Introduction:
Growing up in the non-denominational evangelical world, I’ve felt a slurry of emotions that often felt like riding a rollercoaster. There were moments when I felt lifted high that I could sense God’s presence. And there were moments when I fell hard in my walk and felt as though God had abandoned me. This was the typical life cycle of an Evangelical Christian growing up in the 1980s to the 2000s. The church was exciting and fun. Lots of energy and cheering are going on. Some churches would hold laughing sessions, calling it “holy laughter,” where they felt the Holy Spirit stirring up their sense of humor.
In comparison, other churches practice ministries that generate profit, as well as those that focus on healing. It was the Wild West of the Christian church, where everything and anything went. No one questioned or stopped these movements, except for a few conservative reformers and traditionalists who disapproved of the anything-goes attitude of worship. The anti-modern movement would speak out against such practices, stating it is unbiblical to commercialize Christianity. They held on to tradition, claiming God never approved of such acts of worship.
The underlying proof the evangelical church uses is experience as a marker for their assurance of salvation. Most, if not all, have had some sort of emotional experience attached to their conversion experience. The experience is sufficient for them to believe in and trust God. The problem arises when we place our faith in an experience we had. Salvation may have occurred in that moment in the past, yet that moment is not what our faith should be based on. The object of faith must be in the person Jesus Christ and not in a point in time. When the evil one deceives us and tries to cause us to lose our faith, he will direct us to recall and hold on to that moment as part of our experience. This is a misdirecting of faith. If you concede, your faith will be based on your experience, rather than the living Lord who is our assurance.
In this article, we will briefly discuss what faith is and its relationship to the assurance of salvation. I will take you on a personal journey that I’ve been through, one of wandering and waiting for clear answers. I hope to deepen your understanding of your faith and shed light on some misconceptions, so that your faith may be solidified in Christ. Let’s walk together, shall we?
Personal walk of assurance
As I’ve mentioned in the introduction, my Christian walk has been a rocky road. Nothing went smoothly, and nothing was easy. There were many moments I’ve wanted to reject God and not be burdened by His laws and rules. But I knew there was no escape from the presence of God. I’ve fought and wrestled with God on many occasions, trying to compromise with Him to give me what I desired. This never unfolded the way I had wanted. I’ve had moments where I‘ve run far from God, not wanting to hear a word because I knew it would convict me and cause guilt. But no matter how far I ran, God was always there. I’ve had my share of emotional experiences, which led me to believe I was saved because of my moment with God. It was an unexplainable experience that I cannot describe, nor would I attempt to do so. It was very personal. Yet I found myself turning to that experience whenever I felt distant or far from God to validate His presence.
When doubt crept in, it was a common occurrence for me to turn to that experience to reassure my faith in God. As the years went on, I found myself in a continual struggle, not knowing why I was going through what I was struggling with. My doubts and questions persist, confusing what I genuinely believe. I knew there had to be more than a one-time experience. Sure, my spirit drew closer to God, but I still felt as though I was walking on an unstable bridge, wavering at every gust of wind and breeze that came my way. I just accepted it as how faith must be in Christ. Although I had doubts in my theology, my love for Christ compelled me to teach His Word to the people of God. Regardless of how I felt like a hypocrite, I continued to be faithful in His calling to share the Word.
Although it was easier to teach kids about the basics of the Christian faith, learning the more profound truths of Christianity would only cause more confusion and doubt. Why do churches complicate the simple message of the Gospel? Couldn’t we hold the fundamental truths and live in peace with one another? God would not allow that. God does not save someone and then leave them on their own. God plants the seed and causes it to grow in our hearts. I was not allowed to remain in my ignorance and innocence. I had to learn the difficult theological doctrines the church of Christ had been struggling with for many years. The struggles were not concerning the essential truths of the faith. Instead, they were doctrines that sought to explain the deeper meanings of the various teachings found in the Bible. My faith went from shaky to almost zero percent. The more I studied doctrine, the more I questioned God and the accuracy of the Bible. Was it all just a massive hoax, or was there truth behind what is taught in Scripture? My struggle was real, and my heart was desperate to know the truth.
Guilt would overwhelm me whenever I taught the Word to the point where I felt I couldn’t serve anymore. After some significant changes and corrections, my conviction in God grew stronger as the years passed by. It grew because the little faith I had in Christ remained, sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit. That little mustard seed eventually grew over time, branch by branch, leaf by leaf, fruit by fruit.
I’ve read Scripture and read many books about Scripture. I’ve read a wide range of theological books to reshape and reform my theology while attending seminary. Until I’ve reached a point in life where I could be assured of my salvation, my heart was constantly wandering and wavering at every turn and doctrine. It was through the struggle that my faith grew. It was not because I knew more, nor was it because I’ve been a Christian for many years. Only dealing with and not running from the complex doctrines did my faith solidify. I’ve come to realize God allows the struggle to grow us. Growth does not come from time passed, nor from our own effort or convictions. Growth comes from cooperating with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. In other words, growth comes from God.
WHAT IS FAITH?
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Assurance of salvation comes from having faith in God. Without faith, you cannot expect to have assurance. Assurance is the result of having genuine faith, not works. If you disagree, consider the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43). In his final moments, the thief turned to Jesus and asked for forgiveness. Jesus instantly forgave Him and promised him paradise. His faith was not in his words, nor was it in his abilities. He was dying on the cross beside this man who claimed to be the Son of God. In his final moment, He believed Jesus. He did not have time to do any work to validate his faith, nor did he base it on his own words spoken. His faith object was in Christ alone and His words of promise. In his final moments of life, he believed in Jesus. He believed Jesus could and would do what he said.
What Do You Believe?
Some theologians prefer to distinguish between believing in Jesus and believing Jesus. Believing in Jesus is to know about Him. Believing Jesus means accepting what He said as truth. Believing in Jesus means knowing that there was a historical figure named Jesus, just as there were men in history named Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Those who believe in Jesus believe either that he existed or that he did incredible things, was a good person, and taught about love. They know he was crucified on the cross and accept it as fact. Many people, if not most, are aware of and believe in Jesus. However, when it comes to accepting His promises as truth, that’s another story. In comparison, believing Jesus means trusting that He is alive right now, and sitting at the right hand of God the Father. Believing Jesus means accepting everything he said as truth and living by his words. Believing Jesus means you obey His commands, walk after Him, and never look back. Believing Jesus means you have a real, genuine, and active relationship with the living Jesus Christ. You talk with Him; You walk with Him; You seek His guidance and counsel every moment of your life. If you can say that, then you believe Him.
Knowing someone existed in the past does not save you. What do you believe about Jesus? Do you believe He did these things? There are more recorded documents and writings in history about Jesus Christ’s life than about any other person who walked this Earth. Proof that Christ existed is not a mystery. There truly was a man who performed miracles and raised the dead. Jesus claimed He is the only way to God. Do you believe this? Only Jesus? No other way to God except believing in Jesus? To many hearers, that sounds narrow-minded and limited. If God is so loving, why doesn’t he save everyone and have all religions lead to Him? Wouldn’t a loving God want to save everyone? John 3:16 clearly says, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son…” Clearly, this passage says God loves everyone. So how can a God who loves everyone not save everyone?
If God were to save everyone regardless of sin and judgment, what would heaven look like? Do you believe everyone wants to be saved? Do you think that all people are desperate to know God and serve Him? Sin has captivated many people so that they desire sin over God. Do you think they would be grateful to God? Jesus said there will be many in the lake of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt 8:10-13). Those who are cast into the final judgment place will either be weeping sorrowfully for what they have done (or neglected to do), or gnashing their teeth in hatred and anger towards God. Their salvation is based on their works, so their works are tested against the perfect life of Christ. If it doesn’t measure up, they are cast into the lake of fire.
Those who are gnashing their teeth are the ones who are angry and resentful at God for judging them. Even in their final judgment, they do not fear God, but resent Him. They love darkness, violence, and immorality, and want nothing to do with God. Their anger will not subside but only heighten in their place of darkness. No one in hell will be there by accident. Everyone in hell will be there because they wanted to be there. How you live your life on Earth will reveal where you want to be in eternity. If you desire the things of Christ, then you are in danger of misplacing your faith. If you desire Christ, then you are on the right path. If your heart desires God to be far from you, allowing you to live freely apart from God’s laws, then your wish may come true in the future. If your heart longs to be near Christ wherever He goes or takes you, then get ready for the time of your life.
Jesus is the Son of God who opened the door to salvation. Do you believe Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life (John 14:6), or is it possible that there is another way? These are inquiries that every confessing believer must wrestle with. Do you have genuine faith in Christ alone, or is your object of faith in something or someone else? Do you believe in Jesus, or do you believe Jesus? Do you talk to Him every day? Does he know your name? Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Master? Is Jesus Christ your God?
