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Assurance
New Believer's Guide
Lesson 1.3
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39
Learning Objective
This lesson will help you understand the importance of relying on the Bible.
Overview
Your salvation is very important. It cost Jesus His life to provide it, and He is powerful enough to maintain it.
Temptation
Before we talk about assurance of salvation, let’s talk about temptation. Did you know that after Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17), He was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11)? This temptation took place after Jesus had fasted for forty days and nights. While Jesus was hungry, the devil came to Him with one temptation, “If you are the Son of God.” The devil tried this trick three times on Jesus. First, the devil wanted Jesus to prove His Sonship by turning stones into bread. However, Jesus knew only the word of God could truly fill His cravings. Second, the devil wanted Jesus to prove His Sonship by testing God’s faithfulness through disobedience. Jesus knew not to disobey and test God. Finally, the devil wanted Jesus to worship him in exchange for worldly things. Jesus told the devil to leave, for He would only worship and serve God.
The devil will tempt us with the same temptation, “Are you truly a child of God?” You may have already experienced this temptation and will probably experience it again. There will be days when you do not feel saved, or you may begin to doubt your salvation. Just like Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11, we must hold firm to the Word of God. This is yet another reason why we must study the Bible.
When we are tempted or doubting our salvation, we must trust the word of God over our feelings. Let's examine some questions that will help us establish assurance of salvation.
Assurance of Salvation
01
What does the bible say about receiving salvation?
As discussed in the Gospel lesson, we are saved when we first hear the Gospel and then respond to the Gospel with repentance and faith. The Gospel is the good news that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose from the grave after three days (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). He did this so that our sins could be forgiven and we could have a forever relationship with God (Romans 4:25).
We respond to the Gospel by repenting of our sins, believing in Jesus as Savior, and confessing Jesus as Lord (Mark 1:15; Romans 10:9-10). When we repent, we are turning away or withdrawing our faith from what is NOT Jesus. We then turn and place our faith in Jesus that He died and rose on the third day. Since we are surrendering our lives to Him, we confess Him as Lord. He has full authority over us.
These are the biblical instructions for how salvation was offered to us and how we are to respond to the Good News. If you have done as the Bible says and placed your faith in Jesus, then you are saved. This is the truth.
Receiving salvation relies on the truth of God’s word. So, when you are tempted to think that you are not saved, go back to God’s word and ask: 1. Did I place my faith in Jesus as Savior like the Bible says? 2. Did I confess Jesus as Lord, like the Bible says? If the answer is yes, then be assured that you are saved according to God’s word. There is no other way to be saved. Remember Ephesians 2:8-9? You cannot save yourself. Salvation is God’s gift. Your deeds do not save you, and you cannot boast in anything but God.
02
What does the bible say about keeping salvation?
The second part of assurance is the topic of salvation-maintenance. In other words, can I lose my salvation? When you trusted in Jesus, He began to work in and through you (Ephesians 2:10; 4:23-24). These works are evident to those around you in your local Church body. The temptation will be to think that these works maintain your salvation. However, these works are the fruit of your salvation.
In John 10:27-30, Jesus gave very comforting words for everyone who places their faith in Him. His followers listen, know, and follow Him. They have forever life and will never perish. Then, he says, “…no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:28-30). Jesus maintains our salvation, not us. We have assurance because of who Jesus is.
When talking to believers, the apostle Paul asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ” (Romans 8:35)? Can anyone or anything be more powerful than God to take us away from the forever relationship we have with Him? No! If a forever relationship could end, then it would not be a “forever” relationship. Paul gives a list of things that cannot take away our salvation: tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death, life, angels, rulers, things present, things to come, powers, height, depth, nor anything else in all creation (Romans 8:35-39). Salvation is given by Jesus and maintained by Jesus. You received it and now walk in it.