How Can a Saved Youth Develop His Assurance of Salvation
As a born-again Christian, your faith serves as a beacon guiding your journey towards developing a strong assurance of your salvation. The moment you receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you already have salvation secured by God's grace. This article explores the essential steps to develop a more confident assurance of your salvation and discuss key biblical teachings that support this journey.
Biblical Teachings on Salutation: A Firm Foundation
The Bible provides clear teachings on salvation and the assurance that comes with receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10:13 proclaims, 'For whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.' This verse emphasizes the importance of faith in calling upon God's name. Ephesians 2:8–9 further emphasizes that salvation is a gift of grace, not a work of humanity, stating, 'For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.'
The Right to Become Children of God
John 1:12 also assures us that 'but as many as received Him [Jesus] to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.' This verse is a powerful declaration of God’s grace and his willingness to make us his children. The Bible promises that the moment we put our trust in Jesus, we are saved and become part of his family forever.
The Eternal Security of Salvation
The Bible also teaches us about the eternal security of our salvation. Jesus, in John 5:24, says, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and does not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.' This verse underscores the permanence of our salvation. Eternal life is not just a momentary state but a continuous journey. Just as a child born into a family can never be un-born, our spiritual birth is never undone. Jesus further reinforces this in John 6:39, 'And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise them up at the last day.'
Permanence in Christ's Keeping
Additional scriptures like John 10:27–29, Philippians 1:6, Ephesians 1:13–14, 1 Peter 1:3–5, and Romans 8:30, also confirm the eternal security of our salvation. These passages highlight that Jesus eternally intercedes for us with the Father as our Advocate (1 John 2:1–2). No one can snatch us out of God’s hand, as Jesus assures us in John 10:27–29: 'My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.' This assurance is a direct result of God's grace alone.
Evaluating Faith: A Lifelong Process
Once saved, it is essential to continually evaluate and grow in our faith. 2 Corinthians 13:5 encourages us to 'Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Or do you not know about your own evil? Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Clearing out the old leaven, let us keep the feast of unleavened bread, the unfailing love of the Lord.'
Signs of Saving Faith
The Bible provides various signs to identify the assurance of salvation. 1 John 1:8 reminds us, 'If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' However, 1 John 2:3 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 also provide a clear picture of genuine faith, 'And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. And if anyone sees his brother committing a sin that does not lead to death, he should ask, and God will give him life—to those who have the Son of God. For it is in him that we live and move and have our being.'
Sustaining Assurance
Ultimately, the true assurance of salvation comes from the continued trust and obedience to Jesus. A consistent pattern of faith and discipline, marked by obedience and a changed life, reflects a genuine saving faith. While perfection is not required, a growing pattern of obedience and a transformed lifestyle are indicators of true salvation. 'Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I run with purpose in my steps. Yes, I am acting like a crazy person, but I do it because I am ignorant of what lies ahead of me. I do not want to reach out and grab the prize for nothing. Rather, I am determined to lay everything on the line to win the prize, the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me—also to all who have longed for His appearing.' (2 Timothy 4:7–8).
For those who want to dive deeper into the evidences of saving faith, an article is available that delves deeper into these topics and provides additional insights and scriptures. This ongoing journey of faith requires intentional effort and a continuous relationship with Jesus, solidified by the assurance of salvation.