Assurance of Salvation

Assurance of Salvation Am I Going to Heaven? After a funeral a minister posted this notice on the church bulletin board: "Brother Peterson departed for heaven at 3:30 A.M." The next day he found the following written below his announcement: "Heaven--8:00 P.M.: Mr.

Peterson has not yet arrived. Great anxiety." What if that was your funeral notice? Would heaven be sending back a message that you hadn't arrived? Can anyone know for sure that they are going to heaven or do we all just have to hope that we have done enough good deeds to get us in? Do we even get to heaven by doing good deeds? Well, God wants you to know if you are going to heaven. He wants you to be sure! In fact, the Bible gives us 4 ways to know for sure if we have eternal life. It also mentions at least 5 ways that people are often deceived about their salvation.

The purpose of this teaching is to help you know if you are going to heaven. We hope that it will comfort the doubting and smash the hopes of those who are trusting in false assurances. As you read these Scriptures allow the Word of God to do the dividing between truth and error in your life (Hebrews 4:12). Is Assurance of My Salvation Even Possible? The apostle John wrote a letter to a group of people in Asia Minor and said, "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). We can know if we are going to heaven.

God wants us to know. Here are a few other passages which show that we can know if we are saved: Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you or do you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 My brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. 2 Peter 1:10 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. Hebrews 10:22 How Can I Know? The Bible gives us four tests -- four ways to know for sure if you are going to heaven.

Check yourself out and see if you past the test. If you do, then believe what God has said. You can be sure of eternal life! 1. Have you repented and placed your faith in Jesus? If you have, then you have eternal life. Here are some of God's promises regarding repentance, faith, and salvation: Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life...Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son..

. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. John 3:14-16,18,36 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off -- for all whom the Lord our God will call.

" Acts 2:37-39 Paul and Silas said to the jailer, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." Acts 16:31 If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Romans 10:9 Other Scriptures which promise that if we believe, we will be saved: John 5:24; John 20:31; Romans 5:9-11; Galatians 3:6-9; 1 John 2:23-25; 1 John 4:15,16; 1 John 5:1a, 11-12.

But what is repentance? See What is Repentance and How Do I Do It? What is faith? If we are saved through faith, then this is a very important question. Biblical "faith" is not simply believing certain facts about Jesus. This is intellectual faith, not Biblical faith. The demons intellectually believe all the right things about Jesus, but this doesn't save them (James 2:19). Also Biblical faith is not merely "fox hole" faith.

Many people are willing to make a temporary commitment to God when they are in trouble. This kind of faith is a partial commitment that doesn't last (Luke 8:13). Biblical faith = Placing your complete trust in Jesus alone, a total commitment of your life to Jesus, who alone can save you. That's what faith is. If you have it, you are saved! Questions which uses to cause doubt in this area: "Does God really mean what He says?" -- This was the question that Satan asked Eve (Genesis 3:1).

Can you believe what God says? Numbers 23:19 gives a reply to this question: "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" God can be trusted to fulfill everything He promises. If you believe in Jesus and God says you are saved, then "God said it and I believe it and that settles it for me." "But did I really believe when I ..

. answered that altar call or... prayed the sinners prayer or.

.. was baptized?" -- Who cares. The important question is "Are you really believing now?" The Sunday School Times carried a story of a man who feared he could never be saved. Approaching a minister of the Gospel, he exclaimed, "I'm such a helpless, miserable sinner.

There's no hope for me! I've prayed, resolved, and tried everything until I'm sick of all my useless efforts." "Do you believe that Christ died for our sins and rose again?" was the reply. "Of course I do." "Well," said the preacher, "if He were here on earth so you could actually see Him, what would you do?" "Oh, I'd go to Him at once!" said the trembling seeker. "When you arrived, what would you say?" "I'd tell Him I'm a lost sinner.

" "If He looked your way, would you request Him to do anything for you?" inquired his counselor. "I certainly would! I'd fall on my knees and beg Him to forgive and save me." When asked what Christ would reply, the man became silent. The preacher turned to John 6:37 and read it slowly and emphatically. Then he asked again, "What would the Savior say if you asked Him to cleanse you from your sin?" At last a happy light came into the doubter's eyes as he said with confidence, "He would answer, 'I will!'" That moment he believed, his fears departed, and a new- found joy flooded his soul.

2. Do you have the Holy Spirit? If you do, then this guarantees you are going to heaven. If you don't, then you are not going to heaven: Here are some Scriptures that show the importance of the Holy Spirit in determining our salvation: You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Romans 8:9 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.

He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 1 John 4:13 A wealthy man once called his faithful assistant into his office and said, "I've put your name in my will, and you will get $10,000 when I die.

As it may be some time before you get that legacy, I want to make you happy by paying you each year the legal interest on that amount. Here is a check for $600 as a starter." The clerk was doubly gratified. The prospect of the inheritance was good news, and the money he received in advance assured him of the reality of his joyous hope for the future. In a higher sense, this is the believer's position.

The Holy Spirit's presence and the grace He imparts are the interest and promise of "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" which the heavenly Bridegroom will one day share with the heirs of salvation (2 Corinthians 4:17). You can bank on it. 3. Do you have something in your inner being which cries out "Abba"? If you do, then you are God's child and you are a co-heir with Christ. Romans 8:15,16 says, For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.

And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. "Abba" is an Aramaic word. It was the most affectionate title that a child could use in addressing his father -- something akin to "daddy" or "papa." If there is something in your heart that cries "papa" to your heavenly Father, then you are a child of God destined for heaven.

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:6 During the latter stages of World War II, General Douglas MacArthur kept a promise he had made to the people of the Philippines when he was forced to leave the islands in 1942. He returned with enough troops to help the Filipinos recapture their country. Grateful for his assistance when all had seemed lost, the government in Manila later directed its armies to begin a tradition of calling out MacArthur's name at every parade roll call.

Each company designated one officer who would respond by answering, "Present in spirit." That symbolic gesture helped to ensure that the dedication and courage of the general would live on in the hearts of the soldiers long after MacArthur was gone. The Holy Spirit does something like that in our hearts. The Holy Spirit cries "Papa" and proves that God is our Father and we are His children. If you have that cry, then you are on your way to heaven! 4.

Is your character and lifestyle changing to become more like Jesus? If so, then you have eternal life. The Bible teaches that when a person becomes a Christian they are changed -- they become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17)! And as they continue as a Christian, they continue to grow to become more like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). They become more loving, more obedient, and more righteous. This growth is called "bearing fruit": Jesus said, "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.

People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:43-45 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 This change also involves growing in love: We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 1 John 3:14.

An aged woman who had accepted Christ was plagued with doubts about her eternal destiny. An elder went to counsel with her. After quoting several texts on assurance, he said, "Grandma, if you saw one group of people drinking, cursing, and singing vulgar songs, and right next door a gathering of joyful believers were singing gospel hymns and testifying of God's saving grace, which company would attract you?" Without hesitation she replied, "Oh, I'd only feel at home with the saints of God." Then he showed her 1 John 3:14. As she read it, a smile lit her face.

By passing this "assurance test" she finally found peace. Other Scriptures which teach that a true Christian will change and grow: 1 John 2:17,29; 1 John 3:4-6; 1 John 4:7,12; 1 John 5:18. Questions which Satan uses to cause doubt in this area: "What change?" -- There are two things which we must keep in mind here. One is the time factor. The second is the comparison factor.

First, the time factor. . . Most change takes time. In an instant society we are tempted to think that everything happens immediately.

But changes in our character and lifestyle do not happen quickly. Change will happen in the life of a Christian, but don't allow Satan to steal your peace by insisting on instant change. Jesus gave a parable about Christian fruit and patience in Luke 13:6-8. See what He has to say. Secondly, change in comparison to what or to whom? Change should be measured in terms of what we used to be, not in comparison to others.

C.S. Lewis in his book "Beyond Personality" writes: If Christianity is true then it ought to follow. . .

that any man who becomes a Christian will be nicer than he was before. Just in the same way, if the advertisements of Whitesmile's toothpaste are true it ought to follow. . .that if anyone begins to use it his teeth will improve.

But to point out that I, who use Whitesmile's (and also have inherited bad teeth from both my parents), have not got as fine a set as some healthy young (person) who never used toothpaste at all, does not, by itself, prove that the advertisements are untrue. Christian Miss Bates may have an unkinder tongue than unbelieving Dick Firkin. That, by itself, doe not tell us whether Christianity works. The question is what Miss Bate's tongue would be like if she were not a Christian and what Dick's would be like if he became one. "But you sinned yesterday, so you are no longer saved.

" -- There is a game called "Aggravation." To win, you have to be the first to get your four marbles from start to finish, but if an opponent's marble lands on a space occupied by one of yours, you have to go back to the beginning and start all over.That's how some Christians view their relationship with God. They believe that they advance in their Christian life until they sin, then they have to start all over. Yet if that were true, we could never be secure in our relationship to Christ, for we all sin every day.

This "starting over" idea reveals a faulty concept of the biblical doctrine of justification. Paul presents justification as the act of God declaring a sinner righteous on the basis of Christ's perfect righteousness, which is credited to a believer through faith in Christ (Romans 4:13-5:1). It is a once-for-all gift. It is not taken away each time we sin. "What about your habitual sin or addiction?" -- Sometimes there is a need to break strong bondages that are not easily broken by an act of the will.

Some of these sinful habits have their roots in past hurts and relationships. The help of a caring and competent Christian counselor may be needed. There are also many good books available to help identify the causes of sinful habit patterns. Healing of Memories by David Seaman's, Making Peace With Your Past by Norman Wright, or Pain and Pretending by Rich Bugler are good places to start. God gives power to overcome habitual sin, but sometimes overcoming requires digging deeply into the heart to understand the reason for habitual sin.

These are the four tests that the Bible gives for salvation: (1) Do you have faith in Jesus for your life? (2) Do you have the God's Spirit living in you? (3) Do you have the "Abba" cry? (4) Are you changing to be more like Jesus? Do you pass the test? If you do, then stop doubting and be assured of your eternal life with God. If you don't pass the test, perhaps you need to know more about what it means to be a Christian. Check out our page and read the next section on False Assurances! False Assurances If I choose to step out upon a lake covered by thin ice, it matters not how much faith and assurance I have in the ice. If it is thin ice, I will fall in and possibly drown. In the same way, assurance of our salvation is useless if it is based upon a false foundation.

The Bible mentions five false assurances: 1. "I'm involved in Christian service. I perform miracles. I have an effective ministry." Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:21-23. Serving God is not the same as doing God's will. There are plenty of people who do "successful" things for God, but don't live for God. Their lives show no obedience to God's will, no righteousness, little love, and no fruit of a changed life.

And where there is no fruit, there is no root. 2. "I made a verbal profession of faith. I answered an altar call." So did Judas.

A verbal or outward profession means nothing, unless it is accompanied by a change in the heart. Christ wants your 'heart', not just your head because The Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart 1 Samuel 16:7. It's the mouth and the heart (see Romans 10:9). 3. "I joined a church.

I fellowship with Christians." Salvation is in Jesus, not the church (Jeremiah 7:1-15). Joining a church does not make you a Christian any more than going into a garage makes you a Buick. Salvation is not contagious (1 Corinthians 10:1-12; Matthew 24:9-13). 4.

"I live a good life." No one will be saved by their good life or their good deeds (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16). Goodness is a result of being saved, not the method of being saved. 5. "I feel things are okay between me and God.

God and I have an understanding." Truth is not based upon feelings, but facts. Who can really trust their own feelings. Feelings change from day to day. The prophet Jeremiah said, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.

Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9. Many other people down through history thought that they were "okay" with God, but their thoughts were not based upon reality. For examples see Ezekiel 13:10-11; Matthew 24:37-39.