November 2, 2008

Declaring Salvation

A reader asked if it was biblical to assure someone of his or her salvation. The question is a good one for it exposes some pitfalls for the person assured and the person doing the assuring.

The first question is why anyone would take on such a lofty position in the first place. A friend, associate, or maybe even a pastor might want to ease the suffering of mind in a person struggling with salvation. Therefore, the motive might be very kind and well intentioned.

However, even though well intentioned, it may do more harm than good. To explain, the reader needs to gain an understanding of the Holy Spirit’s methodology as described in Scripture relating to this subject.

What Does the Holy Spirit Do in Salvation?

A. He raises the lost from the dead.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” (Ephesians 2:4-5 NKJV)

 A brief examination of the verses preceding these will reveal that being dead in trespasses means walking after the course of this world.

“And you [He made alive], who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” (Ephesians 2:1-3 NKJV)

God’s quickening raises a person from this dead state to walk in newness of life.

Therefore, the first testimony given by the Spirit is awareness of sin and repentance. Very often men will feel the weight of judgment upon them, and out of self-preservation seek forgiveness without repentance.

Because this man’s mind is seeking peace without repentance, he is most susceptible to deception. If you see this man’s anguish and misinterpret it as repentance, and then tell him he is saved because he has the looks, you will lead him into the pit. He will quickly seize upon your declaration and offer you up at the judgment seat as his excuse.

Instead of deceiving this man, a believer should guide this man to examine the Scriptures while crying out to God for peace. Tell him not to rest until God gives him peace for anything short of that is not real peace.

B. He Gives Peace

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only [that], but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5 NKJV)

Notice the nature of this peace. It is a peace that rejoices in the hope of the glory of God. It is a peace that sees God’s appearing as a blessed thing not a fearful thing. It is also a peace that rejoices in tribulations because the soul is no longer seeking ease but growth in character leading to hope more.

What makes all of this possible is the love of God poured out in the believer’s heart. This is not the believer’s love to God, but God’s love to the believer. That is to say, there is a tremendous sense of approval from God in the believer’s heart because he knows of God’s love for him.

C. He Establishes a Relationship

“And if Christ [is] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin, but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors——not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 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. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” (Romans 8:10-16 NKJV)

The Spirit of God leads believers. This is a new relationship and not the old relationship of bondage and fear. Instead of fear, there is love, love that cries out Abba Father because the Spirit has testified that the believer is a child of God.

If a person is struggling to know if he has been saved, continuing to operate in fear, then he cannot be certain of his relationship. That does not mean he is not saved it only means he cannot be certain. There are many reasons why doubts might attack the believer, but that is the subject of another article.

Therefore, in conclusion it is counter productive, if not worst, to speak against the Holy Spirit. It is God’s job to give assurance to His children. If He has withheld that from a believer, He has good reason. If the person is not a believer then you risk aiding the devil in his deception.

You would do much more good to tell the person to study the Scriptures until God gives him peace. You could share with him the information in this article so he will understand it is the Holy Spirit that gives peace. Knowing this truth, if it is God’s will, might cause him to finally humble himself and cry out for mercy. After all, didn’t you gain your peace this way?

Your comments are welcome. Please click on the blog link if you would care to comment. BLOG