ASSURANCE OF SALVATION (PART 3) - THE ASSURANCE OF OUR HOPE OF RESURRECTION

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

Assurance of Salvation (Part 3) - The assurance of our hope of resurrection

In the earlier articles, we have examined the topic of the assurance of salvation and its importance to the Christian’s spiritual growth. The assurance of our salvation is a promise from God’s Word and we can rest our faith squarely upon God the Giver of this promise. It is the will of God that we are assured of our salvation so that we do not waver in our faith or our walk with God. The preceding articles also dealt with the firmness of the assurance of our salvation. No man or device can shake our assurance of salvation because our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour sees to it that no one can destroy the faith of a child of God, as we read,

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” John 10:28, 29

In today’s article, we meditate upon another aspect of the assurance of salvation. This is the association between the Christian’s assurance of salvation and the Christian’s hope of eternal life. The Lord Jesus Christ says in the Gospel of John,

“And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:39, 40

What is the relationship between our eternal hope of resurrection and the assurance of our salvation? These two subjects are so intertwined that the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of these subjects in the same sentence. 

A. God’s children can be assured of their salvation and resurrection

How do we know that we are true Christians, and how can we be sure we are God’s children? The answer comes not from us nor any human source but from the divine will of our heavenly Father. The Lord Jesus says, “And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing…”. Every child of God is given to the tender care of the Lord Jesus the Son of God.

The eternal salvation of every child of God is entrusted to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ and nothing can cause the child of God to be lost. Once the Christian comes to know the knowledge of salvation in the Gospel of Jesus, he is resting firmly upon the promise of God, and God makes known to the Christian that it is His will and His unconditional election that brings saving faith to the child of God. The word “lose” is translated from a word that conveys the meaning of something that is destroyed, perished, or dead. The word is in an aorist tense expressing an act that is accomplished in the past. So, never has a soul given by God the Father to the Lord Jesus been lost. And the second part of the sentence seals the future certainty of these souls’ resurrection, i.e. “but should raise it up again at the last day”. Every Soul entrusted to the Lord Jesus will never be lost, but will certainly be resurrected on the last day!

Brothers and Sisters, let us be confident of our salvation in the Lord Jesus. A Christian ought not to be doubtful of his salvation, nor lose faith, neither should a Christian turn back to the world for the lack of assurance.  

B. The proof of the assurance - perseverance of our faith in the Lord Jesus  

It is alarming when you hear of one who has professed to be a Christian for a long time suddenly turning away from the faith. Sometimes a man or a woman may be heard saying, “I have never really had faith in the Gospel of salvation”. Or one who says, “I have never really believed that the Lord Jesus can save me from my sins.” These are very sad situations if you have ever encountered them. But the Lord Jesus has this to say, 

“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40

This verse clearly refers to those who “seeth”, meaning one who has experienced, and knows the wonderful salvation in Lord Jesus. For such a person, the Lord Jesus promises resurrection and eternal life. Dearly beloved, our salvation is a most wonderful thing and we must walk with full confidence and assurance of it. When we have the assurance of salvation, we must consequentially also know and be assured of our eternal hope of resurrection.

Beloved, what a wonderful message of hope and eternal glory. Let us be assured by the word of God of our salvation. Let us encourage one another to know and understand that our faith and confidence must not be easily shaken by doubts or uncertainty. We must be equipped with the knowledge of the promises which the Lord Jesus has given us in His word. Thus we can help those who are new in the faith, so that they too may be confident and faithful in their walk with the Lord Jesus. That they may never lose hope in their eternal salvation and resurrection promised in God’s Word. May His saints be edified and strengthened by His Word. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng