Can I Know for Sure?

[RETIREDFAN1]

Can I Know for Sure

Salvation means forgiveness of sins, but it also means a better life on earth and spending eternity with our God in heaven.

 Luke 18:29-30

 

Such a gift is immeasurably valuable.

Matthew 13:44-46

 

We are told many times that we should not be anxious.

Philippians 4:6-7

 

Paul was not anxious. He was extremely confident.

II Timothy 1:12

 

Too many people see God as someone trying to get rid of people at the least provocation. God, however, wants all of us to be saved.

II Peter 3:9

 

 For those who follow Christ and not the world, there is no condemnation looming on the horizon.

Romans 8:1

 

Instead of feeling as if there is, instead of always feeling doom and gloom, we should be overflowing with hope.

Romans 15:13

 

Our faith is our assurance of salvation.

Hebrews 10:22-23

 

We look forward to the end.

Titus 2:11-13

So where does our confidence come from? Assurance comes from what is written and not from what is felt. God had it written for us so that we might believe and from there have eternal life.

I John 5:13

 

Feelings are uncertain and can be manipulated. God doesn’t reassure us with feelings, but instead, He reassures us through His Word.

Proverbs 28:26

 

 God’s Word is permanent. It will never change

I Peter 1:25

 

Feelings often bring about worries. Our feelings, our hearts, might condemn us, but God is greater than our hearts.

I John 3:20

 

If we don’t spend our time condemning ourselves, we can and will have confidence of our salvation.

I John 3:21

 

Feelings can also bring about false confidence. Paul had a good conscience, but at that time he was lost.

Acts 23:1

 

The Pharisee thought he was right with God.

Luke 18:11

 

Things that may look right to us can be totally wrong.

Proverbs 14:12

 

That is why God’s word is to be our guide, not our feelings.

Psalms 119:105

 

His Word is the truth that frees us.

John 8:32

 

Knowledge is given in His Word to show us how to escape the pollution of the world.

II Peter 1:3-4

 

Confidence comes from God and not from man. Many people feel safe because their preacher or a family member has told them they are safe. This isn’t based on what they know from the Bible, because most people have rarely read the Bible. We are told though, that we must study it. 

Acts 17:11

 

Our trust cannot be in men. We have to do our own work. Philippians 2:12

 

After all, false teachers are all around us.

 I John 4:1

It is the Spirit who assures us.

Romans 8:16

 

How does He do this?  Many people make the false assumption that it is a feeling or a still voice inside. However, we have already seen that feelings are not used by God as a guide. The Spirit gave the Scriptures.

II Peter 1:19-21

 

It is His Word which builds us and gives us heaven.

Acts 20:32

 

Paul showed us that we have two witnesses to this. One is the Spirit.

Ephesians 1: 13 - 14

 

Another is our own spirit.

I John 5: 10 - 11

         

What does the Spirit teach men to do? We are taught that Jesus took care of the problem of sin.

I John 4:9, 14

 

Salvation is only found in Jesus.

John 14:6

Acts 4:12

 

Let’s use the Ethiopian Eunuch as an example. He learned of Jesus and what Jesus commanded.

Acts 8:35-36

 

He believed what he learned. He confessed that he believed.

Acts 8:37

 

He was immersed in water.

Acts 8:38

 

He left rejoicing because he was certain of his salvation.

Acts 8:39

 

Notice how little delay there was. Have you obeyed the Spirit as the Eunuch had done? If not, then there is reason for your lack of confidence. But there is no reason to remain so.

II Corinthians 6:2

 

In baptism our sins are washed away.

Acts 22:16

 

If you have been immersed, are you a changed person, a new creature?

Romans 6:3-4

 

If not, don’t be angry or sad, do something about it.

II Corinthians 7:10-11

 

Confidence comes from walking in the light and not living in fear. We cannot walk in sin and expect to be close to God.

I John 1:5-7

 

Walking in the light means keeping His commands and following Christ.

I John 2:3-6

I John 3:24

 

 Staying in righteousness gives us confidence.

I John 2:28-29

 

We purify ourselves from sin as long as we stay in righteousness. 

I John 3:2-3

 

We see this light in our changed attitude toward brethren.

I John 3:14

 

We see this light by overcoming the world.

I John 5:4-5

 

But God does not expect us to live perfect lives.

I John 1:8-10

 

Sin remains a problem in the world.

Romans 3:23

 

We will slip up and sin, but we don’t lose confidence – unless we give up. Paul worked at remaining faithful.

I Corinthians 9:27

 

God is on our side.

Romans 8:31-34

 

He is not out to get us.

I Peter 5:10

 

We can come before God boldly.

Hebrews 4:16

 

He wants us to succeed.

I John 5:20

 

Knowing all of this, we must remember that judgement is based on what we do.

II Corinthians 5:10

 

Grace overcomes sin, but we cannot remain in sin.

Romans 5:20-6:2

 

 God told this to the Israelites.

Ezekiel 18:30-32

 

But we don’t have to live in fear of being cast out, we have to continue to strive.

II Corinthians 5:9

 

Our love for God drives out fear.

I John 4:17-19

 

Where do you stand? Are you building confidence or does fear have you paralyzed?