Many thanks to Dr. Mark Mattes of Grand View University, Des Moines, Iowa, for the video recordings of the lectures he recently gave on how we can be sure of our salvation. These lectures were given at Lutheran Church of the Master in Corona del Mar, California, where Russell Lackey serves as pastor. Until recently Russell was campus pastor at Grand View.
Mark Mattes has been a Lutheran pastor for 38 years. He served congregations in Illinois and Wisconsin and has taught theology at Grand View University for over 29 years. He has authored and edited numerous books in theology and has lectured both across the country and in various parts of the world.
Concerning the theological and spiritual significance of his presentation, Mark wrote, “Many Christians look not just to Christ for the assurance of their salvation but also to changed behaviors, such as a greater engagement with prayer, Bible study, and witnessing. They have a ‘checklist’ for evidence of conversion and ask you to mark off your progress in spiritual growth.”
In this presentation Mark shows us that this approach is simply not scriptural. “The Bible tells us that Jesus alone is sufficient for our salvation. If we look to changes in our lives and not to Christ alone, we jeopardize our assurance of salvation. Anxiety, not security, is found when we look to the quality of our faith or righteousness for comfort. Growing in devotional practices is a good thing but it does not guarantee our salvation. Nothing other than Jesus can secure those consciences anxious about God’s judgment.”
After watching these videos and reading his book on the same subject, “Ditching the Checklist,” I told Mark, “What you are saying I wish I had heard sixty years ago. It would have saved me so much stress and anxiety.”
Here are links to his two You Tube videos.
