Assurance of Salvation

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).

Introduction

Paul made a similar statement like this in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” The wrath mentioned in our text must be kept in context with the passage, therefore it relates directly to salvation. There is nothing in this reference that permits us to pinpoint the timing of the rapture of the church. The most important in the apostle’s mind is that his readers have full assurance of salvation and eternal life. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)” (Hebrews 10:22-23).

Appointed to salvation

The true church is not destined to wrath, which is the eternal judgement of God, but to spend eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ. We have been elected, “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God” (1 Thessalonians 1:4), chosen, “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13), and destined for glory, “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12).

This salvation was not of our doing or according to our merits, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9) … “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7), but purchased through the sacrificial blood of Christ, “Which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). This means that our only foundation for assurance is the finished work of Christ on the cross. “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).

This salvation includes deliverance from sin and the condemnation associated with it, “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3) … “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1) … “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Our faith in this is our assurance (guarantee) of everlasting life, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Such assurance is sealed by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

The wrath of God

The wrath of God only comes upon those who refuse to believe and accept Christ as the only way of salvation and eternal life. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36) … “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18) … “For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience” (Colossians 3:6). What is this wrath? It is the final judgement upon unbelievers, which is the Lake of Fire, “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb” (Revelation 14:10). “God hath not appointed us to wrath - As he hath the obstinately impenitent” (John Wesley).

Conclusion

© 22/5/2008