From the Pen of John MacArthur-
03 Jun 2008 1 Comment
in John MacArthur, Quotes, Self-Examination
“To the average conservative evangelical today, the idea that people who reject the gospel will die and face judgment in hell isn’t surprising or particularly controversial. Without the biblical truth of the gospel, there is no salvation. That’s obvious.
What is not obvious–what animates me as I write to you today–is that many people who sit under solid, biblical teaching of the true gospel each week will also die and face God as judge, rather than as Savior, Father, and friend.
I’m convinced, and deeply concerned, that many professing believers live in the unperceived darkness of false faith and self-deception. Yes, they sit under strong teaching. They know the gospel message inside out. They are immersed in church and ministry activities. They attend–maybe even teach–Bible studies. They appear to produce spiritual fruit. They look and sound like the authentic believers around them.
But exposure to and familiarity with the true gospel doesn’t guarantee true conversion. Knowing the facts of the gospel and having it penetrate the heart are two different things. Scripture is clear on the matter: it’s possible to have a perfect knowledge of the gospel and the Bible, and still not be saved.
The most frightening part is, many people who are in that situation don’t even know it. They are self-deceived. They wear a mask of genuine conversion that fools others, and eventually even fools themselves. They’ve played the part so long, they’ve convinced themselves their salvation is real. Tragically, many who sincerely believe they are saved and headed for heaven will be surprised to find themselves in hell.
The reality of spiritual self-deception isn’t some academic theory to me and my ministry. It’s a reality I’ve seen face to face for decades, and that I address with my congregation and with our Grace to You family on a regular basis. It is that commonplace and important. While I never want to raise unnecessary doubts in people’s minds where genuine conversion has taken place, I am duty bound by Scripture to lovingly warn about the reality of self-deception and call people to spiritual self-examination.”
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This is something that has been really heavy on my heart lately. Is the matter of spiritual self-examination a foreign concept to us or those we know? How often do we speak of evidence of salvation in a direct manner, things such as repentance, sensitivity to and hatred of sin, obedience, desire and love for God and the things of God, love for other believers, separation from the world, cross carrying, commitment to God’s glory… I’m sure I’m missing some. I know that some may have their true assurance shaken, but others may have their false assurance shattered.
And my dear reader, are you a Christian? How do you know? Make sure (2 Corinthians 13:5). Consider the words of A.W. Pink, “Others just as sure they were saved as you are, are now in Hell.” This is serious.
