“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
1 John 5:13
While taking a course with Dr. Gregg Allison at Southern Seminary, a discussion arose surrounding the issue of salvation, specifically as it relates to assurances of salvation.
I left the dialog encouraged and wanted to expand on it with you because I believe some Christians live with unhealthy doubts regarding their salvation.
That said, there is a difference between unhealthy doubt and healthy doubt.
First, a healthy picture of doubt is found in Mark 9:24, where a desperate father paradoxically cries, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” In one statement, this man captures the essence of the Christian’s belief. He is not saying that he knows all, but that he knows enough to believe. Tie this to Jesus’ statement regarding the mustard seed. Second, unhealthy doubt is that doubt raised by James in chapter one of his epistle, “for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” This doubt is unanchored and therefore is at the whims of external forces (circumstances).
Thus, the difference between healthy and unhealthy Christian doubt is (1) anchor and (2) outcome. Where is faith anchored? What does one do with the doubt? In other words, where is faith placed, and where does the doubt lead? Toward God or away from God?
Where is faith placed?
We will address this question in later articles, but let me begin with a picture below that we will expand from a biblical and theological standpoint:
Where does doubt lead?
This question is the second aspect of this series and is outlined in the statements below:
- Healthy doubt leads toward God by seeking wisdom from above (James 1:5; 3:17-18).
- Unhealthy doubt leads away from God by seeking wisdom from self (James 3:14-16).
Hang on tight…I pray that through this exploration, God will enrich our faith and temper our doubt.
Amen and amen!
— December 8, 2022