Assurance Of Salvation

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory devine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Fanny Crosby wrote this great song that has been sung around the world. When you know Jesus is yours, you can sing the chorus.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Saviour all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Saviour all the day long.

Some Christians have no assurance of their salvation. Some believe they can be saved today and lost tomorrow.

What a miserable existence!

A preacher asked a boy, “Does Satan ever tell you that you are not saved?” “Yes” the boy replied, “Then what do you tell him?” the preacher asked. “I tell him it’s none of his business,” answered the boy. God wants us to be saved. And He wants us to know it beyond a shadow of a doubt!

I. Why do some people lack the assurance of their salvation?

a. They lack assurance because of false ideas about the Christian life.

i. They feel that because they are not perfect, they must not be saved.

ii. NOTE! … EVEN THE BEST CHRISTIANS ARE NOT PERFECT!

b. The test is … How do you react to sin?

i. If a pig found a mud puddle, he would wallow in it. You might drive him out of that hole but when he came to another mud puddle, he would jump right in again. That’s the nature of a pig. But suppose a sheep fell into that mud puddle, He would get out as quickly as possible and he would avoid the next mud puddle. That’s the nature of a sheep.

ii. That’s the difference between a Christian and a Non-Christian.

iii. The non-Christian chooses to wallow in the mudhole of sin.

c. The Christian is not happy to remain in sin and he will try to avoid further temptation.

i. When Judas betrayed Christ, he showed remorse but not repentance.

Matt 27:3-5 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That’s your responsibility." So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

ii. When Simon Peter sinned, he wept his heart out and came back to Jesus.

d. Some lack assurance because they lack consciousness of a definite Christian experience.

i. When doubts assail… go back to the moment you invited Christ into your heart.

e. They lack assurance because of neglect of Christian responsibilities.

i. They don’t pray.

ii. They don’t read their Bible

iii. They don’t involve themselves in God’s work.

iv. They don’t tithe.

f. They lack assurance because of their worldliness.

i. Ps 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

ii. The crowd you run with can run you into trouble.

II. The Dangers of Doubt

a. Doubt robs you of peace and joy

i. David – restore unto me the joy of my salvation.

ii. Paul says – Rejoice always.

b. Can you say:

i. Floods of joy ore my soul like the sea billows roll.

ii. I have peace that passeth all understanding.

iii. Not if your heart is full of doubt.

c. Doubt prevents us from doing effective work for Christ.

i. How can we point others towards Christ if we are not sure ourselves?

An out of town preacher was visiting a small town for a revival. He stopped a boy on the street to ask directions to the post office. After getting directions, he told the boy, “come to the revival tonight and I’ll tell you the way to Heaven. The boy said, “Mister, how can you tell me the way to heaven, you don’t even know the way to the post office.”

d. Doubt dishonors God

i. God says, “He that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” … He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. … You say I’ve done that but I don’t know whether God will keep His promise or not.”

e. Doubt makes us fear death.

i. General Stonewall Jackson as he lay dying said “I am just going to cross over the river and rest beneath the shade trees on the other side.”