The doctrine of hell makes assurance of salvation precious. If there is a real danger of eternal punishment, every believer wants to know that he or she is safe in Christ. The Bible offers assurance. John 5:24 says that whoever believes has eternal life and will not come into judgment. Romans 8:1 says there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. First John was written so that believers might know that they have eternal life 1 John 5:13.

But assurance is not automatic. It can be lost through sin, neglected through carelessness, or falsely claimed through presumption. The Christian must learn to examine himself while resting on Christ.

Assurance rests on three grounds. First, the promises of God. The Bible says that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved Romans 10:13. Second, the work of Christ. If we trust His finished work, we are justified. Third, the evidence of grace. Faith produces fruit. A changed life confirms that the Spirit is at work.

The strongest assurance comes from all three grounds together. We trust the promise, rest on the cross, and see the Spirit's transforming work. If one ground is missing, assurance wavers.

Paul tells the Corinthians to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith 2 Corinthians 13:5. This is not morbid introspection. It is a sober check against presumption. We ask whether our faith is real, whether our repentance is genuine, whether our love for Christ is growing, and whether our lives bear fruit.

Self-examination should lead either to renewed confidence or to repentance. If we find evidence of grace, we thank God. If we find persistent unbelief or unrepentant sin, we flee to Christ again.

False assurance is based on external things: a prayer prayed, a baptism received, a church joined, a moral record kept. True assurance is based on the indwelling Spirit, who testifies with our spirit that we are children of God Romans 8:16. The Spirit produces love for God, hatred of sin, hunger for Scripture, and love for the brothers. Where these are present, assurance is warranted.

Common student mistake: Basing assurance on a past decision or religious activity while ignoring the present evidence of grace.

Practice assignment: Read 1 John 5:13 and 2 Corinthians 13:5. Write a personal assessment using the three grounds of assurance: God's promises, Christ's work, and the fruit of grace.

Worksheet idea: "Am I in the Faith?" — list ten evidences of grace from 1 John and mark which ones are present in your life.

Completion requirement: Student can distinguish true assurance from false assurance and explain the biblical grounds for confidence in salvation.

• What three grounds support assurance of salvation?

ANSWER: The promises of God, the finished work of Christ, and the evidence of grace in the believer's life.

• What does 2 Corinthians 13:5 command believers to do?

ANSWER: To examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith.

• What is the danger of false assurance?

ANSWER: It rests on external activities or past decisions rather than on the work of the Spirit and the evidence of grace.