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Assurance of God's Love and Acceptance in Christianity

Assurance of God's love and acceptance in Christianity refers to a confident conviction in one's salvation and relationship with God. This assurance is understood to be produced by faith [3], and it can reach a "full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:22), which is a complete trust in God that leaves no room for doubt [1]. The resurrection of Jesus is presented as God's pledge that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance, serving as a foundational element for this assurance [1].

The concept of assurance is deeply rooted in biblical texts. For instance, 1 John 4:16 states, "And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him" [2, 4]. This passage highlights that knowing and believing in God's love leads to an abiding relationship with God. The love of God is described as a part of his character, manifested in sending Christ for redemption and salvation [5, 7]. Adam Clarke notes that "the gift of Christ to man is the measure of God's love; the death of Christ for man is the measure of Christ's love" [7].

Assurance is not merely an intellectual understanding but an experiential knowledge. Tyndale House emphasizes that the Christian life is based on the "experience and personal knowledge of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ" [9]. This experience is so profound that the love of Christ "passeth knowledge," meaning it is too great to be fully understood, yet believers are encouraged to "experience (literally know) the love of Christ" [7, 9]. This suggests a knowledge that transcends mere intellectual comprehension, leading to a life "filled with all the fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within" [9].

Several elements contribute to this assurance. Faith is primary, as it provides access to God's favor and grace [3, 12]. This faith is often expressed through love towards others [8, 12]. Love for God and fellow believers confirms assurance [3]. John Gill, commenting on 1 John 4:16, describes assurance as a "full assurance and knowledge of, and faith in, the love that God hath to us" [10]. He connects dwelling in love with dwelling in God, suggesting a reciprocal relationship [10].

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in providing assurance. The Spirit is a witness of adoption, and being led by the Spirit is an evidence of this adoption [6]. This adoption signifies a believer's status as a child of God, providing a basis for confidence in God's acceptance [3, 6]. The unalienable love of God, as described in Romans 8:38-39, further underpins this assurance, confirming that nothing can separate believers from God's love [3, 5].

Assurance is also linked to righteousness and understanding of the gospel. Isaiah 32:17 indicates that righteousness produces assurance, and a full understanding of the gospel brings abundant assurance [3]. This "full assurance of understanding" (Colossians 2:2) is an unwavering conviction in the truth of Scripture's declarations [1].

The concept of assurance encompasses several aspects of a believer's relationship with God, including assurance of election, redemption, adoption, salvation, and eternal life [3]. These are not separate concepts but interconnected facets of God's overarching plan for humanity, all grounded in his steadfast love [3, 5]. The commandment to believe in the name of Jesus and to love one another are seen as intrinsically linked, forming a singular commandment under the Gospel dispensation [11]. True love for others cannot exist without faith in Christ, and true faith in Christ cannot exist without love [11].

Sources

  1. 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 ”
  2. I John “I John 4:16 (ASV) — And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him.”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
  4. 1 John “1 John 4:16 (NASB) — We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Adoption — Explained -- 2Co 6:18. Is according to promise -- Ro 9:8; Ga 3:29. Is by faith -- Ga 3:7,26. Is of God's grace -- Eze 16:3-6; Ro 4:16,17; Eph 1:5,6,11. Is through Christ -- Joh 1:12; Ga 4:4,5; Eph 1:5; Heb 2:10,13. Saints predestinated to -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:5,11. Of Gentiles, predicted -- Ho 2:23; Ro 9:24-26; Eph 3:6. The Adopted are gathered together in one by Christ -- Joh 11:52. New birth connected with -- Joh 1:12,13. The Holy Spirit is a Witness of -- Ro 8:16. Being led by the Spirit is an evidence of -- Ro 8:14. Saints receive the Spirit of -- Ro 8:15”
  7. Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 3:19: To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge - It is only by the love of Christ that we can know the love of God: the love of God to man induced him to give Christ for his redemption; Christ's love to man induced him to give his life's blood for his salvation. The gift of Christ to man is the measure of God's love; the death of Christ for man is the measure of Christ's love. God so loved the world, etc. Christ loved us, and gave himself for us. But how can the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, be known? Many have labored to reconcile this seeming co”
  8. Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 1:15: Faith in the Lord Jesus - Cordial reception of the Christian religion, amply proved by their love to all the saints - to all the Christians. Perhaps love here implies, not only the kind affection so called, but also all the fruits of love - benevolence, and kind offices of every description.”
  9. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:19: 3:19 May you experience (literally know) the love of Christ: The whole Christian life is based on the experience and personal knowledge of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ (see Rom 12:1). • it is too great to understand fully: Christ’s love is much greater than ordinary human love (see Rom 5:6-8). • The believer’s life is made complete when it is filled with all the fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within (see Eph 1:23; Gal 2:20; Col 1:27). The believer then is conformed to his image and reflects God (see Eph 4:14, 24; 5:1-2; Rom 8:29; 2”
  10. 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 4:16: And we have known and believed,.... Or have a full assurance and knowledge of, and faith in, the love that God hath to us; shown as in many instances, so more especially in sending his Son to be the propitiation for our sins, to be the Saviour of us, and that we might live through him. God is love; See Gill on Jo1 4:8, and he that dwelleth in love; who dwells by faith upon the love of God as displayed in Christ, and abides in the exercise of love to God and to the saints: dwelleth in God, and God in him; See Gill on Jo1 4:13; the last clause, "and God in him",”
  11. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:23: Summing up of God's commandments under the Gospel dispensation in one commandment. this is his commandment--singular: for faith and love are not separate commandments, but are indissolubly united. We cannot truly love one another without faith in Christ, nor can we truly believe in Him without love. believe--once for all; Greek aorist. on the name of his Son--on all that is revealed in the Gospel concerning Him, and on Himself in respect to His person, offices, and atoning work. as he--as Jesus gave us commandment.”
  12. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:6: 5:6 Faith in Christ Jesus provides access to all of God’s favor and grace, so no further benefit is available through human effort. Faith is expressed by exercising love toward others (cp. Rom 13:10; 14:17-19; 2 Cor 8:8-13).”
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