Origins of Assurance

Eternal Assurance: Embracing Salvation's Promise

Bible Passages: John 3:16, Luke 8:11–13, John 12:42–43, John 8:30–32

This theme explores the assurance of salvation through the lens of key biblical passages, emphasizing God’s love, the power of the gospel, and the necessity of faith in Christ. I’ve been asked to explain eternal Security. I will do this through the doctrine of assurance. The title of this series is “Grace, least any should boast”

Intro: God's Unfathomable Love Accessed by Faith

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The word believe stands alone. What it says and what it does not say is important to your everlasting life. Greek word for faith and believe in NT is πιστεύω pisteuo. It means

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. πιστεύω

πιστεύω

Working definition - A conviction based on evidence that something is true, persuasion. If the evidence in not sufficient or a person judges the evidence weak, then the thing is not believed, there is no faith. The evidence is the Word of God. The thing to believe is that Jesus is the Messiah that promises eternal life to the believer. Reread John 3:16. See also John 3:36; 5:24; 6:40; 6:47; 11:25-26; 20:30-31.

By grace, lest any should boast. Ep 2:8-9.

1. Parable of the Four Soils

Luke 8:11–15 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.”

The first soil is the only one that did not germinate life. This person was never saved even though he heard the Word. The devil snatches it out, they don’t believe and are never saved.

The second soil germinates life. The seed grows for a time, but the individual falls away. Without roots the life of faith fades. It is literally choked out. They are saved, but don’t grow. The fail to produce fruit.

The third seed falls among thorny soil. It germinates and starts to grow, but thorns (cares of this life) choke out the life. They are saved, grow, but bring no fruit.

The good soil (forth soil) is good. Having heard the word it germinates, it grows, it is maintained, and it bears fruit. Three of theses soils produced life, that’s salvation (three saved). Only one produced fruit, that’s sanctification and the work of the Christian life.

The point is to separate the moment of salvation by faith with the Christian life of sanctification by faith. Salvation, no works - a gift of God through faith. Sanctification, works - a life of pleasing God through faith.

2. Courageous Confession

John 12:42–43 “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

The essence of faith is necessary, confession is not. There have always been secret believers. We are not the judge of who is saved. Assurance falters when faith seeks validation from people rather than God.

What constitutes works?

Confession, repentance, commitment, following (these are sanctification terms)

Works Salvation

Lordship Salvation

Double Secret Works Salvation (don’t know even if you are saved and can’t know)

3. Continuous Abiding

John 8:30–32 “As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.””

Abiding vs. faith. Salvation vs. Sanctification.

Only believers can be lifelong disciples that can be free of sin’s bondage through abiding.

Disciples indeed! True disciples are first believers then followers.

ἐλευθερόω eleutheroo free from domination, liberated. Salvation - free from the penalty of sin. Abiding - free from the power of sin. Heaven - free from the presence of sin.

Eternal Promise Revisited

John 3:16 (Revisited)

Define Everlasting life, how long does it last? The promise of faith is “everlasting life”, that is a life that is ever - lasting.