Saved without a Doubt
Being Sure of Your Salvation by John MacArthur
The book begins with
a letter from someone who was in doubt of his salvation. Then the author writes
about people who have false assurance, who don’t believe in assurance, and
about full assurance. The book is divided into three parts: 1. Is it a done deal?
2. Is it real? 3. Is it something I can feel?
The author, John
MacArthur writes that we’re to be assured of our salvation first and foremost
because Scripture promises eternal life to those who believe in Christ (John
20:31). He writes that salvation is a collective work: the Sovereign decree of
the Father, the High Priestly work of Christ, the Seal of the Spirit. He
explains those troubling verses: Galatians 5 and falling from grace, Hebrews 6
and those once enlightened, John 15 and the burning branches, Matthew 12 and
the unpardonable sin. And then he provides 6 links in the chain of truth that
bind all true believers eternally to their Savior and Lord: those are- peace with God,
standing in grace, hope of glory, possession of divine love, certainty of
deliverance, and joy in the Lord. If no sin a person commits prior to his or
her conversion is too great for Christ’s atoning death to cover, surely no sin
he or she commits afterward is too great to be covered. Then the rest of the section explain about the purpose of Salvation, giving a big picture: God created us so that
there would be a group of people who would give Him the glory He deserves.
The second part
starts with reference to false conversion. MacArthur framed eleven tests from
an apostolic expert: Distinction between Saving versus Common operations of the
Holy Spirit. The test includes sensitivity to sin by believers. The author is
of the opinion that since unbelievers are so insensitive to the reality of
their condition, human sinfulness is the right starting point in sharing the
gospel.
In the third part of
the book, MacArthur writes about how a Christian can experience the assurance of a
secure salvation. One reason why people doubt is because of strong preaching,
and then he writes that “the pulpit is supposed to create anxiety, but it should
also give comfort and assurance to precious people who honor Christ and desire
to be more like Him. Good biblical preaching maintains that balance.” Others
doubted because of their guilty conscience because what conscience knows about
is guilt and conviction. It knows nothing of grace and mercy. Then MacArthur writes about the Christian virtue to add Virtue upon Virtue: such as
Remembrance, Diligence, Excellence, Knowledge, Self-Control, Perseverance,
Godliness, Love, Fruitfulness, Beware of Spiritual Amnesia, Growing
Spiritually, Enjoying Great Spiritual Reward, and Delighting in the blessings
of assurance. Then he writes about gaining victory such as never to have a
victim mentality, “Let that make an indelible impression on you because you’ll
never get victory over sin if you believe sin is an unbeatable foe.” John also
writes about the need for killing the enemy by using prayer to expose your
hidden sins. The book ends with a chapter on perseverance.
Recommendation:
This is a very good
book for everyone both for new believers and pastors. It is a must read book
for every Christian or people who are not sure of their salvation. Personally,
after reading this book, Romans chapter 8 becomes more precious than ever
before, especially about the Security of Salvation and the Absolute Sovereignty
of God. This book will be of significant help because it talks about Salvation,
how it cannot be lost but is secured eternally even with troubling verses
elsewhere in the Bible. It also instructs how we can live a life of sanctification,
gaining victory over sins. It also shows how Christian can enjoy the salvation
of God.
I recommend this book
without any reservation for everyone.
Solomon Rwangmei, (The
Master’s Academy India, Goa) June 13, 2014