ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE SAVED?
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. This is a question often discussed and pondered; e.g. in a
saved condition now?
1. Many are sure they are saved, but are mistaken.
2. Many aren't sure they are saved - "I think so." "I hope so."
B. In this lesson we will maintain that we can be sure we are
saved.
1. We can be sure that we have salvation from past sins.
2. We can be sure that our salvation is maintained on a daily
basis.
3. We can know that we have salvation in heaven if we should
die today.
I. First, let's look at some unreliable ways of assurance (wherein
some think they are sure, but are mistaken).
A. Not by feelings. Acts 23:1; 26:9 Conscience, 1 Tim. 4:2.
B. Not a mere assumption. Prov. 16:25
C. Not by an assurance of a preacher or priest. Rom. 16:18; Matt.
7:15; 2 Cor. 11:13; Eph. 4:14
D. Not by assurance of parents. If our parents have been deceived,
they will pass their deception on to us.
E. Not by doing what the majority does. Matt. 7:13-14
F. Not by the approval of our fellow men. John 5:44
II. Now, let's look at God's means of assurance.
A. Only by the inspired writings can we know. 1 John 5:13
B. How can we know we have salvation from past sins?
1. Rom. 8:1,16 - The H.S. has given his testimony in the Word.
Our spirits testify that we have done those things. Thus,
the two agree or witness together that we are children. See
chart on "We Are Children of God."
2. What has the Holy Spirit revealed?
a. Jesus' promise - Mark 16:16.
b. How to get into Christ - Gal. 3:26-27
c. The blood of Christ washes away our sins. Rev. 1:5
(1) Acts 22:16; Acts 3:28 show at what point we contact
the blood, when our sins are washed away or
remitted.
(2) Jesus shed His blood in His death. John 19:34 We are
baptized into His death. Rom. 6:3-4 Thus, we contact
(receive the benefits of) the blood when we are
baptized.
3. Thus, we know we have salvation from past sins if we have
done exactly as the Spirit revealed, if we have obeyed the
gospel plan of salvation.
a. It behooves, then, to know exactly what the steps are and
make sure we have complied.
b. In studying with denominational people, some have said
they really don't know what they did to be saved.
c. One can make himself sure by being baptized again.
C. How can Christians be sure of their salvation from day to day?
1. We must daily comply with the terms of pardon. 1 John
1:6-2:5
a. Vs. 7 - all sins, sins of thought, word, deed, ignorance
are cleansed.
b. They are not cleansed automatically as some try to teach?
They are cleansed when we daily comply with the
conditions. Vs. 9
(1) I would like for our preacher friends who are
teaching that sins are automatically cleansed to name
one of those sins.
(2) In other words, which sin can be cleansed without
one confessing it?
c. God knows our weaknesses. Vs. 8,10
(1) God wants us to be perfect (Matt. 5:48), but He
knows that we often do not measure up.
(2) When we do not measure up, He has provided a
means of forgiveness. Vs. 1 of chapter 2.
2. We must have a genuine love for the truth.
a. 2 Thess. 2:10-11 - Without Bible authority there is no
assurance of salvation.
(1) 1 Thess. 5:21; Jude 3; 1 Tim. 6:12; 1 John 4:1; John
4:24; 2 John 9; Matt. 15:9
b. Questions which our brethren have never answered: (See
chart)
(1) Where is the authority for one church to send to
another church to preach the gospel?
(2) Where is the authority for a church to make a
donation to a human institution of any kind?
(3) Where is the authority for a church to provide
recreation or entertainment for anyone?
c. Some brethren will practice these things no matter what;
they will find loop-holes to justify them.
(1) They heap to themselves sophisticated arguments to
justify themselves.
(2) Their problem is that they don't love the truth;
otherwise, they would do only those things
authorized.
3. We must give diligence to make our calling and election
sure. 2 Pet. 1:5-11
a. "Giving all diligence" - The assurance of salvation is
found in the diligence on our part. We know that God will
always do His part. We must earnestly strive to do our
part.
b. "And abound" - "and are increasing" (NASV) We must
continue to grow.
c. Vs. 9 - shows what happens when these are not added (an
ever-present danger).
d. Vs. 10 - shows the secret of success - diligence. We will
never stumble if we are diligent in doing those things.
4. We must continually strive to keep God's commandments.
I John 2:3-6; 3:9; 5:18-19
a. Thus, to be in union with God (having all the blessings
available from God), we must keep His commandments.
(1) Examples: "Flee fornication." 1 Cor. 6:18; Matt. 5:28
"This do in remembrance of me." 1 Cor. 11:24-25;
Heb. 10:25
b. I John 3:9 - "does not sin" - the Greek here is "present
active endictive" which means "does not keep on sinning"
- How is this accomplished? By His Seed or Word abiding
in Him. His Word has made its home in the one begotten.
c. 1 John 5:18-19 - "does not sin" - again "present active
endictive" - "does not go on sinning." Thus, does not
habitually sin.
(1) "Keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch
him." Again, there must be diligence on our part. We
keep, or guard, ourselves.
(2) Vs. 19 - Most are under the power of Satan and only
a few will escape.
5. When we continue to rely on God.
a. God provides a way of escape. 1 Cor. 10:13
b. Christ is able to aid those who are tempted. Heb. 2:18
c. We must come boldly to the throne of grace. Heb. 4:16
d. Remember that God is able to save us eternally. Jude 24;
1 Pet. 5:10-11; Heb. 13:20-21.
e. There is no uncertainty with God, but within each of us
from time to time there will be a degree of uncertainty.
(1) This is why the Lord taught us to watch and pray
always. Luke 21:36
(2) Prayer will bring peace in our hearts. Phil. 4:6-7; 1
Thess. 3:12-13
D. God has granted us a system of grace. Rom. 4:1-8
1. In Rom. 4:1-8 Paul is showing that a system of works, or
works alone will not justify.
a. Vs. 2 - "For if Abraham was justified by works (by a
system of works, by works alone), he has something of
which to boast, but not before God (because he did it
himself)."
b. Vs. 3 - His faith was accounted for righteousness.
c. Vs. 4 - "Now to him who works (works perfectly, lives by
a system of works) the wages are not counted as grace but
as debt (if he worked perfectly).
d. Vs. 5 - "But to him who does not work (does not work
perfectly, does not rely on a system of works or law) but
believes...his faith is accounted..."
e. Vs. 6 - "...Apart from works (apart from perfect works,
from a system of works).
f. Vs. 7-8 - Sins forgiven is emphasized.
2. When we don't live up to God's standard, our faith will be
counted for righteousness.
a. The Law of Moses demanded perfect obedience. Gal. 3:10
b. Under the N.T. system of grace, when one does not keep
the commandments perfectly, his faith is accounted for
righteousness.
Concl.
A. Are you sure you are saved? How can we know we are saved?
B. Review of the main points:
1. We must daily comply with the terms of pardon.
2. We must have a genuine love for truth.
3. We must give diligence to make our calling and election
sure.
4. We must continue to keep God's commandments.
5. We must continue to rely on God.
6. Let us be thankful that God has given us a system of grace.
Chart #1
We Are Children of God - Rom. 8:1,16
The Spirit bears witness (The Spirit revealed certain things to do)
Our spirits bear witness (We have done what the Spirit revealed)
Chart #2
HOW CAN WE BE SURE?
1. We must daily comply with the terms of pardon. 1 John 1:6-2:5
2. We must have a genuine love for truth. 2 Thess. 2:10-11
3. We must give diligence to make our calling and election sure. 2
Pet. 1:5-11
4. We must continually strive to keep God's commandments. 1 John
2:3-6; 3:9; 5:18-19
5. We must continue to rely on God. Jude 24; 1 Pet. 5:10-11; Heb.
13:20-21
6. God has granted us a system of grace. Rom. 4:1-8
Chart #3
Questions Which Haven't Been Answered
1. Where is the authority for one church to send to another church to
preach the gospel?
2. Where is the authority for a church to make a donation to a human
institution of any kind?
3. Where is the authority for a church to provide recreation or
entertainment for anyone?