Assurance of Salvation

God’s word is filled with promises that excite us. We love to highlight, underline, and memorize these verses. We recite them to ourselves when we get lost in doubt. We remind friends and family of them when they need encouragement.

But there is a place – deep within our spirits – where we seriously wonder if those promises are actually for us. We certainly believe God is faithful to fulfill His promises; but we question whether we qualify for them.
In the dark places of our consciences, we wonder if we are truly saved. Did we “do it” right? Or did we miss a step somewhere along the way?

What if we are doomed to spend eternity separated from God’s love?

I have had these doubts.

As I’ve stared into that abyss, God has lovingly spoken to my doubt from within His word.

God is not just some angry judge.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. —2 Peter 3:9

What an amazing assurance!

I spent much of my childhood (and even some of my adulthood) viewing God as a ruthless judge, sitting on His throne somewhere in the sky, just waiting for me to mess up so He could smite me. I fear that many of us share that image from time to time.

But that is simply not the picture that Scripture paints.

God is wishing (better translation, “deliberate inclination of the will”) for all His children to find life in Him.

Eternal life is not an afterthought, or some consolation prize. It is His ultimate plan for His children.

He wants you to find salvation.

In fact,

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
—John 3:16-17

God’s love for us knows no limit. He withheld nothing in His pursuit of us.

He makes it clear that Jesus did not come to simply to show us how far short we fall in our attempts to defeat sin.

He came to bring life. Eternal life!

That is why He became a man and carried a cross…

He paved the way for us to find forgiveness and life.

This is God we are talking about!

He took on flesh, suffered death and separation between Father and Son, for the express purpose of paying the price for our sin – all of our sin - so we could find life.

Eternally.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 6:23

And this life is a gift. Period.

The only thing we can ever earn is death!

We are sinners. And since Genesis chapter three, sin has always equaled death.

We are all dead men walking. Without any real means of escape from that end.

Except God…

God wants us to be near – even within – Him.

So, He offers a gift.

Life.

By definition, a gift is never earned. It can’t be earned.

This eternal life that we find in Jesus is a gift.

It is offered as a gift. And it is maintained as a gift.

I could never do enough to obtain it.

I can never do enough to retain it.

It is a gift. A gift. A gift.

Let that sink in…

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
—Romans 10:9

I had convinced myself that it had to be more complicated.

Didn’t I have to feel adequate grief, walk down the aisle, pray the right prayer (and mean all of it perfectly)?

I did that over and over. Each time trying to mean it more.

I had pastors pray over me, lay hands on me, and anoint me with oil.

But somehow, it never seemed to be enough. I had to be doing something wrong.

I mean, my life never seemed to line up with what my pastors told me it should be. I didn’t “feel” saved.

So, I would “get saved” again.

But again, the Bible paints a different picture.

It says I must confess and believe.

Could it really be that simple?

Well… yes.

But don’t rush this.

“Confess” literally means, “to say the same thing. To agree openly.”

“Believe” means “to trust, rely on, place confidence in.”

This is not casual language. It means to declare allegiance to Jesus and entrust yourself to the reality of His resurrection… and “you will be saved.”

Nothing about walking aisles or praying specific prayers.

Shaking free from those cobwebs was one of the most liberating moments of my life!

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
—Ephesians 1:13

We don’t simply gain eternal life in “the hereafter,” we get eternal life that dwells within us!

We are “sealed.” This refers to the wax or clay seal that would secure a legal document. In essence, God has marked you as His own and authenticated your salvation as real.

At this point, we can perform a test of sorts.

the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
—Galatians 5:22-23

If the Holy Spirit is active within us, we should be expressing these attributes – in increasing measure – as we grow in our faith.

Again, this is not something we work at. These are the supernatural by-products of God’s presence within us.

If I don’t see the fruit clearly, I ask the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to the work He is already doing in me—and to continue that work.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
—2 Corinthians 5:17

A new creature.

The “old me” has died. The “new me” has been raised.

I am now a new man: with new goals, a new outlook, new sensitivities, and a new purpose.

I am filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit.

I am truly alive!

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
—Romans 8:1-2

For those who receive the gift of life that Jesus offers from the cross, there is forgiveness. Complete forgiveness.

I am no longer bound by the law of sin and death – the Law of Moses.

No. There is now a “new” law at work in me; “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.”

That law doesn’t consist of a list of do’s and don’ts. It is a law that is written in my heart that draws me ever closer to Him. Deeper into Him.

It’s not a question of how I feel.

It’s a question of faith.

Do I believe what God has said? Or don’t I.

I choose to believe.

Lord,
Thank you for Your word.
Anchor my faith in what You say rather than how I feel.