On this episode of Theology Gals Coleen and Ashley discuss assurance. Can we have assurance and what is is the basis of our assurance?

Join us next week when we have a very special guest to talk about Covenant Theology.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. [Hebrews 11:1]
1.Can a Christian have assurance?
We can and should have assurance

One of the problems is in our attempt at assurance we look to ourselves for it, instead of Christ.  One thing which came out of the reformation was law/gospel distinctions, understanding the difference between justification and sanctification.  There's a tendency for people to look to the law for their assurance instead of the gospel. While our growth in obedience may strengthen our assurance, it is not the ground of it.

Rod Rosenbladt says “The Gospel is for Christians too.”

Dr. R Scott Clark

“The fruit of faith strengthens our assurance but it is not the basis of it. The sole basis/ground of assurance is Christ’s righteousness for us and his unshakable promises to us.

“To refuse to have assurance on the ground that one is not sufficiently sanctified is a form of unbelief. Stop it. Repent of it. Of course you are not sanctified enough! You’re a wretch. Jesus didn’t obey and die for nice, sanctified people. He obeyed and died for you and me.

“Will your assurance always be perfect and equally strong? No. The Westminster Confession ch 14  deals with that question brilliantly. Our assurance ebbs and flows. We learn more and more to stop looking at ourselves — just as we learn to stop looking at garbage heaps — and we learn more and more to look at Christ and his promises.”

Can I Have Assurance by R Scott Clark

Westminster Confession 14 & 18
2. Assurance is based ultimately on God's promises and not our own experience or performance:
Romans 4

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

Romans 5:1-3

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace din which we stand, and we 3 rejoice in hope of the glory of God

Hebrews 6
3.God gives us Evidences of Salvation which can strengthen our assurance
 


Faith

Romans 5

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

One way we know we're Christians is because of our faith in Christ.

Westminster Catechism

What is true faith?
“True faith is not only a certain knowledge whereby...