Assurance of salvation

Author

Pastor Billy Shaw

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Meet Phil Goode.  Phil has a good feeling about his salvation.  He “feels” saved. He has the same amount of stress as the general population, and he would never claim that his life is perfect.  But, in any case, Phil has a general sense that he himself is on his way to Heaven.  

Then something happens, and Phil’s feelings change.

​Maybe tragedy strikes, or some other cause of deep, deep grief.  He begins to question God and doubt God. God did not intervene the way Phil thought He would.  Or to the contrary, Phil gave into a temptation that he thought he never would. He no longer feels saved.  For whatever reasons, Phil feels abandoned by God.

Phil’s assurance of salvation was rooted in his feelings.  The problem with this extremely common idea is that feelings change.  Assurance of salvation should not be rooted in anything on our side of salvation.  We change. Circumstances change. Behavior changes. Feelings change. However, God never changes.  He says, “I am the LORD; I change not.” The Bible teaches that it is possible to know for sure that you are saved (1 John 5:13).  If this knowing for sure was rooted in us, ourselves, our ability to stay sin-free, or our feelings, we could never have eternal certainty that we were in fact saved.

True assurance of salvation is rooted in God, His unchanging character, His promises revealed in His Word, and the effectiveness of the finished work of Jesus.  Every basis for our assurance is on God’s side. His Word says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). This is either true or not true.  Romans 10:9 says it this way, “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.” If there was a way for me to believe Jesus sincerely, to trust Him for the forgiveness of my sins, and to believe that God has raised Him from the dead, without me being saved, then God is a liar.  My entire belief system has to fall. But God has declared, if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved. The Word of God was sufficient to speak the universe into existence. It is sufficient to assure me of my salvation. Although heaven and earth pass away, the Word of the Lord abides forever.  

Have you trusted Christ as your Savior?  Are you trying to mix what Jesus did with anything else?  Trust in Him and Him alone for your salvation, and you can have assurance of your salvation.  I’d love to talk with you further about this. This article is just an introduction to such an important issue.  Please get in touch with me any way that you like. I look forward to talking with you.

We invite you to attend one of our weekly worship services where you will hear uplifting and engaging music and encouraging messages from God’s Word.  You can also contact us through our website with any prayer request you have. We look forward to continued ministry to you.
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