That certain people are assured of their salvation falsely, should be beyond dispute. There are several examples in scripture of this very thing. For instance, Matthew records Jesus’ teaching on those who cry “Lord, Lord” on the last day. They did many things in the name of Jesus, but he did not know them. They thought that they were saved, but it proved false. Their assurance was based on works that they did, which incidently, Jesus said was lawless (7: 21-23).
In the days of Jeremiah there were those who cried “peace, peace, when there is no peace” (6:14). At the judgment there will be those who will be condemned to hell because they did not do the works of Christ. They did not seek to glorify him at all, neither through serving their fellow man or him. They stand amazed at the revelation that they are doomed. It appears that they thought that they were true believers (Matt. 25:41-46). In Matthew 13:41-43, Jesus tells of the separation of the sinners and lawbreakers from his kingdom. Note, these are represented as in the kingdom, no doubt falsely assured that they belong. Also mark, that they will be cast into the fiery furnace.
Think of the Pharisees. They indeed had a false confidence. These claimed to be the offspring of Abraham yet hated Christ. They thought that God was their Father, but Jesus exclaimed that their father was the devil (Jn. 6:39-47). Paul told Titus to rebuke those who “profess to know God, but deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work” (1:16). These made a profession, but their lives never bore any fruit to substantiate their claim. No doubt they believed that they are redeemed and on their way to heaven. Some have “the appearance of godliness” (2 Tim. 3:5), others “deny the Master (2 Pet. 2:1), some “have the reputation for being alive, but... are dead” (Rev. 3:1), others think that they are rich, prosperous, and lacking nothing, not realizing that they are “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked (Rev. 3:17). Lloyd-Jones said, “self-deception with regard to the soul and its relationship to God is generally due to our relying upon false evidences of salvation.”[1] That is exactly the point- these deceived people look to themselves or compare themselves to others instead of looking to Christ and examining their hearts.
“False assurance is generally due to bad teaching, to false evangelism, to pushing people to decisions or trying to bring them to the birth before the process of the Holy Spirit is worked out” wrote Lloyd-Jones.[2] This is manifested in such things as: following steps (I did my part), praying a prayer (I meant it), being baptized and joining a church (I am obedient), being reassured of salvation (I believe it), instructed to never doubt (I am secure). This is a completely man centered message, observe all of the “I” statements. Notice that there is nothing about repentance and faith; nothing of Jesus’ atoning death, burial, and resurrection; nothing about costing everything; nothing of the Spirit’s work in drawing and convicting; nothing of the Father’s wrath being turned away. Nothing!
False assurance can also be the product of misplaced trust. What can occur is that trust is put in a minister, a church, or in other believers. How awful is it that we can lead people to a false sense of security because we are not honest to them or ignore the signs of being unregenerate and never confront them? Trust may also be placed in self, a decision made, feelings, or abilities.
Take heed of the penetrating words of John Owen,
Most men have some thoughts in general about what their state is, and what it will be in the issue; but they make no diligent search into this matter, because a number of common presumptions do immediately insinuate themselves into their minds for their relief; and they are such as all whose force and efficacy unto this end lies in this, that they differ from others, and are better than they; -as that they are Christians, that they are in the right way of religion, that they are partakers of the outward privileges of the Gospel, hearing the word, and participating of the sacraments;- that they have light and convictions, so as that they abstain from sin, and perform duties so as others do not; and the like. All those with whom it is not so, who are behind them in these things, they judge to be in an ill state and condition, whence they entertain good hopes concerning themselves; and this is all that most trust unto.[3]
A final contributor to false assurance is unreliable or misinterpreted emotions. Some may fear hell and be terrorized by the thought of judgment. They are “saved” and think that all is well because they had an emotional experience. Others may be overwhelmed by a sense of love. They are told that God loves them and only wants what is best for them. Naturally, people are assured by this and follow the steps in order to be saved. They now think themselves safe because they are so lovable, after all, this was the message that they heard and responded too.
False assurance can stem from wanting to remove guilt. Many live their lives under the constant weight of guilt. They are told that all they have to do is be saved and God will remove the feelings of blame. This they do and for a time they feel better. But, what usually happens is that they do not measure up to other believers so they experience guilt. Or, they do not read their Bibles and pray like they should so they feel more guilt. It is an unending cycle. They are not free but still in bondage; they remain unconverted and under the law.
Some desire fellowship, companionship, or purpose so they join a church or get saved to belong. Of course, they have a false confidence in these things and see them as evidence of salvation. They may yearn for acceptance so they will do anything to be received. All of these are vain efforts to silence a excoriating conscience. These breed false assurance because they depend only on the efforts of man. Mankind has the uncanny ability to convince themselves of anything. If you believe a lie and live it long enough it somehow isn’t an untruth anymore (we tell ourselves). We say things like, “it isn’t really a lie if I believe it.” Mankind would rather trust their own fluctuating and ever changing feelings instead of the immutable and eternal Christ.
Consider Calvin on this matter,
In this ruin of mankind no one now experiences God either as Father or as Author of salvation, or favorable in any way, until Christ the Mediator comes forward to reconcile him to us. Nevertheless, it is one thing to feel that God as our Maker supports us by his power, governs us by his providence, nourishes us by his goodness, and attends us with all sorts of blessings- and another thing to embrace the grace of reconciliation offered to us in Christ.[4]
It is one thing to feel or think you feel something, and quite another to cling to Christ and his grace. We trust a feeling or Jesus. Which will it be? Will it be faith in the perfect Savior, or faith in our emotions?
[1]D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies In The Sermon On The Mount (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976), 518.
[2]Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Great Doctrines of the Bible, 3 vols. In 1 (Wheaton, Il: Crossway, 2003), 2:163.
[3]John Owen, “Meditations And Discourses Concerning The Glory of Christ, Applied” in The Works of John Owen, 16 vols. (Banner of Truth, 2000), 1:420.
[4]John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, ed. John T. McNeill, trans. Ford Lewis Battles (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1960), 1.2.1.
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