Joel Beeke, president and professor at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, discusses how assurance of salvation is found through God's promises rather than our own efforts. He emphasizes that divine promises are foundational to a believer's confidence and highlights the unwavering nature of Christ's completed work. Listeners will learn the importance of engaging with scripture and the church to strengthen their faith. Beeke also addresses common challenges in securing one's assurance, offering insights for spiritual support in tough times.
Assurance of salvation is fundamentally grounded in God's unwavering promises, rather than human efforts, emphasizing the reliability of His word.
Engaging with God's promises through scripture and community strengthens personal faith, transforming doubt into confidence in Christ's fulfillment.
Deep dives
God's Promises as Assurance
The certainty of salvation is grounded in the divine truth of God's promises in Christ, rather than in human effort or righteousness. Assurance is not merely a conjectural belief; it is an infallible assurance of faith rooted in the unwavering nature of God’s promises. This reassurance comes from understanding that God's character is unfailing, meaning His promises cannot fail as long as they are based on His faithful word. The example from 2 Corinthians emphasizes that God's affirmation through Christ is a consistent 'yes,' providing a solid foundation for a believer's assurance of salvation.
The Interconnection of Promises and Personal Assurance
As believers engage with God's promises, their personal assurance of faith deepens through regular reinforcement of these promises in their lives. The act of revisiting the promises of God enhances an individual's understanding and perceived reality of salvation, creating a harmonious relationship between faith and assurance. Regular participation in church and personal study of scripture serve to continually remind believers of the faithfulness of God's promises, allowing them to recognize and claim their security in Christ. This ongoing exploration of biblical truths reveals an abundance of God's assurances, transforming doubt into confidence.
Christ-Centered Assurance
Personal assurance is fundamentally centered on Christ, as all God's promises are fulfilled and exemplified through Him. The Puritan perspective illustrates that the promises serve as direct pathways to a deeper relationship with Christ rather than merely serving as standalone affirmations. Trusting in God's promises, especially when feelings of doubt or guilt arise, reflects the highest form of honoring God, as it emphasizes reliance on His faithfulness rather than one's own merits. Ultimately, assurance of salvation is rooted in the power of the gospel and the intrinsic certainty of God's promises, which surpass all human apprehensions and failures.
We do not gain assurance of salvation first by looking to ourselves. We must look to God’s Word and the multitude of promises within. Today, Joel Beeke explores the primary means God has given us to help our assurance thrive.
Get Joel Beeke’s teaching series Assurance of Faith on DVD, plus lifetime digital access to the messages and study guide, for your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/3583/assurance-of-faith Meet Today’s Teacher: Joel Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and a pastor at Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, MI. He is also editor of Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, host of the Ask Ligonier podcast, and a graduate of Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne, Australia. Nathan joined Ligonier in 2012 and lives in Central Florida with his wife and four children.
Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
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