Assurance Of Salvation And Royal Protocol - Michael J. S. Austin, Ph.D.
Did you ever dream what it would be like to meet a celebrity or a person of high rank in society, or a President or Royalty and wonder whether you would feel awkward and nervous? Usually there are rules of etiquette to give guidance and save any embarrassment. But how would you approach God, the Creator and Ruler of all things, would you stay far away trying to remain unnoticed? This raises some vital questions.
What we often forget is that by nature, we are all outside the circle of God's favour. Ever since the moral rebellion of our first parents, who were banished from close friendship with their loving God and from their Paradise garden home, we are all in a place of alienation from God - 'your iniquities [sins] have made a separation between you and your God' (Isaiah 59:2). Now we need to know if there is a way to restore people to favour. Might a generous pardon be available - and what if there was even a forgiving welcome?
1. A FORGIVING WELCOME
At this point many people have not understand that the 'Royal' protocol has already been widely made known in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the extraordinary good news that 'in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation' (2 Corinthians 5:19).
Here the apostle Paul confirms how he had received this good news of how people may turn back to God. He shows that Christ has secured a perfectly just way for sins to be freely forgiven, seeing he has taken the awful penalty upon himself. Many biblical expressions emphasise this open offer of reconciliation, such as, 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved' (Acts 2:21). We often refer to this wide call to be reconciled to God, freely as the 'general call' or the 'free offer of the gospel'. Then we distinguish between those who hear this call but who remain in unbelief and those who, turning from their unbelief, hear with faith, trust the promised offer and receive it gladly.
2. YOU MUST COME!
The basis of this distinction is God's gracious and powerfully effective call to give the repentance and faith to receive and embrace this great salvation, willingly and wholeheartedly. Jesus emphasised this divine protocol, 'All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:27-28).
There we see supreme authority delegated from the Father to the Son and the intimate knowledge between the persons of the Godhead and how they fully comprehend each other. Then, how sinners may be restored to a personal knowledge of God! This is not theological book knowledge - this is to trust God, to love him and to have fellowship with him, through the indwelling Holy Spirit. After speaking about God's sovereign choice, notice how Jesus then made a free offer to 'all who labour' under the burdens of failure, guilt and religious 'works'.
3. ABANDON COMPLAINTS
At times I hear people say, 'Well, if God hasn't chosen me, I don't have any hope do I?' Sometimes we may even agree with the person's fatalistic pessimism and leave them in it - but that isn't the gospel! There is a clear biblical way of responding to this sort of unbelief, and we urgently need to share the gospel with people in a way that exposes subtle, false refuges. So, instead of confirming unbelief, we must expose it and sensitively show how unbelief is no refuge at all, but the condition in which they are already condemned, unless they are willing to abandon such a hopeless refuge for the only safe refuge - Jesus Christ.
So, explain that their fatalistic complaint that God hasn't chosen them is a false refuge - it is a sinful protest against God, as if the riches of his grace were not large enough to embrace even them. Unbelief always slanders and maligns the character of God! Freely offer God's mercy to the most hardened unbelievers. Urge them to repent and call upon God for such mercy. And if people begin to sense they are trapped in unbelief, and desperately need faith, perhaps they will then ask God to rescue them from that awful trap of unbelief. Or do they have even a small desire to be reconciled to God, and a low level of determination to pursue God for a little share of his great mercy? Appeal to them to seek God with all their hearts!
4. THE DIVINE PROTOCOL IS SIMPLE!
We may also explain that it is NOT the gospel for unbelievers to ask questions about whether or not they are God's elect. Unbelief, will always protest in rebellious defiance. With respect, people need to mind their own business! Instead, show the great peril unbelievers are in unless they turn to Christ. The gospel answers the question 'What must I do be saved?' Offer them freely the riches of God's grace, bestowed on 'all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved' (Romans 10:12-13).
Finally, pray for people. As to the simple reality of exposing false refuges, we need to hear a lot more compelling gospel preaching that leaves people with nothing to stand on, until they are firmly standing in Christ. This is a day of good news for all the nations. The good news of salvation is still the power of God. It continues to be the one credible, trustworthy message to reconcile people to God. What about you? Turn to Christ today and he will welcome you with forgiving grace and love into the family of God - that's the divine protocol! What higher introduction could you want?
BE SURE ABOUT SALVATION
Michael J. S. Austin, Ph.D. Hello, my big goal is to show that biblical Christianity appeals to careful thinking, and is powerfully relevant today. So, I aim to share the good news of Christ crucified, risen and ascended - a Saviour who is worthy of your full confidence. And I write to help you find faith or to strengthen your faith, so that you may be SURE. I share Evangelical and Reformed convictions and have a Ph.D. from Reformation International Theological Seminary for work on the validity of reason. Use this link to my very latest Amazon Kindle e-book: 'FOR SURE! - Assurance and Evangelicalism' http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AG0WK84 Also take a look at this challenging e-book: 'I saw Him die - viewing Jesus' death TODAY' Use this link: http://www.amazon.com/saw-Him-die-Viewing-ebook/dp/B007TX696U/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_2 Read and enjoy, and please recommend to others - Thank you! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_J._S._Austin,_Ph.D. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7492873