Assurance

My brother in Christ, and new friend, Slimjim, over at The Domain For Truth has finished up his series on assurance.  It is a 10 part series and well worth looking at since most who call themselves “Christian” know so very little about this topic.  What is amazing to me is the fact that assurance is so obvious.  Just open your Bible to John 3:16 and it literally begs to be noticed.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Please understand that I am not going to make an entire theological statement on this verse.  I am convinced that many people take it way out of context, but I do want to look at one part of it.  Take a look at the last 3 words and follow along.  “Have” is something you possess.  It is something you received in the past.  “Eternal Life” is, well, eternal.  If’n you can’t figure out what the meaning of “eternal” is, please consult a dictionary.  So, when you put that together, you “HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.”  But, one other thing I want to bring out is the fact that you have eternal life whether you are a Christian or not.  We are born into “eternity,” I like to say.  One form of that eternal life is in Christ, which leads to heaven, the other form of eternal life is outside of Christ and that leads to hell.  Either way, it is eternal, never ending, always ongoing.

My hope and prayer is that you will read through the links I have posted below and first, come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit in the regeneration of your heart.  Or, if you are already a Christian, that your faith will be strengthened and the assurance that is given to us will be more evident to you.

Here are the links to the 10 part series:

Assurance of Salvation Part 1: Why study on the topic of Christian assurance?

Assurance of Salvation Part 2: Foundation for Perseverance of the Saints

Assurance of Salvation Part 3: Perseverance means a Believer Endure

Assurance of Salvation Part 4: Objections to Perseverance of the Saints

Assurance of Salvation Part 5: Christians can Know that they are saved

Assurance of Salvation Part 6: Do you understand the Gospel?

Assurance of Salvation Part 7: Questions to examine ourselves Part 1

Assurance of Salvation Part 8: Questions to examine ourselves Part 2

Assurance of Salvation Part 9: Four kinds of people and the result of our testing in the faith

Assurance of Salvation Appendix: Test your faith Survey Questions List