Explore the assurance of salvation and God's love. Learn about how Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. Understand how Jesus' sacrifice gives us assurance of salvation. Discover the signs of spiritual life.
Salvation and the assurance of going to heaven are based on faith in Jesus, not our own works or behavior.
Recognizing signs of spiritual life within us, such as a desire to be close to God and love for other Christians, gives assurance of our relationship with God.
Deep dives
Objective Answer: Salvation through Faith in Christ
Salvation and the assurance of going to heaven are not based on our own works or behavior. The objective answer lies in placing our faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord. It's not about trying to earn God's favor through our actions, but rather trusting in what God has already done for us. Just like sitting down in a chair, we transfer our hope for salvation from ourselves to Jesus, believing that He is our sin bearer and salvation. Through faith, our sins are imputed to Christ, and His righteousness is credited to us. When God looks at us, He sees the perfect record of Jesus, not our own shortcomings or efforts.
Subjective Answer: Signs of Spiritual Life
The subjective answer to knowing we belong to God involves recognizing the signs of spiritual life within us. The presence of Jesus in our lives brings about changes and evidence of His work. We begin to find sin less attractive and more distasteful as our desire to be close to God grows. The Holy Spirit works in us, bringing spiritual insight, convicting us of sin, and giving us understanding of the Scriptures. Another sign is our love for other Christians, showing that we are part of the family of God. Additionally, answered prayers become evident as we see God's response and movement in our lives. These subjective signs indicate the presence of spiritual life and assurance of our relationship with God.
Conclusion: Faith in Christ and Evidence of Spiritual Life
In summary, the assurance of salvation and going to heaven comes through placing our faith in Jesus and recognizing the signs of spiritual life that His presence brings. It is not based on our own merit or works, but on the finished work of Christ on the cross. By trusting in Him as our Savior and Lord, we receive His righteousness and our sins are forgiven. The evidence of spiritual life in us includes a desire to be close to God, conviction of sin, love for other believers, and answered prayers. These subjective signs, along with the objective truth of our faith in Christ, provide assurance and confidence in our eternal destination.
Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I know, for sure, that I’m going to heaven when I die?” So many Christians have wrestled with this question for their entire lives, which can lead to anxiety and insecurity about their eternal destination. How can you know, for sure, that you’re going to heaven when you die? Most people feel like knowing for sure they’ll go to heaven has something to do with their behavior—If you are good enough; if you believe enough; go to church enough; give enough.
In this episode of 12 Truths and a Lie, Pastor JD talks about how to experience true assurance of our salvation. Listen as the truths of scripture are explained in regards to knowing for sure that we have been counted as righteous. We get Christ’s perfect record credited to our account. When God looks at J.D. Greear, he sees not how many times I’ve prayed, how sincere I was in my faith, how pure I was… but he sees Jesus’ record credited to mine.
Our prayer is that you can find peace in the fact that when God sees you, he sees the perfect life of Jesus. And so he says to you, “YOU ARE MY beloved child, in whom I am well pleased.”
In the next episode, Pastor J.D. will take a deep dive into discipleship – you don’t want to miss it!
Scripture references found in this episode: Romans 4:1–5; 1 John 5:13; John 14:18; Genesis 15:6; 1 Cor 13:1; John 1:16–18; John 2:20–27; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 4:15; Prov 24:11