for all who struggle with this, that they will persevere and overcome. Thank you for your ministry and sound advice.
I relate to this, it's been my toughest battle too. Thank you for your comment, it was good for me to read.
Can we talk about the fact that Dr. Ortlund seems like such a good father?? :) :) :)
He is! 😊
@@estherortlund aw, showin’ the love. 😁
Philippians 1:6 was crucial for me and I’d encourage anyone watching this video to memorize it.
And yes read also Philppians 2:12 and 1 Timothy 4:16. Salvation can be lost oh yeah.
@anonimo-um2ng that was unnecessary to the conversation 😒
@@anonimo-um2ng. Not according to John 6:37. “all that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.“ And in verse 39-40 “and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him, should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.“
And finally, Philippians 1:6 “and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the Day of Jesus Christ.”
Your salvation is in God’s hands, not yours. And if you don’t believe that, then you must believe that you are unelected, unjustified, unglorified, unadopted and that the Holy Spirit is removed from you. You have made God powerless to cause you to stand.
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25
@@gabrieluranda6078seems very necessary. If you are wrong about once saved always saved you could be leading people into the darkness.
@@guns4786 would you clarify … what exactly are you saying? It sounds like you might be attempting to say we can’t have assurance? I’m confused
Thank you for the great video. Well stated: Presumption is "I'm good enough". Assurance is "Christ is good enough".
Why doesn't this devolve into universalism?
@ThoskaBrah
What if the proposition is, "Christ is good enough to save pagans"?
I was just reading the book of Leviticus. In order for an offering to be considered an “atonement,” the guilty party had to place his hand on the head of the animal to be sacrificed. It showed that he identified with the offering. In the same way, Christ’s death is sufficient to atone for us if we identify with him, or as Paul sometimes puts it, we are “in him”.
@@reepicheepsfriend
In him through baptism.
@@Qwerty-jy9mjbecause not everyone repents and trusts in Him?
Excellent message. Anxiety about my salvation has been a frequent visitor throughout my Christian journey (now 37 years). In these last few weeks of reading a lot of reformed theology/Calvinism my anxiety has increased exponentially, not to mention the anxiety over our two children (raised in a Christian home but, now in their 30’s, have walked away).
When the anxiety gets to its worst I asked my others to pray for me, read Psalm 103, and listen to worship music. These help for a time but this anxiety comes back regularly. Satan is right there to fuel those fears.
Very encouraging message here.
@ lavenderlady3982
I always find comfort in Jesus’ words in John 6:44
“No one comes to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I WILL raise him up on the last day.
Also John 6:39.
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up on the last day.
Anyone drawn by the Father will be saved. Jesus will make sure of it and his promises are perfect.
It’s in God’s hands whom he chooses to Draw. He draws only according to his goodness. There’s nothing in us that makes him pass over some and choose others.
I find that very assuring.
@@thefatking3154how is that assuring? You can’t ever know if you are one of the elect or not. You might think you have faith but actually it’s a dead faith and you are not elect.
@@paulboerin173 Don’t despair brother. I’m here to tell you something. Calvinism is false. It was created by a man in the 1500s and has nothing to do with historic Christianity. All this “elect” and “no free will” stuff is nonsense that the Calvinists have invented because they misinterpret scripture. You can be assured of your salvation. Want to know how? By believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did for you on the cross!
Acts 16:30-33
30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household.”
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.
33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.
Romans 10:9-10
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
There are many more verses I could share but I don’t want this comment to be too long. Don’t worry about being one of the elect. Put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you WILL be saved brother.
This was really encouraging thank you. Yesterday I was praying about this. Over the past 4 years of my Christian walk, I would be in and out of assurance. And categorise sins as almost as if they were mortal or venial. For me in my Vatican, mortal sins are not evangelising enough, not reading the word first thing and before every meal, and not talking about Jesus in every conversation or encounter with someone. I’ve been told many times that these are good things we should do, but they can’t save you. Many times I’ve gone up to the altar and asked for prayer over this. Eventually I came to a point last year and the beginning of this year of,”do I really trust what God says?” I remember my boss telling me,”when I say something good to you, and you worry about if what I said was true, it seems like you don’t trust me.” All the gifts God has given me by His grace, materially and spiritually, and I sit here and worry if He has really saved me. The Holy Spirit has revealed my lack of trust in His Word. Thank you again. And keep me in your prayers as the Lord Jesus continues to work in my heart, souls and mind to love Him and others more. My name is Abby.
I cant tell you how perfectly timed this video was for me. Thanks so much Dr. Ortlund! Peace be with you.
so glad to hear that!
A beautiful video. I was especially touched by the phrasing of assurance as the understanding, not that we are enough as we are, but that Christ is enough
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed. For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23
We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ, for the Glory of God the Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Holy Scripture is clear on this, so that even if you are confused about the fine details, you will still have more than enough information to rest assured.
Excellent video. I might add that a great example of reassurance is the Penitent Thief. It’s really a great way to tell if you truly believe or not. The thief said to “remember me when you come into your kingdom”. He didn’t beg or try to win Christ over, he accepted his fate and accepted the Truth. A truly imperfect man got to go to Heaven that day, and it was only on the basis of faith. We should all rejoice with that knowledge, but so many won’t.
Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). Jesus' response is recorded in the New King James Version as, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).
When Christ died later that day, did He and the criminal go to heaven? The answer lies in John 20:17, where Christ says to Mary Magdalene (three days after His crucifixion), "I have not yet ascended to My Father." So Christ hadn't returned to heaven the day of His crucifixion.
The system of punctuation we are used to in the English language-which includes quotation marks, commas, semicolons, etc.-was not used in the Greek language that the Gospel of Luke was written in. As a result, English translators of the Bible had to place punctuation into the Bible based on the context of the translation. While they have generally done an accurate job with this, their lack of understanding of the timing of the resurrections and their belief in nonbiblical doctrines such as the immortality of the soul led them to incorrectly punctuate Luke 23:43.
So what did Jesus mean? A common phrase of Jesus' day was the emphatic "I say to you today," with which Jesus prefaced His statement that "you will be with Me in Paradise." Christ wasn't saying, "You will be with Me in Paradise today," but rather, "Today I'm telling you, you will be with Me in Paradise."
@@geordiewishart1683 thanks for the in depth correction. Apparently I don’t know how to read the Bible and I’m going to hell.
None of the words translated “hell” in English Bibles refers to a conscious afterlife of endless torment. In fact, Scripture states that there is no conscious awareness in death, but that we must be raised to conscious existence in a future resurrection (see Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; Daniel 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:6; 1 Corinthians 15:18; 1 Corinthians 15:20; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). So what do these words translated “hell” mean?
First is the Old Testament Hebrew sheol, which is equivalent to the New Testament Greek term hades. Both these words are used in Scripture in reference to the grave-to burial in the earth.
Next is the Greek term tartaroo, which occurs in only one verse (2 Peter 2:4). It refers here to the present condition of demons, rebellious angels, being restrained or imprisoned on the earth.
Last is the word gehenna, the New Testament Greek form of the Hebrew Gai Hinnom, the Valley of Hinnom than ran along the west and south sides of Jerusalem. During biblical times of terrible apostasy people were burned here in pagan sacrifice-and it became a place to burn garbage. This term was used by Jesus in reference to future judgment in the lake of fire that will ultimately burn up the wicked. There is no sense here of a fire burning and torturing forever.
Which hell did you mean?
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified (Luke 18:13-14a)
Easy as that.
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (Romans 4:5)
@Getti Burger Look closely at that passage:
On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (Matthew 7:22-23)
What is it that these people set before Jesus as evidence of why he should accept them? Works. Lord, Lord, did we not DO?
Jesus expects faith, not those who think they can earn.
Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." (Romans 4:4-8)
@@Nighthawkinlight
This denounces Pelagianism, all Christians agree with that
@Getti Burger He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. ... As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:10 & 12)
Concerning rewards and a well used life our actions do matter:
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw- each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
So:
Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1b)
@Getti Burger That's right, but what is that thing which we must keep with endurance, works or faith? I would challenge you to read the context of this verse in Hebrews 11, and take special note of the mention of Samson in 11:32. He is commended as an example for us for his faith. Now if you read his story you will see his behavior is deplorable, so why is he commended an example? Because in his dying breath, though still tainted by selfish motives of vengeance, he humbles himself before God as the true source of strength. Bad behavior will bring you a miserable life, but the sacrifice that God requires for salvation is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
@@GettiBurgere says why. 1. He did not know them ( no relationship or wrong Jesus they were worshipping) 2. They practiced sin. That would be sinning with no repentance. True believers grieve their sin AND they love to pray and talk to God.
Thank you brother ❤
This is so needed today. Well said!
Excited to watch this one
Thanks for another great video Gavin!
great video brother. Glory to God
Thank you for another great video, Dr. Ortlund.
Love this!! So plain and uplifting. Thank you!!
This was so timely.
You mentioned finding a verse to memorize. I have long known Hebrews 11:6, but this last Sunday my pastor read it, and it really stood out to me:
"And without faith it is impossible to please [God], for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
This verse has always resonated with me, but what stood out this Sunday was this phrase "believe that [God] is." I've been working on a philosophy where I take the arguments for Theism (Kalam, Contengency, Morality, Beauty, ect) to their ultimate extreme to find that at the foundation of reality there must be an underlying thing which is the core essence of existence itself. I call this the "Being One". I've sense been amazed how many times I find this "Being One" so clearly described in scripture: the name of God is YHWH (I AM), Paul describes Him as "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). It is especially spelled out in the Shmah (Deuteronomy 6:4), "Hear, O Israel, YHWH our God, YHWH achad" (I AM is one).
So when I read this passage, "Believe [God] is", I know some translations spell this out, "believe God exists", but the wording of "believe [God] is" really captured that "Being One" philosophy I've been entertaining. But the next part is actually what really compelled me: "and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
As I've been facing deep depression for the last several months, I've resonated with Abraham's question to God when God promised to reward him, "O Lord God, what will you give me, for I am childless?" Abraham had an insecurity; something he had desperately wanted his entire life, but something that God had kept him from receiving. And so Abraham recognized that soon any reward he would receive would mean nothing since he had no heir to continue his legacy or inherit his wealth. How could God reward somebody with no future, who's past was behind him, and with whom any hope was long dead? But God promised him that his hope was not dead, and so Abraham believe in God and His promise, and God accounted it as righteousness. Abraham then drove out crows from the covenant God was making with him. While he was still hopeless, God promised a great reward, and Abraham responded by believing and driving out crows from his life.
That is what Hebrews is talking about: not just believing God exists and then being depressed because you're so separated from God, but also believing that God can somehow still reward you with His promises of hope (although all evidence tells you your hopes are dead). But we must act in faith, and drive out the sins that seek to devour the covenant God is establishing with us. Is it really worth it? Doing all this work and driving away our temptations and desires for a promise that seems impossible? If we don't believe also that God is a rewarder, our strength will be limited.
This message is so important, thank you.
Thanks brother. You always help me to stay on the right path, and I really appreciate that.
This video was perfectly timed, God bless you and your ministry brother.
Bro doesn't miss!!! Thanks for all your hard work in making these videos!
Thank you for this post!
Thank you for this video Dr.Gavin. God bless you
Pure gold. Thank you brother!
Preach brother in Christ!!!
Thankful to God for you and this video! 🙂
So beautifully said - it’s Amazing …. Grace
Thank God for your service
This is good, strong, pastoral stuff. Thank you.
What sweet comfort. Comforting words from St John Chrysostom here: And that I may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own, even that which is of the Law. If he who had righteousness, ran to this other righteousness because his own was nothing, how much rather ought they, who have it not, to run to Him? And he well said, a righteousness of my own, not that which I gained by labor and toil, but that which I found from grace. If then he who was so excellent is saved by grace, much more are you. For since it was likely they would say that the righteousness which comes from toil is the greater, he shows that it is dung in comparison with the other. For otherwise I, who was so excellent in it, would not have cast it away, and run to the other. But what is that other? That which is from the faith of God, i.e. it too is given by God. This is the righteousness of God; this is altogether a gift. And the gifts of God far exceed those worthless good deeds, which are due to our own diligence.
Thank you, pastor, and thank you, Lord, for what you've done for us!
This was helpful reminder.
This is such a beautiful video. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Baie dankie dis soos heuning vir my siel!
So appreciate you Gavin! Solid biblical teaching with the love and heart of God! The Ecumenical Church NEEDS this everywhere!
Your ministry is a blessing from the Lord, thank you dearly Gavin.
This was an answer to prayer! It’s so comforting to know that I’m not the only person who is struggling with this. Your video helps me understand that I don’t have to feel like a “bad/fake Christian” for having occasional doubts. The strategies you’ve shared here are going to really help. God bless you Pastor Gavin!
I needed to hear this. Timely words for many of us. Sometimes the Sunday school answers are more powerful than the wisdom of the world. Continued blessings to you!
I love this video. Such wonderful life and freedom in these words. God is good.
Thank you!! This has helped me to have much better understanding. Really brought it together for me.
Thank you for speaking from the scriptures with passion and a true pastoral heart. I found this so reassuring.
Doc, thank you so much for my many questions and concerns.
Thank you very much for this video, it was a definite blessing to me. And I’m interested in those Puritan resources you mentioned as well!
Thank, you dear pastor.
Thanks brother. In this ecumenical exploration I am going through this is encouraging.
Thank you so very much.
Thank you for this. Learning about Orthodoxy really put a yoke on my conscience.
Great video!
Thank you so much for sharing this marvelous video! Glory be to our Eternal Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!
I so need to hear this...
glad it was helpful!
Yes well described as disturbed consciences 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💔
Thank you Gavin Ortland for this wonderful teaching! I just got set free from the anxiety with fear and and doubt ruling my mind and affecting my peace and joy robing me and causing me to suffer greatly! But thanks be to our God and Lord Jesus that I have been set free and it is so sweet for me now I can’t really express the level of joy and peace I now have!!
Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! What a wonderful video brother Gavin, you should do more of these pastoral videos on the experiences of Christ as our life supply in our spiritual living. Your theology videos are amazing and very needed as not many Protestants are doing such work to this standard on this platform, but I think you've attracted an audience and gotten respect by many academic believers who are more swayed by the 'logical' Christian content who perhaps don't enjoy the Spirit working in their life as much as they could if they would every once in a while drop their concepts and soften and turn their heart to their Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:16-18). At the end of the day our Christian life is one of coming to Him again and again and experiencing His grace spiritually. I felt the grace of the Lord Jesus poured into my heart through this video as He affirmed many things I have known again and again but I have forgotten in my day to day living. I pray many more have this experience such as you and C.S. Lewis described. How wonderful and loving is our God and savior!
Amen. So much has gone on in my life and the life of my adult children. I have always had the utmost assurance of salvation thru faith in Jesus Christ. Absolute!! And yet life is rough, and this is a comfort.
Those resources you mentioned from the Puritans differentiating between assurance and presumption would be great!
This is probably the most important video for every Christian. The power of assurance is a product of God's love for you!
Another excellent teaching Dr. Ortlund. Much appreciated.
Would you consider doing a teaching on the related subject of Eternal Security, the issue of whether a genuinely saved person can lose his/her salvation. Thanks.
Wow, makes my heart want what I missed. Never had that experience w either parent. It is something I need Christ to work out in me. I’m hoping my parents are w Christ now as I encouraged them to call upon Jesus when they were dying. I’ve struggled w assurance a long long time and know it’s directly related to my lack, neglect and dysfunction growing up. Pray for me. Have 5 other siblings, nieces and nephews and great n & n and in laws needing rel’p w Christ 💞💞💞💞💙🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻✝️🙌🏻
Thank you!
Thank you
Greak work thank you!
I love your theology and apologetics content (they have been invaluable to my life, and I can't overstate that), but I also love these pastoral videos.
It shows your true pastoral heart - you truly bear that gift of the Spirit well, brother.
Appreciate a lot of your work Gavin, and hope you and your fam are all great! God Bless you.
All I can say on this topic, is that the New Testament consistently calls believers to fearfully endure - not a fear of not praying enough, or a fear of one of the Catholic church's obstacles - but to be weary of your walk, make sure you're picking up the cross that your flesh is on " For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but *if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live* " Rom 8:13 . We all have to be sure that we're fulfilling Paul's "if" conditional, and it's not an easy task. Peter says we are to be diligent in making sure we don't stumble and an entrance to Heaven isn't supplied.
"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:10-11 His exhortation here is to consistently be aware that there is a door that you can *stumble* out of
Paul warns in Romans 11 that those who stand by faith, can be cut off like unbelieving Jews, if they sin against them
"They were broken off because of their unbelief, *but you stand fast through faith* . *So do not become proud, but fear* . 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. "
Paul here verbatim says to fear the sin of arrogant acts against people - and the consequence is being cut off from this salvific tree
A lot of Christians do have an odd anxiety today of not knowing where they stand with God - but I can't sweepingly say that their fears are different from what we're told to fear in the verses above. Jesus said "don't turn back, remember Lot's wife" or you will not be taken with him. Fear is a motivator for the Christian. Fear what the Bible says to fear, not lack of perfect prayer or Catholic church requirements.
Thankyou so much for this one, Pastor Ortlund 🙏🏼✨this video really reminds me about the true purpose and reason of my walk with Christ ✝️💪
God Bless You 🙌💪
John 5:24…I’ve watched this episode several times now and, kid you not, each time it’s been helpful. Today I had some rather distressing and terminal medical news and I barely flinched. Not through personal courage or anything ‘self’, but merely knowing I have the assurance of salvation through God’s grace. And I’m going to tell friends and family about that. Cheers and blessings, Gavin. To repeat, John 5:24.
Thanks for the reminders Pastor Gavin. I found that in my youth ministry, this was one of the biggest struggles I found among my students too.
Just for consideration for the future, I think people struggle with assurance not just because of a particular sin or past but because of that qualifier for assurance. You said, "sincerely surrender your life". The question is always "am I sincere? What if I'm self deceived?". We hear pastors say stuff like, "if you sincerely believed in Jesus, you would do this or should do this and that" and they find that they don't for whatever reason. And I think that subjectiveness about sincerity is what causes people the feel subjective about their assurance.
Thank you Pastor Gavin for such an important message, to remind ourselves of the assurance that we have in Christ Jesus. It reminds me of the old hymn, Verse 1
“ Blessed assurance “ Jesus is mine !
Oh what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his spirit, washed in his blood
Yes, and to encourage ourselves with the promises of God in his word, and to pray for one another.
Great message ! Thank you
Your channel is a gem brother. I dont often say “Amen” out loud but I do whenever I listen to your videos! 🔥🔥Thank you for this encouragement!
glad it was helpful!
I always marvel at how faith comes so easy to some people and is so elusive to others. I think I've always been somewhere between a Peter and a doubting Thomas.
Im thankful as a Catholic we have confession to help with these doubts. Confession is not the only way to be forgiven but it sure helps to get sins off my chest. Give me a good way of recollection of the sins i may have commited and honestly taking a look at myself and my sins before going to confession.
Easier to stick with new habits and not falling back into sins i struggle with.
Jesus gave his apostles the ability to forgive sins for a reason and im thankful for the confessional at my Church.
Not truing to negate thos video or start a debate, but confession helps me and i dont feel unsettled at all, and when o often do i go to confession along with praying alone. I know im saved.
Thank you so much Gavin for this video. I often go through periods of doubt whether I’ve committed one sin too many or have fallen out of grace or whether somehow I’ll have the door shut in my face with Jesus saying “away evil doer I never knew you!”. I’ve also doubted over whether I’ll betray Jesus like Judas did and thus be “doomed to destruction.” I remember “whoever comes to me I will never cast him out”. And I cling to this
Banger intro
As someone who is looking at being Baptist into North American Anglican church/Reformed Episcopalian church. I thank you for making this video, it's been something on my mind as someone who started to dive deeper into Calvinist theology
A theology that was not taught neither by the greek or the latin church fathers, the once saved always saved was not taught in the Church until calvin came along. You will not find any scholarly work that presents osas as patrisctic teaching. One question please: do you have to avoid sexual sins so that God does not send you to hell? Yes or no. If you hesitate to answer yes you will see that bot salvation by faith alone and once saved always say are problematic, not only that: both are false.
@@anonimo-um2ng idk what you would be referring to about avoid sexual sin. But Christ came to forgive all sins through dying on the Cross and the only way toward salvation is. Acceptance in Christ alone.
' we need the Gospel all the time '
How true are these words.
On the 15th December 1974, I heard the Gospel for the first time and I could not but accept it as the Truth.
It was a powerful conversion for me.
I was 22 years old.
Yes, i have assurance of salvation.
I also understand that not all conversions to Christ are like this.
I believe Christ chose me that night.
I did not choose Christ.
Yes we need to hear the Gospel continuously. Romans 1 says it is the power of God for the Jews and also the Greeks.
We need to be motivated by Grace, not by guilt.
God bless you my brother.
This is so good. And also such a huge reason why dialogue with Rome needs to be ongoing. The reason Trent denounces assurance (you can only have strong confidence) is because it's hard to know how actually "willful" one is being in committing a sin in a grave matter. Suppose someone commits gluttony. They dont regard it as serious, but only because they've willfully neglected development in Christ likeness at some point. So you can't *really* know if you're in a state of grace according to Tridentine Roman theology, because even if you think you havent committed a mortal sin, for all you know you might have because maybe you're fooling yourself over your own apprehension of the seriousness of your sin.
We need to have a way to find our righteousness in our union with Christ itself, because our righteousness (as Trent seems to agree) always gives us cause to doubt our state before Christ. But if im really united to Christ by faith, and if God really and *fully* renews my Baptism as i take the eucharist, then I can know I'm in Christ.
Great thoughts. I’m coming to appreciate more fully how assurance of salvation is a key issue in these conversations.
Great analysis Sean Luke.
Catholics do not believe we rely on our own righteousness - where did you [Anglican Aesthetics] get the idea? Our righteousness comes from God through Christ (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1991) as Scripture says in Rom. 5:19 through Him we are made righteous. Faith is counted as righteousness (Rom. 4:3) - yes but not only faith. What is counted for righteousness to Phinehas in Psalms 106:31 is not faith but what he did. 1 Jo. 3:7 says (ESV):"Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he [Christ] is righteous." We lose righteousness through sinning as Scripture says in Eze. 33:12 (ESV): “the righteous shall not be able to live by his righteousness when he sins.” In the video Dr. Ortlund said that you can have assurance of salvation but it is NOT guaranteed because it depends on a number of factors he listed.
The Church will never preach the false doctrine of general assurance through proclamation of faith alone because we will only know after we die. Anyways it doesn’t matter because of purgatory. It’s not either straight to heaven or hell, the Bible makes this clear. Many people want an easy grace and don’t want to have to work on their spiritual life and growing in holiness and friendship with God. I’ve heard so many friends tell me all they need to do is proclaim Christ Lord meanwhile they continue living however they want. This is a dangerous and leads to complacency and a false sense of security. Also Catholics can be assured of a state of grace after a truly contrite confession which is a great gift and sacrament given to us by Jesus.
Also from the cathechism of the Catholic Church 1857 “For a sin to be mortal three conditions must together be met; “Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with FULL knowledge and deliberate consent.” See 1858 for definition of “grave matter.” 1859 for full knowledge and complete consent. 1860 for unintentional ignorance.
Hello thanks for taking the time to do this encouraging vid. Please can you do a vid on the 2 nature's of Christ?
Bro sending love form the Philippines
Your example of the married couple is framed in a present consciousness of the needing to know- which gets to the root of the question.
I have absolute assurance in Christ. I don’t have absolute assurance in me because I am a sinner. I can walk away by sinning so badly that I can cut myself from God’s gift of grace. I am in need of a savior- not once but every day, hour and moment.
Paul had a clear conscience but didn’t declare himself saved- we continue to press forward to the mark of the prize in faith and trust and obedience. Lord Jesus I love you and am grateful for your mercy- I pray I may be worthy of your promises. Amen!
"This video kinda turned into more of a Sermon I guess...that's cool" hahaha loved that
Thanks!
I would like to point out that the fact a person is worried about it at all is a huge look into their heart. The normal worldly man does not care or think of such matters. The worldy man does not fear the Lord
I go to a Bible study weekly and this is actually something we just talked about. That it is so important to a Christian to get it right or to please God that it can produce worry
An issue that I have long had is simply that the Bible can be read multiple ways, and that relevant verses are sometimes in tension with each other with no obvious way to resolve that tension beyond doubt.
Gavin. You have addressed possibly THE most important issue for Christian’s regarding spiritual growth and maturity and hence effectiveness.
The bride should be both beautiful AND effective. Strangely it’s a struggle to accept a free gift…try giving one…some will say…”no, no, I couldn’t possibly” and refuse it. Some will look on the giver with suspicion and wonder or ask “what’s the catch ” and refuse that way….some will casually take the free gift but then squander it rather than gratefully cherishing it.
True assurance being confused with complacency is common….as is the need to self-righteously correct others rather than patiently encourage with truth spoken in love. As I said the bride should be radiant not bedraggled, miserable and anxious…one day she will be of course….but she needs to be getting dressed ready for the bridegroom NOW….I suspect he’s not far off.
1st John 5:13 is all the assurance I need.
I would really love those resources from the puritans about confidence in Christ vs self!
A great book is by the Reverend John Flavel - “The Mystery of Providence.”
This has been a huge area of struggle for me and still creeps in from time to time. Thank you for this video, it is so encouraging, well explained and lovingly communicated.
Because it was recommended by your brother, I've been reading through Thomas Goodwin's The Heart of Christ which has been a microscope on Christ's love for us shown in the Gospels. Gentle and Lowly is in the queue as well. God is using all of you in monumental ways.
God bless you, Gavin!
Why do you struggle so much w/ being assured of your salvation? You stressed it as a huge struggle, and that's a shame. I thought that was more of a Catholic thing to not be assured of ultimate salvation.
@@saintejeannedarc9460 Is this person a Catholic?? Are you assuming?
@@raphaelfeneje486 I don't know if they are Catholic, they didn't really say?
@@saintejeannedarc9460 Well, not only Catholics gets scared, some sects in the Protestants also do get that. The hyper lordship salvation
Thank you for this Gavin, I'm the guy you described, spending 15 years studying the theology of the east and the west, going from Catholic to Orthodox and looking for that blessed hope and assurance. My wife has it in spades, so I know its possible, and her faith is solid as a rock. It's been the only thing keeping me grounded for years. You've given me much to consider and pray about. God bless.
I've been reading a book you may want to check out. It's quite long but the author seems to do a good job of laying out a systematic case for grace truly being a free gift and assurance being possible. It's called Final Destiny and it's by a man named Joseph Dillow.
@@sorenpx Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check that out!
@@ericharrah4217 No problem! I believe the latest edition is the fourth. If you can afford it, I'd also recommend going for the hardcover. I haven't finished it yet, but so far it really is an interesting and scholarly treatment of the subject of salvation by free grace, and the assurance that follows.
@Bb Dl Sounds Calvinist. Calvinism is heresy.
Yes, the beauty if a soul in the state of grace.
St. Catherine of Siena was permitted by God to see the beauty of a soul in the state of grace. It was so beautiful that she could not look on it; the brightness of that soul dazzled her. Blessed Raymond, her confessor, asked her to describe to him, as far as she was able, "My father,” she answered. “I cannot find anything in this world that can give you the smallest idea of what I have seen. Oh, if you could but see the beauty of a soul in the state of grace, you would sacrifice your life a thousand times for its salvation. I asked the angel who was with me what had made that soul so beautiful, and he answered me, “It is the image and likeness of God in that soul, and the Divine Grace which made it so beautiful.”.
I have an odd choice for a verse that gives me assurance. It's not typical language of "You can be sure you are saved," but it still helps me a lot. The verse is here:
Luke 17:10 CSB17
“In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.’””
It might sound strange to use that verse, but the focus here is that "we've done our duty." and that is all you have to do to be a Christian. As Ephesians 2:10 says, God has already prepared the works we will do for Him. As long as you are faithful, there is no more you need to do.
Real good.
The last part of obtaining assurance it was mentioned about doing things that will comfort our hearts such as good works and maintaining a clear conscience. This part is a problem for me. If I could maintain a clear conscience , I would not be doubting salvation. This brings back a works based mentality that there will always be a part of my flesh that is not fully 100% surrendered. It goes back to what C.S Lewis said. Have I really done enough? It resets everything back to the beginning again like none of the other points of assurance existed. For me, I may not be doing something wrong but just the natural desire itself to do something I feel like God wants me to give up is enough for me to think, have I really repented if I am unwilling to give up this one area of my life even if it is not a sin but I feel like God wants me to for my spiritual growth. Internally even just the desire to still do it is the same as the act itself. Its like a terrible cycle where there is still no assurance.