Assurance of salvation

Bible Passage: Romans 8:1-16
Introduction
It is written, He who thinks he stands should take heed less he falls, 1 Cor. 10:12. This has led many to question their standing with God or their status in the book of life. Paul the Apostle also wrote ‘the spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.’ Over confidence is as dangerous as a permanent state of anxiety in our walk with God.

Who Believes What?
The saved are those who confess, repent and forsake sin in the quiet assurance that the blood shed at Calvary by Jesus paid the ultimate price for remission of all sins. That the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, God the Son, is a once and for all atonement for sin, Prov.28: 13, Rom.10: 10, John 3:16, 36, Jn.1: 12. It is all based on the Word, 1 Jn.5: 13, the witness of the Holy Spirit, Rom.8: 16, and a transformed life, 2 Cor.5: 17. Some, however, are preoccupied with the fact that heaven will be full of surprises, though not necessarily pleasant. They dread hearing the damming sharp rebuke, ‘depart from me you worker of iniquity for I know you not,’ Mt. 7:23. The other extreme believe that ‘once saved forever saved’ and heaven is the inevitable destination of the once saved. The truth is that over-confidence is as dangerous as overwhelming state of despair. Whatever is not of faith is sin. At the point of salvation, the saint’s name is entered in the book of life. However, the name can be deleted, if the saint goes back to a life of sin, 2 Pet. 2:22, Rev. 17:8, 22:19. The latter state will be worse than the pre-salvation state. No one can predict the consequences of ‘just a little’ sin.

Causes Of Doubt
A thought on the possibility of not making heaven is not a bad thing and is in fact often necessary to keep us on the straight and narrow. Do not let any of the following be the root source of your occasional disquiet (i) Doubt of the Word, Ps.119: 11. (ii) A return to a life of sin, 1 Jn.1: 8-9. (iii) Worldliness – 1 Jn.2: 15-17. (iv) Resisting the Holy Spirit, Jn.7: 37-39.

Conclusion
God is sovereign. We are what we are by grace, 1 Cor. 15:10. We will become whatever we become only by His grace. His grace in our lives will not be in vain in Jesus name.