“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall.” (2 Peter 1:10).
So how do we do that? The question, “Am I saved?” is one of the most important questions we can ever ask ourselves. We need to know the answer . . . we must know the answer. Without the assurance of salvation the Christian life is a series of ups and downs. It is vulnerable to mood changes and allows false teachings to camp on the doorstep. The progress in sanctification requires a firm foundation in faith. Assurance is the glue our faith. Without it, the foundation falls apart.
First, realize our salvation rests upon the merit of Christ alone, which is given to us when we embrace Him by genuine faith. We need a clear understanding of what constitutes genuine saving faith. Secondly, a sober analysis of our own lives is required. We must examine ourselves to see if the fruit of regeneration is apparent in our lives. Do we have a real affection for the biblical Christ? Only the regenerate person possesses real love for the real Jesus. Here is a needed question: “Does my life manifest the fruit of sanctification?” I test my faith by my works.
We will never be perfect, but we are being perfected by the Savior. Real assurance rests on a sound understanding of salvation (Forgiven through the work of Jesus), a sound understanding of justification (being made right by God), a sound understanding of sanctification (living out our salvation), and a sound understanding of ourselves.
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