The same preacher who said regarding salvation, "You didn't do anything to get it, so you can't do anything to lose it." also said "You are safe. Don't let there be any doubt in your mind."
It
is dangerous to try to assure someone of their salvation when they are not sure
of it themselves. Perhaps we should remind them of the true gospel message in case they are confused about it. They need to know that salvation comes
not by their own works, for self-righteousness is like filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6) but by our faith or belief in Jesus; however, once the true basis for salvation is made clear to someone,
and they have decided to follow Jesus as their Savior, then begins the process and the
journey of their making sure of their salvation. Paul admonishes us to examine ourselves to see whether
we are in the faith. (II Cor. 13:5) This is a necessary process, and we should not be
discouraged from doing this very healthy self-examination. By it, we adjust our
lives constantly to conform them to the image of Christ. (Romans 12:2) Certainly, we should not live our lives in constant fear of losing our salvation, for
in order for that to happen, we would have to forsake Christ, but we should
always be encouraged to move closer to our Lord in thought, word and deed,
rather than be given the license to do as we please, with no possibility of
ever losing our salvation no matter what we do. Unfortunately, this is the
extreme to which some have carried the doctrine of OSAS.
If someone is unsure about their relationship with God, is it really up to me to assure them? Do I have that right? Do I know their heart? Why are they unsure? Have they moved away from Christ? Once someone begins to slip away from
the Lord, it is not an easy path for them to make their way back. All
the more reason to encourage believers to stay close to Him for Paul told Timothy, “Some have already turned
aside to follow Satan.” (I Timothy 5:15)
People need to hear the warnings that are in the scriptures. Isn’t it much
better to err on the side of caution and warning rather than to err on the side
of license and assurance? Wouldn’t you rather make someone uncomfortable here
in this life by challenging them to make sure of their salvation if it meant
that he or she would be forever in heaven with the Lord rather than to give
someone comfort and peace of mind falsely here on earth only to see them in
torment for eternity? These are the stakes, and they are high, higher than any
other issues we face in this life.
Yes, we can have an assurance of
our salvation. Romans 8:12-17 tells us,
“So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live
according to the flesh- for if you are living according to the flesh, you must
die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you
will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of
God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but
you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba!
Father!’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are
children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs
with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be
glorified with Him.” In Galatians 4:6-7 we also read, “And because you are
sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba!
Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an
heir through God.” Does your heart cry out to God as your heavenly Father? Yes, God has provided a way for us to know that we are His, that
we belong to Him, and that nothing can separate us from His love. (Romans 8:35) The witness of His Spirit in our own spirit and heart assures us that we belong to Him.
So, it is not necessary for anyone
else to assure you that you are on the road of salvation. Only the Holy Spirit of God can
truly give you that assurance, and when you live your life for Him, as He asked you
to do when he said, “Take up your cross and follow Me,” then no one will be
able to keep you from having the assurance that you desire. The fellowship that
you have with Him will speak louder than any other voice. Don’t look to man to tell you that you
have a home in heaven. Go to God, and seek His face with all of your heart,
soul, mind and strength, and He promises that when you seek Him, you will find
Him.
“And if you address as Father the One
who impartially judges according to each man’s work, conduct yourselves in fear
during the time of your stay upon earth; knowing that you were not redeemed
with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life
inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb
unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” I Peter 1:17-19
