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The Assurance of Know-So Salvation

by George Sweeting

t's shocking to realize how many people are made miserable by the disease called doubt. Doubt has robbed thousands of the thrill and joy of salvation.

People who read their Bibles, ear­nestly pray, faithfully attend church, and live uprightly in all their deal­ings yet have no assurance of for­giveness and live defeated lives.

First, let me answer two ques­tions: (1) Is assurance of salvation possible? and (2) What does the Bi­ble say? In 2 Cor. 13:5, Paul writes, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith." And again in 2 Pet. 1:10, we are told "give diligence to make your calling and election sure." The assurance of salvation is one of God's beautiful gifts. Accord­ing to these two verses, every be­liever ought to know that he pos­sesses salvation.

But let me go a step further; assur­ance is not only possible but neces­sary because it is that reality which brings purpose and power to our lives. Christian assurance is a for­tress of strength against the wiles of the Devil. Assurance adds zeal and vitality to Christian service, but an uncertain salvation is a sad experi­ence which repels.

Don't waste years in doubt— riiove forward to enjoy the greater things of God. Assurance is not nec­essary for salvation, but it is neces­sary for a victorious, overcoming life.

What does the word "assurance" actually mean? Assurance for the Christian is "the unwavering confi­dence of an intelligent faith in a present salvation."

The Word of God

But you may ask, "How can I have this assurance?" Let me suggest three things. First, we can know we . are saved by the Word of God, As we apply the promises of the Bible to our lives, doubt leaves.

The apostle John knew the diffi­culties of doubt. He saw many grop-

Dr. Sweeting is president of Moody Bible In­stitute.

ing yet never finding, wishing but still waiting, looking yet still longing because of doubt.

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God," he says, "that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:13). The object is that "ye may know that ye have eternal life."

The word "know" means "to rec­ognize the quality of." The apostle John wrote these verses so that we might recognize the quality of our position in Christ. This is not an opinion or a matter of inference but a revelation from God. Assurance is based upon the truthfulness of God. Therefore, failure to believe is to make God a liar.

Trust God and His Word, and fear
will flee; conscience will be calmed,
and your heart will be at rest___

Here's an illustration. Imagine a> prisoner being offered a pardon. He reads the official document, but is so overwhelmed that he is dazed by the news. Suppose you ask, "Have you been pardoned?"

He would say, "Yes." i,   You might ask, "Do you feel par-jdoned?"

r'   He replies, "No, I do not; it is so 5 sudden."

jj    "But," you ask, "if you do not feel

^pardoned, how can you know you

are?"

"Oh," he says, as he points to the document, "this tells me so."

My friend, the Bible is God's doc­ument of pardon to every believer. Assurance is possible by believing the Word of God.

Often There areTniSCoTlcepnons which make some Christians believe that assurance is impossible. A sales­man friend recently said to me, "But I cannot know I am the Lord's till the day I die. It's presumptuous to be so certain."

I assured him that assurance is not an arrogant presumption but a hum­ble knowledge of present accept­ance by God. This confidence is based on the finished work of Christ. It is not self-confidence, for the Scripture says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved

us...." (Tit. 3:5). Is it presumptuous to accept what God has said?

The Philippian jailer called out, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). The jailer be­lieved and was converted! Is is pre­sumptuous to believe God?

Difficulties

Perhaps you ask, "What if I'm not one of the elect?"

Jesus said, "Whosoever believeth ... should not perish, but have ever­lasting life (John 3:16). This includes you. Salvation is offered to all. The Bible says that all men are sinners, and if we call upon the Lord we shall be saved. Dwight L. Moody used to say, "The elect are the 'who­soever wills'; the non-elect are the 'whosoever won'ts.'"

Assurance is not just the preroga­tive of a select few, but of all God's people.

Others think they must know the day and the hour of their decision. This is wonderful to know, but not necessary. A dear friend of mine was very concerned because she could not recall the exact time of her conversion. She was sure that she had received Christ as Savior and Lord, but she didn't know when. I assured her that her certainty of sal­vation was more important than knowing the exact date she was saved.

"But," you say, "if you don't know the date, how can you be sure?" May I ask, "How do you know you are alive physically?"

"Oh," you say, "I breathe, I eat, I think, I resolve."

It is exactly the same spiritually, if you have been converted, you will be interested in spiritual matters; you will breathe the atmosphere of heaven by praying, you will read the Bible, and be faithful in the local church. Should it be that your life is no different from the unconverted, then perhaps you have never beet converted.

Then there are others who believe they must go through the valley oi terror and tears before they cat know. Tears which result in genuh* repentance are beautiful and to b<

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desired, but mere tears of remorse cannot avail.

God's salvation rests upon fact The Bible says, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again on the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:3, 4).

These are gospel facts. After facts comes faith, and then feelings. Many people completely lack assurance because they fail to realize a very important point: faith brings assur­ance!

The Holy Spirit

Secondly, assurance of salvation is possible by the witness of the Holy Spirit. At your conversion, you be­came the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. This heavenly Holy Guest wants complete lordship of your life.

Yielding, to the Holy Spirit brings a definite assurance. Many, through carelessness and lack of knowledge grieve the Holy Spirit and know lit­tle or nothing of the witness within. Paul the apostle said, "Ye have re­ceived the Spirit of adoption, where­by we cry Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Rom. 8:15, 16).

What solid certainty this provides! Since God is our Father and we are His children, we cry, "Abba, Fa­ther" or literally, "My own dear Fa­ther." This cry is born of the Holy Spirit. This is the witness of the Holy Spirit.

New Attitudes

But thirdly, assurance of salvation is based upon the works of the be­liever. By works I mean fruit. Are you a Christian? Let's notice some Bible tests.

The first test is obedience, 1 John 2:3,4. "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his com­mandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his command­ments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

Here's a real test: do you obey the Word of God? What is the answer?

Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).

Constant assurance depends upon practical obedience to the Word of God. Obedience is a good test, for Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). Peter said, "He that... worketh righteousness, is accepted'L^cts 10:55).

Here's a ilifl test: do you possess Christian love? A love for God's people is evidence of personal salva­tion. "He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now" (1 John 2:9). "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous" (1 John 3:11, 12).

Some professing Christians are destitute of love for others. Are you following Cain or Christ? The love test is important.

Thirdly, do you love God's Word? David said, "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb" (Ps. ' 19:8-10).

The natural man is at odds with God. "Everyone that loveth is born of God" (1 John 4:7). Do you love fellow-believers? "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death" (1 John 3:14). "By this shall all men know that ye are my disci­ples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

Fourth, do you love God's house? The psalmist declared, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord" (Ps. 122:1).

Fifth, do you have the fruit of the

Spirit? "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gen­tleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22, 23).

You Can Be Sure

Abraham, in the face of the un­known, had complete assurance. "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheri­tance, obeyed; and he went out not knowing whither he went" (Heb. 11:8).

David had full assurance. "I will behold thy face in righteousness (Ps. 17:15).

Daniel had glad assurance. "The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits" (Dan. 11:32).

Job had blessed assurance. "I know that my redeemer liveth" 0ob 19:25). Paul had abundant assurance. "... for I know whom I have be­lieved, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have com­mitted unto him against that day" (2 Tim. 1:12).

The apostle John believed in a "know-so" salvation. "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal

lifp"  (1  Jnhn fi-13)_______________

When that great Christian and scientist,  Michael  Faraday,  was dying, several journalists questioned him as to his speculations concern-i ing the soul and death. "Specula­tions!" said the dying man in aston-f ishment.   "I  know nothing about ^ speculations; I'm resting on certain-| pes. 'I know whom I have believed, ^k     am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day'" (2 Tim. 1:12).

You too can have the faith of Abraham. You can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are a member of God's family.

Have you personally put your faith in Christ as Savior? If not, trust Him today, and you will experience His blessed assurance—today, to­morrow, and forever.

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