How often have we fallen into despair as Christians? Perhaps we are struggling with temptations and sin and feel as though we will be lost forever. “God's withdrawing the light of his countenance”(1) may bring the Christian to despair or depression. Yet the promises of Scripture are such that no matter the feelings one may have, God will remain with him till the end of the age and forever.
In my studies of the London Baptist Confession and of the doctrine of Faith Alone, I have been coming to an understanding that Christians often may lose assurance of their salvation. This may be caused by physical illnesses or other natural causes. Another obvious source of loss of assurance may simply be from sin. Perhaps just simply being worldly in our thinking and behavior. We may not necessarily be sinning in an active sense. Yet perhaps we are always watching the news and becoming news junkies. We are constantly being told bad things. How often do we find Christians listening to secular scientists explaining the world around us and coming to some very unbiblical conclusions without using any discernment at all? Christians may become depressed and not even know why.
The LBCF 1689 states in Chapter 18:
3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true Believer, may wait long and conflict with many difficulties before he be (i) partaker of it; yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may without extraordinary revelation in the right use of means (k) attain thereunto: and therefore it is the duty of every one, to give all diligence to make their Calling and Election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and chearfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper (l) fruits of this Assurance; so far is it (m) from inclining men to looseness.
Notice the confession calls all Christians to make their “calling and election sure”. Peter commands this when he says in 2Pe 1:10 “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”
The Confession is not saying do good works to stay saved. It is merely recognizing that the New Testament teaches that assurance and faith are linked but are to be distinguished.
Christians often fail to use the means of grace or as the Confession states, “right use of means” in order to have their joy and peace enlarged in the Holy Spirit. Saying the phrase “means of grace” for many Protestants may cause them to reel back thinking they are being called back to Rome. We must keep in mind however that the primary means of grace by which sinners are called and saved is through preaching. They are also preserved through preaching. This does not mean that grace is dispensed to us, but only that we grow in the “grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ”, thereby growing in assurance.
Therefore the Christian ought to make use of every means available to him. Here are some “means” that Scripture clearly teaches us to use. The gathering of the saints especially on the Lord’s Day, listening to Biblically sound preaching and teaching, the taking of communion and baptism (the ordinances of the Lord), daily reading Scripture and especially reading His Word on the Sabbath, being in constant prayer in both public worship with God’s people and in private especially on the Sabbath Day, being obedient to explicit commands in Scripture, forgiving one another, and “loving the brethren”.
There are many ways in which God may use means by which to cause us to grow. It is the duty of every Christian to use them and ought to be every Christian’s desire. If you are struggling in your faith, if you feel God has abandoned you, do not remain in despair Christian. Seek the Lord with all of your heart. Use the means He has specifically given you. In time I believe what the Confession says will come to pass that you may “attain thereto”.
(1) London Baptist Confession Chapter 18 paragraph 3
No comments:
Post a Comment