Assurance of salvation as an answer
There are numerous facts whose truth is beyond question for me. Every morning, the sun appears on the horizon and disappears again in the evening. The stars twinkling in the sky cannot be counted; water always feels wet, while flames radiate heat. Personally, I consider apples to be the tastiest fruit God created—probably because my childhood was shaped by an apple orchard.
I firmly believe that many difficulties in our world could be alleviated if people acted more selflessly. I value partnership in marriage and the practice of love with utmost importance. At the same time, I place my trust in our spiritual Father, who loves me and has my best interests at heart.
My trust is not only in God's nature, but also in his promises. In particular, it is in the promise of salvation for all who believe in him. Paul expresses this thought succinctly in his letter to the Romans: “This is the word of faith that we preach: If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Röm 10,8-10).
If you, dear reader, confess with your mouth that Jesus is your personal Lord and hold in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you are saved. Does our salvation therefore come from our own faith and confession? It can be illustrated like this: My belief that the sun rises and sets daily does not make this event any more true or real. Even if I falsely assume that the sun does not move, the reality of its rising and setting would remain unchanged.
The same applies to faith in Jesus' sacrifice for all humanity: My confession doesn't make this reality a reality. When I speak with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and acknowledge in my heart what God has accomplished through him, I agree with God's already spoken "yes" to my life. My words are nothing more than a response to his initiative. I testify that Jesus has already done everything for me. He has forgiven me, redeemed me, and reconciled me to the Father who has accepted me. Jesus showed his love in life, death, resurrection, and ascension—in everything he endured for me according to his own promise. Paul continues this good news: "For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, for the same Lord is Lord of all, and richly blesses all who call on him, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Röm 10,12-13).
My deepest concern is that you, dear reader, understand: Jesus loves you, gave his life for you, and has already granted you salvation—not because of your achievements, but solely because of what Jesus accomplished. This promise applies without distinction to Jew and Greek, slave and free, women and men, young and old. I am convinced that this good news is equally beneficial for everyone.
from Greg Williams
More articles on this topic:
