Joining the Club of Those That Are Sure

I get asked quite often how sure I am of my salvation. Usually, the Inquirer says he is 110 percent sure (how can you be more than sure?) and has even heard God speak to him that enhances his certitude. Roman Catholics don't believe you have a right to be sure of your salvation, which is the sin of presumption unless you have received a divine revelation to that effect. Most Catholics are unsure and think they are headed for purgatory. God wants us to be sure and admonishes us in 2 Pet 1:10 to make sure of our election. It is a boon to our walk to be sure of a state of grace. Many believers go by feelings and as soon as they feel unsaved they doubt their salvation. This is because they are failing to take God at His Word or are ignorant of the Scriptures. According to theologian R. C. Sproul, assurance is not an automatic fruit of salvation: many true brethren doubt their salvation or lack credible biblical confirmation.

We are to base our assurance on the Word of God, not our experiences or feelings. We should take a verse like John 6:37 which says, "He that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out" and use it as our "spiritual birth certificate." Another good verse is John 1:12: ": As many as received Him, gave He the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His name." This is an impartial assurance that puts the ball in God's court. He has something to lose (His integrity) if we don't get saved. I like what Paul said to Timothy (cf. 2 Tim. 1:12): "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."

You can't be 110 percent sure because by definition 100 percent is being as sure as you can get. You don't want to just say I think I'm a Christian, but I know I am a Christian. Not "I hope so," but "I know so." As far as assurance goes, there are plenty of people who have a false assurance that they're going to heaven and they won't go there. There are many Christians who need to be reassured, and the way to do it is to enlighten them to the Word of God.

True assurance is based on the Word of God coupled with the testimony of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 1:16 says, "For the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God"). We must individually examine our own fruit and the condition of our own heart to see if it is consistent with the Word of God. It takes the work of the Holy Spirit to produce a genuine love for Jesus, and this is a prime example of fruit. In summary, it is unbiblical to ask someone how sure they are of their salvation, but do they have assurance period. Faith grows and doubt is an element of faith, not the opposite of it.   Soli Deo Gloria!