How to Be Absolutely Sure

Adrian Rogers says, “We do not live by explanations; we live by promises.”One of God’s promises is the assurance of our salvation. 1 John 5 reveals the basis for our belief, and how to be absolutely sure of our salvation in Jesus Christ.First, our certainty comes from the Atoning Work of Christ. 1 John 5:6 says, “This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ...”The wages of sin is death (Rom. 3:23) and without the shedding of blood, there’s no remission. Jesus took our sin to the cross, and with His blood He paid sin’s penalty.But there’s also the water, which speaks of that, which continues to cleanse. This assures us, not only of our salvation, but of our sanctification. He saves us from wrath and makes us pure. Adrian Rogers says, “I wouldn’t give half a hallelujah of your hope of Heaven, apart from the water and the blood, apart from the death of the Lord Jesus Christ upon that cross.”Secondly, our certainty comes from the Abiding Witness of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes the atoning work and He testifies of it. He gives witness to us and in us. “It is the Spirit that beareth witness because the Spirit is truth.” (v. 6) Before we’re even saved, the Holy Spirit is telling us about Jesus. And when we receive Christ, He comes into us, and witnesses from within. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself.” (v. 10) The Spirit also witnesses through us. When we are sure of our salvation, we can witness to others, because we know that our witness is not dependent on eloquence or logic, but upon the Spirit.The third cord of our rock-ribbed assurance is certainty of the Word of the Father. God gave us His Word. Adrian Rogers says, “The message of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is one message: Jesus saves.”The source of this life is Jesus. The substance of life is Jesus. And the surety of life is Jesus; for the Bible tells me so.Apply it to your lifeAre you absolutely sure of your salvation? Consider the three cords of your unbroken assurance today: the work Jesus did on the cross, the witness of the Spirit, and the Word of God.