Assurance

Questions Answered in This Article

What does the Bible say about assurance?

The Bible teaches that true assurance comes from trusting Christ alone for salvation, not from our personal works.

Biblically, assurance is not rooted in our own holiness, graces, or works but is found in simple faith that trusts in Christ for every aspect of salvation. Assurance that relies on personal merit is considered self-righteousness according to the teachings of the Reformed faith. Scriptures emphasize that our acceptance with God is secured through Christ's work, which invites believers to place their confidence not in themselves but in Him.

How do we know assurance of salvation is true?

We know assurance of salvation is true through faith in Christ, who provides our acceptance before God.

The assurance of salvation is true because it is based on the infallible promises of God as revealed in Scripture. True assurance does not stem from our efforts or self-righteousness but is a gift that comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Given that salvation is ultimately God's work and not ours, the reliability of our assurance rests in the finished work of Christ, who guarantees our eternal acceptance with the Father. God’s faithfulness and the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice affirm this assurance.

Why is personal holiness important for Christians?

Personal holiness is important as an evidence of genuine faith, but it is not the basis for our assurance.

While personal holiness is significant in the life of a believer and serves as evidence of true faith, it should be understood in its rightful context. The sovereignty of grace teaches that our assurance does not rest on our holiness, as this can lead to self-righteousness. Genuine holiness and good works result from our faith in Christ and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit within us, yet they are not the grounds for our acceptance before God. Instead, Christ’s atoning work is the foundation of our assurance.