The Absolute Certainty of Salvation
There is an objective ground of assurance of salvation. In other words, Christians know with certainty that God has saved them from the crimes they have committed against His holy law.
The objective ground, meaning the basis for this confidence of deliverance — past, present, and future — is the Word of God. If a Christian doubts her salvation, because of struggles with sin, Satan, and the world, then she only needs to look to the Scriptures.
First, God has chosen a people to receive His merciful and gracious salvation (Eph 1:3–4). He did this before He created anything of the material universe.
Second, God has given His Word that the death of Jesus Christ is the accepted payment for sins (1 Pet 2:24; 3:18).
Third, God has sent His Spirit to dwell in the elect, regenerated heart (Acts 15:8; Rom 2:29; 5:5; 2 Cor 1:22; 3:3; Gal 4:6; 1 Pet 1:11).
Fourth, it is the indwelling Holy Spirit, who testifies with our spirit that we are the children of God (Rom 8:16).
Fifth, it is the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, who gives the gift of faith to the elect, regenerated believer (Phil 1:29; 1 Pet 1:9).
Sixth, the God of our salvation is immutable, which means He does not change. When He decrees something, like the salvation of His chosen people, then they are saved from eternity. Paul asked, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect (Rom 8:33)?”
Seventh, salvation is the Christian’s eternal inheritance, which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, being reserved in heaven for you (1 Pet 1:4–5). Because salvation is never controlled by the saved person, the saved person can never lose what he never controlled.
Eighth, our inherited salvation, protected by the power of God, comes with the promise that absolutely nothing can separate the child of God from the love of God, which abides in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:37–39).
Ninth, God has revealed the unbroken chain of His works to ensure the salvation of His people, whom He predestined, these He also called, whom He also justified, and all these He has promised to glorify (Rom 8:30). From beginning to end, salvation belongs to God (Ps 3:8; Jon 2:9; Rev 19:1).
In conclusion, God, and the salvation He reveals in His written Word, is only as good as the promises He has made therein. In other words, God Himself is the assurance of the believer’s salvation; thus, it is the unbeliever who denies certain salvation, and when He does, He denies the very God who has made the promises of a sure salvation.
Therefore, it is indicative of a true believer in Jesus to know, to understand, and to bear witness of the assurance of his or her election. He will also bear witness of his faith in Jesus’ blood atonement for sin, by His death on the cross of Calvary. The believer’s trust in the blood of his substitute sacrifice is only possible by his receiving the promised Holy Spirit, who testifies that the witness of Scripture, which He Himself inspired, is true.
So it may be said that he who has the indwelling Spirit of truth has the truth, who is Jesus Christ, who promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5).” This promise is the word of truth, which does not and cannot change.
The Scripture cannot be broken. He who has the Son of God, and His promise, has life — new, abundant, and eternal. The blessed recipient knows the promise and the One who made the promise. This One is true, unchanging, and powerful to do all His holy will. In this, or rather, in Him, we place our trust, today, tomorrow, and forever.
Jesus Christ Himself is our salvation, and we who have been given faith in Him, rest in Him for our right standing before God. We know whom we have believed, that He is able to keep that which we have committed to Him against the terrible day of judgment for sin.
Jesus paid it all, and our debt has been completely cancelled (Col 2:14). God has revealed it in His Word, and His Spirit has caused us to believe the truth that is in Jesus Christ. Glory! Hallelujah! What a Savior and what a sure salvation!
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
July 23, 2021
