God's Judgment on Infanticide and Assurance of Salvation
Assurance of salvation refers to a believer's confident conviction that they are saved and possess eternal life [2]. This assurance is rooted in faith and is understood as a gift from God, not something earned through human effort [1, 9].
The biblical basis for assurance is found in various passages. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is presented as God's pledge that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance [1, 8]. The "full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:22) implies a complete trust in God that leaves no room for doubt, while the "full assurance of understanding" (Colossians 2:2) signifies an unwavering conviction in the truth of Scripture [1]. The Apostle John states that God has given believers eternal life, and this life is found in His Son (1 John 5:11) [7].
Assurance is produced by faith (Ephesians 3:12; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 10:22) and confirmed by love (1 John 3:14, 19; 4:18) [2]. It is also described as an effect of righteousness (Isaiah 32:17) and is abundant in the understanding of the gospel (Colossians 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:5) [2]. Believers are privileged to have assurance concerning their election (Psalm 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:4), redemption (Job 19:25), adoption (Romans 8:16; 1 John 3:2), and salvation (Isaiah 12:2) [2]. This assurance extends to eternal life (1 John 5:13) and the unalienable love of God (Romans 8:38-39) [2].
Salvation itself is understood as being "of God" and His purpose and appointment (Psalm 3:8; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9) [4]. It is accomplished through Christ alone (Isaiah 45:21-22; Acts 4:12) [4]. Believers are "created anew in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:10), meaning good works are a result of salvation, not its cause [10]. This new creation involves a transformation from an "old sinful nature" to a "new nature" (Colossians 3:9-10; Ephesians 4:24), guided by God's Spirit [11, 12]. This new life is a complete departure from sin and death, transferring believers into a realm of life and purity [9].
The concept of predestination is related to God's plan of salvation, described as an eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree that governs all events [5]. While this doctrine presents difficulties, it is understood through God's revealed word [5].
The final judgment is a future event where Jesus Christ, as mediator, will judge the living and the dead (Acts 17:31; 2 Timothy 4:1) [3, 6, 8]. All humanity will be judged (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52) [3]. This judgment is not only for condemnation but also to publicly manifest the salvation of God's people and the overthrow of His enemies [3]. Believers are even said to judge the world and angels as associates of Christ [13]. God's judgment can also have a purifying effect on His people, with justice needing to be satisfied before restoration [14].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Judgment, The final — The sentence that will be passed on our actions at the last day (Matt. 25; Rom. 14:10, 11; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Thess. 1:7-10). The judge is Jesus Christ, as mediator. All judgment is committed to him (Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; Rev. 1:7). "It pertains to him as mediator to complete and publicly manifest the salvation of his people and the overthrow of his enemies, together with the glorious righteousness of his work in both respects." The persons to be judged are, (1) the whole race of Adam without a single exception (Matt. 25:31-46; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Salvation — Is of God -- Ps 3:8; 37:39; Jer 3:23. Is of the purpose of God -- 2Ti 1:9. Is of the appointment of God -- 1Th 5:9. God is willing to give -- 1Ti 2:4. Is by Christ -- Isa 63:9; Eph 5:23. Is by Christ alone -- Isa 45:21,22; 59:16; Ac 4:12. Announced after the fall -- Ge 3:15. Of Israel, predicted -- Isa 35:4; 45:17; Zec 9:16; Ro 11:26. Of the Gentiles, predicted -- Isa 45:22; 49:6; 52:10. Revealed in the gospel -- Eph 1:13; 2Ti 1:10. Came to the Gentiles through the fall of the Jews -- Ro 11:11. Christ The Captain of. -- Heb 2:10. The Author of. -- Heb 5:9”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 4:1 (ASV) — I chargetheein the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:”
- I John “I John 5:11 (DRC) — And this is the testimony that God hath given to us eternal life. And this life is in his Son.”
- Acts “Acts 17:31 (BSB) — For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.””
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 6:2: 6:2-3 Someday we believers will judge the world—and even angels—as associates of the Son of Man, who is the ultimate Judge of all people (cp. Dan 7:13, 22, 27; Matt 19:28; John 5:27; Acts 17:31; Rev 3:21; 20:4). In light of this responsibility, Christians should be able to settle their disagreements over comparatively little things.”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 4:4: 4:4 God’s judgment has a purifying effect on his covenant people (see Mal 3:3). Justice must be satisfied before restoration can be offered.”