Catechism on Assurance of Salvation

This Catechism has been prepared in order to answer the repeated question of my nine year old son, Andre’, “Dad how can I know that I am saved?” Well Andre’ firstly I am grateful that you want to be sure of your salvation. There is no greater desire for Christian parents than that they will be undivided as a family in heaven. This life is brief. The word “time” means there is an end to time and a beginning of timelessness or eternity. Some would live as if there is no end to time. They would live as if the end of this life is nothingness. They think that when they die they will disappear and there will be no more responsibility. Andre’ this is a lie. Our responsibilities become even greater once we die. For then we have a responsibility either to live forever in the presence of God and worshipping Him in perfection, or we have the responsibility for acknowledging our sin and rebellion forever in the presence of Satan and all his angels. It will be world without end described as “eternal torment” or “rivers of burning Sulphur.” Here in Canada they make a lot of sulphur, but it is used for good things to help people. In the army we used another, dangerous, chemical called white phosphor. They made hand grenades from them. When that explodes onto your body it burns and burns and not even water can remove the burning. It feels like it will burn forever. There is another weapon called a Napalm bomb that they dropped from the fighter bombers. Each bomb spreads over an area bigger than a rugby field. There is no escape if you were in that area. Such burning that never stops and is so wide you can’t escape - it is terrible. Even when your enemy gets hurt like that it will make you want to cry don't you think. You will do all that you can to protect yourself and others from these things. The Lord warns us of how terrible hell is and he calls us “flee from the wrath to come!” But secondly Andre’ I want you to know that to be a Christian is to have Christ. He is the one that sticks closer than a brother. He gives you true purpose in life an eternal purpose. He gives you a sure hope of the glory to come. This will give you confidence in this life. I do not say confidence to save you, but confidence in God. The world tells you that you are really good; God tells you that you are really bad. It is false confidence if you rely on yourself. It is true confidence to rely on God. Don’t rely on yourself, Andre’. You know my love for you, but you have also seen my sin. Don’t rely on my love and my faith. Rely on God. Turn a deaf ear to the world, and heed the Lord alone. May God bless you in this noble journey to deny the flesh and to walk in the Spirit.

Q1. How can I know that I am a Christian?
A1. First I must know what a Christian is and then examine myself to see if I am a Christian.
[1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.]

Q2. What is a Christian?
A2. A Christian is a follower of Christ.
[John 10:27 (Jesus said) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me…]

Q3. Where do I learn this?
A3. I learn this from the Bible which is the Holy Scripture that is the Word of God.
[1Peter 1.22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.]

Q4. What makes the Bible so special?
A4. The Bible is special because it is God’s word to Man, the only true guide for all knowledge of God and man.
[2Tim 3.16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.]

Q5. How do I know that the Bible is special from all other knowledge?
A5. I am told this by the Holy Ghost who witnesses in our hearts that the Bible is from God.
[John 16.7 ¶ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Belgic Confession; Article 5 - The Authority of Scripture: We receive all these books and these only as holy and canonical, for the regulating, founding, and establishing of our faith. And we believe without a doubt all things contained in them-- not so much because the church receives and approves them as such but above all because the Holy Spirit testifies in our hearts that they are from God, and also because they prove themselves to be from God. For even the blind themselves are able to see that the things predicted in them do happen.]

Q6. What does the Bible teach me about Christ?
A6. The Bible teaches me that the only mediator between God and man is the man Jesus Christ.
[1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus]

Q7. What is a mediator?
A7. A mediator is someone who brings peace between two or more people or groups of people.
[Ro 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Heb 9:15 ¶ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.]

Q8. Do I need Christ as mediator between God and myself?
A8. Yes, for the bible teaches me that the whole world lies in the hands of the evil one. It also teaches me that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. It also teaches that when Adam sinned he died and so we all died and became enemies of God.
[1Jo 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. Ro 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Ro 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned 1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.]

Q9. How does Christ become my mediator?
A9. Christ becomes my mediator when I have saving faith in him.
[Acts 16.26-31 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.]

Q10. What is saving faith?
A10. Saving faith is having sure knowledge that Christ’s death and resurrection was a sacrifice to pay for sin and knowing that he did this especially for me by removing my sin from the face of God.
[Rom 3.21-23 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
Mark 8:29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 7 - this description of faith highlights the need to be engrafted into Christ, leans upon the Promise of God’s word, is worked by the Holy Spirit]

Q11. What else can I do to be saved?
A11. There is nothing else I can do to be saved except receive Him by true faith alone which is a gift of God that he gives by grace alone.
[Eph 2.8, 9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.]

Q12. What is this grace?
A12. This grace is especially the work of God by which he has given His Son Jesus Christ as a Sacrifice to me to pay for my sin.
[Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.]

Q13. What does God ask of me in my salvation?
A13. That I place myself under the means of grace that He provides for me. I know God does everything and I do nothing for my salvation, but God has given some instruments for my soul by which I can be involved in his wonderful work of my own salvation, commonly called the means of grace.
[1Corinthians 9.27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 25]

Q14. What are these means of Grace?
A14. The principal means of Grace are the preached Word of God contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and the holy sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
[Romans 10. 14,15 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!]

Q15. Are there other means of Grace?
A15. There are what one could call secondary (important, but not the main ones) means of Grace such as personal bible reading and study, prayer, meditation and holy living. These can all be employed for the sake and glory of my Saviour Jesus Christ.
[2Pet 1.10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall]

Q16. How then can I use these means of grace to have a godly confidence that God has saved me?
A16. The principal (most important) means by which God assures me of my salvation is when the Holy Spirit assures me directly in my heart when I am reading or meditating on Scripture that this word of God is true and meant for me. He seeks a response of faith and repentance from my heart.
[Romans 8.15, 16 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God]

Q17. What other means of grace can give me godly confidence that God has saved me?
A17. The secondary means that God uses are these; a love for God, a love for holy things, a love for holy living, Sabbath keeping and generally a life of repentance from sin and faith toward Jesus Christ.
[1John 5.2, 3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.]

Q18. Will I no longer have hatred?
A18. Generally my heart will be filled with love and peace towards God and man, but there will come a hatred for sin and distaste for all rebellion against the good order of God as He has revealed it in His Word.
[Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.]

Q19. Will I no longer have sin?
A19. I will continue to have sin, but I will no longer be content to sin. Sin will no longer be an excuse for my sinful nature. I will hate sin and use all the means of grace to bring my body and life to submit to the requirements of God’s Word.
[1John 1.8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.]

Q20. If all these things are real and true for me am I then a Christian?
A20. Yes, for Christ says you are precious to Him as a sheep is to his Shepherd. He says “I know my sheep, my sheep hear my voice and they follow me.
[John 10:27 (Jesus said) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me…]

Q21. Can I be so bold as to judge whether others are Christian or not?
A21. We are not judges of others, but the Lord Jesus calls us to discern (take note of) the way we and others walk. Those who follow Christ love him, long to hear his voice and follow him. There is no rest for the sheep who have not entered by the way of Christ. He calls to such sheep, “come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” He calls His people to be faithful. “If you say that you love me, keep my commandments.” 1John 5.1-5
[Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.]

I am very grateful to Pastor LW Bilkes Jr for his perusal and helpful comments prior to working through this with the family. I take responsibility for any error, indiscretion or imbalance in this little piece. How can we ever give enough glory to our covenant God who works with families and generations of families.

Decision-making and the Will of God

How do I know it is the will of God? There are many books of advice on knowing the will of God, but practically to know the will of God remains such a subjective and vast subject that generally Christians take one or some combination of three views.

Firstly we can rest in a fatalistic view, the matter is so beyond our grasp that we throw ourselves back upon the sovereignty of God and say "well God is in control" or "God is a God of grace and love and I am His child so I trust that all things will work out for good." Well in one sense that is true, these statements cast us back on the great biblical truths of who God is and how he deals with his people. But does this really address the deeper spiritual question of walking in fellowship and certainty with our covenant God who promises that we will be a people to Him and He will be a God to us as we walk humbly with Him (Micah 6.8).

Another view is to be dazzled by that "blinding light" directly from heaven whereby God, or the confident claim that God, "has told me" this or that. This is very enticing. This makes decision making the easy choice that we often desperately want it to be. The concern here is that we rely on our human senses rather than on the objective truth of God’s Word to give us a truly subjective experience that is not open to being manipulated by our sinful human nature. Is it not true that when we desperately want to hear something, we tend to justify hearing it on the most tenuous evidence? Often a scripture text is used either out of context, or its general implications are correctly understood, but used in a way that implies it is unique and especially true for me in an infallible way.

But more often than not the view we take is one where we approach things very rationally and take a leap of faith based on positive emotion. We do some thinking and planning, we work with one or two co-incidences, we check the ethical and biblical correctness and then if all matches up we follow our hearts desire. Most books on guidance give the mechanics of the third view, a safe middle of the road approach. The best mechanics are drawn out by Sinclair Fergusson in his booklet “Discovering God’s Will” (Discovering God’s Will by Sinclair B Fergusson, Banner of Truth 1993 reprint.) Here he draws out the typical principles of guidance and the will of God that we are taught in modern day literature Nevertheless, Fergusson I believe aims at a higher and more all encompassing approach to guidance that involves the whole man in all of his duties. We see this in the first three chapters dealing with “God’s Ultimate Purpose” addressing our right relationship to God, Guidelines for Guidance” that has its starting point in Scripture and “Guarding the Heart.”

Martin Luther clearly gets to the heart of the matter in his “Treatise on Christian Liberty” when he wrote “Many people have considered Christian faith an easy thing, and not a few have given it a place among the virtues. They do this because they have not experienced it and have never tasted the great strength there is in faith. It is impossible to write well about it or to understand what has been written about it unless one has at one time or another experienced the courage which faith gives a man when trials oppress him.” One could also add that this is the case when one faces decisions of any kind; this faith dominates, or should dominate our decision-making. Anyone who has read Puritan literature or literature about the Puritans will realize that this is the classic Puritan approach to all of life. For them the first matter to settle was that the world is God’s world and the only certainty of value in this world is to be of the people that are God’s people. “It is the great support and solace of the saints in all the distresses that befall them here, that there is a wise Spirit sitting in all the wheels of motion, and governing the most eccentric creatures and their most pernicious designs to blessed and happy issues. And, indeed, it were not worth while to live in a world devoid of God and Providence” (The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel, Banner of Truth, 1976 reprint, p15 (First published 1676).)

The message is clearly that the bigger your God is, the more sure you are of providential care and personal guidance. What they meant by this is that we must not only know the true God, but also know him truly. Furthermore we should know how small we are so that we really can know how great the Triune God of Creation is. The real issue at the end of the day is more about God’s glory and not so much about my personal ambition. Guidance then for the Christian is balanced in the light of “The insignificance of the thoughts and actions of sinful man and the precocious truth of God’s Word”. Hence Flavel in practically applying the doctrine of God’s providential care notes “If, as we have seen, God performs all things for you, God is to be owned by you in all that befalls you in this world, whether it is in a way of success and comfort, or of trouble and affliction. … It is our folly to engage this instrument (prayer) and that for us, to attempt this way and to achieve our end, and all the while forget Him upon whose pleasure all instruments and means entirely depend. That which begins not with prayer seldom ends with comfort. The way of man is not in himself (Jeremiah 10.23); If it were prayer might then be reckoned lost labour. … O that we would but steer our course according to those rare politics of the bible, those divine maxims of wisdom! Fear nothing but sin (Sin is want of conformity to the law of God – insert by Mark). Study nothing so much as how to please God.”

These truths must be lived out in personal communion with God and an eye to all His providential dealings with him. The emphasis is on a principled personal Spirit led relationship as opposed to method and activity. We have recently moved from South Africa to Canada. How traumatic to move from a land where the first family generations began in 1688 with the landing of the Huguenot families in the Cape. What made them move from a Godless France to such a distant, wild and Godless country? With so much gospel work undone in South Africa, what makes us move now to another country that is at once distant and Godless as any Western nation? It is only in the God of Luther and Flavel and Fergusson that one finds peace and rest in the matter. Ultimate purposes and Causes lie comfortably within His providence. After all the soul searching, all the technical decision analyses and self justification, in spite of all the sin contaminated effort and circumstance, we find joy and solace in our Covenant God. Did He lead us? Yes, with definite and sure promises. Yes, with definite and sure circumstances. Yes, with definite and sure results. Yes, with many comforts and many chastisings. Fellow Christian Traveller would you not expect the same kind of care and assured leading of any loving father? Yes we remain “strangers scattered” (1Peter 1.1), we remain “dispersed among the gentiles” (John 7.35) we are as the “outcasts of Israel” (Isaiah 11.12) nevertheless all God’s guiding is salted with joy unspeakable and is full of glory for we are receiving the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls. (1Peter 1.8)

Books Recommended for guidance in discovering the will of God in decision-making:
1. Discovering God’s Will by Sinclair B Fergusson, Banner of Truth
2. The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel, Banner of Truth
3. Collected Writings, vol.1, ch. 26 by John Murray, Banner of Truth (clarifies the link between feeling and truth)
4. Knowing God by James I Packer, Hodder & Stoughton
5. The Christian Directory, The Practical Works Volume 1 by Richard Baxter, Soli Deo Gloria
6. In What Manner are we to expect the Divine Guidance, Works Volume 1 by John Newton, Banner of Truth (Fine advice on the use of Scripture)
7. The True Bounds of Christian Freedom by Samuel Bolton, Banner of Truth (On legitimate use of God’s Law)