Can I know for certain that I have eternal life?

One of the most important questions a person can ask is this: “Can I know for certain that I have eternal life?” Sadly, many Christians live with uncertainty about their eternal destiny, constantly looking inward at their performance, emotions, or spiritual consistency for assurance. Yet the Bible directs believers to look outward—to Christ and His promises.

Assurance is not grounded in how faithfully we serve, how strongly we feel, or how well we persevere. The basis of assurance is the trustworthy promise of God to all who believe in Jesus Christ. As 1 John 5:13 says, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Over the years, many sincere believers have struggled because assurance has been tied to self-examination rather than to the finished work of Christ. Some have been taught that good works, endurance, or obedience are necessary proofs that one is truly saved. But if assurance ultimately rests upon our performance, then certainty becomes impossible.

The latest paper produced by the Biblical Resource Group addresses these issues in detail. The Certainty of Salvation: The Biblical Basis of Assurance distinguishes assurance from eternal security, demonstrates that assurance rests on God’s promise rather than human performance, and examines key passages that are often misunderstood in this discussion.

The paper also addresses common objections and provides practical guidance for helping believers grow in their confidence before God. Its aim is not to minimize the importance of spiritual growth or obedience, but to place them in their proper role—never as the basis of assurance, but as the outworking of a secure and settled salvation.

We believe this study will be both clarifying and spiritually encouraging to believers who desire confidence rooted in the finished work of Christ and the trustworthy promises of God.

If you would like to read this paper, it can be found here: https://www.sanfordbiblechurch.org/gallery/BRG_The_Basis_of_Assurance.pdf

Last month, I mentioned that I have an appointment for a colonoscopy. That procedure is scheduled for June 12th. The reason for it is that my Cologuard test came back positive. I will let you know the results once I have more information.

Blessings,

Bob

* * *

Assurance of Salvation

Assurance of salvation has disappeared in the minds of many of the children of God. They daily look at their lives and wonder. They wring their hands and ask for the thousandth time the question “Am I really saved?” Having been subverted, they forget that the answer to the question “Am I really saved?” is really “Do I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and that He died for my sins on Calvary’s cross?” “Do I agree that the death of Jesus Christ, His burial, His resurrection is in fact the Gospel?” In the midst of today’s confusions, many have ceased to believe that the death of Christ is enough to work the work for their salvation from sin’s eternal penalty. –Dave Breese

Is Repentance Necessary for Salvation?

What exactly does the Bible mean by “repent”? And how should it be presented in evangelism?

Believers often hear repentance emphasized, yet definitions can vary widely—sometimes leading to confusion about the gospel itself. Is repentance a change of mind? A turning from sin? A commitment to reform one’s life?

Years ago, J. F. Strombeck wrote, “It is often said, and that most earnestly, that ‘to believe’ is not sufficient for a man to be saved. In addition thereto one must repent and also confess one’s sins. If these two are needed in addition to faith, why does John not mention them in his Gospel? He does not do so a single time, and still he claims to have written for the purpose of enabling man to receive eternal life (Ch. 20:31). Is it possible that he leaves two vital conditions out of his message? If so, then one who possesses the Gospel according to John and no other part of the Bible cannot find eternal life thereby.”

He then asked, “Are repentance and confession, then, not necessary to salvation?” That is an excellent question. The latest paper produced by the Biblical Resource Group addresses that question and more. The Role of Repentance in Evangelism carefully examines the key passages, clarifies common misunderstandings, and seeks to bring biblical precision to how repentance relates to faith in Christ. If you would like to read this paper, it can be found here:

https://www.sanfordbiblechurch.org/gallery/BRG_The_Role_of_Repentance_in_Evangelism.pdf

The next paper we will tackle is The Basis of Assurance of Salvation.

On a personal note, I recently received the results of a Cologuard test, which came back positive. In previous years, it has been negative. I have made an appointment with a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy. For me, the hardest part is not knowing what the future holds. My personality tends toward pessimism—the cup being half empty—and the enemy can certainly use those thoughts as a tool for discouragement.

I am reminded of Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” For me, the challenge is to keep my mind from drifting toward pessimism and instead to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Blessings,

Bob

* * *

The Object of Our Faith

Some people say faith moves mountains. That is not true. God moves mountains.

Faith is no better than its object. Faith in faith is nothing but positive thinking. If you put faith in positive thinking, you are going to become discouraged.

There are some who teach that if you will simply believe God for something, that He will give you that thing. That is simply not true.

If you try to apply that teaching to your life, after a while Satan is going to say, “You really don’t have what it takes.”

Don’t get the idea that because your faith is weak that your prayers are not reaching heaven. Weak faith in God is better than strong faith in anything else. Faith is what counts. It is not the size of your faith, it is the object of your faith that really counts.

—Adrian Rogers