Book Review: Resting in Sovereign Grace by Joshua Banks

Many believers struggle with assurance. Many doubt their salvation for various reasons. It could be a certain sin they are struggling with and cannot seem to get under control. For others it is comparing themselves to other believers and how they are growing in their walk with Christ.

In his book, Resting In Sovereign Grace: How To Have Assurance of Salvation, Joshua Banks gives readers a look into how a believer can truly know they are saved. First, Banks reminds his readers that there is still some corruption within us. We are still in this body of the flesh tainted by sin and still wrestle with it on a day-to-day basis. No believer in Christ is immune to this. 

Next, Banks guides his readers into seeing how we can rest in the grace of God as we call out to Him in prayer. We can cling to the righteousness of Christ as we fight sin. He then reminds the reader that our righteousness is from one who fulfilled the law on our behalf then died on the cross on behalf. 

Because of the righteousness of Christ, we are justified before God. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, which Banks does go over in this book. As we rest in the salvation of Christ, God is working in us by His Spirit. We see the evidence of this work in the Fruit of Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and being in the good works which God has prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10). 

Banks concludes saying that we have been given a new identity in Christ. We were people who did not obey God, now we do. Perfectly? No. God's grace is still on us even on our worse days. We can strive to live a holy life before God and rest in Christ knowing that no one, not even ourselves, can snatch us for the Father's hand. 

There has been many confusing books and sermons on assurance. I am grateful for this book because it is backed by the Bible and written with clarity on a subject that should not be difficult. Thankfully, this book will not lead you into antinomianism but into holiness and rest in the assurance we have that Christ has saved us.

I received this book from G3 Press in exchange for an honest review.

God Will Keep You Despite Opposition

Fear not, beloved brethren, to begin serving Christ. He to whom you commit your souls has all power in heaven and earth, and He will keep you. He will never let you be cast away. Relatives may oppose. Neighbors may mock. The world may slander and sneer. Fear not! Fear not! The powers of hell shall never prevail against your soul. Greater is He that is for you, than all they that are against you.

J.C. Ryle, Warnings to the Church

The Preservation of God and the Perseverance of the Saints

Personal assurance is not as simple as “once saved always saved,” although that is certainly true. An individual truly converted by the redeeming grace of God can never be lost to the clutches of sin and death. However, the security of salvation does not automatically grant assurance that we are saved—it only guarantees that those who believe in Christ will be fully and finally saved. There is a difference between the doctrine of eternal security and the reality of assurance in the life of a believer. Eternal security teaches that salvation is eternally secure for the one who believes in Christ. This security rests on the promise of God’s faithfulness, the securing power of God’s grace, and the sovereign glory of God in salvation. Assurance, on the other hand, is the firm conviction that God’s grace has saved you, which grows with Christian faithfulness, manifests itself by increasing holiness, can be shaken by a violated conscience, and will wane with patterns of neglect and rebellion. 

From a theological perspective, the security of the believer and personal assurance are best understood as the difference between the preservation of God and the perseverance of the saints. The Scriptures repeatedly and clearly call the believer to a faithful obedience and an enduring devotion to Christ. Behind such a call, however, is the related but distinct promise of God’s preservation of the saints. On the one hand, believers are commanded to strive in obedience if they want to enjoy the comforts of full assurance, yet security is never ultimately grounded in personal effort, but rather in God’s gracious work. God is the One who secures salvation, and, by His grace, saints are empowered to persevere in salvation. Thus, the grounds of personal assurance rest on both divine preservation (objective) and diligent perseverance (subjective).

Adapted from Free to Be Holy: The Liberating Grace of Walking by Faith by Jerry Wragg and Paul Shirley

John MacArthur on Why it is Impossible for Christians to Lose Their Salvation

Tom Nettles on the Doctrine of Assurance

Godly assurance of salvation rests upon the Doctrines of Grace. The certainty of unconditional election bequeaths great security to the one who truly discerns the movement of God’s grace in his life; the rigorous demands of the doctrine of perseverance eliminate false hopes built on an inadequate foundation; the intensely convicting doctrine of total depravity destroys all rest based on personal merit; the power of the doctrine of effectual call prompts earnest efforts to walk in the Spirit; and the completeness of the doctrine of particular redemption holds out the certainty of a reconciled God to one who truly credits the faithful saying, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

Perhaps the most succinct yet sensitive treatment of the doctrine of assurance was constructed by the divines of the Westminster Assembly in chapter 18 of the confession they produced. Following their lead virtually word for word, seventeenth-century English Baptists and eighteenth-century American Baptists approved the same view by adopting the Second London Confession and Philadelphia Confession respectively. Although full exposition of the doctrine of assurance is distilled into one chapter, its important place—indeed, its pervasive and strategic connections—appears eloquently if only subtly in virtually all the soteriological chapters.

In effectual calling (Chapter X of the Second London Confession), a man is “enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the Grace offered and conveyed in it” (X.2). In justification, though God continues to forgive sin, justified persons may fall under God’s fatherly displeasure; however, through humbling themselves, confessing sin, begging pardon, and renewing faith and repentance, the “light of his Countenance [may be] restored unto them” (XI.5). In adoption, those who are justified “are enabled to cry ‘Abba Father’ ” (XII). In sanctification, the lusts of the body of sin are more and more weakened so that the saints grow in grace, “perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life” (XIII.3). Although saving faith, “whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls” may be weak or strong, it is different in kind from the faith of temporary believers, and it may grow up in many to the “attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the Author and Finisher of our Faith” (XIV.1, 3). Good works, actions done in obedience to God’s commandments, not only evidence a true and living faith, demonstrate the believer’s thankfulness, and edify the brethren, they also strengthen the assurance of the believer (XVI.2). Even the section elucidating the decrees of God reflects on the concept of assurance: “The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination, is to be handled with special prudence, and care; that men attending the will of God revealed in his word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election” (111.7).

Although the doctrine of assurance is present in piecemeal fashion throughout the Second London Confession, one welcomes its clear and systematic presentation in chapter XVIII, which treats four major aspects of assurance in its four paragraphs. If they were titled according to subject matter, the paragraphs might well bear the following headings: (1) The Reality of Assurance, (2) The Foundations of Assurance, (3) The Duty to Seek Assurance, and (4) The Temporary Loss of Assurance.

Read the entire post here.

Book Review: Assured by Greg Gilbert

Many Christians struggle with assurance in many ways. Some struggle with it because they do not feel saved. Others because they have a sin that they keep repeating after asking God for forgiveness and repenting from it. Still they are some that struggle with it after a sermon they heard from their pastor which promoted legalism rather than grace.

Can a Christian know they are saved? How can we have assurance we are saved? This is what Greg Gilbert covers in his latest book, Assured. In this book, he gives our four sources of assurance based on the Word of God:

The gospel of Jesus Christ.

The promises of God.

The witness of the Spirit.

The fruit of obedience.

The gospel is the message that God has saved sinners from their sin and has given them eternal life. In His Word, God has promised that the ones who are His will never be forgotten or let go despite out sins. The witness of the Spirit is God's Spirit testifying with our spirit that we are His children as taught in Romans 8. The fruit of obedience is our outward expression of our love for God as we seek to do what pleases Him. Jesus said the one who loves Him, is the one who obeys Him (John 14:21).

At the end of book, Gilbert addresses besetting sins. Those are the sins that we seem to not get rid of no matter how mature we are in the faith. Gilbert tells his readers while it is discouraging that these sins are still within us, we must not lose heart. This is not an indication that we have lost our salvation. Jesus promised that no one, not even ourselves, can snatch us from the Father's hand.

Finally, Christians should always strive for assurance. The way to do that is to be constantly reminded of the promises of God in the gospel. We must also do the things that please God and not walk in this journey alone, which means Christians are to be faithful church members. Get together with a family believers that will walk with you and you walk with them in our journey to be more like Jesus.

Greg Gilbert has been one of my favorite writers for some time. I have enjoyed every book he has written and Assured is no exception. The book is short and easy to read that will be a great tool to go through a fellow believer who is struggling with assurance of their salvation. This is will also be good for you if you are struggling with assurance as well.

Thanks Baker Books for letting me review this book.

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What To Do If You Are Doubting Your Salvation

Ever struggle with assurance of your salvation? I know I have done that before. As we go through the Bible and see what the Lord expects out of His people, it is easy to wonder if we are saved because we see where we fall short and all of us fall short.

Salvation is by grace yet we act as if we can lost it. We will all face doubts especially with our salvation in this life. If you are doubting your salvation, I hope these words from Mark Dever in this video will encourage you:

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Schreiner And Thomas On Can A Christian Lose Their Salvation

Many Christian struggle with the assurance of their salvation. Many look at verse that make it seem salvation can be lost. Can salvation be lost?

I hope these two videos will help you answer that question. The first features Thomas Schreiner from Southern Seminary, who also talks about the warning passages. The next video features Derek Thomas from Reformed Theological Seminary

Recommended Reading:

Kept for Jesus: What the New Testament Really Teaches about Assurance of Salvation and Eternal Security by Sam Storms

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Can A True Christian Fall Away From God?

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us (1 John 2:18-19).

I have known Christians that simple have no assurance. They grew up listening to sermons that would make them feel like God will take away their salvation as if it were their first car after getting their driver's license. There are a few denominations that teach believers can lose their salvation. Yet, there are people in the church that say they are a Christian, but live like they are on their way to hell. There are also believers that have simply walked away from the Christian faith for various reasons.

John Piper in this video lab answers the question, can a true Christian fall away from God? Can a true believer lose their salvation?

How Do I Know I'm A Christian?

Many people in the church lack assurance that they are a Christian. There are many reasons for that. It could be bad teaching like hearing a pastor say, "If you remember the day and hour of you prayed a prayer" or "You remember how old you were when you came to Christ." It could unconfessed sin that causes you to doubt.

Whatever the reason, many Christians doubt their salvation. How can one be assured of their salvation? Kevin DeYoung has written three signs that you can determine for yourself if you a Christian:

The first sign is theological. You should have confidence if you believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God (5:11-13). John doesn’t want people to be doubting. God wants you to have assurance, to know that you have eternal life. And this is the first sign, that you believe in Jesus. You believe he is the Christ or the Messiah (2:22). You believe he is the Son of God (5:10). And you believe that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (4:2). So if you get your theology wrong about Jesus you will not have eternal life. But one of the signs that should give you confidence before God is that you believe in his only Son Jesus Christ our Lord (4:14-16; 5:1, 5).

The second sign is moral. You should have confidence if you live a righteous life (3:6-9). Those who practice wickedness, who plunge headlong into sin, who not only stumble, but habitually walk in wickedness-should not be confident. This is no different than what Paul tells us in Romans 6 that we are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness and in Galatians 5 that those who walk in the flesh will not inherit the kingdom. This is no different than what Jesus tells us in John 15 that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. So if you live a morally righteous life you should have confidence (3:24). And lest this standard make you despair, keep in mind that part of living a righteous life is refusing to claim that you live without sin and coming to Christ for cleansing when you do sin (1:9-10).

The third sign is social. You should have confidence if you love other Christians (3:14). If you hate like Cain you do not have life. But if your heart and your wallet are open to your brothers and sisters eternal life abides in you. One necessary sign of true spiritual life is that we love one another (4:7-12, 21).

These are John’s three signposts to assure us that we are on the road that leads to eternal life. These are not three things we do to earn salvation, but three indicators that God has indeed saved us. We believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God. We live a righteous life. We are generous toward other Christians. Or we can put it this way: we know we have eternal life if we love Jesus, we love his commands, and we love his people. No one of the three is optional. All must be present in the Christian, and all three are meant to be signs for our assurance (see 2:4, 6; 4:20; 5:2).

John belabors the same points again and again. Do you love God? Do you love his commands? Do you love his people? If you don’t, it’s a sign you have death. If you do, it’s sign that you have life. And that means confidence instead of condemnation.

Recommended Reading:

Am I Really A Christian? by Mike McKinley

How Can I Be Sure?: And Other Questions about Doubt, Assurance and the Bible by John Stevens

The Blessing of No Condemnation is Reserved

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus - Romans 8:1

Paul does not say Christians are free from condemnation because they are sinless; it is because they are in Christ. "No condemnation" is not a universal blessing. It is reserved for those who have been united spiritually with Christ through faith. We must be careful to resist the false sentimentality that beckons us to give false assurance to non-Christians simply because they are sincere, nice, religious, or believe in God.

To be "in Christ" by faith alone means, among other things, that his righteousness has been reckoned or imputed to you. It means you are united with him in a spiritual covenant. It means there is an almost indefinable mystical oneness or spiritual fellowship with the Lord that you share every moment of life. To put it as simply as possible, to be "in Christ" means you are saved by him and are in vibrant spiritual union with him.

Sam Storms, Kept For Jesus

No Condemnation Must Precede The Battle

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus - Romans 8:1

"No condemnation" must precede our battle against sin if it is to empower our battle against sin. God's declaration of "No condemnation" must come first and thus enable and energize our transformation into righteousness-loving, Christ-exalting people. The divine declaration must come before the human transformation. Being right with God must precede doing right for God.

Sam Storms, Kept For Jesus

Book Review: How Can I Be Sure? by John Stevens

Christians from time to time in some form or fashion struggle with doubt particularly with their salvation. I am remember in my earlier days as a Christian, I doubted my salvation because I did not feel saved. All my doubts were put as aside when a guest preacher from Alabama told me never to associate my salvation with my feelings.

From indwelling sin, lack of evangelistic zeal, even comparing their walk with Jesus to another Christian who seems to have it all together, or whatever the reason, Christians have various reasons for why they struggle with doubting their salvation. How does one overcome doubt? In his book, How Can I Be Sure?, John Stevens takes a look at what doubt is and answers questions regarding assurance of salvation.

In the beginning for the book, Stevens deals with the question about what doubt exactly is and why it can be dangerous for Christians to engaged in it. Next, he deals with overcoming doubt and how to be sure that God truly loves those he calls his children. Finally, Stevens talks about having a confident faith which he addresses having a closer walk with Jesus, being part of a community of believers, and allow suffering to produce maturity among other things.

As one who struggled with doubts over his salvation, I can say that this is something you cannot just overcome by yourself. I did not have any great books to go to when I was doubting my salvation, but now for those who do doubt, I can point people to this book. This book is good for Christians to go one-on-one with a struggling believer. This is also good for pastors to take a believer who is struggling with doubt through as well.

Thanks Good Book Company for letting me review this book.

How To Be Assured of Your Salvation

Many Christians doubt their salvation. They doubt because of some habitual sin they just can't seem to shake. They doubt because they compare their walk with Jesus to another Christian is who, in their mind, has it all together. How can Christians be assured of their salvation? J.D. Greear answers this question in a sermon he recently gave at the Austin Stone Church.



Books by J.D. Greear:

Gospel: Recovering the Power That Made Christianity Revolutionary

Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart