By Rev. G. I. Macaskill, B.A.
Importance of Assurance
The question of assurance is very important for at least three reasons. Firstly, for the obvious reason that many think they are saved and are not. The Scriptures record that in the Day of Judgment many will say: “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?”, and He will reply: “I never knew you: depart for Me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7: 22, 23). Secondly, it is important because some may consider themselves outside of the kingdom of grace, when in actual fact, they are inside it, and thereby their usefulness to the Cause of Christ is severely limited. Thirdly the subject of assurance is very important for the simple reason that all within the Church of God are commanded “to make their calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1: 10). The Westminster Confession of Faith makes it abundantly clear that it is not only the duty of all believers to seek it, but that all believers may attain it by ordinary means.
Mistakes regarding Assurance
As there is much confusion about assurance, it might be helpful to begin by looking at some common mistakes regarding it.
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It is a mistake to think that everyone who is truly converted knows that he is, because the First Epistle of John was written to true believers, some of whom needed to be assured of their interest in Christ. John clearly states: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” (1 John 5: 13).
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It is also a mistake to think that all who are assured are all equally assured, because although one may say that he is persuaded that nothing can separate him from the love of God (Rom. 8: 38), another can only say, “Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief.” (Mk. 9: 24)
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Another common mistake is to think that those who have assurance are always fully assured of their salvation. The Psalmist says in Psalm 119: 57 that “God is his portion”, but yet he says in Psalm 31: 22 that “he is cut off”. Asaph in Psalm 77 seems to have both experiences. In verses 8 and 9 he asks, “Is His mercy clean gone for ever?”, yet in verses 13 and 14 he says, “Who is so great a God as our God?” and “Thou art the God that doest wonders”.
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Further, it is not correct to think that those with assurance are untroubled by sin or always receive answers to their prayers. They are not immune from sin nor do they always have sensible answers to prayer. David had to complain, “Iniquities prevail against me” (Ps. 65: 3) and “How long wilt Thou forget me, Lord?” All they can say is what Paul said: “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Tim. 1: 12)
Reasons for lack of Assurance
What, then, are the reasons why many believers do not possess this great blessing? Here are some of the most common:-
Many do not realise that it was what was in God Himself and not anything that was in man that caused Him to send Christ into the world as the sinner’s Substitute. They look into their own hearts for a reason why God should save them — but there is no reason there why God should show them mercy. The reason is in heaven, in God’s own bosom. The Shorter Catechism states it in this way, “… out of His mere good pleasure. …”. The Apostle John writes, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son …”.
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Some do not realise that faith alone is the condition of salvation and not faith along with the fruit that follows. It is true that faith cannot be alone in the soul, but nevertheless, it is faith alone that is the condition of salvation. “To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Rom. 4:5)
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Others do not realise that God, being a sovereign God, may work differently with different people. With regard to conviction of sin, Paul is kept three days, the Philippian jailor about one hour, and Zaccheus not a moment. With regard to sanctification and growth in grace there is a great difference between Samuel and Samson; between David and Solomon; and between Peter and Paul.
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Finally, many seeking assurance do not know exactly what they are looking for. They may be looking for comfortable feelings rather than grounds why they are saved. They expect some sensation when reading the Scriptures instead of searching for Biblical evidences that they are believers.
Evidences of Assurances
How then does this assurance come? The First Epistle of John seems to point to three things: 1. The Truth of God; 2. The witness of the Spirit; 3. The life of the believer. The combined evidence of these three things together bring assurance.
By the first is meant what the Confession of Faith calls “the divine truth of the promise”. John emphasises in his first chapter that “if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins”, and he stresses the seriousness of making God a liar by not believing what He has said. It is God who has said that whosoever believeth on the Son shall not perish; it is God’s Word that records, “all that believe are justified”, and it is God who promises that “none perish that Him trust.”
A second matter that John mentions in the way of assurance is subjective and not objective like the first. He records: “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself. The witness of the Spirit is that inner illumination which the Spirit gives whereby the mind is enlightened in the knowledge of Christ; the heart goes out to Him; and as a result the conscience enjoys peace with God. Although this is subjective, yet it is real and true. There is peace at the thought of Christ as their Saviour.
Thirdly, John states: “Hereby we know that we know him, if we keep His commandments. The behaviour and conduct of the believer is a practical and continual evidence that we are the children of God. Christ Himself said, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” The evidence of faith is love, and the evidence of love is obedience. The continual observance of Christ’s commands is a mark of the believer in Christ.
These three evidences together bring assurance: the truth of the Word; the inner peace of the Spirit, and the life of the believer. One on its own may not necessarily provide assurance. If we really put our faith in Christ as He is revealed in the Word we will be saved, but we may not have the assurance of it. It is possible to be saved and yet not enjoy the comfort of it. So we may indeed be resting on the Saviour without assurance of salvation. Similarly, we may have the subjective peace of conscience whereby we are inwardly comforted, but if we do not have the objective truth of God to anchor on, we are like a sailor who casts the anchor inside the ship instead of on to the sea bed. Again, if all we have is Christian behaviour, without direct faith in Christ or the testimony of the Spirit, then all we have is a religion of works. So it is these three things together that give assurance: the objective truth of God’s Word; the subjective witness of the Spirit; and the practical life of the believer.
Blessings accompanying Assurance
In conclusion, it is surely worth noting that the Scriptures point to great blessings in the gaining of assurance. Some allege that if a person obtained assurance then that person would become proud and haughty. However, it is the opposite effect it had on Paul, for he writes: “By the grace of God, I am what I am,” and “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” True assurance leads to humility, not pride, for it recognises that it is Christ’s work, not our works, that saves us.
Again, others think that if they had assurance it would lead them to be careless and slothful in the pursuit of their growth in grace. “But what saith the Scriptures?” The Apostle, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says in Hebrews 6: 11, 12 “I desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end that he be not slothful but followers . . .” The Scriptures tell us that in order to avoid slothfulness and indifference in the Christian race it is important to obtain assurance. True assurance, then, not only leads to humility but also holiness.
Yet again others think that if they obtained assurance their lives would be in danger of being corrupted, that assurance would lead them to a trifling with sin and an over-confidence because they know that they will never be lost. But “What saith the Scriptures?” It is John again in his first epistle that replies: “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” Purity of life, not sin and shame, is the effect of true assurance.
Do we need humility; zeal for holiness; a pure life? Are we anxious to know how to arrive at these three attainments? Then let us hear both Peter and Paul instruct us to be diligent to obtain assurance. “Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.” (2 Peter 1: 10) “We desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope.” (Heb. 6: 11).
‘Tis a Point I long to Know”
‘Tis a point I long to know;
Oft it causes anxious thought;
Do I love the Lord, or no?
Am I His, or am I not?
If I love, why am I thus;
Why this dull, this lifeless frame?
Hardly, sure can they be worse,
Who have never heard His name.
Could my heart so hard remain,
Prayer a task and burden prove;
Every trifle give me pain,
If I knew a Saviour’s love?
When I turn my eyes within,
All is dark and vain and wild;
Filled with unbelief and sin,
Can I deem myself a child?
If I pray, or hear, or read,
Sin is mixed with all I do;
You that love the Lord indeed,
Tell, is it thus with you?
Yet I mourn my stubborn will,
Find my sin a grief and thrall!
Should I grieve for what I feel,
If I did not love at all?
Could I joy his saints to meet,
Choose the ways I once abhor’d;
Find at times the promises sweet,
If I did not love the Lord?
Lord, decide the doubtful case,
Thou who art Thy people’s sun;
Shine upon Thy work of grace,
If it be indeed begun.
Let me love Thee more and more,
If I love at all, I pray;
If I have not loved before,
Help me to begin today.
— John Newton.