Saved Without a Doubt: Being Sure of Your Salvation

MacArthur makes the case that you can know you’re saved by answering a series of questions about your lifestyle. Essentially, if you’re doing works and following the law, you can know you’re saved. The problem with this, is that scripture gives many examples of people’s works giving them nothing but a false sense of security. Christians will certainly do works, but so will Pharisees. Think of Paul describing his life prior to Christ, “as to the law, blameless.” Paul thought he was saved because of his lifestyle, but he had only deceived himself. So, all MacArthur’s 11 step test will do is tell what you do, not where you stand before God.

This word of warning goes out to the reviewer who I will assume is a brother in Christ - the one who has taken up the sword against "Dr. John". I use the quotation marks because this brother uses that phrase disparagingly, which brings me to my point. Whether you like MacArthur or not, or more importantly, whether you agree with his theology or not (in part or in full), the nature and character of a review is greatly diminished when the reviewer writes with such a vitriolic tone. My brother here, in his review, places himself in a position where it would apppear as though he has some sort of axe to grind with "Dr. John", as opposed to offering a well thought out, articulate counter-argument to the book's thesis - which should be the point of a book review. Peter, put away your sword.

This book is not a detailed defense of the doctrine of eternal security and the passages that pertain thereto (like you would find with Pink, Ironside or Strombeck), but rather a study in personal heart-felt assurance. MacArthur moves beyond the objective assurance of doctrinal truth to the subjective assurance of the fruits of the believer. He advocates a balanced approach to the doctrine that understands "the perseverance of the saints" as saints who actually persevere in faithfulness and godliness! As James writes, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (1:12). MacArthur's critics claim that teachings like those found in Saved Without a Doubt are contrary to scripture and serve only to undermine the pure doctrines of the reformation. Nothing could be further from the truth. MacArthur's understanding of this doctrine serves to deny security to tares and dead branches (Matt. 13:38, John 15:6) while giving full assurance to the one who has truly been chosen of God, come to genuine faith in Christ, and been sealed with the Holy Spirit. May God raise up more men like John MacArthur who are willing to hold to the plain teaching of scripture even in the face of adversity and slander.

I found the book to be very biblical. The Bible does offer salvation free by faith, but MacArthur does a great job of showing that if you ARE saved by faith, then you will see signs of that in your life. MacArthur points you to scripture, not peoples opinion's. After all, I wanted to know what the Bible says, not someone who thinks they are saved but have never had a change in their lives. MacArthur points out that many want to say they are saved, but at the same time hang on to a lifestyle of lawlessness. If you just want to deceive yourself and say that a person can be saved by "faith" alone (read: a faith that does not lead to a new life), then DONT READ THIS BOOK. (Or for that matter, don't read your Bible). But MacArthur does a great service to the genuine gospel by making an iron clad biblical case to show that salvation that is by faith, is not alone. Genuine faith produces fruit, or evidence. And that fruit is what we look for to give us assurance so we CAN have biblical assurance.

In spite of a Christians failures and sin, there is still a security for those who have trusted Christ as their personal savior. John MacArthur helps show you how the promise of your salvation is based on God's promises, not the believer's faithfulness. This is a must read for those who waiver in their understanding of their security in Christ.