"SECURITY" (Pastor Tom Henry) ~ 9/3/26

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” (Rom. 8:16)

Can I know that I am saved? How can I know that I am saved? These questions are of the utmost importance. Among religious folks we might hear either of two answers that are of opposite extremes, neither of which have solid basis. Many today have a “know-so salvation” based on something they have done - perhaps a certain prayer they said, or a decision they made, or even a feeling they had. Salvation, while it may include prayer, decision, feelings, etc. none of these can be a “savior.” Other religious people are not so different from the world - when it allows for an afterlife at all - answers by saying: “You can’t really know. Try as hard as you can, and hope for the best.” Many religions say something similar. Islam, Hinduism, Mormonism, Roman Catholicism - each, in its own way, ultimately leaves a person to do his part the best that he can, and hope it is enough. Assurance is never guaranteed.

The Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century came about in no small part because of one man’s struggle with this very question. The Roman Catholic teaching about man’s justification left Martin Luther in a constant state of spiritual turmoil, bewilderment and even panic over the state of his soul. It was not until his heart got a hold of Gospel truth as Paul proclaims it in Romans 1:17 - “The just shall live by faith” - that he came to see that his assurance was not to be found in himself, but outside himself. His Justification depended not on him but on God.

The Apostle Paul could say, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” Those whom God has chosen, He keeps to the end. The elect can never lose their salvation, and by His Holy Spirit, He gives them a real subjective sense of their security. As He bears witness with their spirit. However, the ground of that assurance is wholly objective, for it rests in Christ’s finished work, even as the assurance itself is a true work of the Spirit within us.

The basis of our assurance has to be Christ’s finished work, and cannot be, even in part, dependent on our own works. Having Himself declared the work finished, He left nothing for us to make up, or complete. Where then do our works come in? Some, who fall into one of the categories mentioned at the beginning, who are often most vocal about their eternal security, insist that the believer’s works have no place at all. Since salvation is by grace, and not by works, then “Let us continue in sin that grace may abound” might well be their motto. However, Scripture speaks otherwise. While we rejoice in the truth of Ephesians 2:8, 9, let us not neglect verse 10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…” While we can rightfully boast that we are justified by faith and not by works, let us not forget what James said, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17)

Dear Christian, do not forget that as the end of your faith, as Peter assures us, is the salvation of your souls, its end is also your conformity to the image of Christ. (Rom. 8:29) And pray that the Holy Spirit will help you grasp the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. And knowing that God has saved you in Christ, rest in the joy of a future that is secure - not because you have secured it, but because Christ has secured it for you.