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Can a Christian Have Assurance of Salvation?

Understanding the Nature of Salvation: A Journey, Not a One-Time Event


The concept of salvation is central to the Christian faith, but its nature and implications are often misunderstood. To grasp the full scope of salvation, it is crucial to recognize that it is not merely a one-time event but a lifelong journey. This understanding aligns with the biblical teaching that salvation involves preservation or deliverance from danger or destruction, and it is an ongoing process that requires perseverance to the end.


In the New Testament, the Greek word for salvation, "soteria," encompasses deliverance from the present wicked system of things, as well as from bondage to sin and death. For instance, in Philippians 2:12, the apostle Paul urges believers to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." This exhortation indicates that salvation is something that must be actively pursued and maintained, rather than being a static condition. Paul’s words echo the sentiment of Jesus in Matthew 24:13, where He states, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Here, endurance and perseverance are highlighted as essential components of the Christian journey towards final salvation.


Salvation is therefore not an automatic or guaranteed status once a person begins to put faith in Jesus. Instead, it requires continuous faith, obedience, and perseverance. This perspective helps us to avoid the dangerous misconception that salvation can be secured through a mere momentary decision or profession of faith without the accompanying lifelong commitment to Christ.



The Biblical Definition of Salvation: Deliverance from Sin and Death


Salvation in the biblical sense is a multifaceted concept that involves deliverance from both the power and penalty of sin. It is made possible through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore the sins of humanity on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). This act of grace provides deliverance from the consequences of sin, which is eternal death (Romans 6:23), and grants believers the hope of eternal life.


The Bible teaches that all humans are born into sin as a result of Adam’s transgression (Romans 5:12), and therefore, they are in need of salvation. Romans 3:23 declares, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This universal condition necessitates a universal need for a Savior, and that Savior is Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has provided the means by which humanity can be reconciled to God and delivered from the bondage of sin.


However, the Bible also makes it clear that salvation is not automatically applied to every individual. It is offered to all, but it must be received through faith and repentance. In John 3:16, Jesus states, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." This promise of eternal life is conditional upon belief in Jesus Christ. Moreover, belief is not merely intellectual assent but involves a deep, personal trust in Christ that results in a transformed life.



The Misconception of Universal Salvation: Will God Save All Humankind?


A common misconception about salvation is the idea of universal salvation—the belief that God will eventually save all humankind regardless of their response to the gospel. Proponents of this view often cite verses such as 2 Peter 3:9, which states, "Jehovah is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." While this verse expresses God’s merciful desire for all to repent, it does not suggest that everyone will be saved irrespective of their choices.


The context of 2 Peter 3:9 makes it clear that repentance is necessary to avoid perishing. The verse explicitly contrasts perishing with repentance, implying that those who do not repent will indeed perish. This interpretation is consistent with the broader teaching of Scripture, which affirms that salvation is available to all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ, but those who reject the gospel will face destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:9).


Another passage often cited in support of universal salvation is 1 Corinthians 15:22, which says, "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." However, this verse must be understood in the context of the surrounding discussion, which is about the resurrection. The "all" in this passage refers to those who will be resurrected, not to universal salvation. The Bible teaches that all will be resurrected, but the outcome will differ based on their response to Christ. John 5:28-29 clarifies this, stating that "those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned."


The idea that everyone will eventually be saved, regardless of their faith or actions, contradicts numerous biblical passages that speak of eternal destruction for the wicked. For example, Matthew 7:13-14 teaches that "the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." This passage clearly indicates that not everyone will be saved; only those who choose the narrow path of faith and obedience will inherit eternal life.



The Reality of Eternal Destruction: Scriptures that Show Some Will Never Be Saved


The Bible is unequivocal in its teaching that not all will be saved. Numerous passages speak of the eternal destruction that awaits those who reject God’s offer of salvation. For example, 2 Thessalonians 1:9 states, "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." This verse clearly teaches that those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus will face eternal destruction.


Similarly, Revelation 21:8 provides a sobering list of those who will face the "second death," which is described as the "lake that burns with fire and sulfur." This includes the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars. The imagery of the lake of fire symbolizes the final and irrevocable judgment on those who persist in sin and reject God’s salvation.


The teaching of eternal destruction is also found in Jesus’ own words in Matthew 25:41, where He speaks of the final judgment: "Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’" This passage underscores the reality that some will face eternal separation from God as a result of their choices in this life.


These passages make it clear that while God desires all to be saved, not everyone will respond to His offer of salvation. Those who reject the gospel and continue in sin will face eternal destruction, not universal salvation.



Once Saved, Always Saved? The Necessity of Endurance


The doctrine of "once saved, always saved," also known as the doctrine of eternal security, teaches that once a person is truly saved, they can never lose their salvation. However, this doctrine is not supported by the full testimony of Scripture. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the necessity of endurance and faithfulness in order to obtain final salvation.


In Matthew 24:13, Jesus explicitly states, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." This verse highlights the importance of perseverance in the Christian life. Salvation is not guaranteed simply because one begins the journey of faith; it must be maintained through continuous faith and obedience to Christ.


The book of Hebrews provides several warnings against falling away from the faith. Hebrews 10:26-27 warns, "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries." This passage indicates that deliberate, ongoing sin can lead to a loss of salvation, as there is no further sacrifice for sins once a person rejects the truth they have received.


Additionally, Hebrews 6:4-6 describes the tragic condition of those who have "once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit," yet fall away. The passage concludes by stating that "it is impossible to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt." This warning underscores the danger of apostasy and the reality that salvation can be forfeited through deliberate rejection of Christ.


The apostle Paul also stresses the importance of ongoing faith and obedience. In Philippians 2:12, he urges believers to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." This exhortation is not a call to earn salvation through works but rather an acknowledgment that salvation requires diligent effort and perseverance. Paul’s admonition reflects the understanding that salvation is a process that must be carefully guarded and nurtured throughout one’s life.



The Relationship Between Faith and Works: Is Anything More Than Faith Needed?


The question of whether anything more than faith is needed for salvation has been the subject of much theological debate. The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith and not by works, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." This passage makes it clear that salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned through human effort.


However, the Bible also teaches that genuine faith will inevitably produce good works. James 2:14-26 famously argues that "faith without works is dead." James 2:17 specifically states, "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." This passage emphasizes that while works do not save, they are the evidence of a living and active faith. Genuine faith will manifest itself in a life of obedience to God’s commands.


Jesus Himself taught the importance of obedience in relation to salvation. In Matthew 7:21, He warns, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." This teaching underscores that mere profession of faith is insufficient; true discipleship involves doing the will of God.


The relationship between faith and works can be understood as follows: faith is the means by which we receive salvation, but works are the evidence of that faith. Works are not the cause of salvation, but they are the fruit of a saving faith. As Ephesians 2:10 states, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Thus, while salvation is by faith alone, that faith is never alone; it is accompanied by a life of good works that flow from a transformed heart.



The Assurance of Salvation: Can a Christian Be Sure of Their Salvation?


Given the biblical teachings on the necessity of endurance, the reality of apostasy, and the relationship between faith and works, can a Christian have assurance of their salvation? The answer is yes, but this assurance is not based on a one-time profession of faith or an assumption of eternal security without regard to one’s ongoing relationship with Christ. Rather, assurance of salvation is rooted in a continual, living faith in Jesus Christ and a life that bears the fruit of that faith.


1 John 5:13 provides a basis for assurance: "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." This verse indicates that believers can have confidence in their salvation, knowing that eternal life is found in Christ. However, this assurance is linked to the ongoing relationship with Christ, as John repeatedly emphasizes the importance of obedience and love as evidence of genuine faith.


Romans 8:16 also speaks to the assurance of salvation: "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." The inner witness of the Holy Spirit provides believers with the assurance that they belong to God. This assurance is not a license for complacency but a source of confidence that motivates believers to continue living in faith and obedience.


It is important to understand that biblical assurance is not based on feelings or subjective experiences but on the promises of God and the evidence of a transformed life. As believers persevere in faith, obey God’s commands, and produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), they can have confidence that they are on the path of salvation.


In conclusion, while the Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, it also emphasizes the necessity of ongoing faith, obedience, and endurance. Assurance of salvation is possible, but it is not based on a one-time decision or profession of faith. Instead, it is rooted in a continual, living relationship with Jesus Christ, evidenced by a life of faith and obedience. As believers persevere to the end, they can have confidence in the promise of eternal life.



About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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