Assurance of Salvation
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13
Several years ago, my wife and I visited a new home Bible study in our area. We sat in a circle in the living room, and the leader began by asking everyone to introduce themselves and share a little bit about what they hoped to get out of the study.
Early in the introductions a young woman said she really wanted to know if she was saved. She said that sometimes she felt like she was, but at other times not so much. Several other people nodded their heads and shared similar concerns when they introduced themselves. When it was my turn I shared the verse above and said I was happy to report that the Bible says clearly that you can be sure of your salvation: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
The verses just before this lay the foundation for this assurance. “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:11-12)
John 1:12-13 tells us, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Being “born again” (i.e., receiving Jesus as your Lord and savior) is wonderfully assuring as to its permanence. After all, once you are born you can’t be un-born, no matter how you feel at any given moment.
The Bible says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9). You can be sure of it.
Have you asked Jesus to be your Lord and savior?
Having begun as a guest speaker in 2005, Dan was appointed Interim Pastor in 2008 and has been serving Maple Root Baptist ever since. As a small group leader and Chaplin for the Connecticut Tigers, Dan has a heart for the lost and the God that saves them.