How to find an assurance of salvation.
How do I know I am saved?
Surely Christians should KNOW that they are saved.
It is not good for them to doubt their salvation.
A Christian who has an assurance of salvation will be a confident person in God’s Kingdom.
Table of Contents:
1. What is an assurance of salvation?
When we trust in Jesus Christ, our eternal security in Christ becomes a spiritual reality whether we understand it or believe it…
‘1.3. Assurance of Salvation’ Bible.org 1
Assurance is the confident realization of that security.
It is the realization of what we have in Christ such as eternal life, forgiveness of sin, and being the object of God’s personal care as his children.
Assurance has to do with our comprehension of the facts and provisions of salvation through faith in Christ.
This is a crucial doctrine because, properly understood, it will touch the believer’s life in several areas.
Not only does it give assurance of salvation, but with that also comes a greater assurance of God’s provision in all areas of life.”
The assurance of salvation is knowing that God the Father approves of us at this moment in time and that heaven’s door will be opened for us in the future – that we are, and we will be, accepted into God’s family.
Ray Galea states
Assurance of salvation must not be confused with salvation itself.
‘Assurance’ By Ray Galea, The Gospel Coalition. 2
One can be saved in Christ without having assurance of salvation.
Equally, one can have assurance of salvation without being saved.”
2. The assurance of salvation according to Arminianism and Calvinism.
There are three different views on the assurance of salvation.
All three agree that an assurance at this present time in our walk with the Lord means that we are in fellowship with Him.
The views disagree on whether that can reflect our eternal state.
“Now, both of these views agree that until the grace of God is active and powerful in the human heart, there is only deadness and rebellion and unbelief, with no possibility of man bringing about the changes in his own heart that are necessary for salvation...
Historic Arminianism agrees with Calvinism that fallen man, apart from special grace, cannot give himself life or produce his own faith. The difference lies in what this divine grace does in the human heart, and how it relates to the will of man.” 3
a) Arminianism’s assurance of faith.
John Wesley described his experience of knowing that he was saved:
I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
‘I Felt My Heart Strangely Warmed’ Journal of John Wesley. 4
For John Wesley, the assurance of salvation was better described as the assurance of faith.
He saw it as an assurance for that moment in time.
It was not a guaranteed acceptance from God for the rest of his life – in other words, if he went totally off the rails he would not get into heaven.
But this scenario would be seen to be rare.
This is known as Arminianism where conversion and justification gave an assurance of faith for the present:
“If a justified person does not do good, as he has opportunity, he will lose the grace he has received, and . . . will perish eternally.” 5
In a letter dated September 28, 1738 Wesley writes,
‘Assurance’ John Wesley, WORKS (Bic Ed) Vol 25 “Letters I” (Frank Baker Ed) p. 563-4, (c) 1980. 6
‘The assurance of which I alone speak I should not choose to call an assurance of salvation, but rather (with the Scriptures), the assurance of faith…
[This] is not the essence of faith, but a distinct gift of the Holy Ghost, whereby God shines upon his own work, and shows us that we are justified through faith in Christ.’
The ‘full assurance of faith’ (Heb 10.22) is ‘neither more nor less than hope; or a conviction, wrought in us by the Holy Ghost, that we have a measure of the true faith in Christ…’ “
The Arminian view is that anybody can turn and be saved:
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:13 ESV
A Christian with an Arminian view will know the following verses that speak of someone falling away from their faith:
For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.
Hebrews 6:4-8 ESV
For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.
But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed and its end is to be burned.”
b) Calvinist’s assurance of salvation.
According to George Whitefield, once grace was received and conversion accomplished, then salvation was forever.
He was labelled as a Calvinist, but Seth N. Polk made this observation:
In the midst of conflict over his beliefs he said,
‘The Theology and Methods of George Whitefield’ by Seth N. Polk. Journal of the American Society for Church Growth 7
‘I never read anything John Calvin wrote, and he added with a self assurance of being individually called by God, my doctrines I had from Christ and His apostles. I was taught them of God” (Henry, 1957, p.96)…
His desire was not to elevate another man, and certainly not to elevate himself, saying ‘let the name of Whitefield perish, but Christ be glorified’ (Dallimore 1995, Vol.2, p.518).
In the strictest sense, Whitefield objected to being referred to as a Calvinist.
If however, one means Whitefield was a Calvinist in the sense that he adhered to most of the same doctrines that John Calvin did, then he indeed was a Calvinist.”
Someone who believes in Calvinism sees the consequences of:
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”
1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV
Everyone is unable to respond to God, therefore any that are saved are because God has initiated their salvation:
For he [God] says to Moses
Romans 9:15-16 ESV
‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’
So then it depends not on human will or exertion but on God, who has mercy.”
Then that means that their salvation is guaranteed. Jesus said:
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
John 10:27-28 ESV
c) A third view on the assurance of salvation.
The way I have described Armianism and Calvinism is greatly summarised and when all the Bible verses that these two views rest upon are studied, we could nod in agreement to most, if not all of them.
And that is my point, both views are in Scripture!
We have verses that encourage a response from the individuals:
“we bring you good news, that YOU should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth…” 8
But then we have some verses that show the person had nothing to do with their salvation.
For example, Saul, later to become Paul, was hell-bent on destroying the Christians – he certainly was not going to join them:
Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him,
Acts 9:3-6 ESV
‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
And he said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
Both these verses are true, both are in the Bible, but both could be seen to contradict the other.
Also, when we look at whether we are permanently saved, or whether we can fall, both are true in the Bible:
And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
Romans 8:30 ESV
Here we see that God will save the individual and get them to heaven – to be ‘glorified’.
But then we have some verses that tell us to keep going otherwise we might fall away:
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
Hebrews 2:2-3 ESV
For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”
As you can see, both seem to be true and why not?
God will not be tied down or be put in a box!
The Lord wants everyone to be saved – yes, the Bible does tell us that:
The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you NOT wishing that ANY SHOULD PERISH, but that all should reach repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 ESV
So, He gives this offer to everyone, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that WHOEVER believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 9
But because God is Sovereign and can do just as He desires, He can choose someone who is totally off the rails and forcefully break into their life and make them submit to Him.
This obviously happened in the case of Saul, who became the apostle Paul.
Let us return to the area of the assurance of salvation.
3. What are the 3 forms of assurance found in the Bible?
There are three forms of assurance found within the Bible and all are important to give us confidence so we can say, ‘I know I am saved by Jesus Christ.’
a) Believing and applying the Word of God to know I am saved
How do I know I am saved?
By reading, hearing, believing and applying the Word of God.
For example, a Christian reads verses like this:
Whoever believes in him is not condemned”
John 3:18 NIV
They then believe and apply this spiritual Truth to themselves, and that Truth fills them with an assurance of their salvation.
Assurance comes from trusting the promises of a trustworthy God and as time moves on we experience this more and more.
Faith takes God at His word.
Abraham when 99 years old, although as good as dead as far as having a son was concerned, believed what God had promised:
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Romans 4:20-25 NIV
This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’
The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
As we trust the Lord’s promises more and more, then we become more persuaded that He is trustworthy and our assurance in His salvation grows stronger.
The biblical definition of faith is found in the book of Hebrews:
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1-2 ESV
For by it the people of old received their commendation.
By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”
As our assurance grows, so does our faith.
It is good to know that God cannot lie, He is all Truth to His core.
Also, He does not change His mind because His plans are perfect:
So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
Hebrews 6:17-20 ESV
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf…”
b) Applying certain Biblical tests to know that I am saved.
How do I know I am saved? By applying certain Biblical tests.
For example, when we read in John’s first letter:
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.
1 John 2:9-11 NIV
Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness
They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.”
After reading those verses we should ask ourselves this question:
“Do we love our fellow Christians?”
We may need to seek forgiveness for particular grievances, but if it is a continuing hatred then how can we be assured that we are Christians?
How about this verse, again from John’s first letter? What is our attitude towards the Lord’s commands?
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
1 John 2:3-5 NIV
Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them.
This is how we know we are in him”
If we answer ‘yes’ to keeping His commands then we have a greater assurance of salvation.
The Canons of Dort phrases this assurance as “a serious and holy pursuit of a clear conscience and of good works”. 10
We should then ask ourselves this question relating to what John was teaching:
“Do we love God’s commands?”
Or do we despise any restrictions put on our lifestyles?
The Psalmist is overflowing with love for the Lord’s commands:
…for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love…
Psalm 119:47 & 97 &127 ESV
Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day…
Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.”
See this article on Christian unity – united around Jesus’ teachings.
c) Further assurance by being filled with the Holy Spirit to know I am saved.
How do I know I am saved? You can receive further assurance from receiving the filling of the Holy Spirit:
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV
This ‘sealing’ of the Spirit primarily gives assurance, because He guarantees our place in heaven.
The Holy Spirit fills us with an assurance of heaven.
An experience of the Holy Spirit is not just ‘reckoned’.
How do we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?
Allowing people to exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit within services and meetings can cause problems.
d) Assurance of faith comes from Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Here are some Bible verses that should fill us with faith and assurance that God did make a way for us to be His children and to live with Him forever.
Jesus knew why he had come to the Earth and John the Baptist proclaimed that truth prior to Jesus’ baptism:
The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29 NIV
Even before we submitted and believed in Jesus, He had already died for us so that when the time came we could believe and be saved:
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8-11 NIV
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
We are unrighteous and are contaminated by our sin, but Jesus took all our sins and crucified them so we can live a right life in God’s sight:
He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed’…
1 Peter 2:24 & 3:18 NIV
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”
How many times do we feel like a condemned prisoner because we have failed again to please the Lord?
We fail, but like a child doing something wrong in a loving family, we are not thrown out of that family.
The parents want to administer some correction and then forgive that child.
God the Father says that you are not condemned if you belong in His family:
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1-2 ESV
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
If there are any who worry that they will fall and not make it to heaven, then the Lord says that He Himself will get you to heaven:
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
Jude 1:24-25 ESV
More detailed articles covering the Holy Spirit:
[5] The Holy Spirit and living a godly life
[6] How does ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’ differ from the ‘filling’?
[7] Looking for and needing revival
References and credits – open in new tabs:
‘Assurance’ By Ray Galea, The Gospel Coalition. ↩
‘The Heart of the Calvinist-Arminian Divide’ Interview with John Piper. Desiring God. ↩
‘I Felt My Heart Strangely Warmed’ Journal of John Wesley Christian Classics Ethereal Library“ ↩
‘Arminianism’ by Stanley Ayling. John Wesley, p. 126, (c) 1979. Web.Archive ↩
‘Assurance’ John Wesley, WORKS (Bic Ed) Vol 25 “Letters I” (Frank Baker Ed) p. 563-4, (c) 1980. Web Archive ↩
‘The Theology and Methods of George Whitefield’ by Seth N. Polk. Journal of the American Society for Church Growth, Spring 2003. ↩
Acts 14:15 ESV ↩
John 3:16 ESV ↩
The Fifth Main Point of Doctrine: ‘The Perseverance of the Saints’ Article 10: ‘The Ground of This Assurance’. The Canons of Dort. Translation © 2011, Faith Alive Christian Resources, Christian Reformed Church in North America. ↩