Ought Not To Be Alarmed - Dort 1.16
Those who do not yet actively experience within themselves a living faith in Christ or an assured confidence of heart, peace of conscience, a zeal for childlike obedience, and a glorying in God through Christ, but who nevertheless use the means by which God has promised to work these things in us—such people ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to count themselves among the reprobate; rather they ought to continue diligently in the use of the means, to desire fervently a time of more abundant grace, and to wait for it in reverence and humility. On the other hand, those who seriously desire to turn to God, to be pleasing to him alone, and to be delivered from the body of death, but are not yet able to make such progress along the way of godliness and faith as they would like—such people ought much less to stand in fear of the teaching concerning reprobation, since our merciful God has promised that he will not snuff out a smoldering wick and that he will not break a bruised reed. However, those who have forgotten God and their Savior Jesus Christ and have abandoned themselves wholly to the cares of the world and the pleasures of the flesh—such people have every reason to stand in fear of this teaching, as long as they do not seriously turn to God.
- Synod of Dort, 1.16
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The old pastoral adage goes, “If someone is worried about not being a Christian it is a good sign that they are a Christian.” This portion of Dort teaches this very truth. If you are concerned that you are “reprobate” because of a lack of assurance or a weak faith, do not dwell on the fear of reprobation. Rather, run to Christ and cast yourself upon him knowing that he will in no way cast out those who come to him by faith. However, if you love the world and are unconcerned about the things of Christ, you have great reason to worry that you are indeed one of the reprobate. In this case, you fear should drive you to repent of your sin and believe on Christ to salvation.
