The elect in due time, though in various degrees and in different measures, attain the assurance of this their eternal and unchangeable election, not by inquisitively prying into the secret and deep things of God, but by observing in themselves, with a spiritual joy and holy pleasure, the infallible fruits of election pointed out in the Word of God -- such as a true faith in Christ, filial fear, a godly sorrow for sin, a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, etc.
It is clear that our fathers believed that there are different steps or stages in the life of grace. Some deny these steps in grace, but this is contrary to what God's Word says. We read in 1 John 2:12-14 that there are little children, young men, and fathers in God's church.
In the family of God, just as in an earthly family, there are people of different stature and development. There are babies who have just been born. All they can do is cry, hunger, and eat. They cannot explain themselves, but they want to be in church all the time, and they have a hunger for the Word of God.
There are little children; they may have received some encouragement, some hope, when they heard their name proclaimed from the pulpit. But yet they are subject to many doubts and fears. There are times when they believe God knows of them, of their tears and struggles, their impossibilities. But they also see their guilt, and how will they ever be reconciled to Him?
There are also those who have been brought to the end of their own efforts to bring themselves back to God, and with whom salvation became utterly impossible. However, the Lord showed them the Way of salvation outside of themselves. A door of hope was opened in the valley of Achor. These were unforgettable times, when the possibility of salvation outside of themselves was shown to be so extensive that they believed that, since it was possible for them, then the whole world could be saved.
There are those in the family of God to whom Christ has been revealed, who learned to see something of His beauty and could say with the bride, "He is altogether lovely." Yet, when there are times that Christ hides Himself again behind the justice of God, they have to meet a holy and righteous God, and they are still burdened with the burden of sin and iniquity. What a great blessing it is when the Lord brings his church to the knowledge of a resurrected Savior who was raised for their justification. Then the burden of guilt is taken from them, and they may experience what Jesus spoke to His disciples, when they were gathered behind doors which were shut, "Peace be until you." What a blessed, unspeakable peace there is when God will not be wroth with them nor rebuke them.
There are those in the family who with full assurance may know that the Judge has become a reconciled God and Father in and through the finished work of His Son. It is the Holy Spirit who seals this to their heart and testifies with their spirit that they are the children of God.
Thus it is evident that in the family of God not all are of the same stature and not all have the same measure of faith and assurance.
Taken from a piece by Rev. C. Vogelaar, The Banner of Truth, November 2003
