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

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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