In his sermon titled "The Certainty of Salvation," Gabe Stalnaker explores the doctrine of the absolute security of salvation for believers, emphasizing the unconditional nature of God’s promises as revealed in Scripture. He asserts that salvation is not contingent on human effort or response but is entirely rooted in God’s sovereign will and faithfulness, as highlighted in Psalm 55:22, where the word "never" signifies God's irrevocable commitment to His people. Stalnaker supports his arguments with references to John 6:35 and John 10:27, demonstrating that those drawn to Christ will never hunger, thirst, or perish. He emphasizes that believers’ security is assured because Christ was forsaken in their place, thereby guaranteeing their eternal safety in Him. This understanding fosters profound peace and hope among believers, as assurance of their salvation does not depend on their performance but on Christ’s completed work.
Key Quotes
“The declaration has nothing to do with them and everything to do with God.”
“If God says, I will and they shall, then he will and we shall. That's our gospel.”
“However secure Christ is with the Father, that's how secure the believer is with the Father.”
“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him, amen unto the glory of God.”
The Bible assures the certainty of salvation through God's promises, emphasizing that believers can cast their burdens on the Lord who will never let them be moved.
The Bible presents numerous affirmations of the certainty of salvation, particularly in the context of God’s unchanging character and His sovereign will. In Psalm 55:22, we find a powerful encouragement to cast our burdens on the Lord, with the promise that He shall sustain us and never allow the righteous to be moved. This assurance is echoed in New Testament verses like John 6:37, which states that all whom the Father gives to Christ will come to Him, and He will never cast them out. The unwavering commitment of God to His people guarantees their salvation, not based on human action or response, but on divine promise and purpose.
Psalm 55:22, John 6:37
God's promises are founded on His character and are affirmed in Scripture as certain and unchangeable.
The certainty of God's promises stems from His immutable nature and faithful character. As seen in 2 Corinthians 1:19-20, all of God's promises find their 'yes' in Christ, meaning that they are not uncertain or conditional but are firmly established through the work of Jesus. This dogmatic assurance is supported by passages like Hebrews 13:5, where God promises to never leave or forsake His people. Therefore, every promise made in Scripture is backed by God's righteousness and unwavering commitment to His chosen ones, affirming that they are trustworthy and true.
2 Corinthians 1:19-20, Hebrews 13:5
'Never' signifies the steadfastness of God's promises, assuring believers that they are eternally secure in Christ.
The concept of 'never' in biblical texts is crucial for Christians as it embodies the absolute assurance and reliability of God's declarations. For instance, in John 10:28, Jesus emphasizes that His sheep shall 'never perish,' indicating the unbreakable nature of His promise of eternal security. Likewise, in John 6:35, believers are assured they will 'never hunger' or 'thirst,' affirming God's provision for their spiritual needs. This relentless affirmation of 'never' underscores the believer's security in Christ, establishing a foundation of confidence in salvation that rests solely on God's sovereignty, not human effort.
John 10:28, John 6:35
To cast our burdens on the Lord means to entrust Him with our worries and rely on His guidance and strength.
Casting our burdens on the Lord entails an act of faith where we deliberately shift our anxiety, worries, and troubles onto God. Psalm 55:22 instructs us to do just that, with the promise that He will sustain us and ensure that we are not moved. This process goes beyond mere prayer; it involves a deep-seated trust in God's character, acknowledging that He is both able and willing to take on our burdens. This divine exchange allows believers to experience peace and strength in the face of trials, as they lean on God’s everlasting arms for support and direction.
Psalm 55:22
The doctrine of election teaches that God sovereignly chooses His people for salvation, ensuring their eternal security in Christ.
The doctrine of election is foundational to understanding the certainty of salvation within a Reformed framework. It asserts that God, in His sovereignty, chose a specific people for salvation before the foundation of the world, as depicted in Ephesians 1:4-5. This selection is not based on foreseen merit or individual response but is purely an act of divine grace. Knowing that their salvation rests solely upon God’s sovereign choice gives believers confidence that their relationship with Him is secured by His mercy and purpose. Hence, those who are elect will come to faith in Christ, and their salvation is assured because it is grounded in the eternal plan of God.
Ephesians 1:4-5
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