assurance of salvation

On our sixth lesson now about salvation, I can’t agree more to the truth in teaching best what you most need to learn. Each night I spend studying what I have to share to my student on our Discipleship Hour, it feels as though I am picking a bunch of flowers; I am always the first to get captivated at their colors and fragrance before handing them over to someone else. Indeed, there is an unspeakable freshness in the Word of God. And to share it with a sibling-in-Christ is nothing short of a wonderful blessing.  

Janine and I have been discussing about the assurance of salvation. How do we know that we are saved? The pointers below reminded me of how thankful each redeemed soul must be every single day of their lives for the undeserved favor God has unconditionally given.

• True believers walk in the light (1 John 1:6-7). The light here means both intellectual and moral truth. Ask, "Do I affirm the truths of Scripture, and desire to obey them?" 

• True believers confess their sin (1:8-2:1) Confess here doesn't mean to recite every wrong that we have ever done. Rather, it means to agree with God about our sin. That means that true believers hate their sin; they don't love it. They acknowledge they are sinful, and yet they know they are forgiven.

• True believers keep His commandments (2:3-4; 5:2-3). The term here refers to a watchful, observant obedience. Here the believer desires to obey truths he deems precious. It involves a proactive approach to obedience-the Christian studies Scripture in order to understand and obey it.

• True believers love the brethren (2:9-11; 3:10, 14-15; 5:2). Ask yourself the question, "Do I love God's people and desire to be around them?" 

• True believers affirm sound doctrine (2:20-23; 4:2,6). John here teaches that no true believer will fall into any serious, Christ-denying error or heresy. 

• True believers follow after holiness (2:29; 3:3-4, 6-9). These verses certainly aren't talking about sinless perfection, or even the frequency or duration of sin. The term sin in these verses describes one who lives an immoral, ungodly, unrighteous life as a matter of continual practice, and carries the attitude of hardened hate for God's righteousness. 

• True believers have the Holy Spirit (4:13; 5:10-11). This is an over-arching test summing up all the others. Is there evidence that the fruit of the Spirit is present in your life (Galatians 5:22-23)?

Before we end the lesson, I added one more pointer – giving. It’s more than just tithing or giving back to the God the tenth of what you have. In essence, it’s returning what is really God’s – but giving to Him your own share is another story. You cannot give without loving but you cannot love without giving. Does that sound familiar? In the same way, we will grow in being faithful in our giving and support to the ministries of the church.

 

Along the way, we both appreciate learning together – that one's assurance of salvation does not need to be based on a past decision or an experience. It should rest first of all on one's faith in the objective truth of God's Word, Jesus Christ, and the gospel. Secondly, it should rest on the reality of a changed life marked by obedience, a love for Christ and His righteousness, and a hatred for sin. 

Posted in: biblical truth,thanksgiving