Can we lose the assurance of our salvation?
This is a very important question. It is also important the reader understand the entire question. If one is truly saved, they cannot lose their salvation. God is the one that grants salvation to all those who believe, and He is the one that secures salvation forever. The scripture says, "He that began a good work in you will complete until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). God is and will always be faithful to His word and to us. From the divine side, God assures and insures our salvation.
But, can we lose the assurance of our salvation? Yes. What does that mean? It means what it says. We lose confidence in the reality that we are saved. What causes this lack of assurance? I would say mainly two things: 1) doubt and 2) sin.
Doubt arises as a result of our lack of knowledge on what the Bible teaches about salvation. When a person's ignorance of the truth of salvation is high, then doubt will also be at a high level. This lack of assurance also produces fear in one's mind and heart. Salvation is still there, but for the one going through the aforementioned trauma, there is no real joy for them.
Sin also will produce a lack of assurance. If one is living in habitual sin, then it is an open door for Satan to interfere and create doubt. That is the time to run to God humbly and repent so you can be restored (1 John 1:9). The Bible commands us to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10).
That is divine wisdom because we are frail so God provides us with clear instruction on how to have individual assurance. This is what the apostle Peter instructs us to do: "Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue knowledge, and knowledge with self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins (2 Peter 1:5-9).
That is why we are to make our calling and election sure. This is the beauty of the Word of God, it instructs on how we are to obey its commands specifically and then gives us the marching orders to do it - totally and perfectly unambiguous. God's word is totally opposite of the often inept communication we deal with every day. I believe we are in the poorest communication era of all time despite all our fancy overpriced communication technology.
Getting back to the subject at hand, Christians lose the assurance of their salvation every day. So much so that many believe losing their assurance is equal to losing actual salvation and going to hell.
See why it is important to lean on the immutable Word of God and not our own understanding?
Our feelings often betray us. Child of God you cannot allow that to happen. Here is another command of God we must employ: "Do not be conformed to this world (i.e. the world's evil system), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (emphasis added) that you may prove what is good, acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2).
Practical assurance is something we must do. God will not do that for us for He has already provided eternal positional assurance. If one desires a victorious Christian life then you must throw off the distractions that are holding you down - mainly our sin and lack of the knowledge of God's Word. When we have gotten rid of every encumbrance, we can live bold, confident, assured lives in Christ. Our light will shine before God and men so that they can be drawn by God's power and we can give glory to Him.
But, can we lose the assurance of our salvation? Yes. What does that mean? It means what it says. We lose confidence in the reality that we are saved. What causes this lack of assurance? I would say mainly two things: 1) doubt and 2) sin.
Doubt arises as a result of our lack of knowledge on what the Bible teaches about salvation. When a person's ignorance of the truth of salvation is high, then doubt will also be at a high level. This lack of assurance also produces fear in one's mind and heart. Salvation is still there, but for the one going through the aforementioned trauma, there is no real joy for them.
Sin also will produce a lack of assurance. If one is living in habitual sin, then it is an open door for Satan to interfere and create doubt. That is the time to run to God humbly and repent so you can be restored (1 John 1:9). The Bible commands us to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10).
That is divine wisdom because we are frail so God provides us with clear instruction on how to have individual assurance. This is what the apostle Peter instructs us to do: "Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue knowledge, and knowledge with self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins (2 Peter 1:5-9).
That is why we are to make our calling and election sure. This is the beauty of the Word of God, it instructs on how we are to obey its commands specifically and then gives us the marching orders to do it - totally and perfectly unambiguous. God's word is totally opposite of the often inept communication we deal with every day. I believe we are in the poorest communication era of all time despite all our fancy overpriced communication technology.
Getting back to the subject at hand, Christians lose the assurance of their salvation every day. So much so that many believe losing their assurance is equal to losing actual salvation and going to hell.
See why it is important to lean on the immutable Word of God and not our own understanding?
Our feelings often betray us. Child of God you cannot allow that to happen. Here is another command of God we must employ: "Do not be conformed to this world (i.e. the world's evil system), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (emphasis added) that you may prove what is good, acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2).
Practical assurance is something we must do. God will not do that for us for He has already provided eternal positional assurance. If one desires a victorious Christian life then you must throw off the distractions that are holding you down - mainly our sin and lack of the knowledge of God's Word. When we have gotten rid of every encumbrance, we can live bold, confident, assured lives in Christ. Our light will shine before God and men so that they can be drawn by God's power and we can give glory to Him.
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