Blessed Assurance

“Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine.

O what a foretaste, of glory divine.

Heir of salvation, purchase of God.

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.”

 – Fanny Crosby

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”  1 John 5:13

The words of the popular hymn, Blessed Assurance, were penned more than a century ago in 1873. The world has changed in staggering ways since that time. Automobiles, radio, television, computers, cell phones, and the internet are just some of the major inventions of the past century. Culture has changed…even churches have changed. But the one thing that has not changed and will never change is the security of salvation.

If you have been, as Fanny Crosby put it long ago, “Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood,” you have the blessed assurance of salvation. No matter what happens, changes, or comes against you, your place in God’s family is sure. It is not because of anything you have done, but because of what Jesus did for you.

The Apostle John spent much of 1 John explaining to God’s people how they could have the assurance that Fanny Crosby later wrote and sang about. His desire was that they “know” they had eternal life.  Notice he didn’t say think, feel, or hope. He said, “Know.”  But how can anyone really know he will go to heaven when he dies until he actually dies?  What if…

Most Christians have doubted our salvation at some point or another. Many times, this doubt arises not because we doubt God, but ourselves. We consider our lives, how we are living, the depth of our faith, and we wonder. Perhaps we compare our life to a former time of growth spiritually and wonder, “What happened?” “How did I get here from there?” Or, maybe we were taught that salvation could be lost.

But God’s Word says we can know we have eternal life. We don’t have to worry or fear. This assurance is ours now. Notice that John is speaking to those, “who believe in the name of the Son of God.” He didn’t say, “believed.” Our assurance does not come from a past event or experience. Assurance comes from continual faith…faith that is growing and yielding the fruit of obedience. Salvation is past (what Jesus did), present (being changed into His image by the Holy Spirit), and future (living with Him forever).

When doubts arise, examine your heart. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Does that belief change the way you live? If so, then rest assured. You didn’t do anything to earn your salvation; therefore you can’t do anything to lose it.

If, however, you are relying on a past experience that has no effect on your life now, pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you if you have ever truly been saved.

Father, thank You for salvation. I confess that it is all the work of Your grace and mercy. Please deepen my faith in You each and every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.