Assurance often poses a great problem to people who have asked
the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Saviour. Usually they say they
do not feel as if the great transaction has taken place in their
life. They then conclude that they must not be really saved. Usually
they are told to ignore their feelings, but this is almost impossible
to do. To try to live the Christian life without feeling the assurance
of salvation is not something of which the Bible approves. It
is obviously unsatisfactory to have a religion that produces no
feelings to correspond with the beliefs professed. So what is
the answer?
Salvation comes by faith in Christ. So does assurance of salvation.
We must be careful not to judge God's truth by a passing feeling.
Rather we should fill our hearts and minds with the Word of God,
especially as it relates to what Christ has done for His people,
and let that truth work in us to produce the assurance and feeling
of security we desire.
The assurance and enjoyment of our salvation depend heavily on
the written Word of God.
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the
name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal
life"
(I John 5:13).
Since it is the written Word of God that assures us of salvation,
let us note carefully what it says. "Him that cometh to me
I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).
Jesus said this. Does He tell the truth? Or could this be a lying,
empty promise? The very thought is impossible.
"Thy word is truth" (John 17:17).
Therefore, we can be sure of the promise that "him that cometh
to me I will in no wise cast out."
Have you come to Christ? What does He promise concerning those
who come to Him? He promises that He will not cast them out. Has
He then cast you out?
Again, take the promise of John 1:12:
"As many as received him, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."
Have you prayed to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
Do you believe in Him? That is, do you receive as entirely true
all that the Bible says about who He is and what He has done,
and do you trust no other merit but His for your acceptance with
God?
Does He not promise, then, that you are now numbered among the
sons of God? Take your stand upon His promise and you will conquer
doubt and fear.
This kind of Biblical logic is very helpful in obtaining a well-grounded
assurance of salvation. But it is only the beginning. There is
a much fuller and more blessed way. It is to take your Bible and
ponder what exactly happens when a person receives Jesus Christ
as Saviour and Lord. Let us pursue this in some detail. It will
certainly firmly establish your faith.