Thoughts on the Judgment: Assurance for the Chosen Ones

With all the recent speculation regarding sola fide and "final salvation" a Scriptural look at the judgment is necessary for the assurance of the Christian. Christ's work has once and forever satisfied for all my sin. His imputed active and passive obedience eternally secured my right standing with God. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8).  There is only one salvation (justification) and Jesus paid it all.

Call to memory Heidelberg Q & A 52 and be comforted, chosen ones...

Q.How does Christ’s return
“to judge the living and the dead”

comfort you?

A.In all distress and persecution,
with uplifted head,
I confidently await the very judge

who has already offered himself to the judgment of God
in my place and removed the whole curse from me.1

Christ will cast all his enemies and mine

into everlasting condemnation,

but will take me and all his chosen ones

to himself
into the joy and glory of heaven.2

1 Luke 21:28; Rom. 8:22-25; Phil. 3:20-21; Tit. 2:13-14
2 Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 1:6-10

And hear Calvin's assuring words: “If we do not yet do the good that we will, but the evil oftentimes pushes us, and there may be many failures, or perhaps we may be too slow to do good, let us look at what the Son of God suffered in order to make reparation for all our faults. Let us notice how He fought in such a way that there was no contradiction in Him when our crimes and sins were imputed to Him... Let us see, then, how our Lord Jesus has made satisfaction in everything and for everything, but we today, although having taken the trouble to obey God, are not able to succeed, but we always droop our wings, must constantly repeat this: that we know that we shall not cease to be acceptable to God and that our imperfections will always be abolished by the obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that *they will not come into account before God.*"

For more on this subject listen:
Start around minute 1:03: Scott Clark: Salvation by Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIlrSyMWEr4

John Fonville: Sola Fide: Our Only Instrument:  http://www.paramountchurch.com/mediaPlayer/#sermonaudio/348

Morality vs. Gospel with Theocast Episode

Satan would be most pleased by this picture ...A church, pews filled with happy, shiny, moral people

hearing absolutely no Christ preached. Morality has never saved anyone. It does not and cannot save culture.

"Being a Christian is not about some Victorian ethic. 
It is about Christ."

Listen to this episode of Theocast: The New Dark Ages: http://theocast.org/100-new-dark-ages/

Quotes and Thoughts from "Let a Person Examine Himself" : John Fonville

The sacrament requires and demands self-examination. The Lord's supper summons us to examine whether we are Christian or non-Christian. It calls us to see if we're looking by faith alone to Christ alone; to the One Who has borne our condemnation and judgment on our behalf. In I Cor 11:26, Paul reminds the Corinthians that whenever they celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's supper they are proclaiming the Lord's death. 

...Too often people think that they have made peace with God, because they have examined themselves before they received the Lord's supper. They rightly find themselves lacking before God, but do not depend on Christ to make them worthy. They're depending on their own deceitful purposes and resolutions to make themselves worthy.

Worthiness to come to the Lord's table does not require sinlessness. ~John Fonville

"In seeking to prepare for eating worthily, men have often dreadfully harassed and tortured miserable consciences, and yet have in no degree attained the end. They have said that those eat worthily who are in a state of grace. Being in a state of grace, they have interpreted to be pure and free from all sin. By this definition, all the men that ever have been, and are upon the earth, were debarred from the use of this sacrament. For if we are to seek our worthiness from ourselves, it is all over with us; only despair and fatal ruin await us. Though we struggle to the utmost, we will not only make no progress, but then be most unworthy after we have laboured most to make ourselves worthy.

...Certainly the devil could have no shorter method of destroying men than by thus infatuating them, and so excluding them from the taste and savour of this food with which their most merciful Father in heaven had been pleased to feed them. Therefore, lest we should rush over such a precipice, let us remember that this sacred feast is medicine to the sick, comfort to the sinner, and bounty to the poor; while to the healthy, the righteous, and the rich, if any such could be found, it would be of no value. For while Christ is therein given us for food, we perceive that without him we fail, pine, and waste away, just as hunger destroys the vigour of the body. Next, as he is given for life, we perceive that without him we are certainly dead. Wherefore, the best and only worthiness which we can bring to God, is to offer him our own vileness, and, if I may so speak, unworthiness, that his mercy may make us worthy; to despond in ourselves, that we may be consoled in him; to humble ourselves, that we may be elevated by him; to accuse ourselves, that we may be justified by him" #JohnCalvin

"Q. Since then faith alone
makes us share in Christ and all his benefits,
where does this faith come from?
A. From the Holy Spirit, 1
who works it in our hearts
by the preaching of the gospel, 2
and strengthens it
by the use of the sacraments. 3
1.Jn 3:5; 1 Cor 2:10-14; Eph 2:8; Phil 1:29.
2.Rom 10:17; 1 Pet 1:23-25.
3.Mt 28:19, 20; 1 Cor 10:16." #Heidelberg65

...Do not think that the conflict within you means that you cannot have assurance with God. Do you know where that conflict comes from? It comes from the Holy Spirit, Who is making you very uncomforatble with your sin, so that you get very comfortable with Jesus! (24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. #Romans7)

Assurance: I John 2:1-2:
My little children, these things write I unto you, *that ye sin not. And *if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Let me teach you how to examine yourself. Ask yourself,
Am I fully convinced of my sinfulness?
Am I convinced of my of the deadness and misery of my nature and state apart from faith in Christ?
Have I given up all hope of ever attaining righteousness or holiness apart from Christ alone?
Do I see Christ in His grace as the only thing that I need for my salvation?
Am I trusting in Christ to deliever me from the power and practice of sin, from the coming judgment and wrath of God in His second coming?
Are you trusting in Christ alone for the hope of eternal life?
Are you displeased with yourself for your sins, yet at the same time trusting that all those sins are forgiven, past, present and future? And that all your remaining sin, right now, is covered completely by the death of Jesus Christ? Do you believe that?
Are you trusting and depending upon Christ to sanctify you by His Holy Spirit?
Do you desire to mourn more, have your faith strengthened, and walk in a manner worthy of your calling?
...It's not this endless, introspective fruit examination to drive yourself mad. You examine yourself with great assurance of faith.

~ John Fonville

Listen to John Fonville's full sermon "Let a Person Examine Himself" at https://www.paramountchurch.com/sermons/sermon/2017-06-04/let-a-person-examine-himself

Martin Luther: Simul Justus Et Peccator

This past Sunday, our pastor emphasized Martin Luther and the doctrines of the Reformation, as this month marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Often skeptics accuse Luther of Antisemitism and of giving fuel to the Nazi holocaust as they used his words to insight gross inhumanity to the Jews at that time period in history. During the sermon, our pastor didn't gloss over Luther's sin, but he highlighted that this is exactly why Christians (and Luther) needed the doctrine that Luther spent his life teaching and clarifying: Justification by faith alone. Jesus died for Christians too. We are simul justus et peccator. We all stand accused by our adversary, and often by our own consciences.Until we are taken home to glory, we will struggle and fail, being at once justified and sinners. But we have a faithful Savior, who gave us His life and died the death that we deserve.  In Him we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. We stand upon the great doctrine of justification with great assurance and full conviction, that Jesus has satisfied for all our sins. One day we will be presented faultless before the throne, not in our righteousness, but in the righteousness of the Lamb, along with Luther and the great cloud of witnesses who were saved by grace alone, through faith alone, by Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.  

Blasphemy: Belgic Article 22

"...for any to assert, that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him, would be too gross a blasphemy: for hence it would follow, that Christ was but half a Savior." 

Article 22: Of Faith in Jesus Christ.
We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him. For it must needs follow, either that all things, which are requisite to our salvation, are not in Jesus Christ, or if all things are in him, that then those who possess Jesus Christ through faith, have complete salvation in him. Therefore, for any to assert, that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him, would be too gross a blasphemy: for hence it would follow, that Christ was but half a Savior. Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith without works. However, to speak more clearly, we do not mean, that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our Righteousness. But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all his merits and so many holy works which he has done for us, and in our stead, is our Righteousness. And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with him in all his benefits, which, when become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins. ~Belgic Confession
Wherefore he is able also to save them to theuttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. ~Hebrews 7:25

Sola Fide: WCF

WCF Chapter XIV

Of Saving Faith (Sola Fide)

...But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ

alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.[9]
...This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;[10] may often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory:[11] growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ,[12] who is both the author and finisher of our faith.[13]

[9] JOH 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. ACT 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. GAL 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ACT 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

[10] HEB 5:13,14 For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. ROM. 4:19-20 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, heither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. MATT 6:30 Shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? MATT 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

[11] LUKE 22:31-32; And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Stan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. EPH 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. I John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

[12] HEB 6:11-12 And we desire that every one of you do show the same dilligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end; that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb. 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

[13] HEB. 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Justification: Brad Mason

"Justification is not just the first step from which we move on into the rest of the benefits of saving

Union with Christ. It is the declaration at the beginning of what will be at the end. Justification is the definitive, present, juridical, and authoritative pronouncement on the whole of the believer’s walk to Glory. " #BradMason #HeartAndMouth

Full article: https://www.heartandmouth.org/2017/10/26/right-vs-possession-last-bit-shelter-john-piper/?subscribe=success#blog_subscription-3

How Are You Righteous? Sola Fide

How are thou righteous before God?

Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; so that, though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and kept none of them, and am still inclined to all evil; notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine, but only of mere grace, grants and imputes to me, the perfect satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ; even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin: yea, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me; inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart. Heidelberg 60

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
(a) Rom.3:21-25,28; Rom.5:1,2; Gal.2:16; Eph.2:8,9; Phil.3:9 (b)
Rom.3:9. (c) Rom.7:23. (d) Tit.3:5; Deut.9:6; Ezek.36:22. (e)
Rom.3:24; Eph.2:8. (f) Rom.4:4,5; 2 Cor.5:19. (g) 1 John 2:2. (h)
1 John 2:1. (i) 2 Cor.5:21. (j) Rom.3:22; John 3:18.

Sola Fide: Sermon: John Fonville

Sola Fide

Whom God hath set forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness, by the forgiveness of the sins that are passed, Through the patience of God, to show at
this time his righteousness, that he might be Just, and the Justifier of him which is of the faith of Jesus. Where is then the rejoicing? It is excluded. By what Law? of  works? Nay: but by the Law of faith. Romans 5:25-27

Sola Fide: Our Only Instrument: John Fonville: Full audio  sermon:
http://www.paramountchurch.com/sermons/sermon/2017-10-22/sola-fide:-our-only-instrument

Sola Fide Controversy: Neonominanism in Evangelical Calvinistic Circles: John Piper

In a Sept. 2017 DG article entitled, Does God Really Save Us by Faith Alone?, John Piper states, "In final salvation at the last judgment, faith is confirmed by the sanctifying fruit it has borne, and we are saved through that fruit and that faith."

The following article contains a historical perspective and evidence of John Piper's rejection of the Covenant of Works, resulting in his faulty conclusions regarding Sola Fide. It helps us untangle exactly where he stands, and who were his influences. In spite of quoting great Reformers, Piper's view confusing Law and Gospel is at least a tangent to Rome and a neonomian error.

Read about Piper's history and affiliations here: 
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/PDF/The%20Trinity%20Review%200197a%20PiedPiper.pdf

Michael Brown reminds us of the importance of properly understanding Covenant Theology as it relates to the gospel:  "covenant theology provides us with the deepest comfort as we learn that God accepts us not on the basis of our covenant faithfulness but on the basis of Christ’s. It sweetens our fellowship with the Father as we come to know of his oath and promises to us, promises that are yes and amen through the Mediator of the new covenant." (Source: http://www.reformedfellowship.net/what-is-covenant-theology-and-why-should-i-care-rev-michael-g-brown ). It is the way of understanding God's plan of Redemption in spite our fallenness in our Federal Head, Adam, through the imputation of the active and passive obedience of Jesus, the better Adam, in His life, death, burial and resurrection. May the Lord help John Piper and his followers come to a better understanding of these significant doctrines. And may the Lord continue to protect and preserve us from erroneous teaching.

For more on the history and connections related to Piper's errors, see: http://biblethumpingwingnut.com/2017/10/31/piper-on-justification/

For more info on Federal Vision theology, see: 
https://player.fm/series/iron-sharpens-iron-radio-with-chris-arnzen/february-13-2018-show-with-dr-dewey-roberts-on-samuel-davies-apostle-to-virginia

Christ Alone WCF

Some statements regarding our "final salvation" made by well-known teachers leave many in Reformed circles scratching our heads and wondering what is stopping them from returning to Rome.

Christians, having been brought into union with Christ have been predestined to good works. That is not even a question. However at no point is heaven or "final salvation" contingent on our good works. All the good works needed for our justification are in Christ alone, and they were enough to merit us favor with God in this world and the next. There was a reason for the Reformation. And sola fide, properly undertood is one of them. Semper Reformanda! Solus Christus. Soli Deo Gloria.

"The principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace." WCF, 14.2

Unmixed Grace: Calvin

8. For by grace are ye saved. This is an inference from the former statements. Having treated of election and of effectual calling, he arrives at this general conclusion, that they had obtained salvation by faith alone. First, he asserts, that the salvation of the Ephesians was entirely the work, the gracious work of God. But then they had obtained this grace by faith. On one side, we must look at God; and, on the other, at man.

God declares, that he owes us nothing; so that salvation is not a reward or recompense, but unmixed grace. The next question is, in what way do men receive that salvation which is offered to them by the hand of God? The answer is, by faith; and hence he concludes that nothing connected with it is our own. If, on the part of God, it is grace alone, and if we bring nothing but faith, which strips us of all commendation, it follows that salvation does not come from us.

Ought we not then to be silent about free-will, and good intentions, and fancied preparations, and merits, and satisfactions? There is none of these which does not claim a share of praise in the salvation of men; so that the praise of grace would not, as Paul shews, remain undiminished. When, on the part of man, the act of receiving salvation is made to consist in faith alone, all other means, on which men are accustomed to rely, are discarded. Faith, then, brings a man empty to God, that he may be filled with the blessings of Christ. And so he adds, not of yourselves; that, claiming nothing for themselves, they may acknowledge God alone as the author of their salvation.

JOHN CALVIN Commentary on Ephesians 2:8–10
Courtesy of Heidelblog.

What Is Found In Christ Alone: John Calvin

Every good thing we could think or desire is to be found in Christ alone.

"It follows that every good thing we could think or desire is to be found in this same Jesus Christ alone. For, he was sold, to buy us back; captive, to deliver us; condemned, to absolve us; he was made a curse for our blessing, sin offering for our righteousness; marred that we may be made fair; he died for our life; so that by him fury is made gentle, wrath

appeased, darkness turned into light, fear reassured, despisal despised, debt canceled, labor lightened, sadness made merry, misfortune made fortunate, difficulty easy, disorder ordered, division united, ignominy ennobled, rebellion subjected, intimidation intimidated, ambush uncovered, assaults assailed, force forced back, combat combated, war warred against, vengeance avenged, torment tormented, damnation damned, the abyss sunk into the abyss, hell transfixed, death dead, mortality made immortal. In short, mercy has swallowed up all misery, and goodness all misfortune.”

~John Calvin, Preface for Pierre Robert Olivétan's French translation of the New Testament (1534)

#soluschristus #reformation500

Moralism or Gospel? Get the Proclaim Radio App.

Some of you heard the recent Theology Gals episode with John Fonville. If you were blessed by that, you should get the Proclaim Radio app. Fresh water and good food for Christ's sheep in every single message.

Get the app here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/proclaim-radio/id1217076353?mt=2

From John: "Tired of moralistic lectures and being told how to slay the giants in your life? Do you want to hear good news? Then subscribe today to Proclaim Radio's podcast for your daily consumption of good news.

As one great Presbyterian theologian once said:

'What good does it do me to tell me that the type of religion presented in the Bible is a very fine type of religion and that the thing for me to do is just to start practicing that type of religion now? ... I will tell you, my friend. It does not one tiniest little bit of good. . .

What I need first of all is not exhortation but a gospel, not directions for saving myself but knowledge of how God has saved me. Have you any good news for me? That is the question that I ask of you. I know your exhortations will not help me. But if anything has been done to save me, will you not tell me the facts?'"
~James Gresham Machen

The Sun vs. The Sun's Rays: Calvin

The Sun vs. The Sun's Rays: Calvin

"for though faith is confirmed by all the graces of God as aids, yet it ceases not to have its foundation in the mercy of God only. As for instance, when we enjoy the light, we are certain that the sun shines; if the sun shines on the place in which we are, we have a clearer view of it; but yet when the visible rays do not come to us, we are satisfied that the sun diffuses its brightness for our benefit. So when faith is founded on Christ, some things may happen to assist it, still it rests on Christ’s grace alone."

#JohnCalvin #CalvinsCommentaryontheBible #IJohn3:14

1 John 3:14We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.

via: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/1-john/3-14.html