Assurance of Salvation

Call to Prayer

Title: Assurance of Salvation

By: Daniel Peter

Date: 01.04.2024

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever
Psalm 125:1 NIV

There is a story of a man who was travelling from Britain to America by ship to preach the Gospel. On this trip, there became a mighty wind that threatened the lives of all on the ship. Most people, including the preacher, were scared for their lives. However, there was this German Moravian family that sang praise and worship during the moment of crisis with no sign of fear of death.

John Wesley, who was the British missionary, later found out that the lack of fear demonstrated by the Moravians was because of their assurance of salvation (saved by grace through faith). One of the articles written about this encounter recorded that John Wesley said “I am going to preach the Gospel, yet I am in need of salvation”, after witnessing the unwavering trust in God demonstrated by the Moravians. This is the case of many preachers today, for what many preach is salvation by works instead of salvation by grace through faith. One of the things the Gospel has delivered us from is the fear of death, for the scriptures says “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death (Heb. 2:14 -15). This fear of death is not just associated with the pain of death, but lack of assurance of salvation (if one will go to heaven or not).

When our assurance of salvation is based on our righteousness, there will be reasons to fear because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). However, when our assurance of salvation is based on what Christ did (saved by grace through faith), we have confidence in God, and we are rest assured. A Christian is not one striving to make heaven, but he or she is already a resident of heaven, for we are seated with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6). Knowing this truth is important because part of our spiritual armour is the helmet of salvation (Eph 6:17). If our helmet is not in position, we become exposed to the enemy.

Our walk with God is one done from the position of rest. And that rest comes from the assurance that “It is done, the price has been paid for our salvation“. From that rest position, we are then empowered to manifest our righteous identity. Yet, this manifested righteousness is not our confidence for salvation.

Prayer Point.

Let’s thank God for His word today. Let’s ask God to help all Christians to be assured of our salvation.