3. Elements of the Gospel Message

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What are the elements of the gospel message? It must include both the information of the gospel and an invitation to respond to it. The fundamental aspects of these are represented below:

Every person is a sinner, who has failed to live up to God’s holy standards. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Every person is under God’s judgment for his or her sins and, apart from salvation, will spend eternity separated from God’s blessing and grace in a place of torment called hell. Romans 6:23 says, “For the payoff of sin is death…” Revelation 20:15 says, “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty of every person’s sin and rose from the dead, as God accepted his payment. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 10:9 says, “because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Every person must respond to the message with repentance for their sins and faith in Christ, so that they will be saved. Acts 20:21 says, “testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.”

Sometimes Scripture only mentions our need for faith or belief to be saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.” John 3:16 says, “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” But also, Scripture at times only mentions our need to repent in order to be saved. In Luke 24:46-47, Christ said this to his disciples after his resurrection,

… “Thus it stands written that the Christ would suffer and would rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Likewise, after Pentecost the apostles taught this in Acts: “Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (2:38). ^“Therefore repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (3:19-20a).

Both repentance and faith are needed for salvation; they are like two sides of the same coin. In order for a person to trust in Christ (faith), they must first commit to turn from their sin (repentance). It’s similar to a marriage where two people commit to each other for life. When they commit to each other, they are committing to each other alone and therefore turning away from other potential marriage partners. In that commitment, there is a form of repentance—a turning away from others so each person in the union can love the other without distraction. This is what happens when someone is truly converted and experiences salvation. They repent of their sins, including idols, and put their faith in Christ.

Repentance

What exactly does repentance entail? The primary Greek word used in the New Testament for repentance is metanoia, which means “to change one’s mind.”¹ It is an intellectual act (similar to faith), which includes one’s mind, emotions, and will. When there is repentance, it includes (1) knowledge from God’s Word that our sins are wrong and worthy of judgment. In describing the work of the Holy Spirit, Christ said, “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). (2) Repentance includes sorrow or remorse for sin. In 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, Paul said:

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

(3) Repentance includes a commitment to turn away from sin. Hebrews 6:1 says, “Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God.” Repentance “from” dead works emphasizes that saving repentance is not just a change of mind about who Christ is but a commitment to turn away from sin. With that said, though biblical repentance includes a commitment to turn away from sin, it is not equivalent to the act of doing so.² This would be the fruit of repentance. In Matthew 3:8, John the Baptist challenged the Jews to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” And he said, “every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt 3:10). (4) Therefore, true saving repentance will eventually result in changed actions. For this reason, a good definition of biblical repentance is a change of mind which always results in a change of action.

Faith

What exactly does faith entail? It has been commonly said that faith has three elements. (1) To have faith, there must be knowledge. People must know and understand the doctrinal elements of the gospel—that they are sinners under God’s wrath and that Christ died for their sins and rose from the dead, so they could have eternal life. However, it must be understood that knowledge alone does not save. (2) To have faith, there must be assent. One must believe the gospel as true. But, knowledge of and assent to the gospel alone won’t save anyone. Even the demons have knowledge and belief in the gospel (Jam 2:19). They know it is true. (3) Finally, there must be trust in the gospel—a reliance and dependence on Christ, apart from anything else, for salvation. To have true faith, there must be knowledge, assent, and trust.

Repentance and faith are intellectual acts, which include the will. To be saved, one must resolve to turn from sin and commit, in faith, to following Christ. Conversion happens when true faith and repentance are present in response to hearing the gospel. Though repentance and faith are not works, for no one can be saved by works (Eph 2:8-9), righteous works will always follow as a proof of salvation. In Acts 26:20, Paul said to the Gentiles, “that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.” Also, James taught that faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 26). Furthermore, faith and repentance will always continue in the life of those who are truly saved. They will manifest in godly works like continuing to repent of sins and trust in Christ, despite trials, temptations, and tests.

Free Grace Theology Versus Lordship Salvation

With that said, some take a different view on repentance and faith. They would say repentance simply means to change one’s mind about who Christ is, and that it would not necessarily include a commitment to turn away from sin. In addition, a person can be truly saved and never demonstrate fruits of repentance, such as hating sin and seeking to turn away from it. They could live as carnal or worldly Christians throughout their lives, without growing at all. Likewise, faith would not necessarily include a commitment to follow Christ as Lord. For them, intellectual belief in the facts of the gospel is enough to save. One proponent of this view said this in describing saving faith: “Do you believe that George Washington was the first President of the United States? If you do, then you know what faith is from a Biblical perspective.”³ Some who take this position would go as far as teaching that one can take Christ as Savior and not necessarily as Lord. For them, lordship is the ideal next step after one’s salvation, but not a necessary step for a person to truly be saved. When Christ gave very demanding statements about the cost of discipleship, such as hating one’s family and even one’s own life, being willing to give up everything and take up one’s cross (cf. Lk 14:26-33), advocates of this view would say these are not referring to salvation. For them, being a disciple is a step that one makes after becoming a Christian. This position is often called Free Grace Theology. Opponents of it call it “Easy Believism.”

The position advocated in this writing is often called Lordship Salvation, which is the primary view held historically by the church.⁴ The apostle James taught that intellectual faith by itself is not enough to save, as even the demons believe in God and shudder (Jam 2:19). Also, Scripture teaches that there will always be good fruit in the life of somebody who is truly saved. The fruit is not perfect, but it will be present and progressive, since whoever is in Christ is a new creation—old things have passed away and the new has come (2 Cor 5:17). Faith that doesn’t produce good works is dead faith (cf. James 2:14-26, Eph 2:10). In view of this, John the Baptist said, “every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt 3:10). Furthermore, as far as the belief that discipleship is a second, optional step after salvation, every follower of Christ in the New Testament was immediately considered a disciple upon conversion. When Christ called people to follow him and gave them strenuous requirements, these requirements refer to true repentance—committing to turn away from sin, including ruling one’s own life—and true faith—believing in, trusting in, and following Christ as Lord. Unfortunately, there will be many who call Jesus, “Lord,” in the last days but are ultimately rejected because there was no genuine repentance and faith in their lives. In Matthew 7:21-23, Christ said:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven—only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’

Sadly, in part because there is so much confusion over the gospel and its elements, particularly faith and repentance, the church is heaping up many unconverted believers—those who call Christ, “Lord,” but are not truly living for him.

Reflection

What stood out most to you in the reading and why?
What are essential elements of the gospel message?
What is saving faith and what are elements of it?
What is repentance, in regard to salvation, and what are elements of it?
What is the difference between free grace theology and lordship salvation? Which view do you think is most biblical and why?
Why is there so much confusion in the church over the gospel message?
What questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

¹ Akin, Daniel L. A Theology for the Church (Kindle Locations 20953-20954). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

² Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 713). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

³ Accessed 3/24/20 from https://faithalone.org/grace-in-focus-articles/what-is-free-grace-theology/

⁴ Grudem, Wayne. “Free Grace” Theology. Crossway. Kindle Edition.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Soteriology (Salvation)

4. Regeneration

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There is considerable debate over the placement of regeneration in the order of salvation. Scripture describes unbelievers as dead in their sin and rebelling against God and his Word (Eph 2:1-6, Rom 8:7, 1 Cor 2:14). But when a person is regenerated, God raises the spiritually dead to life through the Spirit (John 3:5-8) and his or her hearing of the gospel (1 Pet 1:23, Jam 1:18). The Greek word translated “regeneration” or “new birth” is only used once in Scripture to refer to a believer’s salvation. Titus 3:5 says, “he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Though “regeneration” is only mentioned once, the concept is that of being “born again,” “reborn,” or “born of God,” which is mentioned many times (cf. 1 John 3:9, 4:7, 5:1, 4). In John 3:3 (ESV), Christ said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” First John 2:29 (NIV) says, “If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.”

The concept of regeneration is rooted in God’s Old Testament promise of a New Covenant with his people. In Ezekiel 36:25-27, God said:

I will sprinkle you with pure water and you will be clean from all your impurities. I will purify you from all your idols. I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you; I will take the initiative and you will obey my statutes and carefully observe my regulations.

Because Israel had failed to obey God’s first covenant, he promised to make a New Covenant with them. In it, he committed to cleanse them, take away their heart of stone, give them a new heart, and put his Spirit in them. Through this work, God would enable them to obey his laws.

Likewise, believers have experienced this in the New Covenant (cf. Heb 9:15). When they are born again, he gives them a new nature and his Spirit. Where before, as unbelievers, they were in rebellion against God and incapable of understanding and obeying his Word, after regeneration, God, his Word, and obeying him are their daily bread (cf. Matt 4:4, John 4:34, Rom 8:15). Because of the new birth, they have holy affections—desires to pray, read Scripture, worship God, love him and others. These are proofs of true salvation. First John 3:10 says,

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

Views on Regeneration

There are two primary views on the placement of regeneration in the order of salvation.

1. Some believe regeneration happens before salvation, enabling a believer to have faith in God.

This view is most commonly held by believers in Reformed traditions such as Presbyterian and Reformed Baptist. They believe regeneration precedes faith for several reasons. (1) They focus on human inability. As mentioned, humans by nature cannot obey God or have faith in him. Romans 8:7-8 says, “the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Also, 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Logically, this means God must regenerate unbelievers by his Spirit for them to respond to the gospel in faith. (2) They focus on metaphors that appear to correspond with regeneration. When Scripture refers to “being born again” (John 3:3), the metaphor demonstrates how a person has nothing to do with regeneration. Who had anything to do with their human birth? Neither do believers have anything to do with their spiritual birth. God must choose to give us life. James 1:18 says, “By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” Also, Christ uses the metaphor of the wind in referring to being born again in John 3:8. He says, “The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound it makes, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” No human controls the wind. The metaphor seems to point to how a person contributes nothing to his or her regeneration. It is totally monergistic—a work God does by himself. God imparts a new nature and faith in the elect so they will respond to the gospel (cf. Eph 2:8-9, Phil 1:29). In addition, there is the metaphor of unbelievers being blinded by Satan until God removes their blindness by declaring, “Let light shine out of darkness,” enabling them to understand and accept the gospel (2 Cor 4:3-6). Furthermore, there is the metaphor of the spiritual resurrection. Scripture says that by nature we are dead in our sins (Eph 2:1), which again emphasizes human inability. Dead people can’t regenerate themselves or do anything spiritually good; God has to resurrect them and give them new life. Ephesians 2:4-6 says,

But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you are saved!—and he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

(3) Finally, a few verses seem to indicate that regeneration precedes faith. For example, 1 John 5:1 (NIV) says, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” Since “believes” is present tense and “born of God” is in the perfect tense (meaning, it happened in the past with present effects), it seems to indicate order. John Stott explains, “The combination of the present tense and perfect tense is important. It shows clearly that believing is the consequence, not the cause, of the new birth.”¹

For those who take this view, regeneration is a necessary work of God so people can be saved. Though conversion and regeneration, in real-time, appear to happen simultaneously, the logical order is that regeneration must happen first. It’s like flipping the light switch on in a house. When one flips the switch, the lights come on simultaneously; however, the flipped switch is the cause of the lights coming on. In the same way, it is argued that regeneration is the cause of salvation, as God equips a person to believe the gospel.

2. With all that said, most believe regeneration happens after faith.

This does not mean that humans can believe the gospel apart from God’s grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.” Even a believer’s faith is a gift from God (cf. Phil 1:29).

There are several reasons why many believe regeneration happens after faith. (1) When Christ describes the need for Nicodemus to be born again to enter into the kingdom of God in John 3:1-8, as mentioned, he uses metaphors, such as being born again and the wind, which seem to preclude any human participation. However, soon after, Christ challenges Nicodemus to believe so he might have eternal life. In John 3:16, he said, “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” It would seem natural for Nicodemus to equate being born again to enter the kingdom with his believing to have eternal life—that he needed to believe in Christ to be born again. (2) Some verses seem to indicate that being born again happens as a result of faith. For example, John 1:12 says, “But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children.” Being born again seems to correspond with becoming a child of God. When people believe in Christ, they are born again—adopted into the family of God (Rom 8:15-17). Also, though dead people can do nothing to resurrect themselves (which those who believe the first view point out), Paul teaches that the believer’s spiritual resurrection happens because of his faith in God. Colossians 2:12 says, “Having been buried with him in baptism, you also have been raised with him ‘through your faith’ in the power of God who raised him from the dead.” In John 5:24, Christ seems to say the same thing: “I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life.” Crossing from death to life refers to one’s spiritual resurrection, which happened as a consequence of believing. (3) Finally, in teaching Nicodemus about the need to be born again, Christ said it happened by God’s Spirit (John 3:5-6), and many verses point to God’s Spirit being given after faith. For example, Acts 2:38 says, “Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Since a person is born again by God’s Spirit, and the Spirit is given to the believer after faith, most regard regeneration as happening after a person is converted.

Whatever view one takes on the order of regeneration, the results of regeneration are unmistakable. Those who were dead in their sin and rebelling against God (Eph 2:1, Rom 8:7), now love and obey him. (1) The apostle John says the results of regeneration will be demonstrated in various ways, including patterns of righteousness. First John 2:29 (ESV) says, “If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.” (2) Likewise, in the regenerate, there will be a continual decrease in sinning—though not reaching perfection in this life (cf. 1 John 1:8). First John 3:9 (ESV) says, “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.” (3) There will be fruits of loving other believers—no doubt demonstrated in continually gathering to worship together and serving one another. First John 3:14 says, “We know that we have crossed over from death to life because we love our fellow Christians. The one who does not love remains in death.” This is why those who profess Christ but demonstrate no positive change in their lives may not be born again. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul said:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God. Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

In regeneration, believers are radically changed, and the fruits will be evident (2 Cor 5:17, Matt 7:17-20). They will stumble and fail God, but God will not fail them. He will complete the work he began in them until the day of Christ (Phil 1:6).

Though regenerated, believers still have a sin nature that must be battled. But, because of Christ’s victory over it on the cross (Rom 6:6, 11) and God’s imparting of a new nature and the Spirit, believers are new creations (2 Cor 5:17), with the ability to daily conquer sin and walk in holiness. In Galatians 5:16-17, Paul said:

But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want.

In conclusion, regeneration is a work by which God imparts a new nature into the spiritually dead and transforms them by his Spirit into new creations in Christ. Whether it happens before or after saving faith, it is nonetheless the beginning of how God progressively sanctifies believers—making them more and more Christlike.

Reflection

What stood out most to you in the reading and why?
What are the two views of regeneration and which view seems more biblical to you and why?
What are fruits of regeneration in the life of someone who is truly born again?
If a person lacks the fruits of regeneration, what does that say about his or her faith?
What questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

¹ Barrett, Matthew. 40 Questions About Salvation (40 Questions & Answers Series). Kregel Academic. Kindle Edition.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Soteriology (Salvation)

5. Justification

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Justification simply means “to declare righteous.”¹ This, like regeneration, happens at the moment of a person’s conversion. An easy way to remember justification is “God makes us ‘just’ as though we never sinned.” There are two parts to justification. (1) It includes God forgiving our sins because of Christ’s death on the cross to pay the penalty for them. (2) It includes God declaring us as righteous based on Christ’s righteous life. Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.” On the cross, Christ was our substitute. God declared that our sins were his and punished him in accordance with them. By Christ’s death, he appeased God’s just wrath for the sins of the world. In the same way, God looks at Christ’s righteous life and declares it as ours. Christ never lied, stole, or sinned in his heart. Also, he always did God’s will. God now looks at us as having the righteousness of his perfect Son.

Practically, justification means that we will never be condemned for our sins because Christ was condemned for us. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:33-34 says:

Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.

God declares us righteous because of Christ’s work (his righteous life and death for our sins) and our response in faith to it. Many verses teach this: Romans 3:26 (ESV) says, “It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Galatians 2:16 says:

yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Because of our faith in Christ, apart from any merit of our own, God justifies us. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

In Contrast with Roman Catholic Doctrine

With that said, though Scripture clearly teaches that we are justified by faith alone, apart from works, some believe that people must have faith plus works to be saved. This is the major difference between Protestants and Catholics, which led to the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. Catholics believe that our faith must be accompanied by works, such as practicing the sacraments, including taking the Lord’s Supper, being baptized and later confirmed, and doing penance. Wayne Grudem’s description of the difference between Catholic and Protestant doctrine is helpful:

The Protestant doctrine of justification says that we are fully justified by God the instant we believe, for “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). The Roman Catholic doctrine says that we are not fully justified until our lives are completely cleansed from sin, which will not be until after we die and we have been purified in purgatory (Protestants say there is no purgatory). These differences between Protestants and Roman Catholics about justification have continued to this day.²

Understanding justification by faith alone is extremely important, because it is often the dividing line between the true gospel and the many false gospels.³ God saves people despite their sins and based on no merit of their own. He saves them based on the merit of Christ, as they put their faith in him and him alone. Romans 4:4-8 says,

Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness. So even David himself speaks regarding the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the one against whom the Lord will never count sin.”

Reflection

What stood out most to you in the reading and why?
What does justification mean and what happens when a person is justified?
What is the difference between the Roman Catholic and Protestant views of justification?
In what ways have you seen or experienced false gospels, which have crept into the church, that add works to faith as a means of salvation?
What questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

¹ Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 723). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

² Grudem, Wayne A. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know. Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

³ Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 722). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Soteriology (Salvation)

6. Sanctification

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After the simultaneous events of regeneration and justification, believers begin the process of sanctification. Since the term sanctify means “to set apart,” sanctification means “setting apart to holiness” or “making righteous.” God is the primary one who sanctifies believers. Second Thessalonians 5:23 says, “Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Also, Hebrews 13:20-21 says, “Now may the God of peace … equip you with every good thing to do his will, working in us what is pleasing before him through Jesus Christ.” God sanctifies us through the Holy Spirit. First Peter 1:2 (ESV) talks about the “sanctification of the Spirit” and 2 Thessalonians 2:13 calls it “sanctification by the Spirit.” It is the Holy Spirit’s role to make us holy by producing the fruits of the Spirit in us, including love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). But Scripture also teaches that believers have a role in their sanctification. Romans 8:13 says: “(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.” Also, Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) says,

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Therefore, a good definition of sanctification, as given by Wayne Grudem, is: “Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.”¹

God’s Role in Sanctification

What role does God play in sanctification? Again, Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) says,

(1) God works in our hearts by giving us the “will” (NIV) or “desire” (NET) for righteous things. (2) God empowers us to “work for his good pleasure,” including serving others, reading his Word, prayer, and repenting of sin. (3) In addition, God uses hardships to train us in godliness. Hebrews 12:7-11 says:

Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons. Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness. Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.

In God’s sovereignty, he uses all hardship for our good—to train us and make us holy. In fact, 1 Corinthians 10:13 says God won’t allow us to be tempted or tried beyond what we can endure. God controls our trials and uses them for his purposes. (4) Also, God gives us godly, mature believers to help us grow in righteousness. Ephesians 4:11-13 says,

It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God—a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ’s full stature.

God, specifically, gives us gifted teachers to help us grow and mature. No doubt, God does much more to sanctify us.

The Believer’s Role in Sanctification

What is the believer’s role in sanctification? Some believe that sanctification is monergistic—a work that only God does. This is seen in statements like, “Let go and let God!” However, sanctification is synergistic—in that believers also have a role in their journey of becoming more like Christ. The believer’s role in sanctification is both passive and active. For example, the believer’s passive role is seen in verses like Romans 12:1: “Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service.” Many are not growing in Christ simply because they are not willing to “present” themselves to God. In presenting ourselves to God as sacrifices, we are saying, “God, use me for your kingdom in whatever way you deem best, even if it hurts!”, “Lord, your will be done and not my own!”, and “Lord, send me where you want me to go!” This is the passive aspect of our sanctification.

But, we also have an active role which is represented by verses like 1 Timothy 4:7 where Paul says to Timothy, “train yourself for godliness.” “Train” can be translated as “exercise.” Just as exercises help a body grow in endurance, flexibility, and strength, spiritual exercises help believers grow in sanctification. These are often called spiritual disciplines. They include Scripture reading, prayer, fasting, attending a Bible-preaching church, and serving others, among other things. As we practice spiritual disciplines, we grow. Also, our active role in sanctification is seen in our enduring trials. James 1:4 says, “And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.” We must “let endurance have its perfect work” by not complaining, quitting, or rebelling in our trials and also by seeking the Lord in them. When we do this, God sanctifies us in ways that won’t happen when we’re living at ease. Sanctification is synergistic: God has a role in our sanctification, and we also have a role.

Past and Future Aspects of Sanctification

Not only does the Bible refer to sanctification in a present/progressive sense but also in past and future senses. When the word sanctify is used in the past sense, it is called positional sanctification. This overlaps with justification; it is when God calls us “sanctified” or “saints,” as though we are holy, even though we are not. In 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul said this to the Corinthians: “to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.” He said they were “sanctified” and called them “saints,” though there was great sin happening in the church. They were idolizing their teachers and getting into factions around them (1 Cor 1:10-13); they were suing one another (1 Cor 6); they apparently were practicing sexual immorality by visiting temple prostitutes (1 Cor 6:1-8); one man was having sex with his father’s wife and the church was boasting about it (1 Cor 5:1-2). They were abusing spiritual gifts (1 Cor 14), and some in the church were even teaching heretical doctrine—that the resurrection had already occurred (1 Cor 15:12-14). Though they were clearly not holy, Paul called them “sanctified” and “saints.” He did this, no doubt, because Christ’s righteousness was deposited in their account in their justification and because they were set apart by God for holiness. Paul called them the same in 1 Corinthians 6:11, “Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” Positional sanctification is important to understand because it teaches us our identity in Christ. Yes, we are still sinners, but we are also saints. We are ones that God declared righteous, whom he is developing into his image, and whom he has set apart from the world for good works—all for his glory (Eph 1:6, 12, 2:10). Positional sanctification reminds us of God’s amazing grace (unmerited favor) towards sinners.

In addition, Scripture not only speaks about sanctification in past and present senses, but also in a future sense, often called final sanctification, future sanctification, or glorification. Romans 8:30 says, “And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.” Because God has predestined certain individuals to salvation, he will one day effectually call them to salvation and justify them—declaring them righteous based on Christ’s righteous life and death. Then, God will glorify them by freeing them from sin, making them righteous, and giving them resurrected, glorified bodies. Final sanctification is also referred to in Scripture when “salvation” is spoken of in the future tense. For example, Hebrews 9:28 says, “so also, after Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, to those who eagerly await him he will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation.” Even though believers have experienced salvation, there is a future sense in which we wait for it. Salvation, and therefore sanctification, will be complete when Christ returns and gives us resurrected bodies. First John 3:2 (ESV) says, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”

There are two steps to final sanctification: (1) When a person dies and goes to heaven, God will sanctify their spirit in the sense of eliminating sin and making them completely holy. We see this in Hebrews 12:23 when it talks about “the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect.” (2) Then, final sanctification is complete when God gives the “spirits of the righteous” glorified bodies at the resurrection. Philippians 3:20-21 says,

But our citizenship is in heaven—and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.

For those who are alive when Christ returns for his saints, final sanctification will have only one step, as their bodies are immediately transformed into glorified bodies, without them ever dying (cf. 1 Thess 4:16-17).

Reflection

What stood out most to you in the reading and why?
What is sanctification? What are the different aspects of it—past, present, and future?
What is God’s role in sanctification and what is the believer’s role?
What are some spiritual disciplines? Which have you benefited from most? Which ones do you hope to try or do more of in the future?
What are the two parts of final sanctification?
What questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

¹ Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 746). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Soteriology (Salvation)

7. Perseverance of the Saints / Eternal Security

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Can true believers lose their salvation? There is considerable debate over this topic. Those who believe that believers can lose their salvation point to passages where it at least seems as though a believer has lost his or her salvation. For example, John 15:1-2, 6 says:

“I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit… If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up.

Jesus is the vine and there are branches attached to him that bear fruit, which are pruned to bear more fruit, and there are branches that don’t bear fruit, which are taken away and thrown into the fire.

Clearly, the branches that bear fruit are true believers. But, are the ones that don’t bear fruit true believers? This is where people who love the Lord and his Word often come to different conclusions. Those who believe that true believers can lose their salvation take what is called an Arminian position. And those who believe that true believers can never lose their salvation take what is called a Reformed position.

When considering the branch thrown into the fire, both sides believe that some who profess Christ are not truly born again. In Matthew 7:21-23, we see this when Christ says:

Also, when describing the kingdom of heaven in the Parable of the Virgins, Christ responded to the virgins without oil who called him, “Lord, Lord,” by saying, “I tell you the truth, I do not know you!” (Matt 25:11-12).

Some people profess Christ as Lord but are not truly following him and therefore are not saved. In Matthew 7:21-23, Christ distinguishes the false professions by patterns of rejecting and breaking God’s law, while true believers will have patterns of obedience (Matt 7:21). Certainly, even true believers fail at obeying God, but apparently, this will not be their pattern—their lifestyle. The apostle John teaches the same. First John 3:9-10 (ESV) says:

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

John teaches that the one who is saved does not make “a practice of sinning” because God’s seed abides in him and keeps him from doing so. A true believer has a new nature that genuinely changes him (2 Cor 5:17). He will stumble and fall, often repeatedly, but he won’t be able to live a lifestyle of rebellion because of his new nature. Therefore, according to John, a professing believer who does not practice righteousness or love his brother (referring to other believers) as a lifestyle is not born of God (1 John 3:19).

Therefore, people who take the Reformed position would typically see the branch that does not bear fruit and is thrown into the flame (John 15:1-6) as somebody who professes Christ but is not truly born again. Some believe the branch being destroyed by the fire refers to a believer losing eternal rewards (cf. 1 Cor 3:12-15) instead of an unregenerate believer experiencing eternal judgment; however, that view doesn’t seem to fit well with the branch being burned up entirely.¹

Generally, people from Reformed backgrounds would take similar interpretations of other passages which at least seem to indicate that believers can lose their salvation. They would see them as referring to professing believers who are not truly saved or true believers losing eternal rewards. In contrast, people from Arminian backgrounds would typically interpret them as referring to believers losing their salvation.

Here is another major passage which prompts the discussion of whether a believer can lose his or her salvation. Hebrews 6:4-6 says,

For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, and then have committed apostasy, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt.

This passage is very difficult. The language used by the author at least appears to be used of someone who is born again. They have been “enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming” but have turned away from God by committing apostasy. Because of this, the author of Hebrews says, it is impossible for them to ever repent. Isn’t this a believer who now has forfeited salvation by turning away from God?

Again, those from Reformed traditions would say, “No.” This language could likewise be used of those Christ rebukes in Matthew 7:22-23:

On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’

They called Christ, “Lord,” prophesied, cast out demons, and did miracles but Christ said he never knew them. In fact, we have a perfect example of this in Judas—the disciple who betrayed Jesus. Judas was empowered by Christ, through the Spirit, to preach, cast out demons, and heal people. And yet, at the same time, Christ taught that Judas was never truly saved. Christ said all the disciples were “clean”—referring to being cleansed from sin—except for Judas (John 13:10-11). He said one of them was a “devil” (John 6:70) and that the one who would betray him was “destined for destruction” (John 17:12)—both referring to Judas. What was said in Hebrews 6:4-6 could be said of him: Judas had tasted of the heavenly gift, the Spirit, God’s Word, but never truly embraced them, eventually leading to apostasy, as he betrayed Christ. Soon after, he repented, but not in a salvific way. He declared, “I have sinned … for I have betrayed innocent blood” (Matt 27:4). By Judas’ continual exposure to God’s grace and his continual rejection of it, he had hardened his heart to the place of no return. It was impossible to truly renew his heart to repentance. Again, those from an Arminian tradition would interpret a text like this as referring to a person who lost their salvation. And, those from a Reformed tradition would typically interpret the text as referring to a person with a profession of faith but who was not truly born again. In fact, those from Reformed traditions believe that those who are truly born again will always persevere in their faith and never ultimately turn away from God (Col 1:22-23, 1 John 2:19). If a professing believer turns away from God and never returns, then he was never born again.

Evidence for the Perseverance of the Saints

There are many evidences in Scripture that true saints will persevere. (1) For example, in Scripture there are promises that true believers will persevere: In John 8:31, Jesus said to the Judeans who had believed him, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples.” Jesus realized that many who believed in him weren’t truly his disciples and therefore weren’t saved (Matt 7:21-23, John 2:23-24). Thus, he said to them that continuing in his teachings was proof of true discipleship. Many in the church say a prayer of faith at a revival or retreat but then go away and live the same way they previously did. Continuing in Christ’s teaching is proof of true salvation.

Likewise, Paul said this in Colossians 1:22-23:

but now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him—if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant.

By using the conditional “if indeed,” Paul essentially said to the Colossian church that they had been reconciled (saved) by Christ’s death only if they remained in the faith by not turning from the gospel. In that early church period, Christians were being persecuted and ostracized for their faith, which caused many to turn away. Also, there was much false teaching, which led people away from Christ. Paul believed that only those who continued in the faith were truly born again. Christ consistently taught the same message. After describing the end times and how his disciples would be persecuted and killed for the faith, and how there would be many false messiahs and false teachings, leading people to fall away from the faith, Christ said, “But the person who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt 24:13). Only those who persevere in the faith—regardless of persecution, false teaching, and other temptations—are truly saved.

(2) In addition, support that true believers will persevere in the faith is found in God’s promises to protect the salvation of believers. For example, John 10:28-30 says:

My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from my Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

Christ said that he gives his sheep “eternal life” and that they would “never perish.” The word “eternal” by definition is never-ending. Christ further emphasizes their gift of eternal life by saying “they will never perish.” If these sheep did perish, then his promise would not be true. Obviously, there are many promises in Scripture about eternal life that God gives those who repent and have faith in Christ (John 3:16, Romans 6:23, John 17:2, etc.). To further confirm Christ’s promise of eternal life to his sheep, he says that no one will be able to “snatch” them from his hand or his “Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29). God keeps believers.

If this were not enough, Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit keeps believers eternally as well. True believers have trinitarian protection. Ephesians 1:13-14 and 4:30 say this:

And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ—you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Like a seal on a bottle of water that protects the freshness of the water, the Holy Spirit protects believers till they are redeemed at Christ’s coming.

(3) Further evidence that no true believers will lose their salvation is God’s commission of Christ to complete the redemption of the elect—the ones God chose for salvation before time—and Christ’s inability to fail God. In John 6:38-40, Christ said:

For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. Now this is the will of the one who sent me—that I should not lose one person of every one he has given me, but raise them all up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father—for everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him to have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

It is God’s will that Christ save the elect—that none of them would be lost and that they would be resurrected on the last day. Is it possible that Jesus, the perfect Son of God, could fail to complete God’s purpose for him to save the elect? If Jesus failed at anything God called him to do, that would be a sin and cast doubt on his deity and ability to save anyone. This is why many believe the elect will persevere and none will be lost. Christ accomplished salvation in his death and resurrection, and he continues to keep the salvation of the elect in his high priestly ministry of prayer. Hebrews 7:25 says: “So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Christ’s prayers are effective and none of the elect, those who were chosen for salvation before time, will ever be lost.

(4) Finally, if the previous evidences were not enough, there are also a few theological arguments against believers’ being able to lose their salvation that must be considered. Daryl Aaron, author of Understanding Theology in 15 Minutes a Day, said this:

The possibility of losing salvation due to any sin at all seems contrary to the clear biblical teaching regarding salvation by grace apart from works. If works have nothing to do with our salvation in the first place, how can works (in this case, sin) have anything to do with losing it? Further, the possibility of losing salvation due to sin seems to call into question the sufficiency of Christ’s death for all sin. If he died for all sin, then believers are forgiven of all sin, and no sin can ever jeopardize our salvation.²

Though there are many Scriptures that at least seem to point to the possibility of true believers losing their salvation, when properly considered against the whole of Scripture, those seem to point to false professions, which Christ warned of repeatedly (cf. Matt 7:21-23, 25:11-12, Matt 13:36-43, 47-50).

Reflection

What stood out most to you in the reading and why?
What are common Scriptural supports for the eternal security of believers?
What are common Scriptural supports for believers being able to lose their salvation?
Which view of eternal security do you believe is correct and why?
What questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

¹ The ESV Study Bible’s comments on John 15:6

² Aaron, Daryl. Understanding Theology in 15 Minutes a Day: Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Soteriology (Salvation)

8. Assurance of Salvation

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How can a professing Christian have assurance of salvation? How can he know that his faith is genuine and that he is truly saved? The New Testament clearly teaches that not all who profess Christ as Lord are saved. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus said,

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Also, in the Parable of the Weeds, Christ taught that God’s kingdom was full of wheat, which God had sown, and weeds, which Satan had sown. They would dwell together until the harvest, when the angels would throw the weeds into the fire (Matt 13:36-43). This seems to illustrate how within the church there are true believers and false ones. Likewise, in the Parable of the Net, Christ illustrated this same truth. The kingdom is like a net, let down into a lake by fishermen, which gathered both good fish and bad fish. At the end of the age, the unrighteous in the kingdom, represented by the bad fish, were thrown into the fire (Matt 13:47-52).

The Parable of the Virgins and the Parable of the Sheep and Goats in Matthew 25 seem to teach the same (v. 1-12, 31-46). To the foolish virgins who called Christ, “Lord,” Christ replied, “I do not know you” (v. 11-12), and with the goats who also called Christ, “Lord,” they were sent into “eternal punishment” (v. 44, 46). Both groups were apparently unconverted believers.

Because of this reality, in 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul exhorted the Corinthians to, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” Likewise, in 2 Peter 1:10, Peter exhorted the Roman Christians, “make every effort to be sure of your calling and election.” Though true believers can never lose their salvation, as God protects it, believers must confirm that they are truly saved.

While many Scriptures help one develop assurance of salvation (i.e. the Beatitudes, the book of James, 2 Pet 1:5-10, etc.), 1 John was specifically written for this purpose. In 1 John 5:13, John said, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” Throughout the book, he gives a series of tests to help believers know they have eternal life. We’ll consider a few:

1. The Test of Obedience

First John 2:3-5 says,

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him.

Similarly, James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” What is the person deceived about? If he listens but doesn’t obey God’s Word, he is deceived about his faith—it is not genuine (cf. James 2:26). True faith is demonstrated by a lifestyle of obedience.

Are our lives characterized by obedience to God?

2. The Test of Love for Christians

First John 3:14-15 says,

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

Similarly, John 13:35 says, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” When someone is born again, God supernaturally gives them a great love not only for God but for other believers. Romans 5:5 says “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” True believers love one another, and it shows up in their gathering to worship God, studying his Word together, and serving one another, among other things. As an example, in Acts 2:45, the early church sold all they had and gave to those who had needs among them. This was God’s supernatural love working within them to love and care for one another. It was proof that God had saved them.

Are we loving other believers by meeting with them, caring for them, and sacrificing for them?

3. The Test of Doctrine

First John 4:15 says, “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.” If we don’t believe and profess orthodox doctrine about Christ—that Jesus was fully God and fully man, that he came to earth as a man to die for the sins of the world and was raised from the dead, then we are not saved. A right understanding of the gospel, including who Christ is, is needed for salvation. And this belief in orthodox doctrine continues throughout the life of a true believer. Colossians 1:22-23:

Do we believe what the Bible says about Jesus?

4. The Test of Not Loving the World

First John 2:15 says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” According to John, one of the characteristics of a person who is saved is that they do not love the world or the things of this world. Furthermore, 1 John 5:19 says, “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”

Because believers understand the world is passing away and that the devil is the controlling force behind the world system, believers reject the world. They reject materialism, lust, the devaluing of human life, perverted views about marriage and sexuality, and other worldly philosophies and ways of life. Certainly, believers still go through progressive sanctification where they continually let go of sin and worldliness and look more like Christ. However, at salvation, there is a distinctive break in allegiance. It is not a perfect break, but it is progressive. A true believer lives for God and not the world. James 4:4 says, “Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy.”

Are we rejecting the world and its evil ways to continue to follow God?

5. The Test of Decreasing Sin

First John 3:6 and 9 says,

No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him... No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

John says “no one who lives in him” keeps on sinning. In 1 John 1:8, he already told us that if we claim to be without sin, we are liars and the truth is not in us. So, he is not talking about perfectionism. He is talking about a decreasing pattern of sin in the life of a believer.

Yes, believers will still struggle with sin, but they struggle because they have been saved. The world welcomes sin and often celebrates it! But, it’s not the same for true believers. At times, they will fall into sin and often repeatedly, but they won’t quit fighting sin by rejecting Christ and living for their lusts. It’s impossible for them to ultimately do that because God’s seed is in them. God has given them a new nature, which is empowered by his Spirit. God’s Spirit convicts them of sin, disciplines them by trials, and always ultimately turns them back to God, even if that’s by a premature death (cf. Acts 5:1-10, Heb 12:5-11, 1 John 5:16-17).

6. The Test of Persecution for Righteousness

First John 3:12-13 says,

Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

John says that believers might be hated by the world. In fact, Scripture teaches that in some form or another every truly born again believer will experience persecution. In Matthew 5:10, Christ said: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

He says those who receive persecution for their faith are part of the kingdom of God. This doesn’t mean all believers will be beaten, stoned, or jailed. This suffering is often displayed in less extreme forms such as being disliked, considered strange, verbally abused, and/or ostracized because of one’s beliefs or actions. Consider what 1 Peter 4:3-4 says,

For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.

Do others find us strange because we don’t practice drunkenness like the world? Do others find us strange because we don’t practice sex outside of marriage? Do others find us strange because of our beliefs about creation, abortion, homosexuality, gender roles in the home, and other controversial topics? Being considered strange will be normal for a person who is a Christian. True believers will experience persecution from the world.

7. The Test of Perseverance

First John 2:19 says, “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” For John, the fact that the cultists in Ephesus left the church (presumably, never to return), proved that they were not truly saved. Christ handled those in the church who professed Christ but weren’t truly saved in the same way. In Matthew 7:23, he said, “I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!” Therefore, persevering in the faith is a proof of true salvation. Likewise, in Matthew 24:13, after Christ described the growing false teaching, persecution of believers, and apostasy which would occur in the end times, he said, “but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.^” True believers will persevere.

Great examples of this are Peter and Judas. Peter denied Christ but ultimately returned to him—proving that he was saved. Judas denied Christ and never repented—proving he wasn’t a true believer (John 6:70).

Assurance as a Subjective Experience

As we consider the perseverance of the saints, it must be realized that eternal security is an objective reality based on what Christ has done for us. He gives us eternal life, and he keeps us to the end (John 10:27-30). However, assurance is not eternal. It is a subjective experience given by the Holy Spirit that many times is temporary. In Romans 8:15-16, Paul said: “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Therefore, when not walking with Christ faithfully, we quench the testimony and power of the Spirit in our lives—leading us, at times, to doubt our salvation (cf. 1 Thess 5:19).

How does the Holy Spirit bear witness of our salvation? He does this by changing us and making us look more like God (Gal 5:22-23) and also by building intimacy in our relationship with God (Rom 8:16). As he bears the fruits of the Spirit in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, and perseverance—we have confidence that we are God’s children (cf. 2 Pet 1:5-10). When we look like the world, we are more prone to doubt if our salvation is even real.

Proving One’s Salvation

Therefore, as believers, we have a role in gaining assurance of salvation. Paul, in fact, commands us to “prove” our repentance (in referring to our salvation) by our good deeds. In Acts 26:20 (NIV 1984), he said, “First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”

We are not proving our salvation to God; he knows who are saved (cf. 2 Tim 2:19). We are proving it to ourselves and all who look at us (cf. 2 Cor 13:5, John 13:35). Peter says something similar in 2 Peter 1:10: “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall.” He describes how to make our election sure in the previous verses.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

2 Peter 1:5-7

In order for us to have assurance, we must prove our salvation by continued repentance—fighting and turning away from sin—and continued growth in godly character.

Protection in Spiritual Warfare

In addition, assurance is very important not only to confirm that we are saved but also for our spiritual protection. In Ephesians 6:17, Paul mentions assurance of salvation as a necessary part of the armor of God, which protects us in spiritual warfare. He said to put on “the helmet of our salvation.” What is this helmet? Since Paul is writing to believers, it doesn’t seem to refer to salvation but the assurance of salvation. In a physical battle, like a fist or sword fight, an opponent often aims for the head because a damaged head will severely weaken a foe. Likewise, in a spiritual battle, doubting one’s salvation opens the door for the enemy to severely weaken believers by leading them into doubt, shame, depression, addiction, inactivity, and other sins. We must realize that Satan always attacks our “head”—our assurance of salvation; therefore, as believers, we must be diligent in making our calling and election sure, so we can avoid Satan’s trap (cf. 2 Pet 1:10).

Reflection

Which test of true salvation stood out most to you and why?
What is the difference between eternal security (i.e. perseverance of the saints) and assurance of salvation?
Why is gaining assurance of salvation so important?
Have you ever experienced a lack of assurance of salvation, and if so, why?
How would you help someone struggling with assurance of salvation?
What questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Related Topics: Christian Life, Soteriology (Salvation)

Appendix 1: Study Group Tips

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Leading a small group using the Bible Teacher’s Guide can be done in various ways. One format for leading a small group is the “study group” model, where each member prepares and shares in the teaching. This appendix will cover tips for facilitating a weekly study group.

Each week the members of the study group will read through a select chapter of the guide, answer the reflection questions (see Appendix 2), and come prepared to share in the group.
Prior to each meeting, a different member can be selected to lead the group and share Question 1 of the reflection questions, which is to give a short summary of the chapter read. This section of the gathering could last from five to fifteen minutes. This way, each member can develop their gift of teaching. It also will make them study harder during the week. Or, each week the same person could share the summary.
After the summary has been given, the leader for that week will facilitate discussions through the rest of the reflection questions and also ask select review questions from the chapter.
After discussion, the group will share prayer requests and pray for one another.

The strength of the study group is the fact that the members will be required to prepare their responses before the meeting, which will allow for easier discussion. In addition, each member will be given the opportunity to teach, which will further equip their ministry skills. The study group model has distinct advantages.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Soteriology (Salvation)

Appendix 2: Reflection Questions

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Writing is one of the best ways to learn. In class, we take notes and write papers, and these methods are used to help us learn and retain the material. The same is true with the Word of God. Obviously, all the authors of Scripture were writers. This helped them better learn the Scriptures and also enabled them to more effectively teach it. As you reflect on God’s Word, using the Bible Teacher’s Guide, take time to write so you can similarly grow both in your learning and teaching.

How would you summarize the main points of the text/chapter? Write a brief summary.
What stood out to you most in the reading? Did any of the contents trigger any memories or experiences? If so, please share them.
What follow–up questions did you have about the reading? What parts did you not fully agree with?
What applications did you take from the reading, and how do you plan to implement them into your life?
Write several commitment statements: As a result of my time studying God’s Word, I will . . .
What are some practical ways to pray as a result of studying the text? Spend some time ministering to the Lord through prayer.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Soteriology (Salvation)

Appendix 3: Walking The Romans Road

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How can a person be saved? From what is he saved? How can someone have eternal life? Scripture teaches that after death each person will spend eternity either in heaven or hell. How can a person go to heaven?

Paul said this to Timothy:

You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:14-15

One of the reasons God gave us Scripture is to make us wise for salvation. This means that without it, nobody can know how to be saved.

Well then, how can a people be saved and what are they being saved from? A common method of sharing the good news of salvation is through the Romans Road. One of the great themes, not only of the Bible, but specifically of the book of Romans is salvation. In Romans, the author, Paul, clearly details the steps we must take in order to be saved.

How can we be saved? What steps must we take?

Step One: We Must Accept That We Are Sinners

Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” What does it mean to sin? The word sin means “to miss the mark.” The mark we missed is reflecting God’s image. When God created mankind in the Genesis narrative, he created man in the “image of God” (1:27). The “image of God” means many things, but probably, most importantly it means we were made to be holy just as he is holy. Man was made moral. We were meant to reflect God’s holiness in every way: the way we think, the way we talk, and the way we act. And any time we miss the mark in these areas, we commit sin.

Furthermore, we do not only sin when we commit a sinful act such as lying, stealing, or cheating. Again, we sin anytime we have a wrong heart motive. The greatest commandments in Scripture are to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:36-40, paraphrase). Whenever we don’t love God supremely and love others as ourselves, we sin and fall short of the glory of God. For this reason, man is always in a state of sinning. Sadly, even if our actions are good, our heart is bad. I have never loved God with my whole heart, mind, and soul, and neither has anybody else. Therefore, we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). We have all missed the mark of God’s holiness and we must accept this.

What’s the next step?

Step Two: We Must Understand We Are Under The Judgment Of God

Why are we under the judgment of God? It is because of our sins. Scripture teaches that God is not only a loving God, but he is also a just God. And his justice requires judgment for each of our sins. Romans 6:23 says, “For the payoff of sin is death.”

A payoff or wage is something we earn. Every time we sin, we earn the wage of death. What is death? Death really means separation. In physical death, the body is separated from the spirit, but in spiritual death, man is separated from God. Man currently lives in a state of spiritual death (cf. Eph 2:1-3). We do not love God, obey him, or know him as we should. Therefore, man is in a state of death.

Moreover, one day at our physical death, if we have not been saved, we will spend eternity separated from God in a very real hell. In hell, we will pay the wage for each of our sins. Therefore, in hell people will experience various degrees of punishment (cf. Lk 12:47-48). This places man in a very dangerous predicament—unholy and therefore under the judgment of God.

How should we respond to this? This leads us to our third step.

Step Three: We Must Recognize God Has Invited All To Accept His Free Gift Of Salvation

Romans 6:23 does not stop at the wages of sin being death. It says, “For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Because God loved everybody on the earth, he offered the free gift of eternal life, which anyone can receive through Jesus Christ.

Because it is a gift, it cannot be earned. We cannot work for it. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.”

Going to church, being baptized, giving to the poor, or doing any other righteous work does not save. Salvation is a gift that must be received from God. It is a gift that has been prepared by his effort alone.

How do we receive this free gift?

Step Four: We Must Believe Jesus Christ Died For Our Sins And Rose From The Dead

If we are going to receive this free gift, we must believe in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Because God loved us, cared for us, and didn’t want us to be separated from him eternally, he sent his Son to die for our sins. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Similarly, John 3:16 says, “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” God so loved us that he gave his only Son for our sins.

Jesus Christ was a real, historical person who lived 2,000 years ago. He was born of a virgin. He lived a perfect life. He was put to death by the Romans and the Jews. And after he was buried, he rose again on the third day. In his death, he took our sins and God’s wrath for them and gave us his perfect righteousness so we could be accepted by God. Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.” God did all this so we could be saved from his wrath.

Christ’s death satisfied the just anger of God over our sins. When God looked at Jesus on the cross, he saw us and our sins and therefore judged Jesus. And now, when God sees those who are saved, he sees his righteous Son and accepts us. In salvation, we have become the righteousness of God.

If we are going to be saved, if we are going to receive this free gift of salvation, we must believe in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for our sins (cf. 1 Cor 15:3-5, Rom 10:9-10). Do you believe?

Step Five: We Must Confess Christ As Lord Of Our Lives

Romans 10:9-10 says,

Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation.

Not only must we believe, but we must confess Christ as Lord of our lives. It is one thing to believe in Christ but another to follow Christ. Simple belief does not save. Christ must be our Lord. James said this: “…Even the demons believe that – and tremble with fear” (James 2:19), but the demons are not saved—Christ is not their Lord.

Another aspect of making Christ Lord is repentance. Repentance really means a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. Before we met Christ, we were living our own life and following our own sinful desires. But when we get saved, our mind and direction change. We start to follow Christ as Lord.

How do we make this commitment to the lordship of Christ so we can be saved? Paul said we must confess with our mouth “Jesus is Lord” as we believe in him. Romans 10:13 says, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If you admit that you are a sinner and understand you are under God’s wrath because of it; if you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he died on the cross for your sins, and rose from the dead for your salvation; if you are ready to turn from your sin and cling to Christ as Lord, you can be saved.

If this is your heart, then you can pray this prayer and commit to following Christ as your Lord.

Dear heavenly Father, I confess I am a sinner and have fallen short of your glory, what you made me for. I believe Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and rose from the dead so I can have eternal life. I am turning away from my sin and accepting you as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life and change me. Thank you for your gift of salvation.

Scripture teaches that if you truly accepted Christ as your Lord, then you are a new creation. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away – look, what is new has come!” God has forgiven your sins (1 John 1:9), he has given you his Holy Spirit (Rom 8:15), and he is going to disciple you and make you into the image of his Son (cf. Rom 8:29). He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5), and he will complete the work he has begun in your life (Phil 1:6). In heaven, angels and saints are rejoicing because of your commitment to Christ (Lk 15:7).

Praise God for his great salvation! May God keep you in his hand, empower you through the Holy Spirit, train you through mature believers, and use you to build his kingdom! “He who calls you is trustworthy, and he will in fact do this” (1 Thess 5:24). God bless you!

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Soteriology (Salvation)

The Bible Teacher’s Guide, Anthropology: Understanding Humanity

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And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.

2 Timothy 2:2 (NET)

Paul’s words to Timothy still apply to us today. The church needs teachers who clearly and fearlessly teach the Word of God. With this in mind, The Bible Teacher’s Guide (BTG) series was created. This series includes both expositional and topical studies, with resources to help teachers lead small groups, pastors prepare sermons, and individuals increase their knowledge of God’s Word.

Anthropology can be used for personal study or as a four to five-session small group curriculum, depending on how the leader divides up the chapters. For small groups, the members will read a chapter (or chapters) and discuss the reflection questions and anything else that stood out in the reading within their gathering. Or, the chapter can be read before the gathering, with the meeting focusing only on discussion.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

This book is also available for purchase here on Amazon.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Man (Anthropology)

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3. Elements of the Gospel Message

Repentance

Faith

Free Grace Theology Versus Lordship Salvation

Reflection

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4. Regeneration

Views on Regeneration

1. Some believe regeneration happens before salvation, enabling a believer to have faith in God.

2. With all that said, most believe regeneration happens after faith.

Reflection

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5. Justification

In Contrast with Roman Catholic Doctrine

Reflection

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6. Sanctification

God’s Role in Sanctification

The Believer’s Role in Sanctification

Past and Future Aspects of Sanctification

Reflection

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7. Perseverance of the Saints / Eternal Security

Evidence for the Perseverance of the Saints

Reflection

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8. Assurance of Salvation

1. The Test of Obedience

2. The Test of Love for Christians

3. The Test of Doctrine

4. The Test of Not Loving the World

5. The Test of Decreasing Sin

6. The Test of Persecution for Righteousness

7. The Test of Perseverance

Assurance as a Subjective Experience

Proving One’s Salvation

Protection in Spiritual Warfare

Reflection

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Appendix 1: Study Group Tips

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Appendix 2: Reflection Questions

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Appendix 3: Walking The Romans Road

Step One: We Must Accept That We Are Sinners

Step Two: We Must Understand We Are Under The Judgment Of God

Step Three: We Must Recognize God Has Invited All To Accept His Free Gift Of Salvation

Step Four: We Must Believe Jesus Christ Died For Our Sins And Rose From The Dead

Step Five: We Must Confess Christ As Lord Of Our Lives

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The Bible Teacher’s Guide, Anthropology: Understanding Humanity

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