April 6 I Friday

1 Samuel 4-6

Luke 9:1-17

“… I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”  —2 Timothy 1:12

While the resurrection of Jesus Christ assures us of all the promises that come with our faith, the bigger concern for many Christians is whether they are truly saved to begin with. They know they have confessed their sins and believe in Jesus, but are worried they may have somehow lost their salvation. This is one of the devil’s most common accusations against believers, hoping to convince us our salvation is lacking by way of our emotions.

Thankfully, the state of our salvation does not depend on our feelings or actions. Our salvation is kept secure completely and entirely because of God. The Bible gives six reasons why this is the case, the first three of which have to do with God’s character.

Firstly, Christians are assured of salvation because of God’s grace. Grace is getting what we do not deserve. Paul writes, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Jesus’s work on the cross made salvation possible, which He now freely offers to us as a gift. We do not earn our salvation by performing well. Our good deeds do not sustain our salvation nor do our bad deeds put it in jeopardy. Salvation is designed so good deeds are evidence for it, but Christ’s work on the cross is the reason we can be certain our salvation is secure.

Secondly, the love of God assures our salvation. In Romans 8:38-39, Paul writes, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Our salvation is as strong as God’s love, and His love for us is never ending.

Thirdly, we are assured of our salvation because of God’s power. Jesus says of believers, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29). There is the power of God in that our security is not based on our ability to hold onto God, but is based on God’s ability to hold onto us. As Christians, we have the double protection of Christ grasping onto us tightly and God grasping us tightly with Christ, so no one can snatch us from their hands. Our salvation is as secure as God is powerful.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God, and I praise You for Your grace, Your love and Your power. Thank You for sustaining my salvation and guarding my life, which I have entrusted to You.