CHAPTER 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and of Salvation
(Parts One - Three)

There has never been a shortage of people who have believed they are saved, but are not. Jesus warned that on Judgment Day “Many will come to Me and say, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not…’” to which He will respond, “Depart from Me… I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:22-23) Those must be the worst words to hear on Judgment Day, especially if one truly believed he was a Christian. How do we account for this?

Human beings are terminally religious. Look at how many religions there are. One of them is Christianity, and Christianity is often a default for those who were born and raised in a time and place where Christianity has a major influence. So many assume they are Christians because of their nationality or culture. Many of these (and others) enjoy the outward benefits of Christianity, especially in a place in which the faith is socially acceptable. Add to that the fact that most Christians, while by no means perfect, are decent folks, and often civil, if not kind. That is attractive. The Church provides a place and people with whom others can enjoy healthy social interaction. The Church is generally very pro family. That is attractive. Others like Christianity because believers often tend to be conservative morally, economically, and politically. That too is attractive to others who are by no means Christian.

So there are many who are attracted to and embrace Christianity for all of the outward trappings, but who have little or no use for Christ.

(Part Two)

There are four kinds of people when it comes to assurance regarding the Christian faith.

There are those who are saved and know it. This is by far the best category to be in, for what I hope are obvious reasons. They are saved and they have joy knowing they are saved.
There are those who are saved but they are not sure they are saved. These have the benefit of salvation, but lack the joy that one possesses when one is confident of their standing with God.
There are those who are not saved and know they are not saved. They are not saved (which is not good) but at least they know it, so they might one day respond to the gospel.
There are those who are not saved and are “sure” they are saved. These are of all people in the worst possible position. They are not saved and have the wrath of God in their future, but since they believe they are saved, they have no reason whatsoever to respond to the gospel message. They think they already have.

God wants you to be saved. Acknowledge your sin, trust solely in Jesus as the only way to be forgiven. And God wants those who are saved to know they are His!

(Part Three)

Why does God want His people to posses assurance of salvation? (1 John 5:11-13) Because He is a Father. And not only a good father, but the best Father! What kind of a father wants his children to wonder who their father is? What kind of a father has children and keeps his identity, as their father, a secret from them? I’ll tell you: a really bad father.

Friends, God is a good Father. He wants His children to know that He is their Father. He wants His children to enjoy their “sonship” with all the privileges, and responsibilities. Privileges? How about the fact that the children of God are not born to fear but to love, and are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ? (Romans 8:15-17)

Responsibilities? Yes indeed. As the children of God, our lives are a reflection of our Father—whether a good and accurate reflection given by loving and obedient children, or a bad and misleading reflection given by rebellious children. He wants us to know He is our Father, and we have the responsibility to represent our Father correctly.