Why is belief in Christ essential for assurance of salvation?

Belief in Christ is essential for assurance of salvation because it acknowledges Him as the sole mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). This belief is not merely intellectual but involves a personal trust in His redemptive work on the cross. As John Newton notes, every sinner who feels their guilt and helplessness is invited to look to Christ. Assurance arises from recognizing that salvation is a gift of grace granted through faith in Him, not based on works or fulfilling religious duties. Moreover, Jesus’ own words in John 14:6—'I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me'—underscore that belief in Him is the foundation for all spiritual confidence.