The Doctrine of Assurance For the Children of Grace

 The Doctrine of Assurance For the Children of Grace

 

If the church has ever produced a theologian who wrote more on the doctrine of Christian Assurance, than that of Thomas Goodwin, I have no idea who that person would be.  Goodwin invested a lot of time (and ink) on this subject--and I, for one, am glad that he did.

 

Pastor Goodwin argues that the "first," (original) faith that newborn Christian believers exercise is *not* that of "assurance"--but rather it is of salvation (itself).  He then insists that subsequent "acts" of faith, to be made progressively throughout the entirety of our regenerated church lives in Christ, are basically acts of faith in the assurances God provides His children; (all that italicization is mine).  In other words, the whole project of the Christian life, with regard to our sanctified will's understanding, is to grow up in Christ, via being assured of a glorious "string" of the graces God gives us, His children, in His Beloved Son.

 

Employing the whole corpus of the five chapters of the Epistle of First John, Pastor Goodwin teaches that God would first have us true believers be assured that we do, indeed, have (or possess) "eternal life" in Jesus Christ. . . . Then, He (God) would have us be assured of His boundless (and "personal," not "general," or "indefinite") love for us, the individual (and covenantal) objects of His grace.  Then, all our subsequent assurances flow from the heart of Christ and our understanding of Him (and the other Two Persons of The Holy Trinity).  The whole gospel life is one of growing in this amazing assurance--which then, as Pastor Goodwin mentions, results in confidence, boldness, courage, fearlessness, and joy.  On top of this, as Goodwin is careful to point out, godly assurance renders a humble heart, that sincerely desires to honor, glorify, and obey God.  Rather than resulting in "looseness" or "antinomianism," or sinfulness--assured believers now "purify," (as per 1 Jn. 3:3), themselves in Jesus; and we do this out of our love for God, (which originated from His love for us, [1 Jn. 4:19]).

 

Goodwin addresses the conventional arguments "against" assurance--many of which, especially in his day, came from the "popish" religion (to use one of his terms)--but the great Puritan pastor refused to "back down," and "give in to" ordinary religious thought.  Goodwin actually chastises real Christians who, for whatever reason, refuse to pursue God's plan of their growth in grace through assurance of all God's wondrous loving mercies to them.  (This is actually more pride, than humility.)  Being assured of God's particular love to us in Christ is the surest way to live the best, most fulfilling, and Spirit-filled life.

 

If I recall correctly, as a young man, Thomas Goodwin really struggled with the doctrine and experience of God's assurance of His good things to His people.  This probably explains the pastor's desire to drive this important (and lovely) point home (to other believers).  Goodwin acknowledges the existence of "false" "assurance"--but he understands that this always results in continued sin, and not in growing Christlikeness.

 

Also, Pastor Goodwin is careful to point out that Christian assurance in the gospel and Person of Christ is available for all faithful regenerate church members.  This is not reserved for an exclusive "club" of "super-saints," or of apostles only.  All classes of Christians are eligible to be the blessed recipients of this glorious assurance, which is rooted in the objective, historical Truth of Who our Lord Jesus Christ is.

 

The verse Pastor Goodwin largely "camps" on, is the wonderful one of 1 Jn. 5:13.  Here is how it reads (in the ESV): "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."

 

The verses that immediately follow (14 & 15), teach that this knowledge leads to confidence in prayer.  Having our sanctified prayers answered to the glory of God in Jesus Christ only enhances and furthers our growing boldness and assurance in our Blessed Redeemer!

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #153

10 November 2026

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

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