In some evangelical circles, even of the Reformed type, anxiety attacks over personal assurance of salvation and whether or not church members are “really saved” are frequent.
In Reformed Churches the question of when non-communicant members should become communicant members has been asked countless times. Do they know enough? Yes, they have been baptized, but are they really called by Jesus? Do they know their sin well enough?
Then there is the issue of the membership itself. Some pastors cannot address their congregations as Christian people, or “people of God,” because they are not really sure if they are elect or called even though they are members of Christ’s church.
Paul’s attitude is completely different however. Notice the introductions to his letters, especially 1 Corinthians.
Calvin commenting on Paul's outlook on the Corinthian Christians said in his commentary, "Every one ought to regard his calling as a token of his election. Farther, although one cannot judge with the same certainty as to another's election, yet we must always in the judgment of charity conclude that all that are called are called to salvation; I mean efficaciously and fruitfully…Now this is needful (Paul obviously deemed it needful for the Corinthian church), in order that their minds might not be disheartened on discovering so many faults, as he comes afterwards to present before their view. The sum of this may be stated thus, - that it is the part of Christian candour to hope well of all who have entered on the right way of salvation, and are still persevering in that course, notwithstanding, that they are at the same time still beset with many distempers. Every one of us, too, from the time of his being illuminated (Heb 10:32) by the Spirit of God in the knowledge of Christ, ought to conclude with certainty from this that he has been adopted by the Lord to an inheritance of eternal life." John Calvin, Calvin's' Commentaries: 1 Corinthians. (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House). Pg, 59-60.
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