Growing in Confidence of Salvation

Central Idea: Genuine salvation, initiated by God, is a continuous process of sanctification that ultimately leads to our glorification, assuring believers of their security in Christ.

INTRODUCTION

Today we will explore how we can grow in confidence regarding our salvation, drawing foundational truths from Philippians 1:6.

We can be thankful that God always finishes what He starts. Our God's work is never incomplete; He is the finisher of all He begins, as seen in creation and in the lives of believers.

OBJECTIVES

Salvation is a Process

God Sustains the Progression of Our Confidence

Your Sanctification is a Certainty

1. YOUR SALVATION IS A PROCESS

Your salvation is not a one-time event, but rather an ongoing process that begins when you are saved and continues daily as you follow Christ.

This process, known as sanctification, means becoming more holy,

1 Thessalonians 4:3 ESV

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;

It is a gradual, incremental growth, similar to how children grow over time, not all at once.

Philippians 1:6 ESV

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

The verb "will bring to completion” indicates an ongoing action that will continue until the day of Christ, meaning sanctification is a lifetime process.

You were saved from sin's penalty, and are being saved from sin's power daily, and will be saved from sin's presence forever.

We should exercise patience with ourselves and others in this process, recognizing that God is not yet finished with us

2. God Sustains the Progression of Our Confidence

We have an overseer that is overseeing our ongoing sanctification

Our sanctification is not a random occurrence; God Himself oversees our spiritual development and growth.

He initiated the work in us and is actively perfecting it to completion.

While God is ultimately in charge, we are called to actively participate in our sanctification by engaging with God's Word daily, spending time in prayer, and memorizing scriptures.

Just as salvation is by obeying the gospel, our confidence in growth and ultimate perfection rests on God's ability to keep what we have entrusted to Him until the day of Christ Jesus

2 Timothy 1:12 ESV

which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

3. Your Sanctification is a Certainty

Paul expressed strong confidence in Philippians 1:6 that the work God began would be completed, even while he was imprisoned and facing opposition.

This confidence was not in himself, his co-workers, or the Philippian Christians, but solely in God, who began the work and will perfect it.

CONCLUSION

Confidence in salvation doesn’t come from feelings or assumptions

It comes from a deep understanding of God’s promises, our ongoing obedience, and our spiritual growth.

Let us grow in our confidence—not with arrogance, but with humble assurance grounded in Scripture and faithfulness.