Growing in assurance is something Christians are to do. The New Testament is filled with passages that speak to how one is justified. It also speaks to the Christian life. It speaks to "knowledge" and growing in holiness.
Yet so many evangelicals are told to never question their faith. We are simply told to say a prayer and if we meant it, we are guaranteed eternal life. So close your eyes and dive for the Altar. Never mind with dealing with texts that speak about false faiths that deceive men. Never mind that there may be false teachers leading men astray. Never mind that my sin and sinfulness may cause me to deceive myself.
On the other hand, isn't salvation by faith alone? Or should we be doing good works in order to remain in God's favor?
A caller on the Dividing Line asked a question that is often asked but rarely addressed with "balance". Although the subject has been answered before and perhaps in a better way, it is always good to hear it again.
I was also told by Richard Barcellos (editor of the RBTR) yesterday that Sam Waldron's book on the issue of justification, obedience and faith is coming out today. He did tell me it was readable for the Layman.
Hopefully more works on these topics will be coming out and aiding the local church.
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4 comments:
If there is one thing we all need to hear it is someone like Dr. White using Scripture to formulate his opinion of assurance and salvation.
People of my generation are so afraid to say one way or the other and if they do it is always behind the idea that faith is an internal condition of the heart and so on...not realizing that the Book of James, especially 2:14 and onward is all about how if you say you have faith but don't care about pleasing God or meeting the needs of your brother then you faith is dead - it's not mostly dead, it's all dead. I guess James is just more courageous than we are today
I agree with FilmCritic
How often do we hear about levels of deadness.
:-)
I was thinking of Miracle Max from the princess bride, "he's only mostly dead."
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