A tale of three responses, but only two different outcomes

For about four years I have been reading various well-known Reformed confessional documents along with the Bible. I do this to remind myself that the Reformed churches do have a way of understanding the Bible that I need to keep in my mind and in my heart. I do not just decide what the Bible means today, but the church also testifies about what the Bible says and what the Bible means for me.

I have chosen a weekly plan which takes me though all seven documents in 52 week segments, called Daily Confessions. This past Friday I read two articles in the Canons of Dordt Head I, Articles 15 and 16. These two articles have to do with the doctrine of Reprobation. However, the way the Synod of Dordt actually talks about the doctrine of Reprobation is actually very pastoral and practical. I mean a really good pastor, not a bad one either, because I have heard of Reformed pastors misusing the doctrine of Reprobation. The part that always strikes me about these two articles is the title of article 16, "Responses to the Teaching of Reprobation". I just didn't expect the Synod to be all that concerned about how a person would respond to the doctrine of Reprobation.

It doesn't stop there, however, it goes on to talk about three responses which lead to two different outcome. Here's how it describes the first response:

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.

Up to the third comma in this translation we're probably a bit surprised about the first person: this person does not "actively experience within themselves a living faith in Christ"; does not have "an assured confidence of heart, peace of conscience, a zeal for childlike obedience, and a glorying in God through Christ". What's going on with this person? This person is surely a reprobate!

However, let's proceed past the third comma. There's a "but"-how could the Synod of Dordt have a "but"? This person's surely going to hell. The "but" is there is tell us that in spite of not actively experiencing within themselves a living faith in Christ etc., which is a subjective standard, or a person measuring perhaps their enthusiasm now with their past enthusiasm the story of this person's life is not finished. This person in spite of "not feeling it" does what? They "use the means by which God has promised to work these things in us" and the "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."

What advice does the Synod have for this person based on what they are doing? "[S]uch people ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to count themselves among the reprobate. ..."  This is Dordt! How could they reach the conclusion that this person isn't a fake? Well, what are they doing? They are still faithfully going to church. They are still waiting in faith that the Lord will not forsake them in spite of them "not feeling it".

Let's move on to the second person:

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.

The second person looks a bit better than the first person. They "seriously desire to turn to God," they also desire "to be pleasing to him alone," and lastly "to be delivered from the body of death". All good qualities. However, here comes that word "but", which is really cramping the Synod's whole "stick their nose up to the entire world" image.

The second person is "not yet able to make such progress along the way of godliness and faith as they would like." Their not quite meeting their spiritual goals just yet. What's going to happen to this person? "[S]uch people ought much less to stand in fear of the teaching concerning reprobation. ..." What's going on here? The first person was attending church, and fellowshipping with the saints, but didn't have "an experience within themselves of a living faith in Christ," there was no "an assured confidence of heart," they didn't have "a peace of conscience," nor "a zeal for childlike obedience," and finally there was no "glorying in God through Christ"; and the second person was "not yet able to make such progress along the way of godliness and faith as they would like ...". To both however the Synod said they are not to stand in fear of reprobation.

Okay, so who's this third person. Here he is person number three:

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.

The third person forgets all about God and Jesus-"why are you bothering me with that Jesus guy that I worshiped yesterday. Give me now and let me leave God and Jesus alone." You see the first person was still trusting God to use the means by which God has promised to work these things in us. What's the "things"? They are:

• An active experience within themselves of a living faith in Christ
• An assured confidence of heart
• Peace of conscience
• A zeal for childlike obedience
• and finally a glorying in God through Christ

The second person is given slightly different advice. He is told that in spite of how little progress he feels like he's making that they need to remember that our merciful God has promised not to:

• snuff out a smoldering wick
• and that he will not break a bruised reed

As opposed to the doctrine of reprobation causing a believer damage it should lead us to Christ! That's why I really treasure reading the Confessions multiple times.