Assurance of Salvation

The Apostle John wrote in his first epistle: “13These things I have written 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).”

John wants believers to have assurance of their salvation. He wants believers to “know” (mental knowledge) that they have eternal life. I believe the reason John refers to having knowable assurance is because of how fickle our emotions can be. Some days are like a roller coaster ride – good one moment, bad the next. Sometimes we are blessed to feel the close presence of the Lord; other times we don’t.

Well what does it mean when you do not feel the special presence of the Lord? Or you feel the weight of your sin? Have you lost your salvation? Surely not! For our God is a perfect Savior, and He saves perfectly. When you do not feel the closeness of God’s presence, fall back on what you know. Those are times when you should check your conscience and present any unconfessed sins before God.

Another question that is worth considering is this: can a person be truly saved without having assurance? It certainly seems this is John’s purpose.

Some other passages along the same line:

2 Peter 1:10, “10Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;”

Hebrews 6:11, “11And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,”

Hebrews 10:22, “22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Ultimately, it isn’t my place, or any man’s place, to give another person assurance of salvation. Only the Holy Spirit can give the believer assurance. So if you find yourself lacking assurance, seek the face of God and His Word.

Case of Base