◄ Assurance And Security ►

To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.
Jude 1:24

Confusion and Consternation

One area causing Christians confusion and consternation is – 'am I truly saved?' This is a question that bothers many believers. 'Am I really part of God’s family?'  This is not just the few, but many born-again people just doubt their security in Christ. Many simply struggle with this issue and many true believers doubt their salvation.

Doubting Salvation

They do not have God’s assurance in their heart. They do not enjoy the security of His promised provision. This is such a sad state of affairs but it is prevalent in many churches today. Often they have not been shown the truth that is right there in Scripture– and sadly, it can have a very negative effect on their lives.

Finished Work

Yet we have an assurance, from Scripture, that our salvation in Christ, is secure. Security in our salvation is locked into Christ’s finished work – in time and eternity. A misunderstanding of Scripture inevitably causes this distressing state-of-mind. Wrong teaching can also contribute to believers’ questioning their eternal salvation.

Christian Stability

The Bible teaches we have continuity of salvation, from the day we first believed. Resting our confidence on Christ atoning work is what the Bible teaches us to do. Trusting the Word of God about our redemption is what we should be doing. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved", is the Bible’s clear instruction, for there can be little or no stability in the Christian life when this truth is doubted – but until this is resolved in a believer’s heart there can be little spiritual growth.

Devastating Doubts

Assurance and eternal security is probably the most comforting doctrine for believers, for our security rests in Christ’s finished work, and to doubt it can be devastating. There are a number of reasons that the eternal security of the believer is disbelieved, and anyone questioning their salvation should think this through – prayerfully.

Christ’s Sacrifice

One of the main reasons for our lack of security in Christ rests on our impressions. To gain assurance of salvation believers will often look inside – into their feelings. On the days that they 'feel' saved – they rest on that, and 'feel' they are secure, but when they do not 'feel' saved – peace is shattered, and depression kicks in. When we doubt our eternal security – it shows a lack of faith in Christ’s sacrifice.

Fluctuating Feelings

Feelings can fluctuate and are a totally false gauge of our assured salvation. Emotions can oscillate and are no criteria on which to rest our security in Christ. Feelings and emotions are God-given, but they are not the source of salvation truth.  Believers should never allow feelings and emotions to dictate scriptural doctrine.

Word of Truth

It is the Word of God to which we should turn to discover how to be saved… "for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God". Romans 10:17.  God’s Word alone must be relied on to supply us with salvation truth – not feelings. God’s Word is truth, which provides our doctrinal understanding of salvation. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved".. "for whosoever believes on Him" – the Lord Jesus Christ, "will be saved". John 3:16

Extra-Biblical Add-ons

There are no add-ons to Scripture but many men and ministries add to salvation. If there is anything added to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, it is extra biblical. To add anything to the finished work of Christ is to say His death was insufficient. To add anything to Christ’s sacrifice is to deny His triumphant cry – "it is finished".

The Father is Satisfied

To suggest that believers can add anything to Christ’s finished work is blasphemy. To suggest we can do anything to lose salvation is to minimise His work on the cross. To suggest we lose our salvation is to elevate our power above the sovereignty of God. Christ’s finished work satisfied the Father – it is an impertinence to suggest otherwise.

Reasons for Insecurity

There are other reasons we doubt our assurance in Christ, and our secure salvation. It may be poor teaching, self-doubt, or resistance to God’s child-training programme – but all suggestions that our salvation is in jeopardy denies the truth of God's word.

Kept and Sealed

For God is able to keep us from falling and to joyfully present us perfect to God. It is Jesus Himself Who promised that both He and the Father would keep us safe.  And Paul tells us that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption.. "and you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit". Ephesians 1:13

Eternal Life

God, the Son, tells us that whoever believes in Jesus Christ will have eternal life. "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all, no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand". John 10:28-29  It is God Himself that has committed to keep us, for we could not do it ourselves. "To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy". Jude 1:24

Three-fold Assurance

Our assurance of salvation and eternal security is purchased by Christ. Our assurance of salvation and eternal security was promised by the Father. Our assurance of salvation and eternal security is sealed by the Holy Spirit. All members of the Godhead have pledged our eternal security – what an assurance!

Father’s Promise

Our eternal security is not based on our own abilities but founded on God alone. The salvation of all the redeemed is established on the Father’s promise. Our eternal security was purchased by Christ. Our eternal security was promised by the Father. Our eternal security is sealed by the Spirit.