Eternal Security
Assurance is of the Essence of Saving Faith – 1997 Grace Evangelical Society Conference – MP3 / YouTube
What is the difference between saving faith and assurance? Why is the nature of the gospel message, such that when a person believes the biblical gospel, he necessarily has the assurance of eternal salvation? If a person is not assured of his eternal salvation, then that person is not believing the gospel message of eternal life. Believing something false never saved anybody, although believing a falsehood may give false assurance. What is saving faith? Is it a persuasion or a decision? Most false professions are made when the decision/process precedes the persuasion. What does it mean to believe that Jesus is the Christ? It means that Jesus is the guarantor of resurrection and eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. At the moment of saving faith, the believer is sure that he is eternally saved. Passages mentioned include: John 3:16, 20:31; 1 John 5:1; John 11:25-27; John 9:35-38; Matthew 11:2-3; and 2 Timothy 2:18.