Assurance of Salvation
I John 5:11-13

GOD wants us to know that we have eternal life (I John 5:13). After bringing someone into relationship with Christ, first help him to be sure of his salvation. Remember he is a babe at this point. The simpler the verse and explanation, the better.

John 3:36 is one of the simplest and most helpful passages to bring assurance: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." Two facts are important to point out. God says, "He that believeth on the Son," not he that believes in his good works or his baptism or his church or sincerity, but in God's Son to get him to heaven. He is the Saviour! Then God does not say the believer "might have" or he would "feel like he has" or "someday would have," but right now he has everlasting life.

Simply read the first part of the verse and ask, "DO you believe on the Lord Jesus as your Saviour?" When he can answer, "Yes," read the last part with him and ask, "Do you right now have everlasting life?" When he sees this with the eye of faith because it is in the Word of God, he will be able to say assuredly, "Yes, I do." Ask again, "How do you know?" When the answer is, "Because God said so right here in His Word," his assurance can be lasting.

If you have emphasized the receiving of a Person and have used Revelation 3:20 to urge him to invite the Lord Jesus into his heart, then stay with this verse. Ask simply, "Did you invite Him in?" When he answers, "Yes," ask, "According to this verse, where is the Lord Jesus now?" When the new convert can answer, "In my heart because He said He would come in," again, the assurance can be lasting.

Assurance should be based on the Word of God, not on feeling. Use the diagram of a train with the engine as the "facts" of the promises of God, the passenger car as "faith" and the caboose as "feeling." Our faith in these promises of God produces salvation and the feelings (which differ with each person) follow but are not essential to the facts. People need assurance like Paul's in order to say, "I know whom I have believed" (II Tim. 1:12).