In "Faith Is the Evidence," Don Fortner addresses the Reformed doctrines of election, redemption, and regeneration, emphasizing that faith serves as tangible evidence of one’s spiritual status before God. He argues that those chosen by God before the foundation of the world will inevitably be saved, supported by Scripture references such as Ephesians 1:3-6 and Romans 9:16, which affirm God’s sovereign choice and the unalterable nature of His grace. Fortner elaborates on the triune work of salvation: God the Father elects, God the Son redeems, and God the Holy Spirit effectually calls the elect. The significance of this doctrine is profound; it reassures believers that their faith in Christ signifies their secure position in God's eternal plan of salvation, reflecting the unbreakable union of grace that defines Reformed theology.
Key Quotes
“The Lord God almighty... has chosen a people in eternal election whose names were written in heaven in the Lamb's Book of Life before the world began.”
“If even one of those for whom Christ shed his blood... were to perish... the Son of God would be a frustrated failure.”
“Salvation is not by the will of man but by the will of God.”
“Faith is the evidence.”
What does the Bible say about faith being evidence?
Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
How do we know election is true?
Election is affirmed in passages like Ephesians 1:4-5, where God chooses His people before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 1:4-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
Why is the atonement of Christ important for Christians?
The atonement of Christ is vital because it redeems believers from sin and fulfills God's justice, ensuring salvation for the elect.
2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13
How does the Holy Spirit work in salvation?
The Holy Spirit effectually calls and regenerates the elect, bringing them to faith in Christ by irresistible grace.
Romans 9:16, Ephesians 2:1-8, John 3:8
What role does faith play in assurance of election?
Faith serves as evidence of one's election and redemption, assuring believers of their status before God.
Romans 10:9-13
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. substance...: Or, ground, or confidence - Hebrews 11:1Faith is the Evidence
Chosen
The Lord God almighty, the sovereign God of grace and truth has chosen a people in eternal election, whose names were written in heaven in the Lamb’s Book of Life before the world began (Eph. 1:3-6; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Phil. 4:3; Luke 10:20; Rev. 13:8). These men and women are the objects of God’s eternal love, sovereign grace, and immutable purpose. And they must be saved. It is not possible for an elect sinner to perish.
Redeemed
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, redeemed that elect multitude from the curse of the law by his death upon the cross as their Substitute (2 Cor. 5:18-21; Gal. 3:13; Heb. 9:12, 26). The blood of Christ was not shed in vain. Every sinner for whom the Lamb of God died shall be saved. If even one of those for whom Christ shed his blood to make atonement by the satisfaction of justice were to perish under the wrath of God and be forever lost, the Son of God would be a frustrated failure. And that cannot be! That sin which was transferred from God’s elect to Christ the Substitute, the sin for which he suffered and died under the wrath of God, can never be transferred back to those for whom Christ died. -- “Payment God cannot twice demand, First at my bleeding Surety’s hand, And then again at mine!”
Called
We also know that God the Holy Spirit effectually regenerates, calls, and saves the elect by almighty, irresistible grace (Ps. 65:4; 110:3; John 3:8; 6:63; Eph. 2:1-8). All those whose names were written in heaven in eternal election, all those who were redeemed by the blood of Christ shall be effectually called by God the Holy Spirit in time. They shall be born again and saved by the almighty power of his irresistible grace. When the Spirit of God calls, when he draws sinners to Christ, he effectually brings them to Christ. Salvation is not by the will of man, but by the will of God. Salvation is not by the power of man, but by the power of God. Salvation is not by the work of man, but by the work of God. Salvation is not by the choice of man, but by the choice of God. “So then it is not of him that willeth, not of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy” (Rom. 9:16). “Salvation is of the Lord!” (John 2:9).
Faith
Every sinner in the world who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ has everlasting life (John 3:16, 18, 36; Rom. 10:9-13; 1 John 5:1). All who have faith in Christ have salvation. All who look to Christ live. Every sinner in the world who believes on Christ was chosen by God in eternal election, and redeemed by Christ at Calvary, and has been called to Christ by the Holy Spirit’s irresistible grace.
Everyone who reads the Bible with any measure of spiritual discernment and understanding knows these things. These are simple, elementary truths of the gospel, plainly revealed in the Holy Scriptures. All who were chosen by God in election were redeemed by Christ at Calvary and shall be called by the Holy Spirit in time. And all who are called by the Spirit of God shall come to Christ and live forever.
A Question
How can any mortal in this world know whether he is, indeed, chosen of God, redeemed by Christ, and called by the Holy Spirit? The answer, I assure you, is far simpler and clearer than you might imagine. – “Faith is the evidence!” If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father chose you from eternity, God the Son redeemed you at Calvary, and God the Holy Spirit has called you by his almighty grace.
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