The Certainty of Salvation

1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

When you hear someone say they are absolutely certain they are saved, what do you think? Do you think they are arrogant – or do you think, “That’s great, me too!”

I’ve always found those who ARE saved love to talk about the gift of salvation by faith in Christ, and those who are not saved do not.

And not only that, those who are not saved think it arrogant of someone who is saved to say they are certain they are saved.

Is it arrogance – or is it trust? To trust in truth is not arrogance, any more than trusting in the sun to rise tomorrow and saying so is. It is not arrogant to say you are certain of gravity. This is because there is more than an assertion involved. There is faith based upon experience which leads to initial trust - followed by absolute trust when the object of trust proves itself, (in this case, Himself,) absolutely worthy of the trust which has been placed.

The sun will rise in the morning. Gravity will hold me to the ground. I know that I am saved by having placed my faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

The reason I know I am saved is the Bible says so, and the Bible has proven itself absolutely trustworthy to me. The reason I know I am saved is because Jesus says so, and Jesus has proven Himself absolutely trustworthy to me. Ultimately, we could say this is the purpose of God’s Word, that we may know that we know that we know…Jesus…and by knowing Jesus we know we are saved. John tells us this is why he writes.

-Pastor Bill