In a 2018 message titled, “The Christian’s Assurance of Salvation” (available here), Dr. John MacArthur lists six signs that you are saved:
- You’ve been taught the Word of God by the Holy Spirit.
- You’ve been led by the Holy Spirit.
- You’ve been comforted by the Holy Spirit.
- You’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit.
- You’ve been convicted by the Holy Spirit.
- You cry out to God when you are in trouble.
I agree with John MacArthur on issues like inerrancy, marriage, family, young earth creation, the charismatic movement, the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the Millennium. However, in 1980 he studied Puritan theology and since then he has espoused Lordship Salvation. That is a serious error, a false gospel.
All six of the supposed signs of our salvation are subjective. None of those will give assurance of everlasting life.
Did you notice what John MacArthur did not cite as a sign? He did not cite the promise of everlasting life that the Lord Jesus makes to the believer. That is the one and only sign that you are saved. If you believe John 3:16, then you know that you have everlasting life and that you will never perish.
David Engelsma called Puritanism “a gospel of doubt.” He says that Puritanism sends people on quests for assurance that will never be satisfied. Puritans go to the grave lamenting that they do not see sufficient good works to prove to them that they are saved.
We are not to look to ourselves. We are to look to Jesus. He is trustworthy. I’m not. Look to Him and you will be sure. Look to yourself and you will be plagued by doubts and fears.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but has everlasting life.” There is the sign of assurance. That is good news.
Keep grace in focus.
