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#43055
Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:07 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
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The Canons of Dordt - First Head of Doctrine which deals with God's Unconditional Election of sinners to salvation states, on the matter of Assurance of Salvation: Article 12: The Assurance of Election Assurance of this their eternal and unchangeable election to salvation is given to the chosen in due time, though by various stages and in differing measure. Such assurance comes not by inquisitive searching into the hidden and deep things of God, but by noticing within themselves, with spiritual joy and holy delight, the unmistakable fruits of election pointed out in God’s Word— such as a true faith in Christ, a childlike fear of God, a godly sorrow for their sins, a hunger and thirst for righteousness, and so on.
And,
Article 13: The Fruit of This Assurance In their awareness and assurance of this election God’s children daily find greater cause to humble themselves before God, to adore the fathomless depth of his mercies, to cleanse themselves, and to give fervent love in return to him who first so greatly loved them. This is far from saying that this teaching concerning election, and reflection upon it, make God’s children lax in observing his commandments or carnally self-assured. By God’s just judgment this does usually happen to those who casually take for granted the grace of election or engage in idle and brazen talk about it but are unwilling to walk in the ways of the chosen. QUESTIONS:1. Do you think the framers of the Canons of Dordt in these two articles are correct in their understanding of Assurance? - Comments as to why you agree. - Comments as to why you disagree or think there is something more that should have been included. 2. Where do you find YOUR assurance that you are beloved of God and have remission of your sins? In His grace,
simul iustus et peccator
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Pilgrim,
These are deep questions.
I will try to answer your question as follows:
When it comes to assurance of election, I would say that the Canons of Dordt is correct in the sense that it tells us not to seek assurance inside ourselves in terms of good feelings or extra-ordinary experiences that we might have or anything like that. If our assurance were to rest on ourselves, it would have been disasterous. The believer's assurance rather rests on the promises of God and on the Holy Spirit that "bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Rom 8:16). Also, it tells us that we have to look for God's work in us according to what Scripture points out what God works in us is. First there is faith in Christ which cannot come from ourselves. In the same way, a godly sorrow for our sins is not something coming from our unregenerated nature.
It is God who elected us, it is He who regenerates and renews us through his Spirit, it is He who works faith in us and therefor our assurance should based in Him and nothing else.
I think with these two articles one should also read the entire 5th Head as well.
Johan
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