“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
(Romans 5:10)
One of the most important questions I can ever ask myself is: “Am I truly saved?” And if I cannot answer that question with full confidence, then I must seek with all diligence whatever is required to gain that assurance.
Paul offers great comfort toward such assurance when he writes in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” The mercy of God through His Covenant of Grace grants salvation to those who truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The very moment a person exercises saving faith in Christ, they are justified. But assurance, which is the settled knowledge of one’s salvation, is something that grows as faith matures and obedience increases through the process of sanctification (Philippians 2:12).
This assurance should be earnestly pursued, for without it the believer is left vulnerable to Satan’s accusations and temptations. A doubting soul, though saved, will live miserably under a cloud of uncertainty and spiritual distress. Therefore, it is necessary that we understand what assurance is and how it is gained.
The first necessity is a right understanding of salvation according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). One must come under conviction of sin and recognize the just condemnation that awaits all who are outside of Christ. Salvation cannot be earned, and no righteousness of our own can satisfy the justice of God. Only Christ’s merit, His obedience and sacrifice, are sufficient. Thus, the sinner must confess their guilt, plead the blood of Christ, and ask that His righteousness be credited to them. There must be a willing submission to the Lordship of Christ over all of life.
This is a distinct moment of regeneration—a new birth. Just as physical birth occurs at a specific moment, so too does spiritual birth. From that moment, new desires arise. A love for God’s Word, a hunger for righteousness, a desire for fellowship with other believers, and a love for the brethren testify to a changed nature and evidence genuine saving faith.
Yet, assurance of that salvation often comes over time. Thomas Manton rightly affirmed that assurance is both possible and promised. He referred to 1 John 5:13, “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.” Such knowledge is God’s will for every believer.
The witness of the Holy Spirit is another evidence. When the Spirit of God convicts the believer of sin, leads them in righteousness, and confirms God’s truth in their heart, this internal testimony strengthens assurance. A Christian who sins and is filled with grief, earnestly desiring restoration with the Father, demonstrates evidence of the Spirit’s work.
Assurance also flows from the fruit of the Spirit. When one’s life increasingly exhibits love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, these are clear signs of the Spirit’s activity. Christ said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). James likewise warns that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). Therefore, a true and living faith must be evidenced by a transformed life.
Moreover, how we respond to sin is revealing. Christians are not sinless, but they cannot make peace with sin. So if a person sins and delights in it, feeling no sorrow or conviction, that is not the behavior of one who has been born again. As 1 John 3:9 states, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin… and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
No one can be assured of a salvation they do not possess. “…no assurance of salvation, is wanting, provided the Lord is our God.”[1] The first requirement is that a person be truly converted. Once that is established, assurance must be cultivated. Colossians 2:6-7 urges us, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him and stablished in the faith.”
If assurance is desired, begin by ensuring that your conversion is biblical. Then live in obedience to God, love and serve Him, and grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. He is faithful to finish what He begins. Trust that He is able to preserve you and rejoice as His Spirit bears witness within that you are a child of God.
Contemplations:
- True Conversion and Assurance. I must ask myself if I have truly been converted as the Scriptures teach. Do I recall a moment when I repented, believed, and submitted to Christ? Assurance cannot rest upon vague feelings but must stand upon the promises of God. If I lack confidence, it may be because I have never truly been born again. I must examine my faith.
- Desires that Reveal a Changed Nature. Since coming to faith, have my desires changed? Do I long for the Word, for fellowship with believers, for the things of God? These are not natural tendencies. So if they are found in me, they are marks of grace. They do not earn salvation, but they do confirm it.
- Sin and Conviction. When I sin, do I feel the grief of the Spirit? Am I broken over my sin? If I can sin and feel no sorrow, I must question whether the Spirit dwells in me. But if sin weighs heavily and drives me back to Christ, it affirms His presence within.
- Walking in Faith. Assurance grows as I walk in faith and obedience. Therefore, I must continue in the faith, growing in grace, strengthening my understanding of God’s truth. As I mature in Christ, so will my assurance, and my joy in Him will deepen.
Prayer (Supplication):
Lord, You have reconciled us to Yourself through the death of Your Son, and You now save us by His life. We bring our hearts before You with this petition: grant us full assurance of saving faith. We confess that doubts often arise, fears creep in, and assurance wanes when our eyes are cast downward rather than lifted toward Christ. Strengthen us by Your Spirit that we may not walk in uncertainty, but in confidence, resting in Your unfailing Word and the finished work of Your Son.
Grant that we may know, with certainty, that we are Yours. Give us clarity in the Gospel. Make plain to our understanding what You have plainly declared: that salvation is of the Lord and is secured in Christ alone, received by faith alone, through grace alone. Guard us from seeking assurance in our performance or in fleeting feelings and instead cause us to anchor our hope in Christ crucified, risen, and reigning.
Lord, let the fruits of Your Spirit bear witness within us. Let love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control mark our lives. Let obedience to Your Word become both our duty and delight. Let godly sorrow arise swiftly when we sin, and let sincere repentance follow quickly, confirming that we mourn the presence of sin and seek its mortification by Your Spirit.
Let us not presume upon Your grace, nor walk carelessly in the shadow of sin, but cause us to tremble at Your Word and rejoice in Your mercy. When we are weak, hold us fast. When we falter, uphold us. When the accuser speaks, silence him with the blood of Jesus. Give us that inward testimony of the Spirit that cries, “Abba, Father,” and let us know that You will complete the good work You have begun in us.
We ask for assurance not merely for comfort, but that we may glorify You in our lives, free from the paralysis of doubt, emboldened in witness, strengthened in holiness, and steady in affliction. Let our confidence in You make us stable amid storms, joyful amid trials, and unshaken amid the world’s confusion.
Grant us grace to examine ourselves rightly and to rest in Christ, who is our righteousness. And when we fear, Lord, let us look again to Calvary and be reminded that our salvation is not a result of our work but Yours, designed by the Father, accomplished by the Son, applied by the Spirit, and secured forever.
We ask these things because Christ alone is worthy, and we come in His name. Amen.
Further References for Romans 5:10
2 Corinthians 5:18–19; Colossians 1:20–21; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:32; Hebrews 2:17.
[1] John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 1997). 2:10.8.
