The Believer’s Assurance

I.INTRODUCTION:

A. “Why Am I Uncertain about My Salvation even though I Am a Christian and Working for the Lord?”

1. The above is the title from a tract written by Dan Demshar several years ago.

2. He wrote several tracts all of which were designed to convince us that the majority of Christians are uncertain about their salvation.

3. I do not believe it. Demshar says, “Many of us are working for the Lord. But deep down we feel like we are not doing enough. We often see ourselves falling short. We turn ourselves over to God to do His will, but we still see sins in our life. This can cause great anxiety and doubt.”

4. I should hope so! Christians ought to be anxious about known sin. They have reason to doubt their security if they have not repented of the sin they know is in their lives. (This quotation proves that some are not concerned about “unknown and secret sin” being constantly cleansed by the blood of Christ. Rather they are concerned about known sins being constantly cleansed.)

B. Every Christian Should Know that He Is Saved and Will Remain Saved by the Grace of God––

1. We are some times reluctant to talk about being “saved” or “born again” when people obey the gospel because of Pentecostal and other sectarian errors.

2. We tend to be cautious when answering our neighbors who believe in “once saved always saved” when they ask, “Are you saved?”

a. We dig our toe in the ground and say “I hope I’m saved” as if we are talking about the weather or our favorite sports team that is in last place.

b. Denominational people do not understand “hope” or “promise”.

3. Yet, I am not ready to give up these scriptural terms because someone else abuses them. Neither am I ready to accept the doubts others have about my salvation because they do not understand the grace of God.

4. Therefore, It Is Appropriate that We Discuss the Assurance that the Believer Has in Christ.

II.DISCUSSION:

A. The Bible Teaches the Possibility, not the Inevitability, of Apostasy––

1. It is possible for a child of God to sin and be lost (I Corinthians 10:12–13; II Peter 2:19–22; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 10:23–29).

2. However, it is not inevitable that he do so. The believer is “secure” (II Timothy 4:6-8; I Peter 1:3-9; II Peter 1:10–11; I John 5:11-17; Jude 24–25).

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a. What do we mean by “security” for the believer? When one is secure, he is “free from danger or all adverse consequences.” He is “safe.”

b. The question is: “Are believers safe and free from the consequences of their sins?” If yes, then how, why and when?

B. The Security of the Believer Is Conditional––

1. “If conditional not secure…”

a. I am well aware that those influenced by Calvinism argue that if salvation is conditional it is not secure (e.g., “If you got you can’t lose it; if you lost you never had it,” etc.).

b. However, the Bible says, “If ye do…ye shall never fall…” (II Peter 1:10–11) and “take heed lest ye fall…” (I Corinthians 10:12).

c. It is pointless to argue otherwise. Conditionality would be insecure only if the conditions were such that they were beyond our ability (I Corinthians 10:13; I John 5:3), or it is possible to sin and not know it (John 7:17; 8:32; I John 5:15–18).

2. The security of the believer:

a. Believers are free from the consequences of their past sins (Mark 16:15–16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Isaiah 1:18; Micah 7:18–19; Psalm 103:12–13).

b. Believers may even be free from the consequences of the sins they still see in their lives (I John 1:7-9; James 5:16–20; I John 5:16; Acts 8:22).

C. The Assurance the Believer Has Regarding His Salvation––

1. The believer has the assurance of God’s love (Romans 8:38, 39; Num. 14:18).

2. The believer has the assurance that Jesus understands (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15, 16).

3. The believer has the assurance that God helps (Jude 24, 25; Ephesians 3:20; Hebrews 4:16).

4. The believer has the assurance of God’s longsuffering, when we sin God is not through with us (2 Pet. 3:9, 15; 1 John 1:5-9; Acts 8:22; Revelation 3:20, 21).

5. The believer has the assurance that the commandments of God are not burdensome (1 John 5:3; Matthew 11:30).

6. The believer has the assurance that his brethren love him and will help him come back to God (Galatians 6:1, 2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Hebrews 12:12, 13; 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15).

D. How Apostasy Is Possible––

1. Men are not infallible (I Corinthians 10:12–13; Romans 11:20).

2. But the believer does not have to sin (I Peter 4:1–2; I John 2:1; 3:9; I Corinthians 10:13; Romans 6:14-16).

3. Thus, the believer sins, but he does not have to sin. It is possible for him to sin, but not inevitable that he sin.

4. When we sin the remedy is available, but not all avail themselves to it. 5. Does one sin make a believer an “apostate”? No!

a. The erring Christian can be restored (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19, 20).

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b. However, he may harden himself in his sins and be lost (1 John 5:17; 1 Corinthians 5:5-9; 6:9,10; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; Hebrews 6:4–8; 10:6-31).

c. While one sin does not make a believer an “apostate,” it does not mean he still enjoys fellowship with God (I Timothy 5:6; I John 5:16; cf. Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:4, 20, 21).

III.CONCLUSION:

A. It Is Possible but Not Probable or Inevitable––

1. Be wise, walk circumspectly knowing that Satan is seeking to devour you. 2. However, know that he will flee from you when you resist him.

3. Have your eyes open to the always available “way of escape.” B. The Believer Has Assurance from God––

1. God is on your side in this matter of salvation from sin.

2. He has provided all things necessary to make your salvation possible. 3. He is able to keep you saved, through faith.

C. Let’s All Live in Such a Way That We Do Not Fall Away–– 1. Do you see sin in your life?

2. Are you failing in what you know you should and you are able to do in God’s service? 3. Then now is the time to seek God’s help and make it right.

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