Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God's Grace

by Burk Parsons (Editor)

Nothing stimulates Christian service more than the humble assurance of God’s saving grace. Many of us are immobilized by lingering doubts about our salvation or, worse, by a false security. Is assurance of salvation reserved for the super-spiritual? Is it a sure sign of presumption? What are the benefits of assurance and the dangers of an unsure faith? Separating truth from error, and considering assurance in relation to its larger family of biblical doctrines, the contributors to this volume demonstrate its significance for grateful, productive Christian living.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

Burk Parsons is copastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., editor of Tabletalk magazine, and vice president of publishing for Ligonier Ministries. He is author of Why Do We Have Creeds? and editor of John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology and Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God’s Grace.

Reviews

[C.H. Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth the read. Helpful for someone who doubts their salvation. Not five stars because the writers mostly addressed the issue of assurance from a doctrinal standpoint. The truth that those whom God elects and therefore calls to Himself are secure because God has sovereignly accomplished salvation and does not change His mind. This is true, and blessedly so. The book contains a lineup of notable scholars dealing with the issues, which is very helpful also.

However, in my experience most of those Christians of the Reformed persuasion who lack assurance lack it not because they don't believe the doctrines of grace (they do), but because they are not confident their own faith is real. They lack assurance that the faith they possess is genuine saving faith. They ask questions like, "have I really believed?"

Assured by God does not deal head-on with that particular issue, although it does do a good job of unfolding the Scriptural evidences of saving faith, which can be helpful. But those who really struggle with the issue will bend back on themselves questioning whether the evidences in their lives are simple mimicry (they know they should display them) or whether the evidences are themselves genuine. Pity the poor doubter--they can tie themselves in anxious knots.

[Diane Denniston]

Great book. Explains assurance so well.

[Seth Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom gave me this book recently. It has ten contributing authors- many of whom are favorites of mine. Each chapter opens with an outstanding quote from a famous theologian of the past. All the chapters were very good and each treated a different apsect of the doctrine of assurance. I especially liked the chapter by Sinclair Ferguson. The closing chapter by Sproul was... so Sproul as it left my brain spinnning and wanting more! This book comes recommended and has a study guide in the back. I think it would be good for a small group study.

[Mandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful when struggling with assurance. Easy to read and not too long. Packed with truth and hope.

[Jean Bonilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly rich mine of guidance for the Christian seeking a path to greater understanding of God's promise for both salvation and sanctification. It was a library book and I couldn't mark it up, though my fingers itched to reach for that pen! I was reduced to keeping a journal - not a bad thing to have by my side in my future spiritual walk. Definitely, I recommend this book!

[Sarah Fowler Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic but essential truths.
An excellent reminder of the assurance of our faith. The simple but profound concepts here should be neither brushed past in early belief nor forgotten in later life.
Our salvation, for God's glory, is after all the only thing that matters.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very helpful. Two thirds of the chapters by different authors are all on almost the same topic: general comments on the Reformed view of assurance. Also, they mostly just state the position, rather than interacting with objections or even questions about how it can be practical.

[jacob van sickle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book on the assurance of God. If you're looking for an overview on the doctrine of assurance or struggling with your own salvation this book it both theologically deep and logically applicable to real life.

[Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very encouraging read. Different authors dealing with different subjects of assurance through being saved, justification, doubt, discipline, etc. Parsons and MacArthurs chapters were exceptional!