How may I know I’m elect? First, by the Word of God having come in divine power to the soul so that my self-complacency is shattered and my self-righteousness is renounced. Second, by the Holy Spirit convicting me of my woeful, guilty, and lost condition. Third, by having had revealed to me the suitability and sufficiency of Christ to meet my desperate case and by a divinely given faith causing me to lay hold of and rest upon Him as my only hope. Fourth, by the marks of the new nature within me – a love for God; an appetite for spiritual things; a longing for holiness; a seeking after conformity to Christ. Fifth, by the resistance which the new nature makes to the old, causing me to hate sin and loathe myself for it. Sixth, by avoiding everything which is condemned by God’s Word and by sincerely repenting of and humbly confessing every transgression. Failure at this point will surely bring a dark cloud over our assurance causing the Spirit to withhold His witness. Seventh, by giving all diligence to cultivate the Christian graces and using all diligence to this end. Thus the knowledge of election is cumulative.
—A.W. Pink
The Doctrines of Election and Justification
This is a theologically rich statement that bears closer examination – there is much to be gained that could be lost by just a cursory reading of the text. How may I know that I am elect?
- By the Word of God having come in divine power to the soul so that my self-complacency is shattered and my self-righteousness is renounced.
- By the Holy Spirit convicting me of my woeful, guilty, and lost condition.
- By having had revealed to me the suitability and sufficiency of Christ to meet my desperate case and by a divinely given faith causing me to lay hold of and rest upon Him as my only hope.
- By the marks of the new nature within me – a love for God; an appetite for spiritual things; a longing for holiness; a seeking after conformity to Christ.
- By the resistance which the new nature makes to the old, causing me to hate sin and loathe myself for it.
- By avoiding everything which is condemned by God’s Word and by sincerely repenting of and humbly confessing every transgression. Failure at this point will surely bring a dark cloud over our assurance causing the Spirit to withhold His witness.
- By giving all diligence to cultivate the Christian graces and using all diligence to this end.
In closing, it is helpful to remember the last statement in the quote: “Thus the knowledge of election is cumulative.” There is no one step program or method. We should ponder these words and give thanks that our election and salvation are a gracious gift, and that our final assurance of salvation rests not in our own weak power, but in the power of the triune God.
Via: Reformation Theology