While false assurance is prevalent in the world today, true assurance is found only in Christ. The apostle John writes, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 Jn. 5:13). What is the source of Christian assurance? Christian assurance comes as the result of knowing and practicing the things which have been written in God’s inspired word. There is quite a contrast between Christian assurance and the pseudo-confidence espoused by many in the religious world today. Confidence is not the result of some “better-felt-than-told” experience. It is not based upon the assurance provided by man. It is based on the timeless and inspired word of God. Peter says, “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that it, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Pet. 1:22-23). When God’s word is the source of spiritual rebirth, confidence is produced. Jesus assures us that “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word shall not pass away” (Mt. 24:35).
Assurance based on subjective feelings is faulty to the core. Feelings come and go. The assurance of people who base their salvation on feelings will rise and fall like the tides of the ocean. Instead, we must build our hope on the solid rock of God’s revealed truth. Ultimately, confidence comes from being in Christ. Paul writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rm. 8:1). The Bible tells us that a penitent believer comes into Christ when he is united with Him in baptism (Rm. 6:3-4). Then, as we live in the light of His word, we enjoy assurance of our salvation (1 Jn. 1:7).
–Glen Elliott–