Hi Ben, I don't think I'd let someone else's words, even a preacher of Washer's caliber, destroy your assurance, because that should not be what you base your assurance on, should it? I haven't heard a lot of Washer's sermons, but like many preachers, he says things in ways that are meant to shake loose some of the cobwebs up there and help men/women think more clearly/seriously/intentionally than we often do.
It is Biblical, after all, to call our salvation into question. In fact, we are all commanded to do that very thing, and should do so regularly ..
2 Corinthians 13:5. And sermons like Washer's are meant to help us see some of the reasons why we should (especially if the command itself is not enough to cause us to obey it
).
So the real question is, what should our assurance be based on? What questions should we ask of ourselves to make sure that we are in the faith?
This quote comes to mind (I, in fact, just dropped it into a "Quotes" thread here at CF recently):
The regenerate are saved through persevering in faith and Christian living to the end (Hebrews 3:6; 6:11; 10:35–39), and it is God who keeps them persevering. That does not mean that all who ever professed conversion will be saved. False professions are made; short-term enthusiasts fall away (Matthew 13:20-22); many who say to Jesus, “Lord, Lord,” will not be acknowledged (Matthew 7:21-23). Only those who show themselves to be regenerate by pursuing heart-holiness and true neighbor-love as they pass through this world are entitled to believe themselves secure in Christ. ~Dr. J. I. Packer
I guess one of the first things to consider is this, do you think God knew what He was getting Himself into when He saved you? If you do, then think about this: were you are a greater sinner before you became a Christian (and did you lead a much more sinful lifestyle back then), or are things about the same now, or are you perhaps even deeper into sin than you used to be?
I ask this for two reasons:
1) if you are
less of a sinner now, what reason would God have to reject you, especially when you consider that He accepted you as His own in a far more sinful condition than you are in now (when you were outside of Christ)?
(that's assuming for a moment that the One who "justifies the wicked" .. Romans 4:5, would ever "reject" one of His own .. He won't .. John 6:37-40; John 10:27-28) 2) if you are the same or worse than you were before you believed you became a Christian, then I would immediately take time to evaluate whether or not you are the Christian you claim/believe yourself to be!
There's a whole bunch more that we can take a look at, but I'll stop here with that for now. Just know this, a Christian is someone who God has given a new heart and new spirit to ..
Ezekiel 36:26, who He has quickened from spiritual death to spiritual life ..
Ephesians 2:1-5, who He caused to be "
born again" ..
John 3:3, and who He has made into a wholly "new creature" in His Son ..
2 Corinthians 5:17. IOW, big changes occur when someone becomes a Christian
If there is evidence of a change*, then chances are very good that one's "claim" of becoming a Christian is valid. If there is no evidence however, especially when such profound changes* normally occur, then chances are good that such a "claim" may not be valid
*(just to be very clear, if you became a Christian as a young child (under 12, let's say), such changes may be there, but they will normally not be evident, not like they are in a teenager or adult who comes to Christ)
BTW, it is not my intention to scare you with any of this, but it is my hope that it will get you to think
Here is some good news to remember: It's the clear intention of the One who saved you in the first place to continue His great work in you, grow you up in Christ, and see you through this life to Glory
Philippians 1:6/2:13
I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus .. for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
God bless you! (
Numbers 6:24-26)
--David
p.s. - it's been my experience that only true Christians worry about their condition or status in the faith, whether they are pleasing God, whether they are sinning or not, etc., which is something you are doing these days, yes
"He is able also to save forever those who draw near
to God through Him, since He always lives
to make intercession for them"
Hebrews 7:25