Is there a true biblical assurance of salvation? That is the answer I am trying to find in the article below. It’s a crucial question that many Christians are asking today. I do a few interviews on four questions and then summarize my findings. Lastly, I do a quick look into the book of Romans to find out what the Bible has to say about the matter. As you read, you will realize, the process of salvation answers the question for us.
Summary of Interviews
Introduction
It happens more than anyone would like to admit—someone doubts their salvation at the hands of someone else. It doesn’t take much for someone to doubt whether they are truly saved or not, simply because grace is unnatural. Humanity, especially in the United States, is raised believing that nothing is free, and everything must be earned. Anything different is simply looked down upon. Therein lies the problem with a salvation that is free to the believer.
Many different people have been interviewed with four questions:
- What is the requirement for salvation?
- How can I be sure I am saved once I reach those requirements?
- Is there any guarantee that salvation will stick?
- Can I sin away my salvation once I have received it?
The findings of these questions are going to be used to support or differ in the conclusion of the writer. Either way, the interviews have aided the writer in giving an educated and well thought out answer to the problem of assurance.
Wonderful Volunteer #1
Question 1 – What is the requirement for salvation?
According to WV#1, the requirement for salvation is really quite simple—faith and repentance. Faith is defined as the belief and trust in the gospel message; the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Repentance is defined as simply a change of mind from unbelief to belief. Therefore, the two requirements are really one in the same—when one receives faith, they repent.
Question 2 – How can I be sure I am saved once I reach those requirements?
Romans 8:16 states that the Spirit of God testifies with man’s spirit that he is saved. WV#1 believes it is simple yet complex at the same time. It is simple that the Spirit testifies with man’s spirit, but it is complex in what that looks like. However, either way, the Holy Spirit bears witness. Also, the life of a believer should reflect that of someone following Christ. While a believer can live in rebellion, a life that bears fruit should give assurance that the person truly has life. If someone who claims to be saved doesn’t reflect the gospel, it doesn’t mean they aren’t saved but that they should really begin to examine themselves. It acts as a warning of sorts.
Question 3 – Is there any guarantee that salvation will stick?
If salvation was man’s to begin with, then it could be lost. However, the truth is that salvation belong to God alone and therefore humanity can’t do anything to lose it once it has been received. It is by grace that one is saved—how can you lose grace? God also can’t take away salvation because He has promised He wouldn’t. Romans 8 makes it clear that nothing will separate the believer from the love of Christ. Ephesians 1 states that the Holy Spirit has been given as a seal for those to salvation; He is the guarantee. 2 Timothy 2:13 sums it all up, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”
Question 4 – Can I sin away my salvation once I have it?
The answer to this question is very similar to the one above. If someone has truly placed their faith in Jesus Christ, the answer is no. The same passages from above can be used to support this answer.
Wonderful Volunteer #2
Question 1 – What is the requirement for salvation?
WV#2 believes very similarly to WV#1 but adds a little more detail. The requirement for salvation is faith. Faith alone saves someone from their sins. However, that faith must be placed in three items:
- I am a sinner who rebelled against God and thereby deserve His punishment for my sin; I can’t save myself from this guilt/sentencing.
- Although He was innocent, Jesus was the only One willing and able to suffer and satisfy the death sentence I deserve.
- God somehow applies Jesus’ death to me so that I’m set free from His death sentence and He somehow grants me new, everlasting life by placing His own Spirit in me.
Question 2 – How can I be sure I am saved once I reach those requirements?
The assurance is found in Scripture. The Bible gives plenty of reason to believe that once faith in the three requirements above has been reached, that salvation is sure. While throughout the New Testament the Holy Spirit was a sure sign of true salvation, that isn’t as clear to humanity today for the Holy Spirit doesn’t act in the same way He did in the days of the early church. There are three questions that can act as tests of salvation. If all three answers are “Yes”, then assurance can be attained. Those three questions are as follows:
- Do I & others see the fruit of the Spirit in my life?
- Do I feel conviction when I sin?
- Is Christ evident in my thoughts, words, and deeds when I suffer?
Question 3 – Is there any guarantee that salvation will stick?
Absolutely! Once salvation has been received, there isn’t any way that salvation can be taken away. There are Scriptures throughout the New Testament that point to a loss of salvation unless faith is continued to be lived out, but there is a stronger case for the security of salvation once it is received. There are certainly people who has professed faith in Christ and then apparently turned from the faith. It is not that these individuals lost their salvation but either never had it or are living a miserable life under constant conviction of the Holy Spirit. Either way, if faith in the three statements in the first question is present, salvation has been granted and cannot be taken away.
Question 4 – Can I sin away my salvation once I have it?
Absolutely not. Because salvation is based on faith and not works, the loss of that salvation would have to be based on faith and not works. A salvation that can be lost is necessarily based on works and the salvation through faith in Christ is clearly not. Paul addresses this very thing as he was being accused of teaching that people can sin all they want. He corrected this thought not by saying that Christians weren’t free to sin, but that they shouldn’t as this is returning to the very lifestyle they were saved from!
Everyone Else
In an attempt to make this paper the proper length, the rest of the interviewees will be summed into one category. The others who were interviewed include a deacon, parents, a spouse and one elder in the Church. While all of these individuals are very important, their answers reflect similarly and can be summed into one section.
Question 1 – What is the requirement for salvation?
The requirement for salvation is really quite simple—one must have faith in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross. Salvation from sin is not works based but based on the faith that is provided by God. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Question 2 – How can I be sure I am saved once I reach those requirements?
Assurance is a lot simpler than people tend to make it out to be. There is certainly some merit to having assurance based on the fruit of the Spirit. However, that is not the main source of assurance. True assurance comes from the Bible. The Bible tells humanity that salvation is received from belief. John 3:16 is a prime example of that, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life.” If someone believes in Jesus Christ, they have salvation. There isn’t any question in that because God does not lie, and the Bible is God’s communication to mankind. Than can be confidence in what the Bible states as truth, and belief results in salvation, based on Scripture.
Question 3 – Is there any guarantee that salvation will stick?
Absolutely. If this were not the case, assurance certainly couldn’t happen. Romans 8 makes it clear that once someone has believed in Jesus Christ, no one can take them from the hand of God. The salvation of a believer is secure and will always be secure. Ephesians 1 states that the Holy Spirit has been given as a down payment or a seal until the day of salvation. This day is whenever Jesus will judge the world. The believer has been given a seal of assurance for the day of judgement. Whenever that day comes, all those who have this seal will be welcomed into God’s kingdom.
Question 4 – Can I sin away my salvation once I have it?
Unanimously, the answer to this question is no. If someone was able to sin away their salvation, that salvation would be works based. If salvation was works based, it can’t be faith based which destroys the whole system. Much like the answers to the previous question, salvation is secure until the day of judgment. Nothing, not even sin, can take away that salvation. While salvation can’t be lost, reward can certainly be lost. Once someone has received salvation, they begin the process of sanctification which is the conforming of someone to the image of Jesus. Through this sanctification process, obedience is rewarded with rewards that will be seen in heaven. Disobedience results in a loss of reward.
The Process of Salvation
Introduction
Much of the answers received while conducting the above interviews were insightful. While they may have been insightful, they may not have all been accurate, or were they?. A careful study of the book of Romans reveals the truth about justification (point of salvation) and sanctification (process of conformity to the image of Jesus Christ) which leads to answers about assurance. These two topics are the key to answering questions such as the ones above. These answers are key to a life that is properly lived based on truth, purpose, and Christian living. If these two doctrines are misunderstood, it could lead to a life of legalism, fear and slavery. A true understanding leads to a life of liberty, joy and increased love for the gracious heavenly Father who has provided such a system.
The Process of Salvation Examined
The best way to understand the nature of salvation and sanctification is through the study of the entire process of salvation. The questions at hand (how to be saved, can I be sure of salvation and is it fixed) can all be answered by simply looking at the process. The beauty of this is, Paul lays out the process thoroughly throughout the letter to the Romans. Looking at a basic argument of Romans could answer these questions thoroughly. However, due to sake of length, the process will be looked over by pulling select sections out of Romans (in context of course).
State of Mankind
Paul begins the letter to the Romans rightfully condemning all mankind. Romans 1:18 tells us that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness…”[1]Paul then continues the letter to condemn the Gentiles and then the Jews. After both of these sections, Paul concludes that “There is none righteous, not even one…”[2]Clearly, all mankind, both Jew and Gentile[3], are deserving of the wrath of God found in Romans 1. This can be most plainly seen in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The wrath is revealed in the punishment for such sinfulness. The punishment is clearly seen in Romans 6:23a, “For the wages of sin is death…” In summary, all mankind is sinful, none seek after God and the just punishment for this is eternal separation (death) from God. At the core, the sin that makes this separation is unbelief in God, or more specifically, a purposeful suppression of the truth about God.
Necessity of a Savior
The state of mankind necessitates a savior. For man can’t do anything to save themselves. This has clearly been established thus far. If it hasn’t become clear, Romans 3:20a is a verse to turn to, “because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight…” If all of mankind is found guilty, the punishment of that guilt is death and man doesn’t have the power to correct it, a third party must save mankind. In the case of present reality (spoiler alert), that savior is Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God.
Savior Provided, Gospel Must Be Heard
The beauty of the necessity for a savior is that savior was provided by the offended party. This is the very definition of the love God has shown on mankind. Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God, loving mankind sent His Son to pay the penalty that man’s sinfulness warranted. The grace is seen in that mankind wasn’t only shown mercy (forgiven), but Jesus lived a perfect and righteous life. Through faith, that righteousness is imputed, or credited, to mankind. Mankind is not only forgiven but granted a righteousness they didn’t earn. So, how does this take place?
At the beginning of the letter to the Romans, Paul sums up the gospel:
“…which He promised [the gospel of God] beforehand through His prophets and the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace…”
The good news (gospel) is that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross. He was resurrected “because of our justification”[4]. Jesus was both man and God. His deity was proven in the resurrection from the dead. The result is that of grace. However, in order for one to be saved, they must first hear the gospel. How can someone believe in something they don’t know about? They must hear is as Rom. 10:14 states, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?” Or even more pointedly, Rom. 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ.”[5]
Requirement for Salvation—Faith
As has been alluded to a couple of times, the requirement for salvation is faith. This fact is seen throughout the book of Romans and the rest of Scripture. The requirement for salvation has always been faith, under every dispensation. Romans 3:23-25 sums it up nicely, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.” It is through faith that the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ is made effective for the individual. Even in the Old Testament it was this way. Romans 4 tells us Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.”[6]
Just a quick recap—man is utterly sinful and deserving of death, Jesus died to pay the price of that sin, and that transaction is made effective through faith.
What Happens Now? —Sanctification
So, one has not been justified before God. They have been saved from there sin, but now what? Do they continue living how they were? On the contrary, Romans states that once they have been saved, “…have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”[7]As a believer in Christ Jesus, man dies to the old self and is made a new creation. How can a new creation live like something it is not? A hammer doesn’t act like a screwdriver. In the same way, a believer doesn’t act like a pagan, “for he who has died is freed from sin.”[8]Romans 12:1-2 states that the believer should not conform to world but be transformed by the renewing of the mind. This transformation is the sanctification. It is being molded to the image of Jesus Christ, who was perfectly righteous. Sanctification is a progress of becoming Holy.
Glorification
Once sanctification is perfected, the believer is glorified. In fact, the glory the believer will witness and receive is used as a motivation for the suffering that will be encountered through the sanctification process, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”[9]This suffering comes from a nature of sin that still reigns in the members of the believer. Paul struggles with this very thing in Romans 7. However, God has given His Holy Spirit to strengthen throughout this process. Praise God for His Spirit, for the suffering will happen but will be followed up with a glory that is beyond comprehension. “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with him.” This glory is secure. If this glorification is secure, the salvation is secure as well. Romans 8:29, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and those whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified, and these whom He justified, He has also glorified.”
The Process Answer the Questions
With a thorough study of the process of salvation, it is easy to conclude the answers to the above questions. The person struggling with sin; Paul struggled with sin. There are two natures within you that are at war but be confident, if you have believed in the gospel, you are saved, you will be sanctified, and you will be glorified. Let the love of Christ be your motivation to defeating sin. You have been given the power to conquer sin, it is possible. Suffer through, conquer and glorify God with the knowledge that you will be rewarded with a reward that does not perish. To the person who isn’t sure if they believed or not; be encouraged, the fact that you are struggling with this question is a good sign. The worry you feel about possibly not believing is a sign that you probably did. The real question is, did you believe in the right gospel? Study the process above, believe in Jesus Christ and rejoice in your salvation. To the one who is questioning assurance; be sure that what God has granted to you, no one can take away. If you have believed in Jesus Christ for salvation it is secure. Romans 8 states, “For I am convinced that neither death, no life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, no things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”[10]Be sure that what God has started in you, He will bring to completion.
[1]All Scripture quotes will come from the NASB unless otherwise stated.
[2]Romans 3:10b
[3]In the Scripture, there are two types of humans on the planet, Jew or Gentile. A Gentile is defined as simply someone who is not a Jew. Because of this, whenever they are both used together, the author is considering all of mankind.
[4]Romans 4:25b
[5]As will be discussed shortly, faith is the requirement for the receiving of such a salvation.
[6]Romans 4:3-5
[7]Romans 6:4
[8]Romans 6:7
[9]Romans 8:18
[10]Romans 8:38-39
