STUDY TWO

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
Text: 1 John 3:1-10; 5:13; Ephesians 2:1-8; Romans 8:10-17

The moment we genuinely repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we begin a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Three things happen to you when you make this important decision. First, you suddenly come alive, and realize how evil and sinful fleshly pleasures are. You used to enjoy those sins because you were spiritually dead. Now alive, you hate sins and abstain from all appearances of evil. Second, as Jesus was raised from dead, so too you are raised from the death of past sinful life. Third, as Jesus was elevated, promoted and taken up after His resurrection to sit in high places with God, so are we raised up, elevated and promoted in Christ.

          One of the tricks of devil is to make believers, especially young converts, doubt their salvation. If any doubt raises in your heart as to whether you are saved, all you need do is choose to believe the promise of God which says. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the (free) gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).

         The Bible does not say that we are saved only when we feel so. Salvation is by faith, not by feeling. But how do we know that we have eternal? We can know we have eternal life on the basis of God's word, not according to our feelings. Feelings come and go, but God's word stands forever (Psalm 119:89). Do not try to feel saved. Stand on God's word. Do not depend on your feelings for assurance of salvation, get assurance from God's Spirit and by standing on His word (Romans 8:16)