To answer the question regarding a Christian’s assurance of salvation, one must ask himself, “Can God change His mind?” The act of salvation is the work of God. Man cannot choose salvation, but is rather called by God (Eph. 1:11-14). As a result, we must ask if God can change His mind and call someone “out” of eternity with Him. Furthermore, throughout all of Paul’s writings, he argues that salvation is not an act of man but an act of God. Man cannot resist the call of God or earn salvation by himself. God will have mercy on those He chooses and will harden those He chooses to harden (Rom 9:14-21). As a result, I believe that when a person truly enters into a saving relationship with Christ, they are eternally secure because the decision is made by the unchanging, all-powerful, and secure Creator of the universe.
I do believe that a Christian can have assurance of salvation based on three evidences. First, Scripture is clear that the work of the Holy Spirit is a testimony of one’s salvation. For the believer, the Holy Spirit testifies, intercedes, and convicts (Rom 8:16-27). The Spirit writes the law of God on the heart of man and serves as the strongest evidence of salvation. Second, I believe that assurance of salvation grows in correspondence with an individual’s personal walk with Christ. The more time one spends in any relationship, the more secure they become. This is also true in one’s relationship with the creator. (1Jn 5:1-4). Finally, I believe that when one has the spirit indwelling in their hearts and they are continually growing in their relationship with Christ, fruit will be evident in their life. Such fruit will provide evidence that one has remained in Christ and should give the Christian assurance that their salvation is secure (Jn 15:1-17).
read rom7:13-25 then read rom 6
ReplyDeletePraise God for these words in the bible!
ReplyDeleteRomans 6:14-18 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God's grace. 15 So since God's grace has set us free from the law, does this mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you have obeyed with all your heart the new teaching God has given you. 18 Now you are free from sin, your old master, and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness.