Tags: Assurance of Salvation, Salvation by Grace, Eternal Security, Children of God, Holy Spirit, Seal of the Spirit, Promise of God, Jesus Christ Saves, Faith in Christ, King James Bible, Baptist Doctrine, Christian Living, Biblical Assurance, Gospel Truth, Eternal Life
Text: 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (KJV)
"We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)"
One of the greatest blessings of the Christian life is the assurance of salvation. Many people live in fear, uncertainty, and doubt concerning their eternal destiny. They wonder if they are truly saved, whether God still accepts them, or if they might somehow lose the salvation that Christ has provided.
The Bible teaches that a person who has genuinely trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour can know that he is saved. Salvation is not based upon feelings, emotions, or human performance. It is based upon the finished work of Jesus Christ, the promises of God, and the witness of the Holy Spirit.
In our text, Paul reminds us that salvation is God's gracious work and that now is the accepted time to receive Christ. Once a person comes to Christ in genuine faith, he can enjoy the blessed assurance that his salvation rests upon God's unchanging truth.
Let us examine three biblical reasons why believers can be sure of their salvation.
We Have a Father and Child Relationship with God
The first reason believers can be certain of salvation is because salvation brings us into a permanent relationship with God as His children.
When a sinner trusts Christ, he is not merely forgiven of sins; he becomes a child of God.
We Become Sons of God Through Faith
John 1:12 declares:
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
Notice that those who receive Christ are given the privilege of becoming God's children. This relationship is established by faith in Jesus Christ.
Likewise, Galatians 3:26 says:
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."
The Bible does not teach that everyone is automatically a child of God. Rather, those who place their faith in Christ become members of God's family.
Just as a child born into a family remains part of that family, believers who are born into God's family possess a relationship that God Himself established.
Jesus Christ Is the Only Way of Salvation
This relationship is possible only through Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12 declares:
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Salvation is not found in religion, church membership, good works, baptism, or human effort. It is found exclusively in Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9 teaches:
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Romans 10:13 further promises:
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
God's promise is clear. Those who call upon Christ in faith are saved.
We Are Adopted into God's Family
Galatians 4:4-7 presents one of the most beautiful truths in Scripture:
"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
Through Christ, believers receive the adoption of sons. Adoption in biblical times carried tremendous significance. An adopted child received all the legal rights and privileges of a natural-born child.
God did not merely forgive us and leave us outside His household. He welcomed us into His family and gave us the privileges of sonship.
Because salvation establishes a Father-child relationship, believers can have confidence in their standing before God.
Salvation Is by Grace Through Faith
Ephesians 2:8-9 says:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
If salvation is God's gift and not the result of human effort, then our assurance rests in God's faithfulness rather than our own performance.
Many believers struggle because they focus upon themselves. They look at their weaknesses, failures, and shortcomings. However, assurance comes when we focus on Christ and His completed work on the cross.
God is our Father, and we are His children through faith in Jesus Christ. This relationship gives us assurance.
We Are Sealed by the Holy Spirit
The second reason believers can be certain of salvation is the seal of the Holy Spirit.
The moment a person trusts Christ, God places His Holy Spirit within that believer as a divine guarantee.
The Holy Spirit Is God's Seal
Ephesians 1:13-14 states:
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
The word "sealed" speaks of ownership, security, authenticity, and protection.
In ancient times, kings would place their seal upon official documents to indicate authority and ownership. No one could tamper with what the king had sealed.
Likewise, when God saves a sinner, He places His Holy Spirit upon that believer as a seal.
The believer belongs to God.
The believer is marked as God's own possession.
The believer is secure because God Himself has sealed him.
The Holy Spirit Is the Earnest of Our Inheritance
Ephesians 1:14 calls the Holy Spirit the "earnest" of our inheritance.
An earnest is a guarantee or down payment that assures the completion of a future transaction.
God gives the Holy Spirit as a guarantee that every promise connected to salvation will ultimately be fulfilled.
He guarantees our future resurrection.
He guarantees eternal life.
He guarantees our future inheritance in Christ.
If God has provided the earnest, He will certainly complete the transaction.
Sealed Unto the Day of Redemption
Ephesians 4:30 further declares:
"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
The Bible does not say believers are sealed until they sin, fail, stumble, or become discouraged.
It says they are sealed unto the day of redemption.
The day of redemption refers to the future completion of God's saving work when believers receive glorified bodies and enter fully into God's eternal presence.
God's seal remains effective until that day.
This truth should bring tremendous comfort to every believer.
Our security does not depend upon our ability to hold onto God. It depends upon God's ability to keep us.
The Holy Spirit's presence in the believer's life is powerful evidence that salvation is genuine and secure.
We Have the Unchanging Promises of God
The third reason believers can be sure of salvation is because God has made promises that He cannot break.
Human promises often fail. God's promises never fail.
God Promises Eternal Life
John 3:16 remains one of the most beloved verses in Scripture:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Notice the words "everlasting life."
Everlasting means eternal.
If eternal life could be lost, it would not be eternal.
God promises everlasting life to those who believe in His Son.
Our assurance rests upon God's promise.
Christ Keeps His Sheep Secure
Jesus described believers as His sheep.
John 10:27-29 says:
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
What a wonderful promise!
Jesus says His sheep shall never perish.
Believers are held securely in the hand of Christ.
Furthermore, they are also held in the Father's hand.
No enemy is stronger than God.
No power can remove a believer from Christ's protection.
Our assurance rests upon the power of God rather than human ability.
Jesus Will Never Cast Out Those Who Come to Him
John 6:37 contains one of the most comforting promises in all Scripture:
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
The phrase "in no wise" means absolutely never.
Jesus will never reject those who come to Him in faith.
He receives them completely and permanently.
John 6:39-40 continues:
"And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."
Christ does not lose those whom the Father gives Him.
Every genuine believer will ultimately be raised in glory.
That is not merely a possibility. It is a promise from the Son of God Himself.
Practical Benefits of Assurance of Salvation
When believers understand these truths, several blessings follow.
- Peace — We no longer live in fear regarding our eternal destiny.
- Joy — We rejoice in the certainty of God's salvation.
- Confidence — We serve God knowing we belong to Him.
- Gratitude — We appreciate God's grace more deeply.
- Faithfulness — We desire to obey God because we love Him.
Assurance is not an excuse for careless living. Rather, it motivates believers to serve God with thankful hearts.
A child who knows he is loved by his father does not seek reasons to rebel. Instead, he desires to honor his father. Likewise, Christians who understand the certainty of God's love are motivated to live for His glory.
God Cannot Lie, His Words Are True
The Bible provides solid reasons why believers can be certain of salvation.
First, salvation brings us into a permanent Father-child relationship through faith in Jesus Christ.
Second, God seals believers with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption.
Third, God has given unbreakable promises guaranteeing eternal life to all who trust in His Son.
Our assurance is not based upon feelings, circumstances, or personal merit. It is based upon God's grace, God's Spirit, and God's promises.
If you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you can rejoice in the certainty of His salvation.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
Today is still the accepted time. Today is still the day of salvation. Those who come to Christ by faith can receive forgiveness, eternal life, and the blessed assurance that they belong to God forever.
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