Assurance of Salvation for the Repentant Wanderer
Assurance of salvation refers to a believer's confidence that they are saved and will inherit eternal life. This assurance is rooted in God's faithfulness and the work of Christ, rather than human merit [12, 3]. The resurrection of Jesus is presented as God's pledge that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance, forming a basis for this assurance [1].
Salvation is understood as a gift of God's grace, received through faith, and not a result of human works [2, 3]. Believers are "made alive together with Christ" and share in his resurrection, both in the present and future [2, 7]. This new life signifies a complete departure from a life of sin and death, transferring the believer into a realm of purity and life through the Holy Spirit [3].
The transformation that accompanies salvation is significant. Believers are "created anew in Christ Jesus," enabling them to perform good works that God has planned for them [4]. These good works are a result of salvation, not its cause, flowing from a transformed heart by God's Spirit [4, 8]. This involves stripping off the "old sinful nature" and putting on a "new nature" in Christ, allowing him to guide their lives [6, 8].
For those who have repented and turned to Christ, the Bible offers strong encouragement. Repentance is presented as key to receiving salvation [10]. Believers are fully accepted into God's family, becoming children of God through Christ [5]. The concept of "full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:22) describes a complete faith in God that leaves no room for doubt, while "full assurance of understanding" (Colossians 2:2) refers to an unwavering conviction in the truth of Scripture [1].
However, the New Testament also warns against turning away from Christ. There is no escape from punishment for those who abandon Christ and his salvation, and such punishment will be severe [13]. Despite this, the unchangeable nature of God's promises provides consolation and encouragement for those who have "fled for refuge" to Christ [12]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Psalms 37:27 highlights God's essential rectitude in his providential government, which provides blessings for the good [11]. Believers are encouraged to give thanks for all things, including adversities, recognizing God as the source of every blessing through the Lord Jesus Christ [9].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:19: 2:19 Gentiles who believe are no longer strangers and foreigners (2:11-12, 17). Through Christ, they are fully accepted into God’s family. They become children of God, just like believing Jews (see Rom 8:14-17).”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:20: thanks . . . for all things--even for adversities; also for blessings, unknown as well as known (Col 3:17; Th1 5:18). unto God and the Father--the Fountain of every blessing in Creation, Providence, Election, and Redemption. Lord Jesus Christ--by whom all things, even distresses, become ours (Rom 8:35, Rom 8:37; Co1 3:20-23).”
- Lamentations (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Lamentations 3:40: 3:40-42 Repentance is the key to receiving salvation (Isa 1:27; Jer 3:22; Ezek 3:21).”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 37:27: The exhortation is sustained by the assurance of God's essential rectitude in that providential government which provides perpetual blessings for the good, and perpetual misery for the wicked.”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 6:18: immutable--Translate, as in Heb 6:17, "unchangeable." impossible . . . to lie--"ever to lie"; this is the force of the Greek aorist [ALFORD]. His not being able to deny Himself is a proof, not of weakness, but of strength incomparable. consolation--under doubts and fears, and so "encouragement," literally, "exhortation." fled for refuge--as if from a shipwreck; or, as one fleeing to one of the six cities of refuge. Kadesh, that is, holy, implies the holiness of Jesus, our Refuge. Shechem, that is, shoulder, the government is upon his shoulder (I”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 2:3: 2:3 So what makes us think we can escape? Here the author presses the full force of the danger of turning away from Christ and his salvation. There is no escape from punishment for those who walk away, and the punishment will be of the greatest severity (cp. 6:4-12; 10:26-31; 12:29; Rom 2:5; 1 Thes 2:16). • Salvation refers to God’s acts on behalf of his people. For example, God saved his people through the exodus from Egypt (Deut 26:5-9). In the New Testament, salvation primarily refers to Christ’s work of rescuing people from the penalty of sin and giving them n”