LESSON 1

Assurance of Salvation

1. What does it mean to be saved ?

It means that your sins are forgiven and you have peace with God.

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. -- 1 John 2:12

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: -- Romans 5:1

It means that your eternal home is Heaven.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. -- John 14:1-3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, -- 1 Peter 1:3-4

It means that God has adopted you and you are his child.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. -- Romans 8:15

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. -- Galatians 4:6

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. -- Galatians 3:26

2. How do I know that I am Saved?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. -- John 5:24

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. -- 1 John 5:11-13

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. -- Romans 10:13

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; -- Titus 1:2

Note: We know that we are saved because God has promised salvation to those who trust in Christ and God cannot lie.

3. Can I lose my Salvation?

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. -- John 6:37

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. -- John 6:39-40

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. -- John 10:27-30

And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. -- 1 John 2:25

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. -- Hebrews 7:25

Note: There are some churches that teach that if a person sins after he is saved that he loses his salvation. This is because they do not understand that salvation is adoption. An earthly father would not cast out his adopted child for wrongdoing but would correct and discipline his child. How is it that people believe that God is a worse Father than sinful men? The view that a person can lose their salvation brings dishonor to the Lord Jesus Christ because it would mean that He could lose something He bought with His own blood. It would also mean that we are actually saved by our own good works and not by God's grace. If this were true then Jesus would not have had to die for us in the first place. The Bible says we are, "...kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. -- 1 Peter 1:5

4. What if I don't feel like I am saved?

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. -- Ephesians 2:8-9

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. -- Romans 10:9

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. -- Romans 10:13

Note: Salvation is not a matter of a person's feelings. We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that when we believe on Jesus we are saved. Our feelings will change with situations and circumstances. The Word of God never changes. Jesus said, " Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." -- Matthew 24:35 Psalm 119:89 says, " For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." Never trust your feelings, trust God's Word. Do you believe Jesus died to pay for your sins? Do you believe He rose from the dead? Do you believe He is the only way to heaven? Have you called on Him and asked him to forgive your sin and save your soul? If you are trusting in Jesus Christ as your only hope of heaven you are saved.

5. What happens if I sin now that I am saved?

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. -- 1 John 1:7-9

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? -- Hebrews 12:5-7

Note: As we learned before, when we are saved we are adopted as God's children. When we sin our relationship with God is hindered just as it is when a child disobeys his earthly father. The Holy Spirit who lives in us will convict us of sin in our lives. If we confess our sin God forgives the sin and our fellowship with our Father is restored. If we are stubborn and won't confess our sins then God will chasten (discipline) us just as an earthly father would chasten his child. The more we resist the more severe the chastening will become. God loves us and wants the very best for us. He knows that sin will rob us of the joy of salvation and will cause us to be ashamed to be in His presence. If you become aware of sin in your life, confess it to your Father immediately and all will be well. If you experience the chastening of God don't become discouraged. It is a sign that God loves you and that you are truly a child of God.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What happens to a person when they get saved?

2. How do I know that I am saved?

3. Can I lose my salvation? Why?

4. What do feelings have to do with my salvation?

5. On what should I base my salvation if I have doubts?

6. What should I do if I sin now that I am saved?

Go To Lesson 2