Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God, and estate of salvation (which hope of theirs shall perish): yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love Him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before Him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.
Picking up where we left off last week, the Confession next takes on the subject of assurance as part of its lengthy treatment of soteriology. How may the Christian know that he is truly saved? The Confession here treats of two categories of men:
1. The unregenerate, among whom are hypocrites. These men may think of themselves as enjoying salvation. Perhaps they are moralists, trusting in their own righteousness and offering to God their "superior" living. Perhaps they are legalists and believe they will stand on their punctilious adherence to a set of rules. Perhaps they are formalists who put their trust in sacraments, rituals, outward religious observances. Or perhaps they are emotionalists, relying on a religious experience or feeling. Characteristics often found among these are spiritual pride, laziness, self-indulgence, superficiality, complacency, and a lack of interest in the things of God. Sadly, many of these characteristics will also appear among the truly saved because of the residual corruption and incompleteness of their sanctification. If any unregenerate man believes he has hope apart from Christ, he is deluded and deceived and his hope will perish with him.
2. The regenerate. These men do truly believe and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Their love for him is genuine. They endeavor to lead a life pleasing to God, in keeping with his precepts. These may have real assurance of their salvation. It is a spiritual grace. As we will see in subsequent posts, it is not always present in the life of the believer and it varies in degree within individual lives and well as from person to person. But one thing all may rely upon--they will never have cause to be ashamed of the trust they have placed in Christ.
Tomorrow: The evidences of grace as a basis for assurance.
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