The Sinner’s Prayer and the NAFWB
The Southern Baptist Convention just finished their annual convention. One significant debate was over a resolution regarding the “Sinner’s Prayer.” David Platt expressed some serious concerns over the prayer: Should it not concern us that there is no such superstitious prayer in the New Testament? Should it not concern us that the Bible never uses...
Thoughts on Whitney Houston’s Death
I was a big Whitney Houston fan when I was younger. But relax, I’m married. To a female. Who doesn’t know her song “I believe in you and me”? Such an incredible voice. Sadly, Houston was not only known for her amazing talent, but also for a drug and alcohol problem. Another note, and the...
Assurance of Salvation: The Method
I’ve been teaching an assurance of salvation class at Cofer’s. Tonight is our 4th week together. I have really enjoyed it, and those in the class are very engaged and seem to be chewing on what I’m trying to get them to eat, so that’s good! I shared a little bit from the first session...
Assurance of Salvation: Our Foundation
If you want assurance of salvation, you need to start with the right foundation. What is the source, root, or grounds for your assurance? Is your assurance based on something you’ve done or felt? Or is it based on what God has said? Using the wrong ground for assurance can lead to many religious people...
Apostasy / Arminianism / Assurance / Calvinism / Doctrine / Free Will Baptist / The Holy Spirit / Theology
Two False Extremes Related to Apostasy
The issue of apostasy has come upon me. I haven’t sought it out. About a month ago a friend asked me what I thought about it (I didn’t respond). Another friend has mentioned he isn’t sure what he thinks about it. And I’m teaching a class on assurance of salvation right now on Wednesday nights...
If Apostasy Isn’t a Possibility, Why Are There Warnings Against It?
In reading Dr. Picirilli’s Understanding Assurance and Salvation, I came across this gold nugget. Just read it for yourself. It is . . . important . . . for us to warn believers about the danger of apostasy and to exhort them to persevere in faith and good works, not as a means of frightening...
Do We Maintain Our Salvation By Works?
We’re likely in agreement that we do not begin our salvation process by our works. But do we maintain our salvation by our works? Of course, the moment we become a Christian, God looks at us and justifies us by the righteousness of Jesus, and therefore sees us as holy, beloved children of Him. But...
Accusations
You have an enemy. He is great and powerful. He is much smarter than you, and he is set on your destruction. You can’t defeat him. How could you? He knows more than you; he is smarter than you; he is older than you, craftier than you, and so on. There’s nothing that a finite...
The Word and Assurance
I have noticed that the Word of God does different things to different people. That’s good, because there are a lot of different people. There are people who are true Christians and have confidence in their standing in Christ. There are people who are true Christians but who doubt their standing in Christ. There are...
Recent Comments