How To Have Assurance Of Salvation

HOW TO HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION 

ASSURANCE IS KNOWLEDGE, CERTAINTY, OR CONFIDENCE. Assurance of Salvation is the knowledge, certainty, or confidence of salvation. How can a person know or be certain that he or she is saved? 

The Scriptural answer is twofold:
 1. AssuranceinvolvestheHolySpirit. 

1 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 

We think of knowing with our mind and that is alright. But I Corinthians 2:11 underlines that it is the Holy Spirit that imparts knowledge (or assurance) that involves God. So, the Spirit of God is involved in knowledge or assurance. 

2. AssuranceinvolvesthewordofGod.
 JOHN WROTE SO THAT PEOPLE COULD BELIEVE: 

John 20:31 (KJV) But THESE ARE WRITTEN, that ye might BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. 

JOHN WROTE SO THAT BELIEVERS COULD KNOW. 

1 John 5:13 (KJV) THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (The Person, Propitiation, and Power of Jesus Christ.) 

John dealt with both human needs. 

1. PeopleneedtobelievethatJesusistheChrist(Now,thegospel,ICorinthians15:1-4). 2. People who do believe need to know that they have eternal life (I John 5:13). 

So, the word of God is a factor in knowledge or ASSURANCE of Salvation. The word of God and the Spirit of God are practically synonymous. They are one with the other. Jesus said, “The words that I speak...they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). 

1 John 5:13 (KJV) THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (The Person, Propitiation, and Power of Jesus Christ.) 

1. John wrote so that believers might know that they have eternal life. 
2. The obvious implication is that there were some believers who did not know that they had eternal 
3. life, i.e. They lacked assurance of salvation. 

Misconceptions: 

1. If a person doesn’t know they have eternal life, they are lost. Not necessarily (I John 5:13). 
2. If a person doesn’t know they are saved, they are lost. Not necessarily (I John 5:13). 

Realities: 

1. Some believers don’t know that they have eternal life, but they do (I John 5:13). 
2. Some believers don’t know that they are saved, but they are (I John 5:13). 
3. Some people lack assurance of salvation (I John 5:13). 

The Spirit of God and the word of God are God’s 

provisions to build assurance or knowledge of salvation. 

WHY DO SOME BELIEVERS LACK ASSURANCE OF SALVATION ? SEVERAL POSIBLE EXPLANATIONS EXIST. 

1. Sin. Assurance of Salvation and Salvation are not he same. We’re talking about two different things. I’m a Bible believing Baptist and I don’t believe that a Christian can lose salvation, but I do believe that a Christian can lose ASSURANCE of Salvation.  
2. Age. Believers grow older and can’t remember the exact circumstances. They hear songs about “...a birth they can’t remember and one they can’t forget” and songs about “never forgetting the day when the Lord saved them” and they no longer remember. 
3. Feelings and experiences change. Different experiences in life can cause doubt. People go through emotional temptations and attacks. The changing emotions of the currents of life can cause joy or sorrow. A believer used to feel joy, or they used to feel peace. Sometimes a tragedy takes place and people become disillusioned or bitter or hurt. They don’t feel like they once did. 
4. Reliving or remembering the depth of their own sinfulness and wickedness. Older believers possibly remember things that they did when they were younger and realize the severity of their sin, the hurt that they caused others, the magnitude of their sin before God and they fear and become worried that God could not forgive someone as wicked as themselves. 
5. Spiritual attack. (II Corinthians 11; Ephesians 6) The devil is involved in getting believers to doubt their salvation. Doubt can be crippling.
    2 Corinthians 11:3 (KJV) But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
   Genesis 3:1 (KJV) Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
   Ephesians 6:11 (KJV) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
6. Falsereligiousteaching.Some teachings are designed to instill doubt and uncertainty regarding salvation.  For example, the teaching that a believer today can lose their salvation. Or the teaching that a person must do religious works to be saved.  Or the teaching that a person must achieve some level of moral goodness to be saved. 
7. Manufactured Systems or orders of salvation. (God gave us His word, not a Systematic Theology book.)  a) The False teaching that a believer must have a specific conversion “experience” to be saved  b) Various definitions of “experience” are set forth causing confusion in the mind of listeners. 

• Such as the 7 Sacraments of Rome. 

1. Baptism(Christeningofinfants) 
2. Confirmation 
3. Eucharist 
4. Penance 
5. Anointing 
6. Holy Orders 
7. Matrimony 

• Such as 7 Steps of Salvation. 

1. Grace
2. Faith
3. Confession 
4. Repentance
5. Baptism 
6. Holy Spirit 
7. Endurance 

• One preacher says X must happen to you. 

1. Awakened
2. Convicted
3. Drawn
4. Regenerated
5. Converted
6.  Changed 

• Another says that Y must happen to you. 

1. Elected
2. Predestinated
3. Called
4. Drawn
5. Convicted
6. Regenerated
7. Converted
8. Changed 

• Still another that Z must happen to you. 

1. Awakened
2. Stirred
3. Drawn
4. Regenerated
5. Converted
6. Changed 

• What saith the Scriptures? 

1. 1. Ephesians1:13(KJV)Inwhomyealsotrusted,afterthatyeheardthewordof truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 
   2. a. Heard
       b. Believed c. Trusted d. Sealed 
   3. Romans 10:14 (KJV) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 
   4. a. Hear
       b. Believe c. Call 

c. Definitions or names of the experience may differ, but the same end is reached; Christians, saved sinners are caused to doubt or question their salvation. 

8. Self-righteousness of Christians or Preachers. Some people THINK that they live a better life than others. 

1. They reject the idea that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6) 
2. Every man at his best state is altogether vanity. (Psalm 39:5) 

c. Philippians 2:3 (KJV) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 

d. The claims of self-righteous believers charges that less holy believers couldn’t actually be saved. 

Obviously, there are other possible reasons.
 1. Thewordassurance:KNOWLEDGE,CERTAINTY,CONFIDENCE. 

a. Hebrews 10:22 (KJV) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 

b. Colossians 2:2 (KJV) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 

c. Hebrews 6:11 (KJV) And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 

d. Isaiah 32:17 (KJV) And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. 

e. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (KJV) For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 

Assurance of Salvation is the result of at least 4 things: 

1. FAITH 

a. Hebrews 10:22 (KJV) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 

1. In Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:12, 13) In whom ye first Trusted....
   Ephesians 1:12-13 (KJV) That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 
2. In the Blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:25).
   Romans 3:25 (KJV) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 
3. In the death of Jesus Christ in YOUR place (I Corinthians 15:1-4)
   Romans 5:6 (KJV) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
   Romans 5:8 (KJV) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 
4. In the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
   Hebrews 7:25 (KJV) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 
5. In the gospel promise (Romans 10: 9-13).
   Romans 10:13 (KJV) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

2. UNDERSTANDING 

a. Colossians 2:2 (KJV) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 

1. Atonement – Leviticus 17:11; (an atonement in OT; The Atonement in NT) God’s required payment for sin.
   Leviticus 17:11 (KJV) For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Leviticus 6:7 (KJV) And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein. 
2. Propitiation – I John 2:2. Complete satisfaction of the justice and righteousness of the Law.
   1 John 2:2 (KJV) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 
3. Redemption – Galatians 3:13
   Galatians 3:13 (KJV) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 

3. HOPE (Conscious and Joyous Anticipation)
 a. Hebrews 6:11 (KJV) And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full 

assurance of hope unto the end: 

1. In the future state of our soul.
    Philippians 1:23 (KJV) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
   Philippians 3:21 (KJV) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 
2. In the imminent return of our Savior.
   1 Corinthians 15:51-54 (KJV) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 
3. In the trustworthy character of God.
   Numbers 23:19 (KJV) God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
   Romans 10:13 (KJV) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

4. RIGHTEOUSNESS
a. Isaiah 32:17 (KJV) And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of 

righteousness quietness and assurance forever.
 i. Imputed Righteousness – We have the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to us. 

Romans 3:21-22 (KJV) But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 

ii. Personal Righteousness – We have confidence when we do right. When we resist sin. Isaiah 32:17 (KJV) And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. 

Conclusion: 

The way to have assurance of Salvation. 

1. Puttingyourfaithwhereitbelongs.
 2. Understanding what God has done for you.
3. Exercise anticipation and optimism in Christ. 
4. Righteousness of Christ and life.