Assurance of Salvation

"And since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" (Heb 10:22).

At our men's breakfast this past Saturday, we discussed the topic of the assurance of salvation. It got me thinking of the three significant 17th-century confessions and how they helpfully deal with the subject (all nearly identical treatments). I find them extremely helpful and biblical.

So, I am passing along what the 1689 London Confession of Faith says about the "Assurance of Grace and Salvation" with a few comments. I trust it will be helpful!

1. Although temporary believers, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish; yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.
(Job 8:13, 14;  Matthew 7:22, 23;  1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:14, 18, 19, 21, 24; 1 John 5:13;  Romans 5:2, 5)

Notice a few things. First, it acknowledges that there are those who are confident in their salvation who ought not to be, which is to say that there is such a thing as false assurance. One example of this is in the gospels when John the Baptist warns the Pharisees and Sadducees not to place their hope in the fact that they are physical descendants of Abraham (Mt. 3:8-10). Such assurance is misplaced.

Despite this, the confession affirms with Scripture that it is nevertheless good for true believers to have an assurance that they belong to God--something that brings joy and hope! First John 5:13 is given as a helpful proof text, which reads, "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."

2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel; and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God; and, as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both humble and holy.  

(Hebrews 6:11, 19;  Hebrews 6:17, 18;  2 Peter 1:4, 5, 10, 11;  Romans 8:15, 16; 1 John 3:1-3)

Notice what assurance is based upon. First, it is based upon the work of Christ in the gospel. The main reason for our assurance is this: Christ is a great and powerful Savior (see the argument of the entire book of Hebrews). Second, it is based upon the "inward evidence" of salvation, which is another way of saying that one's fruit bears evidence of salvation. The third grounds of assurance is the Spirit's witness that we are indeed children of God. This is a more subjective element in which we are convinced that we are actually saved. 

3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it; yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of means, attain thereunto: and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; -so far is it from inclining men to looseness.
(Isaiah 50:10;  Psalms 88;  Psalms 77:1-12;  1 John 4:13; Hebrews 6:11, 12;  Romans 5:1, 2, 5; Romans 14:17;  Psalms 119:32;  Romans 6:1,2;  Titus 2:11, 12, 14)

Notice that the confession acknowledges that it may take time for a believer to arrive at an assurance that they are saved. Nevertheless, it is possible to arrive at a place of assurance by "right use of means" (Scripture, prayer, fellowship, service to God, etc). It even says that it is the duty of every believer to strive for certainty, using the language of 2 Peter 1:10 that believers are to make one's calling and election sure. 

The confession also states the fruit of assurance: it results in greater peace, joy, love, and thankfulness in addition to greater strength and cheerfulness in Christian duties. It is not something that promotes laziness or "looseness" (a common caricature) but greater joy and strength in the Christian life! Knowing that I belong to my wife, and she to me, promotes love and joy in our relationship. If that were up in the air, it would promote much anxiety in our relationship. So too with the Christian life: assurance is the cause for much joy and grateful obedience.

4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light, yet are they never destitute of the seed of God and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscience of duty out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due time be revived, and by the which, in the meantime, they are preserved from utter despair. 

(Song of Songs 5:2, 3, 6;  Psalms 51:8, 12, 14;  Psalms 116:11; Psalms 77:7, 8; Psalms 31:22;  Psalms 30:7;  1 John 3:9;  Luke 22:32;  Psalms 42:5, 11;  Lamentations 3:26-31)

In the final paragraph, the confession acknowledges that assurance can sometimes be shaken and diminished in true believers. It can happen when believers are negligent in the things of the Lord, fall into sin, or experience sudden or intense temptation. All of these things can make a true believer question the reality of their salvation. Additionally, sometimes God, for reasons unknown to us, simply "withdraw[s] the light of his countenance" and allows even his own children to experience distance from him and darkness.

Nevertheless, this doesn't mean the believer is actually lost in that moment. The believer is never totally devoid of faith, love for Christ, or commitment to Christian duty. The Lord continues to preserve His children through these and, typically, assurance will return to the believer in due time.

A Couple Concluding Thoughts

Wrestling with one's assurance can be a very painful and upsetting experience. Yet, it is helpful to see that this happened to believers in the Bible and through history. You are not alone if you're experiencing a time of uncertainty. I would implore you to cast your gaze upon the greatness of Jesus Christ where true assurance is primarily found! At the end of the day, conclude with Peter that there is nowhere else to turn (John 6:68-69), and confess that Jesus is your only hope, even if you're experiencing dark days.

Additionally, I would add that you needn't walk that dark path alone. Indeed, God is with you though it is hard to see, and He has given you a church to bear you up! Wait upon the Lord to yet lift your head. 

Many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head (Psalm 3:3).

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Here's a version of the confession's chapter on assurance in updated English.