Having assurance that one is saved is linked to the process called regeneration. Regeneration is not something a person initiates; it is a sovereign act of God. A person is born again when the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual life, enabling them to repent and believe in the gospel. This transformation is the beginning of assurance, because it marks the moment when a person becomes truly alive to God. We can have assurance that we are regenerate believers when the following is in process:
- We love to learn and hear and talk about God
- We love to obey God through the knowledge we gain when we study scripture.
- We have peace and assurance when we go through difficult times
- We show spiritual fruit and growth in our lives. We become better people everyday as we have love and compassion for people and the things of God
- We have a real sorrow over our sin, which leads us to repent when we do sin, as we accept that we all sin and fall short of the Glory of God
- And the last one is that we always turn to God in times of need.
No unsaved person will over go through the above process of regeneration which the Holy Spirit fulfills in us as He makes us more and more like Christ.
It is important to know that being saved has nothing to do with us, it is all the work of the Holy Spirit.