Assurance of Salvation can be defined as the confidence we have that we are saved for eternal life by God, through our faith in Jesus Christ. It is the confident realization that through our faith in Christ, we are saved, forgiven for our sins, and accepted by God as one of his children for eternal life. Through this realization, we are assured of God’s providence and guidance for us. It is the belief in God’s word and commitment to us that we are heaven-bound, as seen through the divine words of Scripture.
The meaning:
Assurance of salvation is found in trusting God’s promises, not in constantly measuring yourself. As Scripture says in 1 John 5:13, you can know that you have eternal life; in John 10:28, no one can take you out of Jesus’ hand; and in Romans 8:38-39, nothing can separate you from God’s love. These verses show that works do not earn salvation, but are given as a secure gift of grace.
Why do Christians struggle with Assurance of Salvation?
Christians may struggle with assurance of salvation for a range of reasons, not due to an unbelief in God’s word or Christ, but rather to misunderstandings about what salvation entails, and this is often related to being unsure about where to place one’s confidence.
Uncertainty about a specific moment in which they experienced salvation
Many Christians may struggle to identify the exact moment they accepted Christ and, as such, feel like they’ve missed out on a memorable moment, such as a ceremony at church. Still, many believers grow into their acceptance of Christ, or were simply raised in Christian homes where faith in Christ is instilled in one’s personality.
Sin
Christians may also struggle with assurance of salvation if they are partaking in questionable behavior or sin. Partaking in sinful behavior or temptations can make one question whether they are truly deserving of salvation. Struggling with sin and temptation is all a part of our spiritual journey as Christians. Scripture reminds us that assurance of salvation relies on forgiveness, and not living a life devoid of sin, as seen in 1 John 1:0 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.
Relying on Feelings
It might seem natural to think that assurance of salvation is only guaranteed to those who are most outspoken in their closeness or relationship with God. Still, our emotions and feelings are fleeting, whereas God’s divine promises are everlasting- The grass withers, the flower fades. Still, the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Assurance of salvation should be based on our unshakeable faith in God and his promises of salvation, and not on something as fickle as our emotions.
Good deeds
It is a common belief amongst Christians that good deeds alone will guarantee salvation. However, the issue with believing that doing good deeds continually is that we may find ourselves coming up short, and this can lead us to question our faith or even doubt whether we are worthy of salvation. Understanding that assurance of salvation is something achieved through an unshakeable faith in Christ and God, and not through human endeavors, is paramount.
Guilt
We have all engaged in behaviors that have caused us shame and guilt, and while we may repent for our sins, it is still normal to feel unworthy of salvation. However, Romans 5:8 tells us that, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. This should serve as a reminder that Christ died on the cross for all our sins, and that we are still worthy of salvation.
What are the five assurances of salvation?
There are five main promises to every Christian made by God to ensure that we approach a path of faith without doubt or fear. They are:
Assurance of Salvation (1 John 5:11-12) And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
The confidence that God has given us eternal life and saved us through the ultimate sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, and that nothing we do or say will ever sway that
Assurance of Answered Prayer (John 16:24) Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
God wants us to talk to him and to pray in Jesus’s name, and through this, we are heard and seen. Our fears and doubts are alleviated, and we will experience joy and gratitude as long as we maintain a relationship that is rooted in prayer.
Assurance of Victory (1 Corinthians 10:13) The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.
Temptation is all around us, and even as a Christian, we can still fall prey to sin. However, God will provide a way for us to stay strong, firmly grounded in our morals and say no to temptations… he provides us a way to be victorious over sin.
Assurance of Forgiveness (1 John 1:9) But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just and forgives our sins and cleanses us from all wickedness.
Every single one of us sins. God knows this. However, the life of a Christian requires us to repent for our sins and ask for forgiveness. God will always forgive us when we speak honestly and atone for our sins.
Assurance of Guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Faith in God alone will ensure that we travel on the right path towards God, as he will guide us better than we can ourselves.
God’s promise and Assurance of Salvation
Ephesians 2:8-9 declares:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Scripture tells us that assurance of salvation is based upon God’s promise, and not our own deeds and behaviours. It is a gift bestowed upon us by God, through unshakeable faith in Christ. When Jesus declared “It is finished” when on the cross, he was telling us that salvation was complete. God’s worth is eternal, trustworthy, and final…our salvation is secure because of Christ’s sacrifice. Our only job is to place our faith wholly into God and Jesus Christ because our salvation is guaranteed only through this.
Sin and Salvation
Many Christians believe that sin, whether current or past, affects their salvation. Whilst sinful behavior is not to be condoned, as we as dutiful Christians should live by the Ten Commandments, sin does not undo God’s promises. Salvation is based on God’s eternal promise and Christ’s finished work- his sacrifice for our sins.
However, we must remember to repent for our sins, as sinful behavior and thoughts can lead us astray from a faithful path and hinder our faith in God. Repentance helps us remain steadfast in our commitment to God and absolute faith in Jesus Christ, which ultimately assures us of salvation.
I once was lost, but now I am found. A real-life story
Stacy grew up in a Christian home and was well-versed in the concept of salvation as a teenager. As Stacy grew older, he began to struggle with negative events, religious do’s and don’ts, and his own personal failures. These events led him to doubt whether he was truly saved at all, and he began to stray from a true Christian path. Unfortunately, this negativity and doubt became a constant in Stacy’s life until he decided to seek help at his lowest emotional point.
Stacy was then offered true spiritual and Christian insight, and from that day onwards, he knew that assurance of salvation is not dependent upon his own actions or emotions. He understood that Jesus’s sacrifice saves us all completely, and those who present to God through a life rooted in Christ are truly and completely saved. Assurance of salvation is based upon God’s word, and it will come to those who believe in Him fully.
FAQs
What is Proverbs 17:22 saying?
Proverbs 17:22 states, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” It suggests that joy, optimism, and a kind heart act as medicine, while a crushed spirit (anger, despair, and ill-will) can wreak havoc on us physically and emotionally.
What does Proverbs 19:17 say?
Proverbs 19:17 says that “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” It suggests that generosity and charity towards others is seen as generosity towards the Lord himself, and that he will reward us for our giving nature.
How to understand God’s promises for salvation?
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” God’s word is true and eternal, so his promises of salvation to us are unbreakable. We are eternally saved and in favor with God when we fully accept Jesus Christ into our lives. Salvation comes through our faith in Christ, not through our actions or behavior, because it is a promise given to us by God.
Can you lose your salvation?
Short answer, no. We cannot use our salvation because it is an eternal gift given to us by God. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice; he died for our sins. A true believer is regarded to be sealed by the “holy spirit,” which indicates permanence. Our only mission is to stay committed to God’s word and Christ until redemption.
What if I don’t feel saved?
It is very normal to grapple with this doubt, and many do. Surrounding yourself with God, Scripture, and truly understanding that God’s promises triumph all human endeavors will alleviate any doubts or concerns.
Do I need to confess every sin?
You should confess any sins you’ve knowingly committed to God, as a true heart is one that will have favor with God. Repentance is a significant part of a believer’s journey and can bring one closer to Christ and God’s word.
