God's Unchangeable Plan: Assurance and Perseverance in Faith

 

Summary

In Romans 8:28-30, Paul provides a profound assurance to believers that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. This passage is a single, powerful statement with several clauses that emphasize God's eternal plan for salvation. The Apostle Paul assures us that God has predestined, called, justified, and glorified His people, and this divine purpose is unchangeable and certain. This assurance is meant to comfort believers, especially in times of suffering, by reminding them that their ultimate glorification is guaranteed by God's sovereign will.

The doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints is central to this assurance. It teaches that those who are effectually called by God will never fall away but will certainly reach the ultimate state of glorification, being conformed to the image of Christ. This doctrine is not without its challenges and objections, which often arise from misunderstandings or philosophical disagreements. Some people struggle with the idea of predestination, fearing it implies a predestination to damnation, but the focus here is on the positive assurance of salvation for those who love God.

The sermon also addresses the potential for antinomianism, the idea that assurance of salvation might lead to moral laxity. However, true understanding of this doctrine should lead to a deeper concern for one's spiritual state and a desire to live in accordance with God's will. The sermon encourages believers to approach these doctrines with humility, seeking to understand God's word accurately and to live in the assurance and joy that comes from knowing they are secure in God's eternal plan.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Sovereign Plan: God's purpose for His people is eternal and unchangeable. He has predestined, called, justified, and glorified His people, ensuring their ultimate salvation. This divine plan is not dependent on human actions but is carried out by God Himself, providing believers with absolute assurance of their salvation. [03:18]

2. The Comfort of Assurance: The doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints offers profound comfort to believers, especially in times of suffering. It assures them that all things, even suffering, work together for their ultimate good because they are part of God's eternal purpose. [02:42]

3. Humility in Understanding: Believers are encouraged to approach the mysteries of God's will with humility, acknowledging that some aspects of God's plan are beyond human understanding. Faith involves trusting in God's revealed word, even when it surpasses our comprehension. [24:40]

4. Avoiding Antinomianism: Assurance of salvation should not lead to moral laxity. Instead, it should deepen one's concern for living a life that reflects God's will. True understanding of this doctrine leads to a desire for righteousness and a commitment to spiritual growth. [29:04]

5. Facing Difficulties with Scripture: Believers are encouraged to engage with difficult passages of Scripture honestly and thoughtfully. Understanding the full counsel of God's word requires careful study and a willingness to wrestle with challenging texts, always seeking the truth that sets us free. [33:50]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Reading from Romans 8
- [01:11] - Understanding the Statement
- [01:53] - Comfort in Suffering
- [02:42] - All Things for Good
- [03:18] - God's Eternal Purpose
- [04:08] - The Action of God
- [05:08] - The Effectual Call
- [06:13] - Doctrine of Perseverance
- [07:08] - Addressing Difficulties
- [09:00] - Importance of Accuracy
- [10:44] - Assurance in Doctrine
- [12:02] - Genuine Perplexity
- [13:21] - Prejudice Against Doctrine
- [15:29] - Balanced Teaching
- [17:17] - Philosophical Rejections
- [19:09] - Universalism
- [20:47] - Genuine Difficulties
- [22:16] - Predestination Concerns
- [23:30] - Understanding God's Love
- [25:22] - Faith and Understanding
- [27:55] - Antinomianism Concerns
- [31:57] - Scriptural Difficulties
- [33:50] - Engaging with Scripture
- [48:14] - Humility and Truth
- [49:53] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:28-30

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the key actions that God has taken for His people as described in Romans 8:28-30? How do these actions provide assurance to believers? [00:32]

2. According to the sermon, what is the purpose of Paul writing about suffering in the Christian life? How does this relate to the assurance of salvation? [01:53]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between God's eternal plan and the believer's ultimate glorification? [03:18]

4. What is the significance of the "effectual call" mentioned in the sermon, and how does it relate to a believer's assurance of salvation? [04:43]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints provide comfort to believers, especially during times of suffering? [02:42]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a true understanding of assurance should impact a believer's moral and spiritual life? [29:04]

3. How does the sermon address the potential misunderstanding of predestination as it relates to the assurance of salvation? [21:13]

4. What role does humility play in understanding the mysteries of God's will, according to the sermon? [24:40]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced suffering. How did the assurance of God's sovereign plan help you through that period? If it didn't, how might it have helped? [02:42]

2. The sermon warns against antinomianism, where assurance leads to moral laxity. How can you ensure that your assurance in salvation leads to a deeper commitment to righteousness? [29:04]

3. Consider your understanding of predestination. How does it affect your view of God's love and justice? How can you reconcile any discomfort you might feel with this doctrine? [23:30]

4. How can you cultivate humility in your spiritual journey, especially when faced with aspects of God's plan that are difficult to understand? [24:40]

5. The sermon encourages engaging with difficult passages of Scripture. What is one challenging passage you have encountered, and how can you approach it with an open and honest heart? [33:50]

6. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to trust in God's sovereign plan. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him?

7. How can you support others in your community who may be struggling with understanding or accepting the doctrine of assurance? What practical steps can you take to encourage them?

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unchangeable Purpose for His People
God's sovereign plan for His people is eternal and unchangeable. He has predestined, called, justified, and glorified His people, ensuring their ultimate salvation. This divine plan is not dependent on human actions but is carried out by God Himself, providing believers with absolute assurance of their salvation. This assurance is a profound comfort, especially in times of suffering, as it reminds believers that their ultimate glorification is guaranteed by God's sovereign will. Understanding this can transform how one perceives life's challenges, knowing that they are part of a greater divine purpose. [03:18]

"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you rest in the assurance of God's unchangeable plan for your life today, especially in the face of uncertainty or suffering?


Day 2: Assurance in Times of Suffering
The doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints offers profound comfort to believers, especially in times of suffering. It assures them that all things, even suffering, work together for their ultimate good because they are part of God's eternal purpose. This perspective can change how one endures hardships, knowing that they are not in vain but are used by God for a greater good. Believers are encouraged to trust in this assurance, finding peace and strength in the knowledge that their suffering is not meaningless but is woven into God's perfect plan. [02:42]

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you view a current challenge in your life as part of God's greater purpose for your ultimate good?


Day 3: Humility in the Face of Divine Mystery
Believers are encouraged to approach the mysteries of God's will with humility, acknowledging that some aspects of God's plan are beyond human understanding. Faith involves trusting in God's revealed word, even when it surpasses our comprehension. This humility allows believers to rest in the assurance of God's wisdom and love, even when they cannot fully grasp His ways. It is an invitation to trust in God's character and His promises, knowing that He is faithful and His plans are for our good. [24:40]

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to understand God's plan? How can you practice humility and trust in His wisdom today?


Day 4: Assurance Leading to Righteous Living
Assurance of salvation should not lead to moral laxity. Instead, it should deepen one's concern for living a life that reflects God's will. True understanding of this doctrine leads to a desire for righteousness and a commitment to spiritual growth. This assurance is not a license to sin but a call to live in gratitude and obedience to God, knowing that our salvation is secure. It is an encouragement to pursue holiness, motivated by love and thankfulness for God's grace. [29:04]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively pursue righteousness in your daily life as a response to the assurance of your salvation?


Day 5: Engaging with Scripture's Challenges
Believers are encouraged to engage with difficult passages of Scripture honestly and thoughtfully. Understanding the full counsel of God's word requires careful study and a willingness to wrestle with challenging texts, always seeking the truth that sets us free. This engagement is an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding, as believers seek to align their lives with God's revealed will. It is a call to be diligent in study, prayerful in seeking understanding, and open to the transformative power of God's word. [33:50]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one challenging passage of Scripture you can commit to studying this week, and how can you seek God's guidance in understanding it?

Quotes

We can be certain we can know that all things work together for good for us because we are the called according to his purpose now that's the thing that he's concerned about he wrote these words in order to comfort people he is dealing as you remember with this whole problem of suffering in the Christian Life. [00:01:35]

This purpose of God a purpose which he had for us in eternity all the steps of the carrying out of which were planned again in eternity before the very foundation of the world God planned for his people this ultimate salvation this final glorification he didn't merely plan the first steps and then wait and see what would happen. [00:03:11]

Because it is the purpose of God and because as the result of that it is God himself who makes it effectual and brings it to pass then we can be absolutely certain that it will never fail in other words what we are considering here is what is called the doctrine of the final perseverance of the Saints. [00:06:09]

The final perseverance of the Saints their ultimate arrival in the glory Everlasting is guaranteed by this one great thing that it is the purpose of God with respect to them and there is nothing else that guarantees it now then I promised that I would do something by way of helping to deal with difficulties. [00:06:40]

The truth should never be dealt with in that way alas all of us have done that many times no doubt I have done it many times in past years I've argued about these things and have enjoyed the argument Quay argument I'm no longer interested these things are too precious they shouldn't be dealt with ever in that Spirit. [00:09:46]

We should always be concerned to be accurate in our Exposition any man who preaches or who teaches should always strive to be accurate he should have a desire within him to arrive at the exact meaning and therefore he must consider all points of view very well accuracy alone dictates then I say that we should face this. [00:10:11]

There is no more glorious truth than this there is no higher form of assurance that is possible to any one of us in this world than the one which is given here it is the acne of the doctrine of assurance and therefore it does seem to me to be very sad that there should be anybody who should not enjoy the Assurance. [00:11:10]

The subject of predestination is confessedly very deep and mysterious nor should it be entered upon without Extreme Caution both as to the mode of stating it and to the persons before whom it is stated we dealt with that many weeks back you remember it is much to be lamented he says that there exists in the minds of many a strong prejudice against it. [00:12:58]

There are people who the moment this great Doctrine is mentioned they rise up in arms they begin to scowl and become Furious they say that's a terrible Doctrine impossible and with bitterness and Scorn they reject it I have nothing to say to them except to warn them and to warn them very seriously to be careful. [00:12:41]

There are many people in the church who not only do not believe this Doctrine but to almost hate it they are guilty of exactly the same antinomianism who you you're referring to says somebody well I refer to the people who believe in this easy believism they say all you've got to do is to say I believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you're saved. [00:29:50]

The more you believe in the effectual call the deeper will be your concern about the soul the people I find who are not concerned about their souls and their ultimate salvation are the people who slipped in easily and who are not aware of these profundities of Doctrine these other people never think at all they don't read they don't think. [00:31:03]

We should address ourselves very carefully to these difficult passages if you believe this doctrine of the final perseverance you mustn't brush passages of scripture aside you really must have an exus of them you must have an explanation of them you must deal with them now that's a good thing but of course as I say we cannot possibly do that here. [00:33:50]

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Transcript
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