Philippians 1:6. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Do you ever struggle with the assurance of your salvation? Many Christians do. Many ask, “How can I know for sure that I am saved?” Maybe we even fear that we have somehow lost our salvation along the journey. I’ve spoken with several Christians who were taught growing up that they would lose their salvation each time they sinned.
But then comes a promise so bold and so true that it just stops our doubts right in their tracks. A verse that puts all our fears in their place. A declaration of our guaranteed eternal salvation in Christ so explicit that there can be no more questions about our assurance of salvation.
Philippians 1:6 is that verse.
Paul tells the Philippian Christians that he is sure that they are saved. He is confident that God’s good work in them has begun, it is ongoing, and it will be completed. But how can he be so sure? How can WE be so sure? How can we know for sure that we are saved?
Because our salvation is all of God, and all of his grace.
Philippians 1:6 contains not a single hint of self-salvation. From beginning, to middle, to end, God in his grace plans, executes, and completes our salvation. Our salvation is not based on how God feels at any given moment – his increasing or decreasing pleasure in your performance. No. Your salvation is founded solely upon the New Covenant. The unbreakable promise of God made to you on the day you received the life of Christ. A promise secured by Christ and his work on the cross, and sealed with the indwelling Spirit of Christ.
Christian, your salvation is being guarded by the unchanging nature of God – his indestructible, unconditional love. His power and glory. His grace and mercy. Because of who he is, God will never leave us or forsake us. He will not allow any of his children to be plucked from his hand. He will shepherd us to our eternal home with him. He will love us unto the end. Why? For the glory of the Trinity. For the glory of his name. For the honor of the Son of God.
God HAS TO save us.
God CAN save us.
God WANTS TO save us.
God WILL save us.
Christian, your salvation and future glory is secure because it is directly connected to the day of Jesus Christ. The day of his revealing. The day of his exaltation. The day of his coronation to sit upon the throne of the universe. The day that we will be presented to the world as the trophies of God’s grace. The spoils of the great spiritual war. Jesus’ reward.
When you doubt your salvation ask this question, “Will God complete the glorification of Jesus his Son? Yes! Therefore, will God complete your salvation? Yes!” These two things go hand in hand. There is not one without the other. Christ’s eternal glory is contingent upon us being saved and staying saved, all by the simple grace of God.
Why do we doubt our salvation? Because we have taken our eyes off of God and placed them on ourselves. On our own works. Our own performance. Our own feelings. But praise God that our salvation is not about us. It’s about him! And that is good news. So look to God. Look to Christ. Look to the Spirit. Look to the grace of Calvary. Look to a love that will not let you go. Ever.
And look to your own heart.
Yes, salvation is all of God and his grace, but it is taking place in us – He who began a good work IN YOU. So how can we be sure that we are saved? By what is taking place IN us – Faith. Hope. Love.
These are NOT supplements or additions to God’s work. They are the evidence of God’s work. And they ARE IN YOU.
Be careful, here’s where we might be tempted to start comparing or scoring ourselves again. “But my faith is so small. My hope is fading. My love is so weak.”
So what you’re saying is that you DO have faith, hope, and love inside of you.
Sure, if you compare your spiritual growth to others or even to yourself, to those times when you were “on fire” for Jesus. Or if you compare yourself to where you “should” be according to the last sermon you heard or blog you read, then you’ll always leave room in your heart for all kinds of doubts.
But if you remember what Philippians 1:6 actually says, that your spiritual growth is supposed to be a process, a journey, a formation into Christ that is not completed until the day of Jesus Christ. When you remember to trust what God is doing IN YOU right now, by his grace, even when it looks like you’re moving backwards, then you will begin to enjoy the confident assurance of God’s salvation in you. The assurance of “to live is Christ.”
You
Do you ever doubt your salvation?
You in Christ
Is the proof of your salvation found in God or in yourself?
Christ in you
Where can you see faith, hope, and love in you as the evidence of Christ’s indwelling life?
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Playlist: Faithful
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To Live is Christ 