Security Assurance Reasons Foundation

Assurance of Salvation Security When we trust in Jesus Christ, our eternal security in Christ becomes a spiritual reality whether we understand it or believe it. Our belief in our security in Christ does not make it true or false. If we have trusted in the person and work of Christ for our personal salvation, our security is a fact. Assurance 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 believers’ lives 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.  Romans 8:32 When people do not have assurance, we should always begin by sharing the gospel to be sure they have truly trusted in Christ. Once this is confirmed, then move on to the matters of assurance. Reasons Why People Lack Assurance (1) People often lack assurance because they cannot remember or point to a specific time when they received Christ. Some doubt or wonder if they were ever really saved. There is a specific point in time when salvation occurs—the point when regeneration takes place. The issue for people is to know if they now really trust in the person and work of Christ. (2) People often lack assurance because they question the procedure they went through when they accepted Christ. Many evangelists and preachers emphasize the need for some form of public confession of faith like going forward at the end of a service or raising your hand. If people receive Christ privately, they may wonder if they should have made a public confession or prayed a different prayer. (3) People often lack assurance because of struggles they have with certain sins. They wonder if a true believer would have these kinds of problems. The real problem is ignorance of man’s sinful nature, the spiritual warfare we are in, God’s means of deliverance, and the need to grow and mature in Christ. (4) The primary reason behind a lack of assurance is doctrinal misunderstanding and the consequent lack of faith in the finished work of Christ. This means a failure to understand the Word and its teaching regarding mankind, his sin and inability to work for or maintain his salvation, God’s perfect holiness, and the finished nature and sufficiency of the work of Christ. (5) Finally, people often lack assurance because they have erroneously been taught that they should look to themselves and their works as the primary proof of their salvation. This is a major issue today. Robert Lightner writes: Those who think the sinner must make Christ Lord of his life, or at least promise to do so, before he can be saved make assurance rest on the evidence of a surrendered walk. MacArthur cites this as the only way a believer can be assured of his or her salvation. ‘Genuine assurance comes from seeing the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in one’s life, not from clinging to the memory of some experience.’   Foundations for Assurance The Word of God The Word of God is God’s witness to the believer (1 John 5:11-13). The Greek text includes the article with the word “life.” Salvation in Christ is not just the gift of life, but of “the life,” the one which comes only through faith in God’s unique Son. The clear declaration of Scripture is that the one who believes in Christ’s person and work on the cross as God’s provision for his sins has: (1) Eternal life. John 3:36, 1 John 5:11-13 (2) Forgiveness of all sin. Acts 10:43, Colossians 2:13 (3) Freedom from condemnation. John 5:24, Romans 8:1 (4) Justification (declared righteous by God). Romans 5:1, Romans 4:1-6, 25 (5) Salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 (6) A child of God by faith. John 1:12, Romans 8:14-17

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