Assurance

Assurance

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness;and to brotherly kindness, love. . . . Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall.

— 2 Peter 1:5 – 7, 10

Many Christians base their assurance of salvation on things that are not scriptural: reciting a prayer or signing a card, walking an aisle or raising their hand in a meeting. Then when hard times hit, their confidence begins to wane — the longer the trial, the more doubtful they are of the reality of their salvation.

Assurance of salvation comes from three tests. The first is looking inward: Can I look in my heart and see there is a love for Jesus Christ? Do I at least “feel” that I love Christ? The second test is looking outward: Do I see evidence in my life of this love I believe I have for Christ? Are there any good works that flow from this love to Christ? Is there any outward evidence of what I proclaim to believe inwardly? The third test is looking back: Am I able to see a growth in grace since I first professed Christ? Dr. John Gerstner would often speculate that the best Christian on his best day is only 5 percent sanctified. But he is more sanctified today than he was yesterday, if he is a true believer.

Is there a professing Christian who is engaged in a regular practice of sin? Then he has good reason to doubt his salvation (Galatians 5:21). Today, thank God that he gives you assurance. Ask the Holy Spirit to uncover anything that stands in the way between you and a full, lively fellowship with God.

Search me, O God, and see if there be any wicked way in me. Help me to grow in Jesus and, thereby, gain a happy assurance of my salvation.