Limited atonement obsession: How can I know I was one of those for whom Christ died?

[Ribosome]

This one has been tormenting me a lot lately.

Since Christ died for the elect, now can I be sure I was one of those for whom he died?

When I get attacked with thoughts like "you are a terrible christian, you don't live like a good christian should," I need a backbone to believe that Christ died for me, and settled my salvation so I am safe and secure. This security then drives me to joy and good works out of gratitude to God.

But with limited atonement, I dunno how to get that backbone. How can I be sure that Christ did in fact die for me, that I was one of the elect for whom he died?

I asked this question in the reformed forum, but they assumed I was trying to save myself. I don't want to save myself at all. The OCD fear that gets triggered by limited atonement for me is "What if I have to DO SOMETHING in order to become one of the elect?" It's the fear that I have to do good works in order to be saved. This causes a lot of fear because I know I can't do any good works, and even if I did all of them, it would not be enough.

I don't want to do good works to save myself, I just need to be assured that Christ really did die for me, and if I knew that, I'd gladly believe this news.

 

[KAL93]

Christ died for ALL of our sins. Anyone who is willing to accept him into their heart is saved. He didn't say only so and so will be saved. He said whoever believes will have everlasting life. Now, I've been confused by this to because he also says, many will try and enter heaven but, few will get in because they don't really know Christ. In my opinion he's speaking of those people who just claim they're Christian yet go out into the world and knowingly sin and do opposite of what god wants knowing that its not right. Those people don't REALLY know who Christ is or else they would have a desire to do good and live their lives as close to Christ's as possible. But that's just my opinion. Really pray about it and ask god to put you at ease with your feelings and ask him to convict you and humble you when you need it so you may live as pure a life as possible. God bless you, hope I was able to help a bit!

 

[KAL93]

Another thing, I believe Jesus was referring to those who do their good works in order to look good to men, not him. If someone comes to you asking for help when nobody else is around or would know an you turn him away but in the same situation would take him in if others saw then I believe that is doing works for men and not because we're tryin to live as scripturaly as possible on this earth!

 

[KAL93]

Where did ou get this idea of limited atonement??

 

[Ribosome]

Where did ou get this idea of limited atonement??

It's reformed theology, aka doctrines of grace, aka calvinism.

 

[KAL93]

Well don't let it get to ya. If that was the case then tere would be no point to the rest of us even existing except but to perish. The Calvinist need to read the whole chapter and not just bits and pieces.

 

[Mediaeval]

There is no assurance of salvation with the doctrine of limited atonement. You will have to give up that doctrine. At the Lord's Supper, even Judas was told, "My blood...is shed for you" (Luke 22).

 

[KAL93]

Amen!

 

[mmutsakama]

give up that doctrine of limited atonement and believe God's word, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

 

[tripletiger1200]

I was a five point calvinist at one point, now I am not sure where I stand on some of the points, such as limited atonement. I also struggled and sometimes still struggle with the issue. One argument that works for me is to realize that the Bible says if you believe in Jesus you are saved. It does not ever say that if you believe in Jesus you might not be saved because his atonement may not apply to you. So if the concept of limited atonement is true, if you believe in Jesus it certainly does apply to you, otherwise John 3:16 would be false.

 

[kaykay9.0]

I have never felt the calvinist view of limited atonement was accurate because it conflicts with too many verses of scripture. They have to twist the scripture to "make their doctrine fit" in my opinion. For example 1 Timothy 2:4 states that the Lord wants ALL to be saved and come to repentance. This doctrine just doesnt fit with "the whole counsel" of scripture.

 

[HopefulDays]

I can't really add much more to what the insightful members above have already said, but I can definitely tell you that I can relate. Calvinism whacked out my OCD more than anything else, especially its scary and confusing doctrines like limited atonement.

From my experience, it seems that God is both fully responsible for our salvation, while we still have 100% free will to turn to Him.

I suggest you read the article, "Secure Forever," written by Billy Graham. Very comforting!

May you find peace in Christ and complete freedom from your OCD!

~HopefulDays

 

[Ribosome]

I can't give up Calvinism because I am very convinced by it. I cannot believe in something that I am convinced is not true.

However, I found and answer to my question from Spurgeons sermon. This is what he said:

I pause once more; for I hear some timid soul say—"But, sir, I am afraid I am not elect, and if so, Christ did not die for me." Stop sir! Are you a sinner? Do you feel it? Has God, the Holy Spirit, made you feel that you are a lost sinner? Do you want salvation? If you do not want it it is no hardship that it is not provided for you; but if you really feel that you want it, you are God's elect. If you have a desire to be saved, a desire given you by the Holy Spirit, that desire is a token for good. If you have begun believingly to pray for salvation, you have therein a sure evidence that you are saved. Christ was punished for you. And if now you can say, ‘Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling,’ you may be as sure you are God's elect as you are sure of your own existence; for this is the infallible proof of election—a sense of need and a thirst after Christ. -The Death of Christ: Spurgeon's Sermons: Volume 4: #173

This might help me a bit, but reassurance doesn't often work.

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

^^^^I like that Spurgeon quote, in reality here on earth there really is no way for us to know who is elect or not, but we can know it for ourselves...if we have a desire to be saved than we are of the elect...Jesus said "all who come to me I will in no wise cast out." He also said that "no one can come to me unless the Father draws him." So we can rest assured that if we are being drawn we are elect.

 

[Christian-Catholic]

I can't give up Calvinism because I am very convinced by it. I cannot believe in something that I am convinced is not true.

However, I found and answer to my question from Spurgeons sermon. This is what he said:



This might help me a bit, but reassurance doesn't often work.

That is a beautifull quote granturissimus, and don't forget that spurgeon suffered from scrupulosity also, and he eventually overcame it. It's good to have a role model like to look up to, especially considering that he also went through it too, and u have something to look forward to since he made it through.
god bless you my friend
Praying for you

 

[timur123456789]

Antichirst is concept.

It is a concept of evil desires and lust for power.

 

[kodadog1024]

This one has been tormenting me a lot lately.

Since Christ died for the elect, now can I be sure I was one of those for whom he died?

When I get attacked with thoughts like "you are a terrible christian, you don't live like a good christian should," I need a backbone to believe that Christ died for me, and settled my salvation so I am safe and secure. This security then drives me to joy and good works out of gratitude to God.

But with limited atonement, I dunno how to get that backbone. How can I be sure that Christ did in fact die for me, that I was one of the elect for whom he died?

I asked this question in the reformed forum, but they assumed I was trying to save myself. I don't want to save myself at all. The OCD fear that gets triggered by limited atonement for me is "What if I have to DO SOMETHING in order to become one of the elect?" It's the fear that I have to do good works in order to be saved. This causes a lot of fear because I know I can't do any good works, and even if I did all of them, it would not be enough.

I don't want to do good works to save myself, I just need to be assured that Christ really did die for me, and if I knew that, I'd gladly believe this news.

There is nothing, no good works on the face of this planet that will ever get anyone into Heaven. Ever. This price has been paid in full by the death of Jesus Christ. The vale has been torn in two, so that we may now come to God through Jesus, repent and KNOW 1000% that we are forgiven, but ONLY through His son. It's all about Christ, not our good works.